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K10D/K100D focusing with manual lenses


bobatkins

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Partial answer to your question.<p>

 

K10D<p>

 

When camera is set to MF with a Pentax DA (autofocus lens) mounted, three (3) forms of confirmation of manual focus appear:<p>

 

- red rectangle(s) light up in selected mf area(s)<p>

 

- beep<p>

 

- hexagonal light flashes in viewfinder readout above the letters "MF"

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Thanks. Canon AF lenses in manual focus mode do the same (give visual and audible confirmation). However manual focus lenses do not give any focus confirmation unless you use a special 3rd party adapter with electronics built into it. EOS bodies turn off the focus confirmation system unless they sense an EOS AF lens mounted on the body.

 

I'm wondering if Pentax allow the body to provide AF confirmation, even when a non-AF lens is mounted. The first answer here would suggest that they do.

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Yes. Both the K100D and the K10D provide focus indicators with both older manual focus lenses and modern AF lenses (when the camera/lens is set for manual focus).

 

If the switch on the camera body is set to MF, there is a hexagonal signal in the viewfinder's LCD readout, the selected red focus patch within the viewfinder will illuminate, and a focus confirmation beep can be heard when the camera achieves focus. There are menu settings for disabling the red patch in the viewfinder and the audible beep, should you prefer.

 

If an older manual focus (only) lens is mounted and the switch on the camera body is set to AF, the shutter will refuse to fire unless the camera detects focus. This can sometimes be useful for 'focus trapping' a moving subject (with the shutter release in continuous mode).

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Interestingly the EXIF data from the Pentax/EOS focus confirmation adapter I have says that the lens focal length is 50 mm regardless of what actual lens I am using. Obviously the adapter does not know what MF lens is mounted to it, but it provides some EXIF information anyway.
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But Pentax is the only one with image stabilization in the body. So they do win that one!

 

The Canon EOS FC adapter works pretty well with most lenses (see http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/m42_eos_focusing_adapter.html), though you have to manually stop the lens down since it's an all electronic interface with no mechanical coupling to the iris.

 

I think you still get auto iris operation with K mount lenses on the Pentax right? Are screw mount lenses manual stop down only, or do they also work in auto-iris mode?

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I have a K100D and the simple answer to your question is "Yes". A useful technique with an MF lens mounted is to leave the focus switch on AF. On this setting the shutter will not operate unless the image is in focus. Hold down the shutter release button whilst adjusting focus and as soon as focus is achieved the shutter will automatically trip and the picture will be taken. This is a very fast method of operation.
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