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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-02-2017, 02:50 PM
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The new Nikon AF looks great - but this contretemps isn't helping. The newest Nikon I own is an FE2.
Please, can we return to the perfectly competent Pentax AF?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-01-2017, 05:18 AM
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Nice of you to try . . . . I just skip over those posts and read the informative posts . . .
And there is a technological way to make skipping them easier. :cool:
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-27-2017, 10:35 AM
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The review is fair and to the point. Some good points about KP. Some less so. AF is less so, even though they still insist on shooting a white shirt at f/2.8 using an RGB color tracking sensor. But whatever - Pentax AF can be made to work, but in general it is still behind.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-23-2017, 02:26 PM
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At some point it comes down to the person behind the viewfinder.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-23-2017, 08:14 AM
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^^ I recall the discussion just as @normhead described it. It was speculated that both Nikon and Pentax estimate where to move the lens (equally quickly), then their process logic deviates. It was speculated that Nikon's AF algo quickly calculates whether the focus is above some slightly-less-than-perfect threshold to permit release, whereas Pentax algo logic always attempts to achieve perfect focus (so there is an additional 'bump'(s) to the lens before it permits release).
Nikon = ZIP -> shutter
Pentax = ZIP, Bump, Bump -> shutter.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2017, 02:16 PM
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We really should wait for the APSc flagship to continue this discussion. The entire AF system is built for APSc - K-1 isn't especially suited to top flight tracking AF. It is good enough, and much better than the reputation it has, but not designed to be an AF beast.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2017, 02:12 PM
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@mecrox Ricoh Imaging sales are half the size of Leica.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2017, 07:09 AM
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That explains a lot. I was ten years old when the early Spotmatic was released in 1965. Though production continued until 1973 (when I graduated), by the time I was checking them out of the Newspaper locker with one or two Super Takumars the hip kids taking Photography at my school had Canon F1's or Nikon F2's around their necks. Their own Canons and Nikon's, not borrowed from their fathers. A school-engraved Pentax was really square.
I'll concede the point though. Pentax was hip in 1967.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2017, 06:28 AM
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Youtu.be
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LB5YkmjalDg?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 05:21 PM
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That's a pretty specific use case with pretty specific and limiting settings to cite as proof of a general Pentax AF POOR evaluation - but - precisely the contrary is my experience (and others in this thread) with K-1 and 28~105 and even FA lenses. Your specific use case disables most of the AF system sensors and settings, so of course you have a low hit rate.
This kind of strawman argument false conclusion / Confirmation Bias- really bothers me.
K-3 is December, 2013 technology.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 04:03 PM
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In my experience (admittedly amateurish and not up to the caliber of bloggers and internet reviewers) properly setting the camera and employing the simple technique of moving the camera to keep the subject covered by the AF area completely contradicts this urban myth.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 02:34 PM
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Actually, all of those settings affect the software. They're inputs and conditions that control the AF algorithm.
Low, Medium and High Hold govern objects suddenly coming into the frame and objects crossing in front of the subject. There might be a weakness acquiring focus on a subject not in the frame when it comes into the frame - but that's also a lens problem and a technique Compensation solution. I'm not sure I understand where prioritizing a bird versus the clear blue sky is an issue if the bird is covered by an AF point.
IMHO it is all there. Perhaps there's a generation of processor speed or algo compactness to catch up, and the presets or a White Paper would be helpful, but the foundation is in place
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 02:03 PM
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I went to the manual and edited my post. Pentax is equally comprehensive. You just have to understand what the different combinations of settings do. Pentax would be well advised to release a White Paper detailing the AF.C logic and settings combinations. There's nothing on the Fuji Site Pentax doesn't also have except the Presets - the 'I don't want to think' controls.
That plus the AF sensor coverage are the big problems.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 01:40 PM
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From memory. PDAF. I'm sure I'm missing something:- Focus or Release Priority?
- 1st Frame Priority?
- Focus or FPS Priority?
- 1, 9, or 33 point AF Area?
