How good is Pentax AF tracking?

kkoether · 04-20-2019, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Beautifully done with what is said to be one of the slowest focusing lenses in K-mount!

Thanks! I much prefer the DA* 60-250mm to my DA-L 55-300mm. It focuses faster and is much sharper than the 55-300mm.

**clackers** · 04-20-2019, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by kkoether

Thanks! I much prefer the DA* 60-250mm to my DA-L 55-300mm. It focuses faster and is much sharper than the 55-300mm.

The SDM in it is faster than the screwdrive 55-300? Wow, I didn't know that. Sharpness of course, it has an ED element.

**RGlasel** · 04-20-2019, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by clackers

The SDM in it is faster than the screwdrive 55-300?

The pre-PLM 55-300's hunt like a dog chasing a squirrel jumping between two trees. The 60-250's Slow-but-steady Drive Motor can win the race by not going from MFD to infinity three times.

kkoether · 04-20-2019, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by RGlasel

The pre-PLM 55-300's hunt like a dog chasing a squirrel jumping between two trees. The 60-250's Slow-but-steady Drive Motor can win the race by not going from MFD to infinity three times.

I would agree with that!

peggers · 11-10-2019, 12:20 AM

The back button focussing idea works well. Where I have been experimenting with it is by using AFC and holding the back button down whilst composing. It has been quite effective.
I also picked up a tip from Eddy Summers' video on focus methods. He was using live view for taking shots of his children and suggested just pressing the shutter all the way down. Once the camera acquires focus it takes the shot. That way your subject must be in focus at the instant you take the shot, and this allows for moving targets like children

totsmuyco · 11-10-2019, 03:59 AM

The HD 55-300 hunts too. But what I do is pre-focus manually before shooting and after that, I believe the lens is able catch up with action. What other members recommend which I have followed is set your focus points to SEL 1 or 9. That way the camera won't get confused with the subject and other things you're not interested in the frame. And yes, back button is a must.

jeallen01 · 11-10-2019, 04:16 PM

W.r.t.to BBF: I (personally, of course!) wish that the relevant button was further in towards the V/F than it is on the K-3/K-70 because I have to bend my right thumb very sharply to use it - and that is VERY uncomfortable (nigh on painful in fact!) and so I don't use BBF very often at all!

11-10-2019, 03:59 AM	#81
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	The HD 55-300 hunts too. But what I do is pre-focus manually before shooting and after that, I believe the lens is able catch up with action. What other members recommend which I have followed is set your focus points to SEL 1 or 9. That way the camera won't get confused with the subject and other things you're not interested in the frame. And yes, back button is a must. Last edited by totsmuyco; 11-10-2019 at 05:32 AM.

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04-20-2019, 08:34 PM	#76
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Originally posted by clackers Beautifully done with what is said to be one of the slowest focusing lenses in K-mount! Thanks! I much prefer the DA* 60-250mm to my DA-L 55-300mm. It focuses faster and is much sharper than the 55-300mm.

04-20-2019, 08:59 PM	#77
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397 Original Poster	Originally posted by kkoether Thanks! I much prefer the DA* 60-250mm to my DA-L 55-300mm. It focuses faster and is much sharper than the 55-300mm. The SDM in it is faster than the screwdrive 55-300? Wow, I didn't know that. Sharpness of course, it has an ED element.

04-20-2019, 09:27 PM	#78
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by clackers The SDM in it is faster than the screwdrive 55-300? The pre-PLM 55-300's hunt like a dog chasing a squirrel jumping between two trees. The 60-250's Slow-but-steady Drive Motor can win the race by not going from MFD to infinity three times.

04-20-2019, 10:07 PM	#79
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Originally posted by RGlasel The pre-PLM 55-300's hunt like a dog chasing a squirrel jumping between two trees. The 60-250's Slow-but-steady Drive Motor can win the race by not going from MFD to infinity three times. I would agree with that!

11-10-2019, 12:20 AM	#80
peggers Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Endeavour Hills, Victoria, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 210	The back button focussing idea works well. Where I have been experimenting with it is by using AFC and holding the back button down whilst composing. It has been quite effective. I also picked up a tip from Eddy Summers' video on focus methods. He was using live view for taking shots of his children and suggested just pressing the shutter all the way down. Once the camera acquires focus it takes the shot. That way your subject must be in focus at the instant you take the shot, and this allows for moving targets like children

11-10-2019, 04:16 PM	#82
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	W.r.t.to BBF: I (personally, of course!) wish that the relevant button was further in towards the V/F than it is on the K-3/K-70 because I have to bend my right thumb very sharply to use it - and that is VERY uncomfortable (nigh on painful in fact!) and so I don't use BBF very often at all!