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loco · 06-03-2016, 01:27 PM - **1 Like**

I own the D FA 50 2.8 macro and this morning I was out shooting with it. I was thinking how I wished I could use Catch in Focus with this lens. And sure enough - you can, if you turn on the Focus Clamp. It works great. But I just wanted to double-check here to see if doing this could possibly cause any problems for the lens. I don't think it does because turning on the focus clamp appears to de-activate autofocus. The camera LCD changes from AF.S to MF. So, I can't imagine it would be putting any stress on anything. Am I missing something? This seems like a great trick, but I want to make sure I don't do any damage.

Thanks!

Adam · 06-03-2016, 01:38 PM - **1 Like**

Since the clamp effectively works like an AF/MF switch, you're good to go. It's designed to allow for focus adjustments, just with increased resistance, so I doubt you'll break anything.

loco · 06-03-2016, 01:46 PM

That's awesome. Thanks Adam!

Na Horuk · 06-03-2016, 01:49 PM

Wait, does the Focus clamp act the same as an on-lens AF/MF switch? Didn't know that. Interesting information. I can't get CiF with any of my DA or DFA lenses. Good to know that some still support it

Originally posted by loco

The camera LCD changes from AF.S to MF.

I think this is proof enough, but maybe others can chime in as well

gatorguy · 06-03-2016, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Wait, does the Focus clamp act the same as an on-lens AF/MF switch? Didn't know that. Interesting information. I can't get CiF with any of my DA or DFA lenses. Good to know that some still support it

I think this is proof enough, but maybe others can chime in as well

I never knew that. I would have assumed I'd used CiF with the D FA100 for some macro stuff but I guess it must have been with my old Kiron 105. You're right, it doesn't work with the D FA.

loco · 06-03-2016, 04:27 PM

It DOES work with the D FA if you turn on the focus clamp, at least it works with the D FA 50.

gatorguy · 06-03-2016, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by loco

It DOES work with the D FA if you turn on the focus clamp, at least it works with the D FA 50.

The D FA100WR has no focus clamp.

loco · 06-03-2016, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by gatorguy

The D FA100WR has no focus clamp.

Ah, I see. Thanks. The non-WR has one, doesn't it?

BrianR · 06-03-2016, 06:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by loco

Ah, I see. Thanks. The non-WR has one, doesn't it?

Yes it does.

And...

... holey moley it works just as you've said! I had no idea. I can't see it causing any problems since the camera knows the clamp is active and I'm sure you'd hear the AF motor if it was actually engaging.

Thank you! You've taught my beloved dfa100mm a new trick

loco · 06-03-2016, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by BrianR

Yes it does.

And...

... holey moley it works just as you've said! I had no idea. I can't see it causing any problems since the camera knows the clamp is active and I'm sure you'd hear the AF motor if it was actually engaging.

Thank you! You've taught my beloved dfa100mm a new trick

Thanks for confirming it works on the non-WR 100! And you're welcome!

gatorguy · 06-04-2016, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by loco

Thanks for confirming it works on the non-WR 100! And you're welcome!

Pentax giveth (WR) and Pentax taketh away (focus clamp).

I've no idea what their reasoning was for removing it.

loco · 06-04-2016, 05:54 AM

Yes, that is a shame, gatorguy. Based on some of the comments I've seen on the forum, I have to guess they figured it wasn't a feature people used all that much. Or maybe it was hard to make the lens WR with the clamp switch on it? Anyway, that settles which 100mm macro I will buy. Definitely the non-WR. CiF is way too helpful for macro photography to give up.

Na Horuk · 06-04-2016, 08:04 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by loco

Or maybe it was hard to make the lens WR with the clamp switch on it?

