Fastest focus short tele on K3?

Ben Searle · 12-15-2014, 05:16 PM

Hi All,

Sorry if this has been raised before… I've had a K5 since it came out and now thinking of a K3. My favourite lens for action photography (mostly of leisure cyclists) is the 70mm limited, but also the 21mm. Focus can be bit slow and not always accurate so I'm wondering how much better these will perform on the K3 (subject coming towards camera, or three-quarters on)? I like small lenses for ease of carrying about (and these in particular for the IQ - if they hit the focus on the nail), but would any other lenses (Pentax or other) focus noticeably better than the Limiteds - such as the new DA 16-85mm?

Any thoughts based on experience very welcome! Thanks.

**clackers** · 12-15-2014, 05:38 PM

Hi Ben,

Even keeping the lens the same, both the screw drive motor and AF are faster on the K-3, report owners in this forum.

lytrytyr · 12-15-2014, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Ben Searle

I've had a K5 since it came out and now thinking of a K3. My favourite lens for action photography (mostly of leisure cyclists) is the 70mm limited, but also the 21mm. Focus can be bit slow and not always accurate so I'm wondering how much better these will perform on the K3

I've experienced inaccurate focusing with the DA 70 on the K5
because of the large area of the center focus point (the only one I ever use).
The focus can then go to the background instead of the subject.
Supposedly the K3 points are smaller, which ought to help with this issue.

**crewl1** · 12-15-2014, 07:09 PM

I did some focus tests with the K-3 in this scenario using a few different lenses. Closest one to your application may be when I used the DFA100 screw drive lens.
See https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/274284-another-k-3-af-c-test.html

mille19 · 12-16-2014, 04:32 AM

DA 18-135mm is fast on the K3

NeilGratton · 12-16-2014, 05:08 AM

Have you tried prefocusing your shots?

12-15-2014, 05:16 PM	#1
Ben Searle New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bristol Photos: Gallery Posts: 11	Fastest focus short tele on K3? Hi All, Sorry if this has been raised before… I've had a K5 since it came out and now thinking of a K3. My favourite lens for action photography (mostly of leisure cyclists) is the 70mm limited, but also the 21mm. Focus can be bit slow and not always accurate so I'm wondering how much better these will perform on the K3 (subject coming towards camera, or three-quarters on)? I like small lenses for ease of carrying about (and these in particular for the IQ - if they hit the focus on the nail), but would any other lenses (Pentax or other) focus noticeably better than the Limiteds - such as the new DA 16-85mm? Any thoughts based on experience very welcome! Thanks.

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12-15-2014, 05:38 PM	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Hi Ben, Even keeping the lens the same, both the screw drive motor and AF are faster on the K-3, report owners in this forum.

12-15-2014, 06:16 PM	#3
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Ben Searle I've had a K5 since it came out and now thinking of a K3. My favourite lens for action photography (mostly of leisure cyclists) is the 70mm limited, but also the 21mm. Focus can be bit slow and not always accurate so I'm wondering how much better these will perform on the K3 I've experienced inaccurate focusing with the DA 70 on the K5 because of the large area of the center focus point (the only one I ever use). The focus can then go to the background instead of the subject. Supposedly the K3 points are smaller, which ought to help with this issue.

12-15-2014, 07:09 PM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	I did some focus tests with the K-3 in this scenario using a few different lenses. Closest one to your application may be when I used the DFA100 screw drive lens. See https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/274284-another-k-3-af-c-test.html

12-16-2014, 04:32 AM	#5
mille19 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 101	DA 18-135mm is fast on the K3

12-16-2014, 05:08 AM	#6
NeilGratton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Exeter, Devon Posts: 137	Have you tried prefocusing your shots?