Do you find the new firmware makes K5 better focusing?

ruoyun.huang · 02-01-2013, 10:11 PM

I upgraded from 1.02.

Some ppl online says they get focusing boosted after upgrade. But I feel there is no difference. I am using DA50-135 and FA 31

What is your experience?

Adam · 02-01-2013, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by ruoyun.huang

I upgraded from 1.02.

Some ppl online says they get focusing boosted after upgrade. But I feel there is no difference. I am using DA50-135 and FA 31

What is your experience?

The only firmware updates that include focusing improvements are the K-01's 1.01 and the Q's 1.10. All of the other releases address bugs only. I think that people think that their AF is faster because they initially don't realize that the K-5 is actually quite fast to begin with given all of the complaints about AF on the forum

**Ash** · 02-01-2013, 10:47 PM

The focusing is as is on the K-5. Any perceived improvement is due to placebo effect. Agree with Adam on that one.
Want faster AF in low light? The K-5 II is available.

SKwan · 02-02-2013, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by Adam

I think that people think that their AF is faster because they initially don't realize that the K-5 is actually quite fast to begin with given all of the complaints about AF on the forum

Originally posted by Ash

The focusing is as is on the K-5. Any perceived improvement is due to placebo effect

I cannot agree on above. It may be your case but not mine. I am thinking if there are some difference between production batches of K5. Previous firmware version of my K5 is 1.13. Now updated to 1.14 and the AF performance is noticeably improved.

I think the usage of such psychological effects/terms cannot prove the facts ... !

**x-country** · 02-02-2013, 11:32 AM

I've just updated and I can't notice difference. But I believe that in order to prove the improved autofocus, you have to do a very comprehensive and accurate test, before and after updating the firmware. The best way to do this I think is by recording it on video.

Clavius · 02-02-2013, 11:50 AM

Yes, either placebo effect, or poor settings are reset after update.

SKwan · 02-02-2013, 11:21 PM

This forum is for discussing the photography. The experiences, feels or thoughts on the photography and related matter are touched ... who can prove? The most critical matter is not to quickly jump to a conclusion ... especially it touches an ability, mental, psychological aspects!

I like this forum since the members are really want to help/discuss with each other ... of course not on the people!

jpyykonen · 02-04-2013, 12:41 AM

There is no difference, at least in very low light. At first I tried with two K-5's, one with 1.13 and one with 1.14 and didn't see any difference with Sigma 50-150/2.8 HSM lens. DA* 16-50/2.8 SDM otherwise FELT that it would lock VERY LITTLE bit faster with 1.14 but could also be just a feeling. These I tested inside. Then I went shooting horse sports with 1.14 version (Sigma 50-150/2.8 HSM and very low light) and the focusing was as reliable/unreliable as before (settings were 1/320, F2.8, ISO 10000). So, no difference. And in good light the difference would be impossible to notice as K-5 focuses fast enough.

**grahame** · 02-04-2013, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by Ash

The focusing is as is on the K-5. Any perceived improvement is due to placebo effect. Agree with Adam on that one.
Want faster AF in low light? The K-5 II is available.

Although not mentioned, this update changes AF performance on my K-5. 77 and 43 AF in daylight and indoor might be better? I am not sure about that. But AF on Tamron 28-75 has problem after updating. It need AF fine adjusting before (1.12), but worked well after adjusting, both ends of zoom, same adjusting. Now wide ends needs +6-8 further adjusting than 75mm end.
Sigma 30/1.4 also needs different AF turning. my feeling is it is more constant after re-calibrate, when focuses at close and far.
So I believe the new FW does change the AF calculation, directly or indirectly. Better or worse, case by case.

Jean Poitiers · 02-04-2013, 12:22 PM

I have not noticed a difference nor an improvement with my AF ... J

mrNewt · 02-04-2013, 01:20 PM

What is AF!?

vrrattko · 02-05-2013, 01:32 PM

well I have noticed that mine Da17-70 stopped hunting and is locking focus now, but af speed seems to be same as before.....might be a coincidence, but also the result of firmware upgrade - i dont know

02-01-2013, 10:11 PM	#1
ruoyun.huang Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 64	Do you find the new firmware makes K5 better focusing? I upgraded from 1.02. Some ppl online says they get focusing boosted after upgrade. But I feel there is no difference. I am using DA50-135 and FA 31 What is your experience?

