Help with K-5 Focal Point

BobbyA · 10-10-2012, 11:39 AM

I just got my K-5 and I’m still learning all the great features of the camera. One thing has me stumped and I could use a little help from a fellow K-5’er.
I know the camera has an eleven point auto focus system but I either have it set wrong or don’t understand it completely. On a friends Canon 6D, the ‘Red Dot’ in the view finder will move from one focal point to another each time you press the shutter button down half way so you can select the focal point you want. But on my K-5 the Red Dot stays in the center. Is there a setting on the camera to make it work how I described the Canon?

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-10-2012, 12:05 PM

There's a button on the back of the camera labelled AF. Around that there's a rotating switch with three positions. They choose how the AF points operate. The top position is center-point only. The bottom is Auto, where the camera chooses one point. The center one allows you to choose a point. Put that switch on SEL and you can use the 4-way controller arrows to choose a point. There's some customization to choose how the AF button or half-press of the shutter works, but that's the general idea. Page 127 of the manual.

BobbyA · 10-10-2012, 12:50 PM

I followed the instructions on page 127 exactly as you descibed but all the 4-way did was change the lighting type (bright, outdoors, tongston, etc). I must have re-read that section 5 times and always got the same results. I don have the camera with me but I'll try it again tonight. Thanks

DSims · 10-10-2012, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by BobbyA

On a friends Canon 6D, the ‘Red Dot’ in the view finder will move from one focal point to another each time you press the shutter button down half way so you can select the focal point you want.

That's quite amazing because the 6D isn't to be released until December. So either he has a different model number, or he's a beta tester (which would also explain the odd behavior! Who'd want the focus point to change every time you press the shutter half-way down!!?).

DSims · 10-10-2012, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by BobbyA

I followed the instructions on page 127 exactly as you descibed but all the 4-way did was change the lighting type (bright, outdoors, tongston, etc). I must have re-read that section 5 times and always got the same results.

You have to press and hold the button in the center of the 4-way until the mode changes to focus point selection. It will stay in that mode until you press and hold it again.

amoringello · 10-10-2012, 01:58 PM

Yeah, in auto setting on the dial with the green grid icon will do it. In fact I think the K5 actually shows multiple focus spots if it picks up multiple subjects within close proximity to each other. I never tested to see if it tries to focus such that all focus points remain in focus for the aperture setting, or if that only happens because they are in focus already.

I suspect Pentax focusing is rather dumb and is the latter... whereas I believe one of my point and shoots tries to keep multiple locations in focus if possible. (But thats also why I prefer single point focus. I never know who/what is going to be chosen by the technology.) :-)

westmill · 10-10-2012, 02:11 PM

Those little red squares are not the actual focus points. More of an indicator. The actual focus points are far far larger. The center focus point stretches out to the () spot metering markings which you can use quite accurately as a focus point.

BobbyA · 10-10-2012, 02:17 PM

Thanks to all. That makes alot more sence now. I'll try it when I get home.

As for the Canon, I may have the model number wrong. It had a six in there some where and afterall its a Canon so really cares !! lol

westmill · 10-10-2012, 02:26 PM

It all seems very daunting when you are starting out. All the of the bits start to fall into place like a jigsaw. You see your photography improve with more understanding as you learn. Its an enjoyable and rewarding process though. You have a superb camera to learn with too. The good side is you are not likely to outgrow it as you learn. Enjoy !

BobbyA · 10-10-2012, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by westmill

You have a superb camera to learn with too. The good side is you are not likely to outgrow it as you learn. Enjoy !

Great point and so right. What a great camera.

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-10-2012, 03:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by DSims

You have to press and hold the button in the center of the 4-way until the mode changes to focus point selection. It will stay in that mode until you press and hold it again.

I can see why the OP had trouble with this. The three-position switch gets you into focus-point selection mode, but the OK button button bumps you back out of it, so the controller can be used for drive mode, flash, WB, or JPG parameters. When you watch the rear LCD, it's a little clearer what the OK button is doing here. I wouldn't have noticed it by the way the manual presents it.

amoringello · 10-10-2012, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by westmill

Those little red squares are not the actual focus points. More of an indicator. The actual focus points are far far larger. The center focus point stretches out to the () spot metering markings which you can use quite accurately as a focus point.

he, he, yeah a few years ago I did a test of where the focus areas where. The areas were not at all what I had expected.

