K-x and kids / pets

My K-x is on order from B & H and will arrive tomorrow. I'm anxious to try it out as so far Nikon D5000 = too bulky to be practical (for me ) and Oly E-PL1 = AF too slow. Anyway, since the K-x has no visible AF indicators, can anyone give me practical tips for AF when shooting children and pets? I read that most people choose the center point and then recompose, but how does this work when shooting relatively moving targets?

Thanks for any help you can give this frustrated newbie.

I've been using center point and recompose since my first autofocus (digital) camera. That was all it had, so it seems normal for me. As to kids/pets, just shoot with the subject in the center, and crop in post processing later, until you get the hang of it. The K-X has enough megapixels that you will be able to crop a bit and not really notice it. Try the camera in auto mode. After the shoot, you can review the pics, and press the info button and see what settings the camera chose. This can help you learn.
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I'm thankful to still be able to * .

• • add your favorite activity here.

Thank you. I usually end up cropping anyway, so this will work and it will help me learn in the process...just didn't know if there was a more efficient way.

Once I have action shots I change from center point/recompose to 5 point which works well - like a large center point. The action scene mode has been pretty well set by pentax, it instantly sets to higher & continuous shutter 1/500+, constant focus, sharpens Jpegs a touch and enhances skin tones so all you need to do is check you have 5 point focus set. These where set this way (manually) + SR off.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=35505303
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Regards Dean - Capturing Creation

In low light conditions, and even for sports photography, use the high ISO qualities of the Kx to use a smaller aperture, e.g. F4 or f5.6 instead of f2.8. The greater DOF makes accurate DOF less important

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Phil B
K20D, K10D

I have my K-x set to Auto 5 and this works very well. In this mode, the K-x automatically chooses focusing point. You can have it set on Auto 11 also but that is too wide IMHO, easier for the camera to set focus on wrong subject with that, but with Auto 5 it does very well indeed.

It is easy to set this, just press Ok-button and move to Auto 5 - it is indicated on back LCD, then press Ok-button again to save the setting.

As has been mentioned, the action mode in the K-x works very well and is a good start to begin with.

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Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo

I just wanted to add that the no visible af indicator seems to be a non issue for me.

I've only had my KX a week but haven't missed the "green square" at all. The cam still gives you a beep when its locked focus and a visual confirmation green indicator at bottom of view finder screen. You can also use a single af point from your choice of the 11 points. For full length portrait work (or I imagine any other) on a tripod that feature has been helpful.
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Cheers Brett
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zigsta/

Thanks everyone for the great tips! My K-x is out on the truck for delivery....I should be taking my first shots this afternoon.

Here are a few suggestions.....

use af-c (continuous autofocus) and a higher iso to allow a faster shutter speed and a smaller aperture for more depth of field. Inside, probably most success will be with using a shoe-mounted flash, which is not only guaranteed to freeze action but will also allow a lower iso for less noise and more depth of field to ease focusing problems.

Good luck

Oliver