Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

markwoodfin · 07-14-2021, 03:40 PM

Some people seem to like them but I find the lens barrel focus buttons on the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW to be a real nuisance. I photograph mainly wildlife with this lens and more often than not use a bean bag rather than a tripod. I use the bag in hides, from the car window and on rocks or posts. I generally focus with the back button too. The problem is I often get set up and then the presure of lens on bag triggers the lens collar buttons and my focus is messed up or won't lock on at all. Can I switch off the lens collar focus buttons?

Thanks

Mark

Read more at: Post your HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW pictures! - Page 178 - PentaxForums.com

stevebrot · 07-14-2021, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by markwoodfin

Can one switch off lens barrel focus buttons D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW ?

Do you mean to set one or more as always on/off and otherwise non-functional? (Set a program to the lens.)

Like so many things, if the solution is not obvious and not in the manual, it is unlikely that your wish will be granted. Excepting, of course, the invocation of a secret chant or similar. If there is such, it would be a camera body function.

Steve

**termy** · 07-14-2021, 04:36 PM - **1 Like**

Set it to 'QFS/A' position for that tab on lens barrel.

That will render those buttons inoperative.

See this >>

**termy** · 07-14-2021, 05:02 PM

Apologies. My mistake, in haste.

Set it to "AF cancel" on another tab.
That will render those buttons inoperative.

This >>

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

pschlute · 07-14-2021, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by termy

Apologies. My mistake, in haste.

Set it to "AF cancel" on another tab.
That will render those buttons inoperative.

Setting it to AF CANCEL means the 4 buttons when pressed will turn off the active AF. Far from inoperative.

**jatrax** · 07-14-2021, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Setting it to AF CANCEL means the 4 buttons when pressed will turn off the active AF. Far from inoperative.

True. But that is still the best (if not great) solution to the problem. I've had the same issue using a bean bag and using AF cancel has fewer negative consequences than other settings.

**termy** · 07-15-2021, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

Setting it to AF CANCEL means the 4 buttons when pressed will turn off the active AF. Far from inoperative.

mmmmm. ok.
Got to admit, no idea of that.

when i first used the lens, i had this same problem, that being, i found those 4 buttons to be rather irritating.

Then i fiddled around and found setting it to AF Cancel to suit what i want to do.

And for the 2years plus using this lens, this solution (if i could call it that, even if it is a half baked one) worked fine and will probably work fine for the next 2x10 years.

If anyone else has the proper way of rendering those "irritating buttons" inoperative, please do share with the OP, as my suggested solution may not be suited to OP.

stevebrot · 07-15-2021, 10:27 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by termy

If anyone else has the proper way of rendering those "irritating buttons" inoperative

Gaffers tape...

Steve

markwoodfin · 07-19-2021, 03:43 PM - **1 Like**

Thank you folks for the suggestions. I've now tried the AF Cancel setting. Surprisingly this does what I want ( as Termy and others said it would). Surprising because I thought AF cancel would cancel ALL AF operation of the lens but what it does is only render those buttons in-operative BUT the AF still works when the focus is activated from the body (in my case using the back AF button). Hooray. Problem solved!

07-14-2021, 03:40 PM	#1
markwoodfin New Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 22	Can one switch off lens barrel focus buttons D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW ? Some people seem to like them but I find the lens barrel focus buttons on the Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW to be a real nuisance. I photograph mainly wildlife with this lens and more often than not use a bean bag rather than a tripod. I use the bag in hides, from the car window and on rocks or posts. I generally focus with the back button too. The problem is I often get set up and then the presure of lens on bag triggers the lens collar buttons and my focus is messed up or won't lock on at all. Can I switch off the lens collar focus buttons? Thanks Mark Read more at: Post your HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW pictures! - Page 178 - PentaxForums.com

07-14-2021, 04:00 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by markwoodfin Can one switch off lens barrel focus buttons D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW ? Do you mean to set one or more as always on/off and otherwise non-functional? (Set a program to the lens.) Like so many things, if the solution is not obvious and not in the manual, it is unlikely that your wish will be granted. Excepting, of course, the invocation of a secret chant or similar. If there is such, it would be a camera body function. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 07-14-2021 at 04:12 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax K70 with Pentax FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Lens autofocus error	Johnson Quad	Visitors' Center	5	03-13-2021 07:47 AM
For Sale - Sold: HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW	picdude	Sold Items	14	11-29-2020 11:23 PM
HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Lens Zoom Lock Button Spare Part	iridedaily	Repairs and Warranty Service	7	03-11-2020 02:34 PM
Capture One Pro 20.0.3 supports Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW	Class A	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	6	03-11-2020 01:12 AM

07-14-2021, 05:08 PM	#5
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,217	Originally posted by termy Apologies. My mistake, in haste. Set it to "AF cancel" on another tab. That will render those buttons inoperative. Setting it to AF CANCEL means the 4 buttons when pressed will turn off the active AF. Far from inoperative.

07-14-2021, 05:56 PM	#6
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by pschlute Setting it to AF CANCEL means the 4 buttons when pressed will turn off the active AF. Far from inoperative. True. But that is still the best (if not great) solution to the problem. I've had the same issue using a bean bag and using AF cancel has fewer negative consequences than other settings.

07-15-2021, 05:50 AM	#7
termy Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,155	Originally posted by pschlute Setting it to AF CANCEL means the 4 buttons when pressed will turn off the active AF. Far from inoperative. mmmmm. ok. Got to admit, no idea of that. when i first used the lens, i had this same problem, that being, i found those 4 buttons to be rather irritating. Then i fiddled around and found setting it to AF Cancel to suit what i want to do. And for the 2years plus using this lens, this solution (if i could call it that, even if it is a half baked one) worked fine and will probably work fine for the next 2x10 years. If anyone else has the proper way of rendering those "irritating buttons" inoperative, please do share with the OP, as my suggested solution may not be suited to OP.

07-15-2021, 10:27 AM - 2 Likes	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by termy If anyone else has the proper way of rendering those "irritating buttons" inoperative Gaffers tape... Steve

07-19-2021, 03:43 PM - 1 Like	#9
markwoodfin New Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Thank you folks for the suggestions. I've now tried the AF Cancel setting. Surprisingly this does what I want ( as Termy and others said it would). Surprising because I thought AF cancel would cancel ALL AF operation of the lens but what it does is only render those buttons in-operative BUT the AF still works when the focus is activated from the body (in my case using the back AF button). Hooray. Problem solved!