Yeah, making a lens WR without an aperture ring, without focus clamp, without focus limiter.. might be easier than with all of those things. But especially with macro lenses, those are very useful. I find them to be the main, possibly only, drawbacks on the DFA 100mm WR. The previous Pentax 100mm macro lenses have the same optical design, but different feature sets.
I don't have a DFA 50mm macro, but it certainly looks like a great lens, and using CiF is a good feature to have, especially in macro

06-03-2016, 01:27 PM - 1 Like	#1
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	D FA macro lens CiF question I own the D FA 50 2.8 macro and this morning I was out shooting with it. I was thinking how I wished I could use Catch in Focus with this lens. And sure enough - you can, if you turn on the Focus Clamp. It works great. But I just wanted to double-check here to see if doing this could possibly cause any problems for the lens. I don't think it does because turning on the focus clamp appears to de-activate autofocus. The camera LCD changes from AF.S to MF. So, I can't imagine it would be putting any stress on anything. Am I missing something? This seems like a great trick, but I want to make sure I don't do any damage. Thanks!

06-03-2016, 01:38 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Since the clamp effectively works like an AF/MF switch, you're good to go. It's designed to allow for focus adjustments, just with increased resistance, so I doubt you'll break anything. 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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06-03-2016, 01:46 PM	#3
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	That's awesome. Thanks Adam!

06-03-2016, 01:49 PM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Wait, does the Focus clamp act the same as an on-lens AF/MF switch? Didn't know that. Interesting information. I can't get CiF with any of my DA or DFA lenses. Good to know that some still support it Originally posted by loco The camera LCD changes from AF.S to MF. I think this is proof enough, but maybe others can chime in as well

06-03-2016, 04:05 PM	#5
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by Na Horuk Wait, does the Focus clamp act the same as an on-lens AF/MF switch? Didn't know that. Interesting information. I can't get CiF with any of my DA or DFA lenses. Good to know that some still support it I think this is proof enough, but maybe others can chime in as well I never knew that. I would have assumed I'd used CiF with the D FA100 for some macro stuff but I guess it must have been with my old Kiron 105. You're right, it doesn't work with the D FA.

06-03-2016, 04:27 PM	#6
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	It DOES work with the D FA if you turn on the focus clamp, at least it works with the D FA 50.

06-03-2016, 04:35 PM	#7
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by loco It DOES work with the D FA if you turn on the focus clamp, at least it works with the D FA 50. The D FA100WR has no focus clamp.

06-03-2016, 04:53 PM	#8
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Originally posted by gatorguy The D FA100WR has no focus clamp. Ah, I see. Thanks. The non-WR has one, doesn't it?

06-03-2016, 06:58 PM - 1 Like	#9
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by loco Ah, I see. Thanks. The non-WR has one, doesn't it? Yes it does. And... ... holey moley it works just as you've said! I had no idea. I can't see it causing any problems since the camera knows the clamp is active and I'm sure you'd hear the AF motor if it was actually engaging. Thank you! You've taught my beloved dfa100mm a new trick

06-03-2016, 08:44 PM	#10
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Originally posted by BrianR Yes it does. And... ... holey moley it works just as you've said! I had no idea. I can't see it causing any problems since the camera knows the clamp is active and I'm sure you'd hear the AF motor if it was actually engaging. Thank you! You've taught my beloved dfa100mm a new trick Thanks for confirming it works on the non-WR 100! And you're welcome!

06-04-2016, 04:49 AM	#11
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by loco Thanks for confirming it works on the non-WR 100! And you're welcome! Pentax giveth (WR) and Pentax taketh away (focus clamp). I've no idea what their reasoning was for removing it.

06-04-2016, 05:54 AM	#12
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846 Original Poster	Yes, that is a shame, gatorguy. Based on some of the comments I've seen on the forum, I have to guess they figured it wasn't a feature people used all that much. Or maybe it was hard to make the lens WR with the clamp switch on it? Anyway, that settles which 100mm macro I will buy. Definitely the non-WR. CiF is way too helpful for macro photography to give up.

06-04-2016, 08:04 AM - 1 Like	#13
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by loco Or maybe it was hard to make the lens WR with the clamp switch on it? Yeah, making a lens WR without an aperture ring, without focus clamp, without focus limiter.. might be easier than with all of those things. But especially with macro lenses, those are very useful. I find them to be the main, possibly only, drawbacks on the DFA 100mm WR. The previous Pentax 100mm macro lenses have the same optical design, but different feature sets. I don't have a DFA 50mm macro, but it certainly looks like a great lens, and using CiF is a good feature to have, especially in macro

D FA macro lens CiF question

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