Poll- K20D AF

Leya216 · 03-30-2008, 02:42 AM

I found the K10D's AF great in good light but in dimmer conditions it AF pretty slowly and in dark conditions it usually misfocused or couldn't lock focus at all. So I was wondering if you find the K20D's AF better and faster in these conditions?
Thanks for the replies!

flyer · 03-30-2008, 04:03 AM

Better and faster than what? A Nikon D3? No.
Faster than a K10D. Yes,but the difference is not that big with lenses driven by the body, but it is better with motorized lenses.

Leya216 · 03-30-2008, 04:15 AM

By motorized you mean SDM? I was asking compared to the K10D, if you have experiance with it compared to say the 30/40D that could be interesting to hear as well...

Fototim · 03-30-2008, 04:32 AM

Leya216. Improved in what way, speed or accuracy, or both?

Haven't tested it with SDM yet, but I do trust a friend who has.

And I have tested it myself with both DA and FA lenses. I find significant improvements in both speed and accuracy in good light. Not sure about low light situations.

If I ever gets the chanse, I'd be happy to see how it compares to a, let us say 40D or a D300, ... something in the same class. My guess is that it will be on par in good light, but I also do expect the competitors to win in low light.

MaritimTim

roentarre · 03-30-2008, 05:44 PM

Welcome back. I thought you already sold everything and moved onto 5D + 24-105L

k20d does have slight improvement with Fa limited - somewhat faster speed and more accuracy in low light. Fa* 300mm f4.5 does focus faster and tracking birds better as well. But not as fast as my canon 300mm f4L IS and 300mm f2.8L

Using my Da* 16-50 on k20d, there is no more backfocusing and silent incredibly fast in day light. Under low lighting, shutter lag is more but accurate AF is a bonus. I am more relieved in that regard. I was almost considerating to sell the zoom going for DA 17-70 f4

AF is getting better.

m8o · 03-30-2008, 07:44 PM

The poll's result is promising. I only hope those voting actually have and informed opinion and own both.

Leya216 · 03-31-2008, 12:00 AM

Mmmm... I did! Though I really want a camera with in built stabilization for every day use and traveling. I really can't deal with taking a 5D + 24-105mm + 580 ex everywhere I go. I did get a 400D which I got some great photos with but I really want a stabilized camera with a couple of primes and a super zoom for various occasions (I also just can't seem to really enjoy the 400D though I'm not sure why, I loved my 300D back in the day). I'm starting to think I'll wait this generation out and see what comes next. I'm also currently looking into Oly and Sony to see where they go in the next year. I could probably wait another year or so.
I've been meaning to ask you- when do you decide which system to use? how?
I love a lot of things about the 5D but I feel that other than using it at weddings where it's amazing It's just too poorly designed to use around and the way the sensor is a dust magnet makes it very annoying to use on trips and I HATE its' JPGS which is another problem with casual shooting...

Originally posted by roentarre

Welcome back. I thought you already sold everything and moved onto 5D + 24-105L

k20d does have slight improvement with Fa limited - somewhat faster speed and more accuracy in low light. Fa* 300mm f4.5 does focus faster and tracking birds better as well. But not as fast as my canon 300mm f4L IS and 300mm f2.8L

Using my Da* 16-50 on k20d, there is no more backfocusing and silent incredibly fast in day light. Under low lighting, shutter lag is more but accurate AF is a bonus. I am more relieved in that regard. I was almost considerating to sell the zoom going for DA 17-70 f4

AF is getting better.

crttr · 03-31-2008, 03:45 PM

Hi,
I shot from the stands at the AKC Agility Championships this weekend. We weren't allowed on the field (Only the official photographers) nor were we allowed to use flash. To get good exposure I had to shoot at 1600-3200 with a 1/500 shutterspeed and F/2.8. I was using my Tokina 80-200 lens and I didn't have any problem following the dogs around the course and having the majority of my pics in perfect focus. I was shooting full manual with AF-C with the 11-pt AF. The only time it was out of focus was when it locked on the jump and not the dog.

Hope this helps

Photo info: Pentax K20D ISO 1600, 1/500, F2.8, 80mm, ~60% crop

davemdsn · 03-31-2008, 04:03 PM

I find it a little more accurate and maybe a little faster. Nothing earth shattering. However, I didn't have big problems with my K10, except for BF on the 16-50. I did a senior portrait session in the rain the other day and it occasionally focused on the rain so it definitely sees moving objects pretty well. It does still miss from time to time. Where it shows the most improvement is in low light.

jgredline · 03-31-2008, 06:06 PM

It is definitely faster...with all lenses.

HawaiianOnline · 03-31-2008, 10:17 PM

I've used it for shooting at one of my wife's school dances and the AF worked very well in conditions that would cause my K10D to hunt. Lots of lighting changes, multicolor "swirly" lights, you name it, it did a better job of locking up focus and firing.

