My K-1 doesn't hit autofocus accurately through viewfinder

**dkpentax** · 06-03-2022, 11:08 AM

I just realized that all the wide-open pictures I take via the viewfinder are blurry, the K-1 always puts the focus some amount behind whatever I focus on, even going past infinity if the lens allows. its also wrong using manual focus and waiting for the in-focus lights to go off. I messed with the fine focus adjust feature but even at the maximum setting pictures are still blurry. I didn't see anything in the directions about any other way to "train" the autofocus. Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair?

Live-view focus works properly and gives correct focus with the same lens and setup so I'm down to that mode for the time being.

wadge22 · 06-03-2022, 11:12 AM

What lens/lenses?

pschlute · 06-03-2022, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by dkpentax

Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair?

Show us some test images of charts which demonstrate the issue. If your camera/lens combo cannot do PDAF there is only one option....free adjustment via Pentax

---------- Post added 06-03-22 at 07:20 PM ----------

Originally posted by dkpentax

Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair?

Show us some test images of charts which demonstrate the issue. If your camera/lens combo cannot do PDAF there is only one option....free adjustment via Pentax

**dkpentax** · 06-03-2022, 12:55 PM

Any lens, I tested with 50 1.4, 85 1.4 and an old 300 2.8, sitting on a tripod.

**mikesbike** · 06-03-2022, 02:31 PM

If on tripod, turn of SR. If this problem is consistent in good lighting, perhaps sending it in for adjustment is the best option.

**nixxo2002** · 06-03-2022, 03:26 PM

did you focus with wide aperture 1.4 ?

**dkpentax** · 06-03-2022, 03:45 PM

I guess there's no adjustment screw for end-users, like an old rangefinder camera....

Not a Number · 06-03-2022, 03:53 PM

Try cleaning the focus sensor lens in the mirror box. I think you have to put the mirror up in sensor cleaning mode to get at it.

**dkpentax** · 06-03-2022, 05:00 PM

I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them.

The Squirrel Mafia · 06-03-2022, 06:59 PM

Could be that the lenses need some AF fine tuning. Look for a video called DOT-Tune method on YouTube.

pschlute · 06-03-2022, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by dkpentax

I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them.

What is the AF/FA adjustment for the OVF image ?

---------- Post added 06-04-22 at 04:56 AM ----------

Originally posted by dkpentax

I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them.

What is the AF/FA adjustment for the OVF image ?

**newmikey** · 06-03-2022, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by dkpentax

I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them.

You cannot judge front/back focus on an image with a single flat plane of focus like the ones you posted. Use a row of trees, flowers, focus chart at 45 degree angle, anything with depth and focus on the middle object. Then compare. What you show might have any one of many causes - operator error being a major one.

beholder3 · 06-04-2022, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by dkpentax

Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair?

Put a newspaper with lots of text flat on the table.
Put a small contrasty target in the middle of it (e.g. a six sided die). Not a 2D flat object (but if you dont have anything else a small coin is ok); not single color; not taller than an inch.
With good daylight (ISO 100, shutter faster than 1/100) aim at the target from near (not exactly and certainly not under) minimum focus distance from a 45 degree angle using the center AF point; using a tripod (so your body movements wont have effect); using AF-S; aperture wide open.

Repeat this with micro adjustement +10 and micro adjustment -10.

Post the 3 images here in maximum pixelcount.

This should make it very easy to see where the focus plane is relative to the intended target.

By the way you could simply have some dust sticking on the optics of the AF system.

zapp · 06-18-2022, 01:19 PM

Run proper af fine tuning and understand the limits of af on certain objects. If that does not help, send the camera with lenses for adjustment to Pentax. If af finetuning in camera is not sufficient, service can help. But please check an oblique target under controlled conditions first. AF sensors are not the same size as the highlighted area, they can be slightly off or larger, so you a flat plane for focus. Focus on sensor will always work. AF system requires calibration to sensor plane. If you want to focus on the viewfinder screen this screen may require additional alignment. Done well everything works fine for a long time, not done well results are bad and you wish to have a mirrorless camera.
Be ensured the same lenses you have work great for me, but my K1ii performs slightly different from K3iii.

**dkpentax** · 06-18-2022, 04:25 PM

I got another k-1 mk2 and calibrated the lenses against it. I was able to bring them into alignment without reaching all the way to the limits of the fine focus settings, so I can make sharp pictures again. I went back on the first camera and was at least able to get my lenses sharper, but usually at a maxed out adjustment.

