K10D Focus issue resolved (sort of)

[steven363]

Hi,
I have had the K10D since it came out and will not be able to afford an upgrade for another year or so.
I have spent a lot of time with this camera and have learned to hate it until I really began to learn all of it's ins and outs.

With that said one of my biggest issues was getting proper focus, even after 20,000 plus I just could not figure it out. I was depending on manual focus for a long time but these old eyes are starting to get tired and I needed some help with shooting some birds with the 50-135 lens.
I was ripping my hair out (what little I have left) trying to focus in on a little guy when all of a sudden I remembered reading on a forum sometime ago to keep my finger on the AF button and move the camera until focus is achieved. I tried it and the little guy snapped into focus like he was meant to.

Yeah, I know you all probably knew this but I had to share that the light finally went on.

I have a love, hate relationship with the K10D but even if I upgrade I will always find a use for it. I spent too many hours working with the short comings to just toss it aside. I still feel that the pluses still out weigh it's minuses and will always be grateful to Pentax for putting out such a good camera.

Steven

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by steven363

Hi,
I have had the K10D since it came out and will not be able to afford an upgrade for another year or so.
I have spent a lot of time with this camera and have learned to hate it until I really began to learn all of it's ins and outs.

With that said one of my biggest issues was getting proper focus, even after 20,000 plus I just could not figure it out. I was depending on manual focus for a long time but these old eyes are starting to get tired and I needed some help with shooting some birds with the 50-135 lens.
I was ripping my hair out (what little I have left) trying to focus in on a little guy when all of a sudden I remembered reading on a forum sometime ago to keep my finger on the AF button and move the camera until focus is achieved. I tried it and the little guy snapped into focus like he was meant to.

Yeah, I know you all probably knew this but I had to share that the light finally went on.

I have a love, hate relationship with the K10D but even if I upgrade I will always find a use for it. I spent too many hours working with the short comings to just toss it aside. I still feel that the pluses still out weigh it's minuses and will always be grateful to Pentax for putting out such a good camera.

Steven

Interesting to read i still have to learn what each function does
i am to male to read the manual .. Hmm AF button i saw that but did nopt use it yet .. will try it out some time ..

I wil gladly read a full user review with all the plusses and minusses

[steven363]

I use the AF button instead of the shutter button to focus. Shutter button is only used to take the picture, half press is not used.

Steven

[Dirk]

yeah i understand that too but if you halve press aint there a focus on your K10d, because there is with mine ..

[wolfd]

That how my K7 works. I can press either the AF button or half press the shutter button. My friend's K20 is like that too.

[steven363]

Under menu, Custom Setting, 3rd screen, AF button function, choices are: Enable AF, Cancel AF, or Center of AF point. Next one down is the auto focus by press halfway function. Choices are: On or Off.

I have mine set so that the AF button is enabled and the AF by press halfway is off. I do this because I do not want the shutter button to refocus once I have focus set to where I want it.

Steven

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by steven363

Under menu, Custom Setting, 3rd screen, AF button function, choices are: Enable AF, Cancel AF, or Center of AF point. Next one down is the auto focus by press halfway function. Choices are: On or Off.

I have mine set so that the AF button is enabled and the AF by press halfway is off. I do this because I do not want the shutter button to refocus once I have focus set to where I want it.

Steven

i can understand that steven thanks for bringing more light in this matter

it becomes more obvious that i might need to read the manual that came with the K10d

[ChicagoJohn]

It's a doggy-dog world.

[steven363]

There is one thing that I have found out that you give up when using this method that K10D users should be aware of.
When focusing with the AF button I find that shake reduction does not work.
In order for shake reduction to function you have to use the half press on the shutter button. Just found that out.

Steven

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by steven363

There is one thing that I have found out that you give up when using this method that K10D users should be aware of.
When focusing with the AF button I find that shake reduction does not work.
In order for shake reduction to function you have to use the half press on the shutter button. Just found that out.

Steven

thanks for the update i NEED anti Shake so your tip is uninteresting for me