Web Analytics RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Pentax Germany Admitted the SAFOX IX Front Focusing Problem

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Pentax Germany Admitted the SAFOX IX Front Focusing Problem

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=37582888

See the Google translation of the formal reply, as below:-

"Dear .....,

Thank you for your inquiry.

The focus problem you describe is well known. We are currently working flat out on a software-side solution to the problem. Once an update is available for this issue, we will publish it on our website. We ask you to be patient.

We hope to have been helpful with our response.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again with any questions.

Sincerely,
M. ....

Pentax Camera Support Team"

So, two weeks have passed and could Pentax HQs/Hoya really put out a *software* solution to a very possibly *hardware* issue that caused by a latent design defect (as a result of cutting corners too much!)? I really doubt much about it! >:-o


Related:-

Magnified AF Errors of the SAFOX IX than the SAFOX VIII !?

SAFOX IX Tungsten/Yellow Light Front Focus Issue Fully Investigated
Time (UTC +0800):
標籤： , , , ,

Comments (7)

Loading... Logging you in...
Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout
  • Logged in as
0 Vote up Vote down
Mage's avatar

Mage · 737 weeks ago

Why is the K-x able to focus more accurately under these conditions than the K-r or the K-5? Something has been changed to get the much touted improvements in AF speed in the new SAFOX but it appears that the changes also sacrifice other things like low-light focusing accuracy to achieve the AF speed improvements. Perhaps, sufficient time is not given to finding the proper focus when the new SAFOX cut short the time available to do so in difficult conditions, so as to allow the claimed faster focusing time and to allow the higher FPS. I would rather have SLOWER AF and also LOWER fps, if it means more accurate AF. The picture is missed if you do not have the right focus, unlike other problems like exposure acurracy or colour accuracly that can be adjusted later. Poor focus accuracy = lost pictures! I would also rather have SLOWER AF and LOWER fps if it reduces shutter blur. You lose the picture if there is blur. You can't really increase sharpness. All these blurs, from AF accuracy problems, and from shutter blur, are not doing justice to the nice exensive Pentax lenses. Stop trying to get the K-5 to be a competitive action camera. Forget it. The Pentax AF is too out-classed. The lenses do not have the design to focus quickly. 11 AF points are hopeless nowadays for any hope for catching up to other action-capble cameras. Give up. Concentrate on accuracy instead so that people can at least use it, confidently, for landscape, macro etc. Trying to be more will only lose those who still are interested in Pentax for more artistic work.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
0 Vote up Vote down
Michael A.'s avatar

Michael A. · 737 weeks ago

Why you name K-5 in your self-debate? RH doesn't have one to make an honest comparison. Two of ours have no issues theorized in your speech. If you expect companies to be hones, than lead and rent/get K-5 to have an honest experience with the item instead of (biased) HEARSAY...
0 Vote up Vote down
Mage's avatar

Mage · 737 weeks ago

Give the shutter more time after the mirror is flipped out before firing, that must mean less shutter blur. Look, if Pentax cannot make shutters and bodies and whatever as necessary to reduce shutter blur, then don't try for high fps. I would rather have everything slower and a camera that focuses properly, takes shots without shutter blur, than some high FPS number or other specs on paper. In this day and age, all your problems are and will continue to be highly publicised, on the Internet, and most people are smart enough to google for such information unlike the old days when you can use denial, delay, frustrating return procedure and other tactics to hide poor QC issues. It is encourage to see more admission of problems from Pentax. I hope it is learning. With the good work of Rice, and the Internet, the best policy as always is being honest. Give honest specs, live up to them, and deliver service. Cutting QC while raising prices are the quickest way to kill yourself in this age of fast information. All the defence team and their damage control work at DPR is not enough to save you. A great sensor from Sony cannot save you either, if the camera is so poorly made. The same sensor will be in Canon and other cameras soon. Wake up.
2 replies · active 737 weeks ago
0 Vote up Vote down
Chris's avatar

Chris · 737 weeks ago

I am afraid the average consumer does not honor the kind of honesty you ask for. The average consumer - and I mean the vast majority - compare advertised specs and take that as basis for a purchase decision.
Also, I do not believe there is a single "honest" company - in your sense - on the consumer electronics market in existence. It would simply not work.
0 Vote up Vote down
Chris's avatar

Chris · 737 weeks ago

...and something else: the camera is not "poorly made", it is just a new product with the kind of problems new products have.
Don't believe this is a company-specific issue.
0 Vote up Vote down
yagoor's avatar

yagoor · 737 weeks ago

trt!
0 Vote up Vote down
Barry F's avatar

Barry F · 693 weeks ago

I just spotted this..erm what can I say if "flat out" is 10 months later then I wonder what normal pace is?
Ricehigh you are prob right in that there will not be a fix for users. Real shame though as it could be a great camera.
So what do you suggest Nikon or Canon ;-)

Post a new comment

Comments by

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)