02-01-2013, 10:32 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by ruoyun.huang I upgraded from 1.02. Some ppl online says they get focusing boosted after upgrade. But I feel there is no difference. I am using DA50-135 and FA 31 What is your experience? The only firmware updates that include focusing improvements are the K-01's 1.01 and the Q's 1.10. All of the other releases address bugs only. I think that people think that their AF is faster because they initially don't realize that the K-5 is actually quite fast to begin with given all of the complaints about AF on the forum 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:

02-04-2013, 12:14 PM	#9
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	FW update did change AF on my K-5 Originally posted by Ash The focusing is as is on the K-5. Any perceived improvement is due to placebo effect. Agree with Adam on that one. Want faster AF in low light? The K-5 II is available. Although not mentioned, this update changes AF performance on my K-5. 77 and 43 AF in daylight and indoor might be better? I am not sure about that. But AF on Tamron 28-75 has problem after updating. It need AF fine adjusting before (1.12), but worked well after adjusting, both ends of zoom, same adjusting. Now wide ends needs +6-8 further adjusting than 75mm end. Sigma 30/1.4 also needs different AF turning. my feeling is it is more constant after re-calibrate, when focuses at close and far. So I believe the new FW does change the AF calculation, directly or indirectly. Better or worse, case by case.

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02-01-2013, 10:47 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The focusing is as is on the K-5. Any perceived improvement is due to placebo effect. Agree with Adam on that one. Want faster AF in low light? The K-5 II is available.

02-02-2013, 09:05 AM	#4
SKwan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 95	Originally posted by Adam I think that people think that their AF is faster because they initially don't realize that the K-5 is actually quite fast to begin with given all of the complaints about AF on the forum Originally posted by Ash The focusing is as is on the K-5. Any perceived improvement is due to placebo effect I cannot agree on above. It may be your case but not mine. I am thinking if there are some difference between production batches of K5. Previous firmware version of my K5 is 1.13. Now updated to 1.14 and the AF performance is noticeably improved. I think the usage of such psychological effects/terms cannot prove the facts ... !

02-02-2013, 11:32 AM	#5
x-country Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Frösön (Östersund) Posts: 69	I've just updated and I can't notice difference. But I believe that in order to prove the improved autofocus, you have to do a very comprehensive and accurate test, before and after updating the firmware. The best way to do this I think is by recording it on video.

02-02-2013, 11:50 AM	#6
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Yes, either placebo effect, or poor settings are reset after update.

02-02-2013, 11:21 PM	#7
SKwan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 95	This forum is for discussing the photography. The experiences, feels or thoughts on the photography and related matter are touched ... who can prove? The most critical matter is not to quickly jump to a conclusion ... especially it touches an ability, mental, psychological aspects! I like this forum since the members are really want to help/discuss with each other ... of course not on the people!

02-04-2013, 12:41 AM	#8
jpyykonen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 191	There is no difference, at least in very low light. At first I tried with two K-5's, one with 1.13 and one with 1.14 and didn't see any difference with Sigma 50-150/2.8 HSM lens. DA* 16-50/2.8 SDM otherwise FELT that it would lock VERY LITTLE bit faster with 1.14 but could also be just a feeling. These I tested inside. Then I went shooting horse sports with 1.14 version (Sigma 50-150/2.8 HSM and very low light) and the focusing was as reliable/unreliable as before (settings were 1/320, F2.8, ISO 10000). So, no difference. And in good light the difference would be impossible to notice as K-5 focuses fast enough.

02-04-2013, 12:22 PM	#10
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	I have not noticed a difference nor an improvement with my AF ... J

02-04-2013, 01:20 PM	#11
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	What is AF!?

02-05-2013, 01:32 PM	#12
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	well I have noticed that mine Da17-70 stopped hunting and is locking focus now, but af speed seems to be same as before.....might be a coincidence, but also the result of firmware upgrade - i dont know