Just take a sheet of paper with a clear black dot on it, put your camera in continuous auto focus and move the dot around. You'll be able to determine where the edges of the focus "points" are.

One of my camera's focus points were mis-aligned such that all focus areas were down and left of center.
This helped me find the actual center spot. Sort of a pain in the arse kludge but I did not have to send the camera in for repair and be without it for 8-12 weeks. :-)

DSims · 10-10-2012, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by BobbyA

As for the Canon, I may have the model number wrong. It had a six in there some where and afterall its a Canon so really cares !! lol

Sorry I gave you such a hard time about the model number! It was probably a 60D or something.

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

I can see why the OP had trouble with this.

It was easy for me to recognize, because this still gives me problems! I change the focus point regularly, but I often find that I've inadvertently switched it out of this mode.

westmill · 10-11-2012, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by amoringello

he, he, yeah a few years ago I did a test of where the focus areas where. The areas were not at all what I had expected.

Just take a sheet of paper with a clear black dot on it, put your camera in continuous auto focus and move the dot around. You'll be able to determine where the edges of the focus "points" are.

One of my camera's focus points were mis-aligned such that all focus areas were down and left of center.
This helped me find the actual center spot. Sort of a pain in the arse kludge but I did not have to send the camera in for repair and be without it for 8-12 weeks. :-)

Yes that is the way I did it. The trick is not to pick too small a target to focus on. Like focus on the face rather than an eye, as it may focus on the nose or ear or simply miss altogether and focus on the background. Its the biggest cause and reason for people thinking they have back or front focussing problems.

BobbyA · 10-12-2012, 12:19 PM

OK, I went home and sure enough it worked like a charm. Exactly what I was looking for. If I have one complaint its that the K-5 Owners Manual could have been a little clearer on how to operate this feature. In fact I have found examples of the manual not being very clear. Thanks for the help guys.

10-10-2012, 11:39 AM	#1
BobbyA Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Photos: Albums Posts: 27	Help with K-5 Focal Point I just got my K-5 and I’m still learning all the great features of the camera. One thing has me stumped and I could use a little help from a fellow K-5’er. I know the camera has an eleven point auto focus system but I either have it set wrong or don’t understand it completely. On a friends Canon 6D, the ‘Red Dot’ in the view finder will move from one focal point to another each time you press the shutter button down half way so you can select the focal point you want. But on my K-5 the Red Dot stays in the center. Is there a setting on the camera to make it work how I described the Canon?

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10-10-2012, 12:05 PM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	There's a button on the back of the camera labelled AF. Around that there's a rotating switch with three positions. They choose how the AF points operate. The top position is center-point only. The bottom is Auto, where the camera chooses one point. The center one allows you to choose a point. Put that switch on SEL and you can use the 4-way controller arrows to choose a point. There's some customization to choose how the AF button or half-press of the shutter works, but that's the general idea. Page 127 of the manual.

10-10-2012, 12:50 PM	#3
BobbyA Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Photos: Albums Posts: 27 Original Poster	I followed the instructions on page 127 exactly as you descibed but all the 4-way did was change the lighting type (bright, outdoors, tongston, etc). I must have re-read that section 5 times and always got the same results. I don have the camera with me but I'll try it again tonight. Thanks

10-10-2012, 01:52 PM	#4
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by BobbyA On a friends Canon 6D, the ‘Red Dot’ in the view finder will move from one focal point to another each time you press the shutter button down half way so you can select the focal point you want. That's quite amazing because the 6D isn't to be released until December. So either he has a different model number, or he's a beta tester (which would also explain the odd behavior! Who'd want the focus point to change every time you press the shutter half-way down!!?).

10-10-2012, 01:54 PM	#5
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by BobbyA I followed the instructions on page 127 exactly as you descibed but all the 4-way did was change the lighting type (bright, outdoors, tongston, etc). I must have re-read that section 5 times and always got the same results. You have to press and hold the button in the center of the 4-way until the mode changes to focus point selection. It will stay in that mode until you press and hold it again.

