Help: SMC FA 1.4 50mm lens Focus Problem

notrickz · 05-26-2010, 09:12 PM

Hello, this is my first post. Thanks for this great forum everyone! Here is my problem. I have the above lens on a K10D. It worked fine until last summer on a Florida trip. Since then it has issues auto focusing. Problem being: it does not catch a focusing point. it only moves back and forth without "catching" an auto focus. Most of the times it has issues during daytime, I'd say during bright light situations. Sometimes it helps to clean the contacts, but lately that does not help either. Is anybody else experiencing this problem or knows a fix to it? It's a shame. it's my favorite lens and it's nearly unusable now after only 2 years of purchase... thanks in advance!!

Last edited by notrickz; 05-26-2010 at 09:23 PM.

Adam · 05-26-2010, 09:32 PM

It really sounds like there might be something wrong with the lens, but you should check it on another camera before sending it anywhere for repairs.

Steinback · 05-26-2010, 10:14 PM

Is it still possible to achieve focus manually?

axl · 05-27-2010, 09:07 AM

How do your other lenses behave on the same body?

My point being, if the screw is spinning the lenses shaft therefore the elements are moving, there is no reason why it wouldn't lock focus, unless there would be serious optical condition that would reduce contrast so much that camera's AF sensor would see it all "flat"

On the other side if all of your lenses have some/same AF issue on your body it may be the camera's AF sensor...

my 2p

notrickz · 05-27-2010, 11:41 PM

Thank you for all the replies.
I have this issue only with this lens. I have another prime and three more zoom lenses that all behave fine.

Manual focus is still fine. Auto focus works in less bright situations. I'd say on overcast days it works ok.

I have not tried the lens on another body yet. Will try to find one to test.

Arent repairs expensive? And should have happened with such a "young" lens?

05-26-2010, 09:12 PM	#1
notrickz New Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	Help: SMC FA 1.4 50mm lens Focus Problem Hello, this is my first post. Thanks for this great forum everyone! Here is my problem. I have the above lens on a K10D. It worked fine until last summer on a Florida trip. Since then it has issues auto focusing. Problem being: it does not catch a focusing point. it only moves back and forth without "catching" an auto focus. Most of the times it has issues during daytime, I'd say during bright light situations. Sometimes it helps to clean the contacts, but lately that does not help either. Is anybody else experiencing this problem or knows a fix to it? It's a shame. it's my favorite lens and it's nearly unusable now after only 2 years of purchase... thanks in advance!! Last edited by notrickz; 05-26-2010 at 09:23 PM.

05-26-2010, 09:32 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	It really sounds like there might be something wrong with the lens, but you should check it on another camera before sending it anywhere for repairs. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-26-2010, 10:14 PM	#3
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Is it still possible to achieve focus manually?

05-27-2010, 09:07 AM	#4
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	How do your other lenses behave on the same body? My point being, if the screw is spinning the lenses shaft therefore the elements are moving, there is no reason why it wouldn't lock focus, unless there would be serious optical condition that would reduce contrast so much that camera's AF sensor would see it all "flat" On the other side if all of your lenses have some/same AF issue on your body it may be the camera's AF sensor... my 2p

05-27-2010, 11:41 PM	#5
notrickz New Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thank you for all the replies. I have this issue only with this lens. I have another prime and three more zoom lenses that all behave fine. Manual focus is still fine. Auto focus works in less bright situations. I'd say on overcast days it works ok. I have not tried the lens on another body yet. Will try to find one to test. Arent repairs expensive? And should have happened with such a "young" lens?