a newbie question about DA L lenses

kmladeno · 02-16-2017, 06:50 AM

Hello, friends,

i have a k-x with the kit DA L lenses - 18-55 and the 50-200.
In AF mode, the focus ring rotates by itself, but how can i turn it back after i am done shooting? There should be some option in the menu, i guess, but i could not find it.
In MF mode, there is not a focusing scale on the lens. In this case I rely on the blinking signal on the viewfinder screen, right?

Thank you,
Kiril

CarlJF · 02-16-2017, 06:55 AM - **1 Like**

With DA-L lenses You have to switch in manual focus to turn the ring. It's one of the difference between DA-L and DA "not L" lenses. Most of the DA lenses have a feature named "quick shift" allowing to turn the focusing ring even if the camera is set in AF mode. It's not available in the "L" lenses.

**TER-OR** · 02-16-2017, 06:58 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, the green hexagon at the bottom of your viewfinder is the focus confirmation. If there's enough light, you can usually see when the subject is in focus, too.

Don't turn the focus ring manually unless you switch to MF, you could damage the clutch. Probably you won't but it's not a bet I'd be willing to take.

kmladeno · 02-16-2017, 07:11 AM

Thanks for the answers! So I just won't bother about the lens position after shooting in AF

photolady95 · 02-16-2017, 07:25 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kmladeno

So I just won't bother about the lens position after shooting in AF

I have a question about this. Are you wanting to put the lens in the least focal length? To do that it matters not about the focusing ring, it's the zoom barrel that turns to put the focal length on another setting. That you can do even in autofocus.

kmladeno · 02-16-2017, 07:40 AM

I know, i know ( : The question is about the focus "scale-less" ring

photolady95 · 02-16-2017, 07:43 AM - **1 Like**

Okay, just wanted to make sure we weren't missing what you were talking about. It happens sometimes.

kmladeno · 02-16-2017, 07:45 AM

Sure ( ;

**marcusBMG** · 02-16-2017, 08:35 AM - **1 Like**

Trick of the trade: press the lens release button with your right hand, this retracts the AF drive. Now you can rotate the MF ring on the lens with your left. Good for a quick MF focus.

pathdoc · 02-16-2017, 09:03 AM - **1 Like**

Technically speaking the plastic fantastic primes, the DA50/1.8 and DA35/2.4, ought really to be classified as DA-L lenses too; they share the same characteristics of plastic mount and no quickshift. One wonders why this is not so.

kmladeno · 02-17-2017, 01:48 AM

OK, last question ( : Is it to safe to switch between AF and MF when the camera is on, or rather should I turn it off first? I could not find this information in the manual. Thanks for the help!

automorphism · 02-17-2017, 06:02 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kmladeno

OK, last question ( : Is it to safe to switch between AF and MF when the camera is on, or rather should I turn it off first? I could not find this information in the manual. Thanks for the help!

Definitely safe.

02-16-2017, 06:50 AM	#1
kmladeno New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 18	a newbie question about DA L lenses Hello, friends, i have a k-x with the kit DA L lenses - 18-55 and the 50-200. In AF mode, the focus ring rotates by itself, but how can i turn it back after i am done shooting? There should be some option in the menu, i guess, but i could not find it. In MF mode, there is not a focusing scale on the lens. In this case I rely on the blinking signal on the viewfinder screen, right? Thank you, Kiril

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02-16-2017, 06:55 AM - 1 Like	#2
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	With DA-L lenses You have to switch in manual focus to turn the ring. It's one of the difference between DA-L and DA "not L" lenses. Most of the DA lenses have a feature named "quick shift" allowing to turn the focusing ring even if the camera is set in AF mode. It's not available in the "L" lenses.

02-16-2017, 06:58 AM - 1 Like	#3
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Yes, the green hexagon at the bottom of your viewfinder is the focus confirmation. If there's enough light, you can usually see when the subject is in focus, too. Don't turn the focus ring manually unless you switch to MF, you could damage the clutch. Probably you won't but it's not a bet I'd be willing to take.

02-16-2017, 07:11 AM	#4
kmladeno New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Thanks for the answers! So I just won't bother about the lens position after shooting in AF

02-16-2017, 07:25 AM - 1 Like	#5
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by kmladeno So I just won't bother about the lens position after shooting in AF I have a question about this. Are you wanting to put the lens in the least focal length? To do that it matters not about the focusing ring, it's the zoom barrel that turns to put the focal length on another setting. That you can do even in autofocus.

02-16-2017, 07:40 AM	#6
kmladeno New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	I know, i know ( : The question is about the focus "scale-less" ring

02-16-2017, 07:43 AM - 1 Like	#7
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Okay, just wanted to make sure we weren't missing what you were talking about. It happens sometimes.

02-16-2017, 07:45 AM	#8
kmladeno New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Sure ( ;

02-16-2017, 08:35 AM - 1 Like	#9
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	Trick of the trade: press the lens release button with your right hand, this retracts the AF drive. Now you can rotate the MF ring on the lens with your left. Good for a quick MF focus.

02-16-2017, 09:03 AM - 1 Like	#10
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Technically speaking the plastic fantastic primes, the DA50/1.8 and DA35/2.4, ought really to be classified as DA-L lenses too; they share the same characteristics of plastic mount and no quickshift. One wonders why this is not so.

02-17-2017, 01:48 AM	#11
kmladeno New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	OK, last question ( : Is it to safe to switch between AF and MF when the camera is on, or rather should I turn it off first? I could not find this information in the manual. Thanks for the help!

02-17-2017, 06:02 AM - 1 Like	#12
automorphism Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 791	Originally posted by kmladeno OK, last question ( : Is it to safe to switch between AF and MF when the camera is on, or rather should I turn it off first? I could not find this information in the manual. Thanks for the help! Definitely safe.