Originally posted by zkarj I might use it more if I could give it cues as to what I am aiming for.
You fully can do that by the way.
If you have one of the pro level (my term) devices (K-3 for example and I’d hope the K-1) you can set the AF to use the auto grid BUTT crucially you can use the centre focus point to first identify the object of interest.
I've had good results setting first frame release priority in burst mode to focus, and then burst speed release priority after that.
Expanded area AF is the bit that allows you to advise what to track, so it's auto but holds what you select right in the middle to start with.
You can also play with how much it holds where it is before trying to refocus. Birds briefly behind twigs would be an example of a medium to high hold, vs none for kids running in an open field.
As you have identified, that’s the missing piece that turns the auto grid into something useful. I have this working on a kids sports custom user setting on the K-3 and it’s not that bad.
Advanced AF is the single biggest improvement I’d like to see from a stills perspective. There have been incredible advances in this area in the last 5 years or so. The above settings allowed me to be somewhat happy with Pentax again in this regard, having missed what should have been relatively simple photo opportunities of kids coming towards me in running and cycling legs of triathlons etc.
(Obviously I’d like some video capabilities approaching say 2015 industry levels too, but let’s not get carried away...)
Last edited by richandfleur; 07-25-2018 at 03:15 PM.