Would you rather take the best low-light AF APS-C or another lousy AF FF?

LeDave · 09-10-2012, 05:07 PM

Pentax announced that the new K-5 II and K-5 IIs have the widest AF range of any DSLR ever with -3EV to +18EV which -3EV is the very best that beats out the D800E in -2EV. Are you disappointed that there wasn't an FF or were you happy with the AF announcement and would rather take an APS-C with a complete Pentax AF overhaul over a lousy same AF FF Pentax?

JinDesu · 09-10-2012, 05:10 PM

Probably can't afford the FF anyways - but I would want Pentax to get their AF system nice and well established before throwing it into an FF

Moo · 09-10-2012, 05:14 PM

I don't think the announcement really qualifies as a "complete AF overhaul"... So it's a choice between two things you can't have for the foreseeable future?

LeDave · 09-10-2012, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Moo

I don't think the announcement really qualifies as a "complete AF overhaul"... So it's a choice between two things you can't have for the foreseeable future?

Pentax Facebook says so, "The new Auto Focus system is a complete revamp"

**maxfield_photo** · 09-10-2012, 05:16 PM

I can and do focus manually, in fact, it's even easier on a full frame because the VF is bigger.

Moo · 09-10-2012, 05:28 PM

Well yeah, they aren't likely to say their headline difference for the new camera was only a slight upgrade...

arnie0674 · 09-10-2012, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Moo

Well yeah, they aren't likely to say their headline difference for the new camera was only a slight upgrade...

While true, do you have any reason to think its not a complete overhaul?

twitch · 09-10-2012, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by arnie0674

While true, do you have any reason to think its not a complete overhaul?

Yes, same number of AF points, suggesting same size of AF points which has long been a weakness of Pentax AF.

ElJamoquio · 09-10-2012, 05:50 PM

FF without a doubt.

arnie0674 · 09-10-2012, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Yes, same number of AF points, suggesting same size of AF points which has long been a weakness of Pentax AF.

The number of AF points doesnt change that there was plenty of room for improvement in the AF system. I guess we'll have to wait for the camera to be released to know for sure, but I still have no reason to think pentax is lying when they say they completely overhauled the AF system.

LeDave · 09-10-2012, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by arnie0674

The number of AF points doesnt change that there was plenty of room for improvement in the AF system. I guess we'll have to wait for the camera to be released to know for sure, but I still have no reason to think pentax is lying when they say they completely overhauled the AF system.

Same boat here, they could've released a new K-3 or even a full frame, but instead its' a K-5II, why? Most likely because they spent all their money on AF.

ElJamoquio · 09-10-2012, 06:11 PM

I believe AF is way less 'stressed' on FF for a given shot... So 'bad' AF on FF could be 'good' AF on APS-C.

Not really 100% sure what the OP means by 'bad' AF though.

Mattco26 · 09-10-2012, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Yes, same number of AF points, suggesting same size of AF points which has long been a weakness of Pentax AF.

I usually only use center point AF anyway, so I'd rather have a camera with one AF point that focuses much faster than 58 other points I'll never use.

post_eos · 09-10-2012, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by Mattco26

I usually only use center point AF anyway, so I'd rather have a camera with one AF point that focuses much faster than 58 other points I'll never use.

Second that. I never use any other point except the center one. Get that one perfect and I'll be happy forever.

Reportage · 09-10-2012, 07:06 PM

I will not go as far as to say there are lousy cameras just that there are those that are technically challenged for the kind of shots we want that are more easier achievable in more advanced cameras.

That being said...Pentax really needs an actual vari-angle lcd camera rather then their "solution" in the X-5. But then i wouldnt have the justification anymore to go for back massages, hmmm.

