Thanks very much to all for your replies.
Originally posted by octavmandru Or the camera is just like that since ... forever, but now the shallow depth lens is revealing everything.
Exactly; (although I've had the Sigma nearly as long as I've had the camera and usually manually focus it for macro shots, but usually stopped down) I suspect I've had this problem all along and hadn't noticed.
Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Have you removed the focus screen? There is possibly a shim that is out of place between the screen and the prism.
I've never attempted to adjust it, and indeed I had never even cleaned the sensor until recently (after all this became noticeable). But I agree with your idea that it is a focus-screen shim problem.
Originally posted by lmd91343 The K10D has a fine focus adjustment in the controls with firmware 1.30. ... The images were MUCH better after the adjustment.
Yes, but that is for AF, correct? My AF is fine.
Originally posted by octavmandru OP, when you auto focus, does the image look clear in the viewfinder or not?
Then, when you use AF to take a picture, is the focus where it should be, or not?
Just did another test, this time with AF. I had to set it up again so it's not the same perspective as the test above, but I think it shows the same issue with the viewfinder. This is with the DA* 200, and after auto-focusing I moved the arrow to what I thought was the most in-focus line. I used the remote on a 3 second delay to trigger the shutter to make sure I didn't move the camera.
Edit: Again, in real-world shooting where it is obvious what the AF is locking on (large object, more or less planar and perpendicular to the line of sight), AF works accurately.
Originally posted by opfor I have only one thing to say, diopter adjustment........:-)
You did say manual focus problems, right?
Yes, MF only. But I believe I have the diopter adjustment correct, and my understanding is that the diopter doesn't affect
where in the image the focus appears to be sharpest, but rather whether or not
anything appears in focus.
So now the question is whether I try installing a new shim myself, or send the camera back to the mother ship, or take it to a local shop. I saw a video on replacing the focus screen that made the process look dead easy, so I'll see if I can order the shims from Pentax and try it myself. I know some PF'ers have made their own shims so I suppose that's an alternative, but I'd prefer the real deal. Any tips appreciated.