- Expanded Area? 9, 25 or 33?
- Continuous H-M-L?
- Slow, Medium or High Hold?
- Program Line?
- Mode Selection?
- AF or Shutter Button focus?
These settings and others make the same changes to Tracking AF as all the other makers. Pentax just doesn't label them Sports, Birds in Flight, Children, Formula 1, Running Dogs, Kate Upton's Right Eye, Weaving Bicyclist coming at you, etc. like the other guys do.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 01:23 PM
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You do the same thing with Pentax AF.C.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 01:19 PM
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That much volume is the CaNikon failing business model. It is evident Pentax does not want to be in Best Buy, or any other high volume / low profit margin distribution channel. They can't make enough, and refuse to gear up to make enough, product to supply that channel.
Yet we demand the same features and diversity of bodies as CaNiSony - at a 20% lower price. We want a small, nimble, premium, value product without any mass-market baggage. How much more money, per camera, are you willing to pay for a marketing campaign, dealer support, warranty, service, distribution, availability and everything else - because YOU are going to pay for that, nor 'RICOH'.
Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 11:01 AM
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Boxers or Briefs?
I don't recall a time when Pentax was stylish or edgy ever. And I do mean since 1957. Pentax is essentially an optics company that makes competent, conservative cameras on which to mount their lenses. Their statement is the image, not the sexy, polished anodized aluminum body.
My son uses his Canon for his work but he borrows my K-1 and FA77 to take memories of his babies, and that's the absolute truth.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 09:28 AM
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D FA* lenses aren't mass produced. Even DA/FA Limited lenses aren't mass produced. It was revealed in the CP+ interview the 70~200 was delayed because Pentax' manufacturing process was not accurate enough to reliably produce lenses to close tolerance. Mass production (machine production) requires even more capital investment. People are more expensive than machines.
What I'm suggesting is the Pentax infrastructure might not yet be quite to the point that they can produce some of the things we blithely ask for.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 09:06 AM
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Failing isn't the correct descriiption. Pentax won't be able to instantaneously upgrade every model and every lens to ultrasonic motors, and they won't magically be able to install a new AF sensor with 51 f/2.8 cross-type AF points in every camera body at whatever price, with predictive x, y and z axis Tracking AF algorithms that are idiot proof.
However, given a modicum of skill, technique and proper set-up, continuous AF functions are fine on Pentax cameras. Users whose immediate first priority is out-of-the-box Green Mode tracking and zippy AF for $600 should buy another brand.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 08:26 AM
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My son just streamed a local HS Lacrosse Game with my Theta S (and another feed with his phone) while he shot D80 video from a tripod. Both streaming devices were attached to the camera with GoPro mounts. He had 7,000 peak follows on the Theta stream - more than the 180 stream.
Didn't see that coming.
I suspect Pentax will continue to incrementally improve AF with each new model, but it's like boiling a frog. We won't notice when Pentax AF is actually 'good'.
I don't think they'll make a 'comes from nowhere' AF score, which is an issue. The other guys aren't standing still, so how does Pentax incrementally catch up?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 08:03 AM
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There's also the Wayne Gretsky problem. You don't go where the puck is. You go where the puck is going to be. They have the skill and vision to be a leader, but most of us don't see what's coming.
Ricoh Theta is Gretsky.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 07:34 AM
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Pentax isn't on store shelves because at the price we're willing to pay there isn't enough profit to justify shelf space.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 07:31 AM
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How lenses are made - think of the capital required to buy these machines.
You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qZtYSE-ZwAI?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2017, 06:49 AM
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Of course Pentax could, but we wouldn't buy it if they did.
There's no magic to cameras. Pentax could immediately create a D500-spec. body and Nikon class strobe. It's just math, engineering and capital. What they can't do is recapture the time lost since 2000 doing nothing while CaNiFuShy were incrementally developing their products.
Ricoh could throw capital at the problem and catch up 15 years of investment in 2 - 3 years. But we wouldn't pay the price required to recover the development cost, tooling and materials.
The problem is us.
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