View Poll Results: Would you rather take the best low-light AF APS-C or another lousy AF FF from Pentax?
APS-C with complete AF overhaul	38	71.70%
FF with same lousy AF	15	28.30%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

09-10-2012, 05:07 PM	#1
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Would you rather take the best low-light AF APS-C or another lousy AF FF? Pentax announced that the new K-5 II and K-5 IIs have the widest AF range of any DSLR ever with -3EV to +18EV which -3EV is the very best that beats out the D800E in -2EV. Are you disappointed that there wasn't an FF or were you happy with the AF announcement and would rather take an APS-C with a complete Pentax AF overhaul over a lousy same AF FF Pentax?

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09-10-2012, 05:10 PM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Probably can't afford the FF anyways - but I would want Pentax to get their AF system nice and well established before throwing it into an FF

09-10-2012, 05:14 PM	#3
Moo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 173	I don't think the announcement really qualifies as a "complete AF overhaul"... So it's a choice between two things you can't have for the foreseeable future?

09-10-2012, 05:15 PM	#4
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Originally posted by Moo I don't think the announcement really qualifies as a "complete AF overhaul"... So it's a choice between two things you can't have for the foreseeable future? Pentax Facebook says so, "The new Auto Focus system is a complete revamp"

09-10-2012, 05:16 PM	#5
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	I can and do focus manually, in fact, it's even easier on a full frame because the VF is bigger.

09-10-2012, 05:28 PM	#6
Moo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 173	Well yeah, they aren't likely to say their headline difference for the new camera was only a slight upgrade...

09-10-2012, 05:44 PM	#7
arnie0674 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 173	Originally posted by Moo Well yeah, they aren't likely to say their headline difference for the new camera was only a slight upgrade... While true, do you have any reason to think its not a complete overhaul?

09-10-2012, 05:46 PM	#8
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by arnie0674 While true, do you have any reason to think its not a complete overhaul? Yes, same number of AF points, suggesting same size of AF points which has long been a weakness of Pentax AF.

09-10-2012, 05:50 PM	#9
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	FF without a doubt.

09-10-2012, 06:01 PM	#10
arnie0674 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 173	Originally posted by twitch Yes, same number of AF points, suggesting same size of AF points which has long been a weakness of Pentax AF. The number of AF points doesnt change that there was plenty of room for improvement in the AF system. I guess we'll have to wait for the camera to be released to know for sure, but I still have no reason to think pentax is lying when they say they completely overhauled the AF system.

09-10-2012, 06:04 PM	#11
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Originally posted by arnie0674 The number of AF points doesnt change that there was plenty of room for improvement in the AF system. I guess we'll have to wait for the camera to be released to know for sure, but I still have no reason to think pentax is lying when they say they completely overhauled the AF system. Same boat here, they could've released a new K-3 or even a full frame, but instead its' a K-5II, why? Most likely because they spent all their money on AF.

09-10-2012, 06:11 PM	#12
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	I believe AF is way less 'stressed' on FF for a given shot... So 'bad' AF on FF could be 'good' AF on APS-C. Not really 100% sure what the OP means by 'bad' AF though.

09-10-2012, 06:23 PM	#13
Mattco26 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 118	Originally posted by twitch Yes, same number of AF points, suggesting same size of AF points which has long been a weakness of Pentax AF. I usually only use center point AF anyway, so I'd rather have a camera with one AF point that focuses much faster than 58 other points I'll never use.

09-10-2012, 06:54 PM	#14
post_eos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside CA Photos: Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by Mattco26 I usually only use center point AF anyway, so I'd rather have a camera with one AF point that focuses much faster than 58 other points I'll never use. Second that. I never use any other point except the center one. Get that one perfect and I'll be happy forever.

09-10-2012, 07:06 PM	#15
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	I will not go as far as to say there are lousy cameras just that there are those that are technically challenged for the kind of shots we want that are more easier achievable in more advanced cameras. That being said...Pentax really needs an actual vari-angle lcd camera rather then their "solution" in the X-5. But then i wouldnt have the justification anymore to go for back massages, hmmm.