I can't speak directly about the K-3, but this particular type of focusing option is is on several cameras. Where AF-S locks focus and stays locked, AF-C never locks; the intention for AF-A is to initially lock on to a somewhat stationary subject, then if the subject moves, shift the focus with the subject.
It sounds like a good idea, and perhaps the Ricoh/Pentax engineers may have figured out how to make this option work better than others. I don't know. But, I can say that I've never seen it work very well anywhere else. My theory has always been that most cameras don't have enough focusing sensors to track the subject, or the sensors can't really figure out what really is the subject, or a combination of those. Until I can see the feature work reliably, I've always named the three functions "Single," "Continuous," and "The One that Doesn't Work." gs George Sinos -------------------- www.GeorgesPhotos.net www.GeorgeSinos.com On Mon, Nov 11, 2013 at 4:28 AM, Eric Featherstone <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm also not sure how AF-A automatically decides between AF-S & AF-C > but I'd guess it uses information other than from the AF system. For > example in auto-scene mode it could choose AF-C if it detects a > "sports" scene, or AF-S for "landscape". What it does in program mode > etc I've no idea. > > On 3 November 2013 13:33, Stan Halpin <[email protected]> wrote: >> Thanks Eric. >> >> Page not found. >> However, I knew right where my wife's K-x manual was, did a quick look at >> page 115. The language is very similar to what is in the K-3 manual WRT >> AF-A. Except that AF-A is the default on the K-x. >> >> I am intrigued by this function. Not because it is something I had been >> hoping for. Rather, I am trying to figure out why they would have such a >> setting. How, in actual practice, I would gain anything from using this that >> I wouldn't have using AF-C. There must be a reason it is there, but I just >> don't get it. >> >> I may play a bit with the K-x later and see how it operates . . . >> >> stan >> >> On Nov 3, 2013, at 6:08 AM, Eric Featherstone wrote: >> >>> On 2 November 2013 17:09, Boris Liberman <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> p45 Three (3!) AF modes: AF-S, AF-C, and (drum roll please) AF-A >>>>> which automagically switches between AF-S and AF-C depending on what >>>>> is going on in front of the camera. Barely defined, not explained in >>>>> any detail; I'll be intrigued to see how this works. >>>> >>>> >>>> Now, this camera will have to have a seriously more powerful CPU... >>> >>> Not really, even the humble K-x had AF-A >>> www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-x.pdf >>> (Page 115 Setting the AF mode) >>> >>> -- >>> Eric >>> >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> [email protected] >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>> follow the directions. >> >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. > > > > -- > Eric > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
