Have you found that K-7 Firmware 1.1 Improved AF Noticeably?

Christopher M.W.T · 07-31-2010, 11:46 PM

There seems to be a few here much like myself who have noticed an improvement in the AF on the K-7, not just in LV model.

Curious to get a poll on this.

JeffJS · 07-31-2010, 11:54 PM

Yes but It's just nice to be able to AF Live View with the shutter button.

hcc · 08-01-2010, 12:02 AM

It would be nice if a Moderator could update the thread title. Yes it would be useful to have some feedback on the new firmware.

Yesterday, I took over 300 shots with my K-7 at a school fete. I had a Tamron AF SP90mm in the morning and the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 (MF) in the afternoon. There were a lot of actions incl. rides and slides. I used various setup incl. both AF.S and AF.C (with the Tamron), single-shot and Hi continous shooting, with the P mode.

I was impressed by the results. I am no great photographer, but more than 50% of my action shots were well focused incl. during AF.C + Hi continuous shooting of a fasl spinning ride. I cannot comment directly in terms of exact, quantitative comparison between firmware 1.03 and 1.10, but I was pleased positively by the outcomes with firmware 1.10. I could say that the AF appears to be faster.

dlacouture · 08-01-2010, 04:22 AM

Well, don't know if this is placebo effect or what, but I'd swear AF-C is better than before the upgrade...
I often go for a walk before supper with my kids (them on bikes), and they just love racing down a little road we have nearby, where I often snap them head-on with my tamron 70-200...
And since the upgrade, I feel that AF-C is indeed faster, more precise and that I can grab more pics while they are coming right at me...
Seems like the focus update rate is greater. Sit yourself on the ground, focus on the ground nearby and then pan on the ground from near to far to near... You'll hear a nearly constant focus adjust, it was not this frequent before...

Damn, I simply hate it when I cannot say if all this is only in my head or if Pentax really improved things...

ll_coffee_lP · 08-01-2010, 05:36 AM - **1 Like**

There is definitely a difference b/w 1.03 and 1.1.

Yesterday I updated my k-7's. I updated one first and tested the focusing of it with fa43 and da50-135, then swapped the lens out to my "not yet updated" k-7 and focused on the same things and took note of the time and hunting.

I can assure you of the following:
- AF is faster with v1.1
- less time to focus lock with v1.1
- fa43 had a higher pitched whine to it when focusing with v1.1 which leads me to believe that in v1.1 the af motor speed has been tweeked to go faster. no sound difference with da50-135, but it has sdm.

c[_]

**germar** · 08-01-2010, 05:58 AM

As I've posted elsewhere, I have noted a strong improvement in my DA*16-50 focusing. So much improved I can now use it on multipoint AF without constant focus errors. Before I was limited to center point AF.

This update does improve the K-7's focus processes for sure!

germar

ll_coffee_lP · 08-01-2010, 06:24 AM

Originally posted by dlacouture

Well, don't know if this is placebo effect or what, but I'd swear AF-C is better than before the upgrade...
I often go for a walk before supper with my kids (them on bikes), and they just love racing down a little road we have nearby, where I often snap them head-on with my tamron 70-200...
And since the upgrade, I feel that AF-C is indeed faster, more precise and that I can grab more pics while they are coming right at me...
Seems like the focus update rate is greater. Sit yourself on the ground, focus on the ground nearby and then pan on the ground from near to far to near... You'll hear a nearly constant focus adjust, it was not this frequent before...

Damn, I simply hate it when I cannot say if all this is only in my head or if Pentax really improved things...

Just checked this and it is definitely improved! It's gone from being on the verge of being completely useless to being completely usable. I'm going to run it through it's paces with my girls today and see what the keeper rate is like...

c[_]

Adam · 08-01-2010, 06:37 AM

Fixed the typo in your thread title.

Christopher M.W.T · 08-02-2010, 04:24 AM

Thanks, I wrote it on the iphone.

Interesting results so far...

kit p. lang · 08-02-2010, 11:36 PM

voted "all of the above"
classic trio of 21/40/70 focusing faster, more accurately, better response time even in not so good light conditions

hcc · 08-03-2010, 12:19 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Fixed the typo in your thread title.

Adam: thank you to fix the thread title.

It is interesting that 80% of the voters (so far) think that there is some (major) improvements.

tiltman · 08-03-2010, 12:24 AM

It feels more decisive on the 16-50 (especially in low light) and perhaps on the 50-135 but on the 10-17 (fisheye) I do not note any changes.

I use MF a lot of the time so it's hard to tell due to lack of experience with AF.

Anyhow, it is definitivily not slower so if things have changed it's to the better.

knoxploration · 08-04-2010, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Fixed the typo in your thread title.

It might be an idea to update the thread title / poll text to make it clear that this is not in reference to live view, where there's an announced, clear improvement.

I wonder what percentage of voters replied on the poll without reading the thread text, and voted yes based solely on the live view improvement. I *almost* did it myself.

twitch · 08-05-2010, 01:00 AM

If this was just a s/w change, and not dependant on the AF assist lamp, I wonder whether Pentax will incorporate this change into the K-x firmware

Christopher M.W.T · 08-05-2010, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by knoxploration

It might be an idea to update the thread title / poll text to make it clear that this is not in reference to live view, where there's an announced, clear improvement.

I wonder what percentage of voters replied on the poll without reading the thread text, and voted yes based solely on the live view improvement. I *almost* did it myself.

EEEK! I totally missed that!

Yes I second that too Adam.

