I find many people a bit too critical of Pentax AF performance. While it
isn't always lightning fast, much depends on the particular camera and lens
combination you are using. As many have said, the slower the lens the more
likely you will have some hunting in low light and low contrast lighting. On
the other hand, I find the AF cameras I have used (MZ-5, MZ-S, *ist-D), in
combination with both primes and zooms, have been more than satisfactory
more than 90% of the time. You need to be sensible as to what you are
trying to focus on, and whether you are using spot or wide area sensors,
single or continuous mode: obviously, if you are using all the sensors in
low light with a slow lens the camera is going to take a little longer to
settle on the best point according to it's built-in algorithms.
I frequently use spot-focussing and AF-S when faced with a more or less
static subject, but manually pre-focus when shooting very fast-moving
subjects, such as toddlers or racing cars/bikes! However, even the toddlers
are often caught satisfactorily in good light with AF with a 28-105/4-5.6
lens (my favourite walk-about lens).
HTH and all just MHO!
John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Walters" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2005 11:49 AM
Subject: Re: I'm Getting an Auto Focus Camera
Is it *that* bad compared with other systems?
I've never used anything other than Pentax AF cameras so I've no other
experience to draw on. I've never found the Pentax AF disappointing
(even the SFX!) in reasonable lighting conditions. Maybe I just have
low expectations.......
Cheers
Brian
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Brian Walters
Western Sydney, Australia
Quoting Rob Studdert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
Don't expect miracles and even if you don't you will probably be
disappointed
generally with Pentax AF performance (not just in low light
situations).