10-10-2012, 01:58 PM	#6
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Yeah, in auto setting on the dial with the green grid icon will do it. In fact I think the K5 actually shows multiple focus spots if it picks up multiple subjects within close proximity to each other. I never tested to see if it tries to focus such that all focus points remain in focus for the aperture setting, or if that only happens because they are in focus already. I suspect Pentax focusing is rather dumb and is the latter... whereas I believe one of my point and shoots tries to keep multiple locations in focus if possible. (But thats also why I prefer single point focus. I never know who/what is going to be chosen by the technology.) :-)

10-10-2012, 02:11 PM	#7
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Those little red squares are not the actual focus points. More of an indicator. The actual focus points are far far larger. The center focus point stretches out to the () spot metering markings which you can use quite accurately as a focus point.

10-10-2012, 02:17 PM	#8
BobbyA Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Photos: Albums Posts: 27 Original Poster	Thanks to all. That makes alot more sence now. I'll try it when I get home. As for the Canon, I may have the model number wrong. It had a six in there some where and afterall its a Canon so really cares !! lol

10-10-2012, 02:26 PM	#9
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	It all seems very daunting when you are starting out. All the of the bits start to fall into place like a jigsaw. You see your photography improve with more understanding as you learn. Its an enjoyable and rewarding process though. You have a superb camera to learn with too. The good side is you are not likely to outgrow it as you learn. Enjoy !

10-10-2012, 02:35 PM	#10
BobbyA Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Photos: Albums Posts: 27 Original Poster	Originally posted by westmill You have a superb camera to learn with too. The good side is you are not likely to outgrow it as you learn. Enjoy ! Great point and so right. What a great camera.

10-10-2012, 03:11 PM - 1 Like	#11
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by DSims You have to press and hold the button in the center of the 4-way until the mode changes to focus point selection. It will stay in that mode until you press and hold it again. I can see why the OP had trouble with this. The three-position switch gets you into focus-point selection mode, but the OK button button bumps you back out of it, so the controller can be used for drive mode, flash, WB, or JPG parameters. When you watch the rear LCD, it's a little clearer what the OK button is doing here. I wouldn't have noticed it by the way the manual presents it.

10-10-2012, 04:19 PM	#12
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Originally posted by westmill Those little red squares are not the actual focus points. More of an indicator. The actual focus points are far far larger. The center focus point stretches out to the () spot metering markings which you can use quite accurately as a focus point. he, he, yeah a few years ago I did a test of where the focus areas where. The areas were not at all what I had expected. Just take a sheet of paper with a clear black dot on it, put your camera in continuous auto focus and move the dot around. You'll be able to determine where the edges of the focus "points" are. One of my camera's focus points were mis-aligned such that all focus areas were down and left of center. This helped me find the actual center spot. Sort of a pain in the arse kludge but I did not have to send the camera in for repair and be without it for 8-12 weeks. :-)

10-10-2012, 07:30 PM	#13
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by BobbyA As for the Canon, I may have the model number wrong. It had a six in there some where and afterall its a Canon so really cares !! lol Sorry I gave you such a hard time about the model number! It was probably a 60D or something. Originally posted by Just1MoreDave I can see why the OP had trouble with this. It was easy for me to recognize, because this still gives me problems! I change the focus point regularly, but I often find that I've inadvertently switched it out of this mode.

10-11-2012, 12:06 PM	#14
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by amoringello he, he, yeah a few years ago I did a test of where the focus areas where. The areas were not at all what I had expected. Just take a sheet of paper with a clear black dot on it, put your camera in continuous auto focus and move the dot around. You'll be able to determine where the edges of the focus "points" are. One of my camera's focus points were mis-aligned such that all focus areas were down and left of center. This helped me find the actual center spot. Sort of a pain in the arse kludge but I did not have to send the camera in for repair and be without it for 8-12 weeks. :-) Yes that is the way I did it. The trick is not to pick too small a target to focus on. Like focus on the face rather than an eye, as it may focus on the nose or ear or simply miss altogether and focus on the background. Its the biggest cause and reason for people thinking they have back or front focussing problems.

10-12-2012, 12:19 PM	#15
BobbyA Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Photos: Albums Posts: 27 Original Poster	OK, I went home and sure enough it worked like a charm. Exactly what I was looking for. If I have one complaint its that the K-5 Owners Manual could have been a little clearer on how to operate this feature. In fact I have found examples of the manual not being very clear. Thanks for the help guys.