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Forum: Pentax K-r
09-20-2011, 12:21 PM
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For anyone having focusing problems with their KR I would make a few suggestions to find out what is causing the problem. It can be tricky to isolate the problem so you have to be a little scientific about it.
1. Try to rule out user error: Although charts or setting up objects to test focus aren’t 100 percent accurate they can give you a decent and more controlled idea if your camera is having problems. Make sure camera is on a tripod, white balance is set to auto, shake reduction is turned off, the aperture is open as wide as possible. Set the focus point to single center point, and use shutter release or timer. Un-focus the lens and let the AF refocus each time. Make sure you get the green hex confirmation for each shot. Also take two more shot with out moving the camera. One using tungsten white balance, and one with manual focus (for manual focus get best possible focus by eye and don’t depend on hex confirmation as this use the AF system.) Also try the testing with multiple lenses if you have them.
2. If you have another Pentax camera use the above test with the same lens/lenses to make sure it isn’t the lens.
3. If you still aren’t satisfied with the results send the KR in for service.
I got My KR in March and was having all sorts of problems with the auto focus. I think it was more of a calibration issue than FF in tungsten light. It came back and everything seems much better. I also added a Katz eye and magnifying eye piece to help. You can see the results here.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-r-forum/145496-pentax-kr-before-after-service.html |
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Forum: Pentax K-r
06-28-2011, 09:18 AM
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-22-2011, 01:45 PM
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Were you using a flash with the frames that are bad? If so you probably have the shutter sync set too high. Not sure what model camera you have but the top sync speed is usually marked in orange and an "x" on the shutter speed dial. You need to set it to that number or below when using flash.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
06-09-2011, 12:19 PM
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You have to ship the camera to CRIS (Pentax's repair contractor) in AZ. You can also send one of your lens if you want. This may help them check the focus and maybe get a better calibration for your camera/lens combo. If you contact Pentax customer service and tell them you want to have the camera fixed, they will send the forms and let you know all the details. It took about a month for my camera to be calibrated but it depends on how busy they are. Also once the camera gets to CRIS you can check the repair status on line.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-27-2011, 10:50 AM
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I thought I would post this for anyone who is having focusing problems with their KR and considering sending it to be adjusted. I bought my KR in March and noticed that focus seemed a little off. I’m not sure if it was exclusive to the tungsten FF issue, although it was more evident indoors. This may have been because outdoors I was using a higher aperture and in turn giving a greater depth of field that hid the focus being off.
I contacted Pentax customer service, and one of their suggestions was to use the Tim Jackson focus chart before sending the camera for repairs. I know everyone has seen a slew of these chart tests, but I think unless you happen to have a home optical lab, this may be the only way for a consumer to check the focus.
I set the chart up and followed the instructions. Camera on tripod at 45%, Center focus point, and used a shutter remote. I had the white balance set to AWB, and had the most recent firmware installed on the camera (1.01). I also did the exact same test using my Pentax DL.
Here are the results.
Pentax KR with DA 40mm @ 2.8 - AWB
Pentax DL with DA 40mm @ 2.8 - AWB
I decided to send the camera along with lens to CRIS repair. It took about a month to get the camera back, and the return process was rather easy. The CRIS website lets you check the progress of the repair online.
At CRIS they adjusted the camera to manufactures specifications. The repair invoice also noted updating the firmware, but when I checked it was the still 1.01. Maybe they just reinstalled it to get the factory defaults?
Here are the results of the repairs using the same test. Also I did the test using the tungsten white balance workaround suggested by pentax.
After Repair Pentax KR with DA 40mm @ 2.8 - AWB
After Repair Pentax KR with DA 40mm @ 2.8 - Tungsten white balance
The focus using tungsten white balance although not totally perfect is good enough for me. If I wanted to get it spot on I could set the AF adjustment menu to -3/-4.
After Repair Pentax KR with DA 40mm @ 2.8 - Tungsten wb -3 AF adjust
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-26-2011, 02:36 PM
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-25-2011, 10:01 PM
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If you can swing the extra money go for the K5. If you already have experience with SLRs I don't think you have any problems getting use to the K5. The WR would be a big plus for backpacking.