View Poll Results: Have you noticed an improvement of your K-7 AF since 1.1
AF is definitely faster	14	25.93%
AF is more accurate	2	3.70%
all of the ahove.	22	40.74%
No Improvements at all	16	29.63%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

07-31-2010, 11:46 PM	#1
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	Have you found that K-7 Firmware 1.1 Improved AF Noticeably? There seems to be a few here much like myself who have noticed an improvement in the AF on the K-7, not just in LV model. Curious to get a poll on this.

07-31-2010, 11:54 PM	#2
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Yes but It's just nice to be able to AF Live View with the shutter button. Last edited by JeffJS; 08-03-2010 at 12:46 AM.

08-01-2010, 12:02 AM	#3
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	It would be nice if a Moderator could update the thread title. Yes it would be useful to have some feedback on the new firmware. Yesterday, I took over 300 shots with my K-7 at a school fete. I had a Tamron AF SP90mm in the morning and the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 (MF) in the afternoon. There were a lot of actions incl. rides and slides. I used various setup incl. both AF.S and AF.C (with the Tamron), single-shot and Hi continous shooting, with the P mode. I was impressed by the results. I am no great photographer, but more than 50% of my action shots were well focused incl. during AF.C + Hi continuous shooting of a fasl spinning ride. I cannot comment directly in terms of exact, quantitative comparison between firmware 1.03 and 1.10, but I was pleased positively by the outcomes with firmware 1.10. I could say that the AF appears to be faster. Last edited by hcc; 08-01-2010 at 12:03 AM. Reason: Typos

08-01-2010, 06:37 AM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Fixed the typo in your thread title. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-01-2010, 04:22 AM	#4
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074	Well, don't know if this is placebo effect or what, but I'd swear AF-C is better than before the upgrade... I often go for a walk before supper with my kids (them on bikes), and they just love racing down a little road we have nearby, where I often snap them head-on with my tamron 70-200... And since the upgrade, I feel that AF-C is indeed faster, more precise and that I can grab more pics while they are coming right at me... Seems like the focus update rate is greater. Sit yourself on the ground, focus on the ground nearby and then pan on the ground from near to far to near... You'll hear a nearly constant focus adjust, it was not this frequent before... Damn, I simply hate it when I cannot say if all this is only in my head or if Pentax really improved things...

08-01-2010, 05:36 AM - 1 Like	#5
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	There is definitely a difference b/w 1.03 and 1.1. Yesterday I updated my k-7's. I updated one first and tested the focusing of it with fa43 and da50-135, then swapped the lens out to my "not yet updated" k-7 and focused on the same things and took note of the time and hunting. I can assure you of the following: - AF is faster with v1.1 - less time to focus lock with v1.1 - fa43 had a higher pitched whine to it when focusing with v1.1 which leads me to believe that in v1.1 the af motor speed has been tweeked to go faster. no sound difference with da50-135, but it has sdm. c[_]

08-01-2010, 05:58 AM	#6
germar Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 728	As I've posted elsewhere, I have noted a strong improvement in my DA*16-50 focusing. So much improved I can now use it on multipoint AF without constant focus errors. Before I was limited to center point AF. This update does improve the K-7's focus processes for sure! germar

08-01-2010, 06:24 AM	#7
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by dlacouture Well, don't know if this is placebo effect or what, but I'd swear AF-C is better than before the upgrade... I often go for a walk before supper with my kids (them on bikes), and they just love racing down a little road we have nearby, where I often snap them head-on with my tamron 70-200... And since the upgrade, I feel that AF-C is indeed faster, more precise and that I can grab more pics while they are coming right at me... Seems like the focus update rate is greater. Sit yourself on the ground, focus on the ground nearby and then pan on the ground from near to far to near... You'll hear a nearly constant focus adjust, it was not this frequent before... Damn, I simply hate it when I cannot say if all this is only in my head or if Pentax really improved things... Just checked this and it is definitely improved! It's gone from being on the verge of being completely useless to being completely usable. I'm going to run it through it's paces with my girls today and see what the keeper rate is like... c[_]

08-02-2010, 04:24 AM	#9
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689 Original Poster	Thanks, I wrote it on the iphone. Interesting results so far...

08-02-2010, 11:36 PM	#10
kit p. lang New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manila Posts: 14	voted "all of the above" classic trio of 21/40/70 focusing faster, more accurately, better response time even in not so good light conditions

08-03-2010, 12:19 AM	#11
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Originally posted by Adam Fixed the typo in your thread title. Adam: thank you to fix the thread title. It is interesting that 80% of the voters (so far) think that there is some (major) improvements.

08-03-2010, 12:24 AM	#12
tiltman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 26	It feels more decisive on the 16-50 (especially in low light) and perhaps on the 50-135 but on the 10-17 (fisheye) I do not note any changes. I use MF a lot of the time so it's hard to tell due to lack of experience with AF. Anyhow, it is definitivily not slower so if things have changed it's to the better.

08-04-2010, 04:05 PM	#13
knoxploration Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 846	Originally posted by Adam Fixed the typo in your thread title. It might be an idea to update the thread title / poll text to make it clear that this is not in reference to live view, where there's an announced, clear improvement. I wonder what percentage of voters replied on the poll without reading the thread text, and voted yes based solely on the live view improvement. I almost did it myself.

08-05-2010, 01:00 AM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	If this was just a s/w change, and not dependant on the AF assist lamp, I wonder whether Pentax will incorporate this change into the K-x firmware

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08-05-2010, 07:59 AM	#15
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689 Original Poster	Originally posted by knoxploration It might be an idea to update the thread title / poll text to make it clear that this is not in reference to live view, where there's an announced, clear improvement. I wonder what percentage of voters replied on the poll without reading the thread text, and voted yes based solely on the live view improvement. I almost did it myself. EEEK! I totally missed that! Yes I second that too Adam.