06-03-2022, 11:08 AM	#1
dkpentax Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 132	My K-1 doesn't hit autofocus accurately through viewfinder I just realized that all the wide-open pictures I take via the viewfinder are blurry, the K-1 always puts the focus some amount behind whatever I focus on, even going past infinity if the lens allows. its also wrong using manual focus and waiting for the in-focus lights to go off. I messed with the fine focus adjust feature but even at the maximum setting pictures are still blurry. I didn't see anything in the directions about any other way to "train" the autofocus. Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair? Live-view focus works properly and gives correct focus with the same lens and setup so I'm down to that mode for the time being.

06-03-2022, 11:21 PM	#12
newmikey Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,289	Originally posted by dkpentax I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them. You cannot judge front/back focus on an image with a single flat plane of focus like the ones you posted. Use a row of trees, flowers, focus chart at 45 degree angle, anything with depth and focus on the middle object. Then compare. What you show might have any one of many causes - operator error being a major one. Last edited by newmikey; 06-04-2022 at 12:52 AM.

06-04-2022, 12:32 AM	#13
beholder3 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3,112	Originally posted by dkpentax Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair? Put a newspaper with lots of text flat on the table. Put a small contrasty target in the middle of it (e.g. a six sided die). Not a 2D flat object (but if you dont have anything else a small coin is ok); not single color; not taller than an inch. With good daylight (ISO 100, shutter faster than 1/100) aim at the target from near (not exactly and certainly not under) minimum focus distance from a 45 degree angle using the center AF point; using a tripod (so your body movements wont have effect); using AF-S; aperture wide open. Repeat this with micro adjustement +10 and micro adjustment -10. Post the 3 images here in maximum pixelcount. This should make it very easy to see where the focus plane is relative to the intended target. By the way you could simply have some dust sticking on the optics of the AF system.

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06-03-2022, 11:12 AM	#2
wadge22 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	What lens/lenses?

06-03-2022, 11:19 AM	#3
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	Originally posted by dkpentax Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair? Show us some test images of charts which demonstrate the issue. If your camera/lens combo cannot do PDAF there is only one option....free adjustment via Pentax ---------- Post added 06-03-22 at 07:20 PM ---------- Originally posted by dkpentax Any other things to try before it's sent for an interminably long repair? Show us some test images of charts which demonstrate the issue. If your camera/lens combo cannot do PDAF there is only one option....free adjustment via Pentax

06-03-2022, 12:55 PM	#4
dkpentax Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 132 Original Poster	Any lens, I tested with 50 1.4, 85 1.4 and an old 300 2.8, sitting on a tripod.

06-03-2022, 02:31 PM	#5
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,558	If on tripod, turn of SR. If this problem is consistent in good lighting, perhaps sending it in for adjustment is the best option.

06-03-2022, 03:26 PM	#6
nixxo2002 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 824	did you focus with wide aperture 1.4 ?

06-03-2022, 03:45 PM	#7
dkpentax Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 132 Original Poster	I guess there's no adjustment screw for end-users, like an old rangefinder camera....

06-03-2022, 03:53 PM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Try cleaning the focus sensor lens in the mirror box. I think you have to put the mirror up in sensor cleaning mode to get at it.

06-03-2022, 06:59 PM	#10
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,057	Could be that the lenses need some AF fine tuning. Look for a video called DOT-Tune method on YouTube.

06-03-2022, 08:56 PM	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	Originally posted by dkpentax I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them. What is the AF/FA adjustment for the OVF image ? ---------- Post added 06-04-22 at 04:56 AM ---------- Originally posted by dkpentax I don't think uploaded photos really have much resolution. this is live view versus viewfinder focus from the same spot. you can see how much disagreement there is between them. What is the AF/FA adjustment for the OVF image ?

06-18-2022, 01:19 PM	#14
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	Run proper af fine tuning and understand the limits of af on certain objects. If that does not help, send the camera with lenses for adjustment to Pentax. If af finetuning in camera is not sufficient, service can help. But please check an oblique target under controlled conditions first. AF sensors are not the same size as the highlighted area, they can be slightly off or larger, so you a flat plane for focus. Focus on sensor will always work. AF system requires calibration to sensor plane. If you want to focus on the viewfinder screen this screen may require additional alignment. Done well everything works fine for a long time, not done well results are bad and you wish to have a mirrorless camera. Be ensured the same lenses you have work great for me, but my K1ii performs slightly different from K3iii.

06-18-2022, 04:25 PM	#15
dkpentax Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 132 Original Poster	I got another k-1 mk2 and calibrated the lenses against it. I was able to bring them into alignment without reaching all the way to the limits of the fine focus settings, so I can make sharp pictures again. I went back on the first camera and was at least able to get my lenses sharper, but usually at a maxed out adjustment.