I have a KR and if I had to do it over I would have save and bought the K5 or even bought the lower priced KX. It had severe front focus and I had to send it to be adjusted which took over a month. It is about 98% fixed but will still front focus indoors under tungsten lighting if the white balance is set to Auto. It has no problems outdoors. For the price, the KR is a great camera. If you do get it make sure to buy it from some place you can easily return it.
Have you considered the KX. You can get a great deal on them now, and use the money for better lens.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-25-2011, 02:07 PM
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To add to the slew of info, if buying older lens watch out for R-K mounts or any Ricoh lens. These lens will fit and work just like a K-mount, but some (not all) have a pin that can cause the lens to lock on the camera. If you get one of these lens you can easily remove the pin to use on a Pentax camera.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-23-2011, 03:50 PM
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My KR had really bad FF.
Sent my camera to CRIS repair, and now along with using the tungsten wb workaround and a Katz eye screen I have much better focus.
Very useable without any af adjustment, but like ablundon a -4 make it about perfect.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
05-23-2011, 03:37 PM
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How about a small pelican case mounted to a rack. Should be rather shock proof, waterproof, and protect everything if you take a spill. Plus backpacks can get a little uncomfortable on long rides.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
05-19-2011, 03:14 PM
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You can easily make your own bounce card with a piece of craft foam and rubber bands or velcro. I have them in both white and black, the black one lets you be more precise with your lighting. If you want a commercial one check out Demb flipit: Demb Flash Products - Flip-it! the variable-angle flash reflector. A little expensive, but well built and easy to use and folds out of the way.
Also check out these two web sites they have about everything you every wanted to know about using a flash.
Planet Neil - planet neil
Strobist: Strobist |
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-19-2011, 07:20 AM
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You may get a faster frame rate by checking your focus priority settings (PG 125-126 in manual.)
One setting makes sure the focus locks before taking the photo while the other gives priority to shooting speed.
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Forum: General Talk
05-18-2011, 10:30 AM
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Acquiring new customer and letting current customers know you care - Priceless
If you can get a few dedicated pentax users from an event like this I bet they continue to buy, upgrade, and recommend the brand to family, friends and other photographers.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-16-2011, 12:11 PM
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Right on BobDoLe! Yes we are complaining about the KR's focus as we should, it is our one little way of getting pentax to listen as we don't get much of a response from their customer service.
Look at all the flailing the K5 users did, and they got a firmware update.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-15-2011, 06:57 PM
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The K-R IS the current mid-range camera in the Pentax line up. The K-X was only recently discontinued but still available in many markets is the most basic, least expensive camera in the line up. Yet it is a very reliable camera, that some pros used as a back up to the K-7 in low light situations before the k-5. Maybe the K-R is considered entry level to some, but I think it is more about the photographers ability than the camera.
Actually yes I expect the KR to focus correctly. The focus problem has nothing to do with what price range the camera is in. My 5 year old Pentax DL focuses fine under tungsten lights, the lower priced KX has no focus problems and even my cheap point and shoot can focus indoors. Does everyone have to buy the K5 to get a camera that will reliably focus indoors? (Although the K5 supposedly had the same problem, which was corrected with a firmware update.)
I wouldn't call this problem akin to the trim on a car. More like the brakes intermittently not working. Is spending only $600 to $700 not enough to warrant a product working as advertised?
All this being said, yes I have voiced MY opinion and MY experiences with MY KR. Others may have different experiences. Some people won’t notice the problem (especially beginners who are new to DSLR’s) or even care if they use the camera outdoors only. It is totally possible that not all KR’s experience a FF issue or have it only to a small degrees. My camera seemed to be way off. I ultimately sent my camera to CRIS repair, and it was adjusted and the focus is much more acceptable now when I use the tungsten WB workaround. I’m still keeping my camera, but it would be awesome to see a absolute fix in the future.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-14-2011, 02:15 PM
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Sure you give up some expectations buying the middle range camera. Maybe FPS, Auto focus speed, a dimmer viewfinder, or water resistance. But I don't think that focus should be one of them. What good is a camera if it can't do it most basic function which is to take a FOCUSED picture.
