AF adjustment on film cameras

ironlionzion · 08-20-2011, 09:53 PM

I was wondering if Pentax film AF cameras had AF fine tuning like the Kr and K5? I'm specifically curious if the PZ-1 has it. Thanks.

BillM · 08-20-2011, 10:21 PM

Dont know about PZ. ZX-L's I have,no means of adjustment is available.
About as close as I can get is use a manual focus lens that I know
is in good shape.On ZX-L in autofocus mode,shutter will not fire until
focus confirmation is enabled.Long,slow process.Dont use film bodies
with autofocus much anyway.Might check manuals were available.

**blackcloudbrew** · 08-21-2011, 05:51 AM

I don't know of any way to adjust the fine tuning on my PZ-1p. There isn't anything in the manual about it.

violini · 08-21-2011, 07:21 AM

The AF in film body operates like this: the mirror is not fully silvered to allow some light to transmit through and then reflected behind the main mirror to a CCD sensor located below the mirror box. (a film body has a CCD sensor for auto focus). There are 3 adjusting screws on the sensor. These are set in the factory, I've never tried to tamper it. This is one of the reason that the viewfinder in AF body is dimmer than VF in manual focus body.

Last edited by violini; 08-21-2011 at 07:33 AM.

ironlionzion · 08-21-2011, 11:31 AM

Thanks guys. So I'm guessing AF fine tuning is a product of the digital era? Were film cameras better tuned out the factory, or did people just bother over slight AF inaccuracies?

VF-19 · 08-21-2011, 01:58 PM

I'm gonna venture a guess, and say that small inaccuracies wouldn't be visible in a 4x6.

Steinback · 08-21-2011, 04:22 PM

I don't expect that many 4x6 printing consumers ever noticed AF problems on their film body. A pro (or somebody else who noticed a problem) would have sent their body in for professional service. I think the K20d was the first body that officially supported AF adjustment by the user.

08-20-2011, 09:53 PM	#1
ironlionzion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409	AF adjustment on film cameras I was wondering if Pentax film AF cameras had AF fine tuning like the Kr and K5? I'm specifically curious if the PZ-1 has it. Thanks.

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08-20-2011, 10:21 PM	#2
BillM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ferguson, Mo. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,348	Dont know about PZ. ZX-L's I have,no means of adjustment is available. About as close as I can get is use a manual focus lens that I know is in good shape.On ZX-L in autofocus mode,shutter will not fire until focus confirmation is enabled.Long,slow process.Dont use film bodies with autofocus much anyway.Might check manuals were available.

08-21-2011, 05:51 AM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	I don't know of any way to adjust the fine tuning on my PZ-1p. There isn't anything in the manual about it.

08-21-2011, 07:21 AM	#4
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	The AF in film body operates like this: the mirror is not fully silvered to allow some light to transmit through and then reflected behind the main mirror to a CCD sensor located below the mirror box. (a film body has a CCD sensor for auto focus). There are 3 adjusting screws on the sensor. These are set in the factory, I've never tried to tamper it. This is one of the reason that the viewfinder in AF body is dimmer than VF in manual focus body. Last edited by violini; 08-21-2011 at 07:33 AM.

08-21-2011, 11:31 AM	#5
ironlionzion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409 Original Poster	Thanks guys. So I'm guessing AF fine tuning is a product of the digital era? Were film cameras better tuned out the factory, or did people just bother over slight AF inaccuracies?

08-21-2011, 01:58 PM	#6
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	I'm gonna venture a guess, and say that small inaccuracies wouldn't be visible in a 4x6.

08-21-2011, 04:22 PM	#7
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I don't expect that many 4x6 printing consumers ever noticed AF problems on their film body. A pro (or somebody else who noticed a problem) would have sent their body in for professional service. I think the K20d was the first body that officially supported AF adjustment by the user.