Focus issues. K200D Is it the Camera or the piece of meat hanging off the end of it?

mcgregni · 03-26-2018, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by laurie02

Or is it a case of practice makes perfect?

Yes, but not only practice .....you need practice plus knowledge ..... we all need them both to get good results consistently. I'd recommend a good book on general DSLR photography, plus if its available one of the "Magic Lantern" Guides or "E-Books" for your camera.

Heres a couple of books on Amazon that look good ......

https://www.amazon.com/Photography-Functions-Shooting-Beginners-Exposure/dp/...+for+beginners

https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-DSLR-Photography-Brilliant/dp/1500794...+for+beginners

Last edited by mcgregni; 03-26-2018 at 01:56 PM.

laurie02 · 03-26-2018, 04:10 PM - **1 Like**

I have come to the realisation that I'm still a beginner!
My issue is not taking the time to learn, not taking the time to use the camera properly, not taking the time to check my results.
A lot of human error involved here. so
step 1/ read a lot of stuff, including the manual.
step 2/ relax, don't rush
step 3/ get off Auto pic and stop being lazy!
step 4/ get to know the Camera.

It might be old, but it is capable of producing excellent pictures, I just have to input the right data to to coax the best out of it.
Finding the data is the challenge!

Cheers and thanks everyone for the hints, tips and education.

**mikesbike** · 03-26-2018, 07:07 PM

My impression is also the shutter speed might be a bit too slow. And if you are using center-only spot focus, you must develop your technique for training the focus on a certain subject area, hold the focus with the half press while moving the camera to get the framing you want, then complete the press of the shutter button to take your shot. For moving subjects, you will probably have to continuously refocus by using the half-press while following it. Or possibly using AF-C (continuous focus) setting as well.

Another thing, the K200D by default is set up for about 1/2 stop underexposure. However, your shots appear to have been taken on a rather gray day, except for the last one, which is not bad.

And yes, you are right on in your latest comments. It does take experience. Yes, the K200D is still quite a capable camera!

laurie02 · 03-26-2018, 10:02 PM

I'vs set it up at EV 0.7 , I tried Matrix focus today however it seems to pick up mainly the back ground,
I've gone out today, these are the untouched JPEGS
However, I got more quality images to work with by playing with aperture, manual focus, on a bleak grey colourless day.

All in all, a bit happier with my results, off to Melbourne over Easter so I will try for colour and contrast of the big smoke!

some examples of what I got today... Complete with EXIF!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/392663d1522126174-focus-issues-k200d-camera-piece-meat-hanging-off-end-_igp9868.jpg

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/392666d1522126848-focus-issues-k200d-camera-piece-meat-hanging-off-end-_igp9855.jpg

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/392667d1522126848-focus-issues-k200d-camera-piece-meat-hanging-off-end-_igp9865.jpg

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/392668d1522126848-focus-issues-k200d-camera-piece-meat-hanging-off-end-_igp9889.jpg

Attached Images

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View Picture EXIF

Kozlok · 03-28-2018, 09:42 PM

Photography is about capturing light. Go out when/where the light is interesting. It makes a big difference.

laurie02 · 03-28-2018, 10:06 PM

Yeah but this is about focus, light will come later

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03-26-2018, 01:40 PM	#16
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Originally posted by laurie02 Or is it a case of practice makes perfect? Yes, but not only practice .....you need practice plus knowledge ..... we all need them both to get good results consistently. I'd recommend a good book on general DSLR photography, plus if its available one of the "Magic Lantern" Guides or "E-Books" for your camera. Heres a couple of books on Amazon that look good ...... https://www.amazon.com/Photography-Functions-Shooting-Beginners-Exposure/dp/...+for+beginners https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-DSLR-Photography-Brilliant/dp/1500794...+for+beginners Last edited by mcgregni; 03-26-2018 at 01:56 PM.

03-26-2018, 04:10 PM - 1 Like	#17
laurie02 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Arnaud, Victoria, 3478. Australia. Posts: 73 Original Poster	I have come to the realisation that I'm still a beginner! My issue is not taking the time to learn, not taking the time to use the camera properly, not taking the time to check my results. A lot of human error involved here. so step 1/ read a lot of stuff, including the manual. step 2/ relax, don't rush step 3/ get off Auto pic and stop being lazy! step 4/ get to know the Camera. It might be old, but it is capable of producing excellent pictures, I just have to input the right data to to coax the best out of it. Finding the data is the challenge! Cheers and thanks everyone for the hints, tips and education.

03-26-2018, 07:07 PM	#18
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	My impression is also the shutter speed might be a bit too slow. And if you are using center-only spot focus, you must develop your technique for training the focus on a certain subject area, hold the focus with the half press while moving the camera to get the framing you want, then complete the press of the shutter button to take your shot. For moving subjects, you will probably have to continuously refocus by using the half-press while following it. Or possibly using AF-C (continuous focus) setting as well. Another thing, the K200D by default is set up for about 1/2 stop underexposure. However, your shots appear to have been taken on a rather gray day, except for the last one, which is not bad. And yes, you are right on in your latest comments. It does take experience. Yes, the K200D is still quite a capable camera!

03-28-2018, 09:42 PM	#20
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Photography is about capturing light. Go out when/where the light is interesting. It makes a big difference.

03-28-2018, 10:06 PM	#21
laurie02 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: St Arnaud, Victoria, 3478. Australia. Posts: 73 Original Poster	Yeah but this is about focus, light will come later