Setting up auto focus on SMC Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft

Kenneth3aracing · 02-13-2017, 04:23 PM

Recently I have the Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft lens but do not know how to set up the auto focus since it does not have A setting. Different from the other FA lenses................
How to set up my camera to work with this lens? It likes a manual lens at all.

Adam · 02-13-2017, 04:30 PM

Using the AF/MF switch on the camera. The aperture ring only relates to exposure.

**UncleVanya** · 02-13-2017, 04:48 PM

Is the setting to permit aperture ring enabled?

pschlute · 02-13-2017, 07:54 PM

As Adam said the A/F has nothing to do with the aperture setting.

If I remember correctly the aperture in this lens was designed to operate in manual stop-down from 2.8 to 5.6, and then in auto beyond there. Not sure how well this functions on a modern DSLR though. Suggest you use Av mode exclusively.

**UncleVanya** · 02-13-2017, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

As Adam said the A/F has nothing to do with the aperture setting.

If I remember correctly the aperture in this lens was designed to operate in manual stop-down from 2.8 to 5.6, and then in auto beyond there. Not sure how well this functions on a modern DSLR though. Suggest you use Av mode exclusively.

But if you mount a lens with the aperture ring not in A mode and you don't have the camera set for using a lens with an aperture ring doesn't it simply fail to work at all? I can't recall the symptom.

Using Older Lenses with the PENTAX K-x | Ricoh Imaging Support

pschlute · 02-13-2017, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

But if you mount a lens with the aperture ring not in A mode and you don't have the camera set for using a lens with an aperture ring doesn't it simply fail to work at all?

Using Older Lenses with the PENTAX K-x | Ricoh Imaging Support

The OP needs to enable the "aperture ring enabled" setting as you advised. I cannot recall what problems will arise if you don't.... I think it is just you will fail to get a proper exposure.

Kenneth3aracing · 02-15-2017, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by Kenneth3aracing

Recently I have the Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft lens but do not know how to set up the auto focus since it does not have A setting. Different from the other FA lenses................
How to set up my camera to work with this lens? It likes a manual lens at all.

It does not work on K-3 with all hints follow, but other FA lenses do. Then I put it on the K-5 and the auto focus works.
I reset my K-3 to default setting but no luck. What can make K-3 only not work on this soft lens? firmware?
Does anyone has the same case on K-3?

Thank you for all suggestions.

cyberjunkie · 02-17-2017, 05:12 AM

Silly suggestion:
have you tried to clean the contacts on both sides with a microfiber cloth?
I don't see why it should work on the K-5 and not on the K-3.

The answer on Pentax official site is not of much help:
K-7 and PENTAX Soft Focus Lenses | Ricoh Imaging Support

good luck

P

02-13-2017, 04:23 PM	#1
Kenneth3aracing Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 233	Setting up auto focus on SMC Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft Recently I have the Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft lens but do not know how to set up the auto focus since it does not have A setting. Different from the other FA lenses................ How to set up my camera to work with this lens? It likes a manual lens at all.

02-13-2017, 04:30 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Using the AF/MF switch on the camera. The aperture ring only relates to exposure. 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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02-13-2017, 04:48 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Is the setting to permit aperture ring enabled?

02-13-2017, 07:54 PM	#4
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	As Adam said the A/F has nothing to do with the aperture setting. If I remember correctly the aperture in this lens was designed to operate in manual stop-down from 2.8 to 5.6, and then in auto beyond there. Not sure how well this functions on a modern DSLR though. Suggest you use Av mode exclusively.

02-13-2017, 09:47 PM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by pschlute As Adam said the A/F has nothing to do with the aperture setting. If I remember correctly the aperture in this lens was designed to operate in manual stop-down from 2.8 to 5.6, and then in auto beyond there. Not sure how well this functions on a modern DSLR though. Suggest you use Av mode exclusively. But if you mount a lens with the aperture ring not in A mode and you don't have the camera set for using a lens with an aperture ring doesn't it simply fail to work at all? I can't recall the symptom. Using Older Lenses with the PENTAX K-x \| Ricoh Imaging Support

02-13-2017, 11:07 PM	#6
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by UncleVanya But if you mount a lens with the aperture ring not in A mode and you don't have the camera set for using a lens with an aperture ring doesn't it simply fail to work at all? Using Older Lenses with the PENTAX K-x \| Ricoh Imaging Support The OP needs to enable the "aperture ring enabled" setting as you advised. I cannot recall what problems will arise if you don't.... I think it is just you will fail to get a proper exposure.

02-15-2017, 06:54 AM	#7
Kenneth3aracing Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 233 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kenneth3aracing Recently I have the Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft lens but do not know how to set up the auto focus since it does not have A setting. Different from the other FA lenses................ How to set up my camera to work with this lens? It likes a manual lens at all. It does not work on K-3 with all hints follow, but other FA lenses do. Then I put it on the K-5 and the auto focus works. I reset my K-3 to default setting but no luck. What can make K-3 only not work on this soft lens? firmware? Does anyone has the same case on K-3? Thank you for all suggestions.

02-17-2017, 05:12 AM	#8
cyberjunkie Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chiang Mai, Bologna, Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,198	Silly suggestion: have you tried to clean the contacts on both sides with a microfiber cloth? I don't see why it should work on the K-5 and not on the K-3. The answer on Pentax official site is not of much help: K-7 and PENTAX Soft Focus Lenses \| Ricoh Imaging Support good luck P

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