Also the KR is a step up from the lower priced KX which doesn't have this problem.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-07-2011, 07:23 PM
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Live view with auto or manual will give you great focus, but it is also great at draining your batteries!
To add 3 more workarounds:
Workaround 6 - Auto focus assist light - When conditions are dark enough for it to go on.
Workaround 7 - Buy a k5 or a K1000 and go back to film - :rolleyes:
Workaround 8 - Send it off to be serviced - I send my KR with a few lenses to CRIS at the start of April and it is currently in shipping back to me. I will let everyone know how this one works out.
When I buy a product be it a BMW or a $650 camera I expect it to function as designed without any workarounds.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-06-2011, 08:07 PM
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I'm all for the workarounds if they work, but they all limit the functionality of a brand new camera.
Workaround 1 - AF adjustment - If the adjustment is -8 for a lens that is normally spot on, what happens if you have a lens that does actually have some focus problems where you would have to go over -10? Also I'm prone to forget to set it back to normal outside. What do I set it to in mixed lighting conditions?
Workaround 2 - Not using Auto white balance - I actually prefer to use the specific lighting setting over AWB, but as mentioned above and in other posts, lighting isn't always 100 percent one color temperature. Taking pictures at an inside event where there are windows and tungsten lights is an every day situation.
Workaround 3 - Manual focus - This should cure any FF problem, but even with good eyes it is quite hard to manual focus with the small dim viewfinder found in DSLR's (Using the green hexagon light for confirmation won't work because it uses the autofocus sensors), unless you spend extra money for a split screen to aid in focusing. Also forget about actions shots unless you practice a lot.
Don't get me wrong. I like my KR. I just hope they fix the problems it is having so I can concentrate on taking photos rather than adjusting focus settings.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-06-2011, 03:57 PM
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IMOO I think the FF in tungsten lighting focus issue is a quality control issue. It seem like some people have gotten copies of the KR that work fantastic while other the focus is way off. My 6 year old DL was able to get sharper focus than my brand new KR in both MANUAL (not relying on focus confirm light) and auto focus.
The KR was sent to CRIS and is currently in shipping so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they were able to adjust it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-05-2011, 09:39 AM
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That test shot is almost the same FF as I got with my DA40 limited indoors using only manual focus and not relying on the green focus confirmation light. Seem like a very common problem. By adjusting the auto focus to -8 or -9 it helps a little when using the lens with auto focus, but a bit of a pain to change back and forth all the time. Here is what my indoor ff looks like.
Pentax KR - DA 40MM Limited @ 2.8
Pentax DL - DA 40MM Limited @ 2.8
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-04-2011, 08:58 PM
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Thanks Adam.
Wound up getting two aftermarket batteries (recommended by forum members) for less than half the price of one Pentax brand one. If they don't work out I'll spring for the original.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
05-04-2011, 02:34 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-04-2011, 11:07 AM
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The halogen lights do have tungsten color balance.
I'm sure you would rather be taking photos than testing the camera, but the following is a good test chart to use. Nikon D70 Focus Chart |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-04-2011, 10:31 AM
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The lens might be fine, it could be the KR. Can you test another lens or the DA40 on another camera? Some people have reported the KR front focusing under tungsten lighting. Pentax advises to set the white balance to tungsten rather than Auto white balance when shooting inside.
I had the same problem with my DA40 and KR, but it wasn't the lens because it worked perfect on my other camera. I sent the camera to C.R.I.S and it is currently in shipping back to me after more than a month. Hopefully they were able to adjust everything.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
04-25-2011, 01:59 PM
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I often get the "nice camera" comment when carrying around a film camera, even if it is just a 20 year old K1000. The average person judges a camera on looks and has no clue where it stands in the camera food chain. As long as it is big and shiny and has lots of nobs and buttons people consider it a pro camera. Forget about it if you put on a battery grip, a hot shoe flash and a long lens.
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