View Poll Results: Do you feel the K20D has improved AF over the K10D?
No- they're the same	6	17.65%
Slightly better, nothing significant	4	11.76%
Much better with any lens	22	64.71%
Much better but only with SDM lenses	2	5.88%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

03-30-2008, 02:42 AM	#1
Leya216 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 184	Poll- K20D AF I found the K10D's AF great in good light but in dimmer conditions it AF pretty slowly and in dark conditions it usually misfocused or couldn't lock focus at all. So I was wondering if you find the K20D's AF better and faster in these conditions? Thanks for the replies!

03-31-2008, 12:00 AM	#7
Leya216 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 184 Original Poster	roentarre Mmmm... I did! Though I really want a camera with in built stabilization for every day use and traveling. I really can't deal with taking a 5D + 24-105mm + 580 ex everywhere I go. I did get a 400D which I got some great photos with but I really want a stabilized camera with a couple of primes and a super zoom for various occasions (I also just can't seem to really enjoy the 400D though I'm not sure why, I loved my 300D back in the day). I'm starting to think I'll wait this generation out and see what comes next. I'm also currently looking into Oly and Sony to see where they go in the next year. I could probably wait another year or so. I've been meaning to ask you- when do you decide which system to use? how? I love a lot of things about the 5D but I feel that other than using it at weddings where it's amazing It's just too poorly designed to use around and the way the sensor is a dust magnet makes it very annoying to use on trips and I HATE its' JPGS which is another problem with casual shooting... Originally posted by roentarre Welcome back. I thought you already sold everything and moved onto 5D + 24-105L k20d does have slight improvement with Fa limited - somewhat faster speed and more accuracy in low light. Fa* 300mm f4.5 does focus faster and tracking birds better as well. But not as fast as my canon 300mm f4L IS and 300mm f2.8L Using my Da* 16-50 on k20d, there is no more backfocusing and silent incredibly fast in day light. Under low lighting, shutter lag is more but accurate AF is a bonus. I am more relieved in that regard. I was almost considerating to sell the zoom going for DA 17-70 f4 AF is getting better.

03-31-2008, 03:45 PM	#8
crttr Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oklahoma Photos: Gallery Posts: 38	My experience Hi, I shot from the stands at the AKC Agility Championships this weekend. We weren't allowed on the field (Only the official photographers) nor were we allowed to use flash. To get good exposure I had to shoot at 1600-3200 with a 1/500 shutterspeed and F/2.8. I was using my Tokina 80-200 lens and I didn't have any problem following the dogs around the course and having the majority of my pics in perfect focus. I was shooting full manual with AF-C with the 11-pt AF. The only time it was out of focus was when it locked on the jump and not the dog. Hope this helps Photo info: Pentax K20D ISO 1600, 1/500, F2.8, 80mm, ~60% crop Attached Images

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03-30-2008, 04:03 AM	#2
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Better and faster than what? A Nikon D3? No. Faster than a K10D. Yes,but the difference is not that big with lenses driven by the body, but it is better with motorized lenses.

03-30-2008, 04:15 AM	#3
Leya216 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 184 Original Poster	By motorized you mean SDM? I was asking compared to the K10D, if you have experiance with it compared to say the 30/40D that could be interesting to hear as well...

03-30-2008, 04:32 AM	#4
Fototim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 268	Leya216. Improved in what way, speed or accuracy, or both? Haven't tested it with SDM yet, but I do trust a friend who has. And I have tested it myself with both DA and FA lenses. I find significant improvements in both speed and accuracy in good light. Not sure about low light situations. If I ever gets the chanse, I'd be happy to see how it compares to a, let us say 40D or a D300, ... something in the same class. My guess is that it will be on par in good light, but I also do expect the competitors to win in low light. MaritimTim

03-30-2008, 05:44 PM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Welcome back. I thought you already sold everything and moved onto 5D + 24-105L k20d does have slight improvement with Fa limited - somewhat faster speed and more accuracy in low light. Fa* 300mm f4.5 does focus faster and tracking birds better as well. But not as fast as my canon 300mm f4L IS and 300mm f2.8L Using my Da* 16-50 on k20d, there is no more backfocusing and silent incredibly fast in day light. Under low lighting, shutter lag is more but accurate AF is a bonus. I am more relieved in that regard. I was almost considerating to sell the zoom going for DA 17-70 f4 AF is getting better.

03-30-2008, 07:44 PM	#6
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	The poll's result is promising. I only hope those voting actually have and informed opinion and own both.

03-31-2008, 04:03 PM	#9
davemdsn Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,413	I find it a little more accurate and maybe a little faster. Nothing earth shattering. However, I didn't have big problems with my K10, except for BF on the 16-50. I did a senior portrait session in the rain the other day and it occasionally focused on the rain so it definitely sees moving objects pretty well. It does still miss from time to time. Where it shows the most improvement is in low light.

03-31-2008, 06:06 PM	#10
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	It is definitely faster...with all lenses.

03-31-2008, 10:17 PM	#11
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	I've used it for shooting at one of my wife's school dances and the AF worked very well in conditions that would cause my K10D to hunt. Lots of lighting changes, multicolor "swirly" lights, you name it, it did a better job of locking up focus and firing.