Question about the AF/AF-C/MF switch

Rin · 03-04-2011, 07:20 PM

I received my replacement K5 past week and now i am a bit curious if everything is all right ofcourse. I was wondering is it normal that the Focus switch makes a click when switching from MF to AF-C. while switching from AF-C to AFS or from AF-C to MF doesnt click like that. You can feel the click, it is not the same as the feel that the switch locks in position for the mode you select. It is audible from MF to AF-C only.

It maybe sounds like nitpicking and i didn't notice it before. Just a little bit worried that maybe the switch will give problems in the future.

Wheatfield · 03-04-2011, 07:41 PM

Mine is very soft, FWIW.
It seems to work.
Go out and take some pictures.
You worry too much.

Smeggypants · 03-04-2011, 07:56 PM

Switching from MF to AF-C physically moves the screw drive n and out of contact with the socket on the lens

qtopplings · 03-04-2011, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by Rin

I received my replacement K5 past week and now i am a bit curious if everything is all right ofcourse. I was wondering is it normal that the Focus switch makes a click when switching from MF to AF-C. while switching from AF-C to AFS or from AF-C to MF doesnt click like that. You can feel the click, it is not the same as the feel that the switch locks in position for the mode you select. It is audible from MF to AF-C only.

It maybe sounds like nitpicking and i didn't notice it before. Just a little bit worried that maybe the switch will give problems in the future.

My K-5 makes the same noise. I wouldn't worry about it.

the swede · 03-05-2011, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by Smeggypants

Switching from MF to AF-C physically moves the screw drive n and out of contact with the socket on the lens

@ Rin
This is correct, on both K-7 and K-5.
No worries!

jolepp · 03-05-2011, 04:06 AM

+1 : the switch disengages the screw drive going to MF whereas going between AF.S and AF.C is probably just operating an electrical switch

Rin · 03-05-2011, 05:26 AM

yeah i know i worry too much but after 2 replacements i am super cautious but never noticed it before.

But this also happens when using a non screw drivelens? Because i only have lenses of that type.

jolepp · 03-05-2011, 05:34 AM

The lever operates to mechanically draw in / disengage the screw drive shaft when moved to MF so the difference in feel is most likely from that, you'd probably feel it just the same even with no lens mounted (in which case you can see it happening, BTW

).

Rin · 03-05-2011, 10:25 AM

really never thought of that it that simple and obvious haha. i really was too worried.

thanks!

**jeffshaddix** · 03-05-2011, 11:38 AM

My K-7 does the same, no worries!

**bjdavey** · 03-05-2011, 02:31 PM

Mine does exactly the same - no problems, it works fine.

Smeggypants · 03-05-2011, 07:31 PM

The lens release button, when pressed, also retracts the screw drive into the body so you can twist the lens on and off without snagging it

Some people use this button as a quick AF disable

Rin · 03-05-2011, 08:06 PM

thats actually quite nice.

I feel stupid i overlooked something that simple, but was just worried after 2 faulty units that it was hard to believe that this one was all good. No i just hope not stains appear in time. I do not notice much of the focus issues either, calibrated my lenses and it just works.

jolepp · 03-06-2011, 01:21 AM

Originally posted by Rin

thats actually quite nice.

I feel stupid i overlooked something that simple, but was just worried after 2 faulty units that it was hard to believe that this one was all good. No i just hope not stains appear in time. I do not notice much of the focus issues either, calibrated my lenses and it just works.

The AF problem is about front focus in lowish tungsten light (<4 EV or so, something like f=2.8 t=1/50s iso=3200, with actual *tungsten* bulbs) . Other cameras suffer from this too, but it seems that in K-5s case the focus shift gets kind of extreme in comparision. The best guess as to what is going on would seem to be that the new and improved SAFOX+ somehow manages botch the compensation/correction that is meant to eliminate the common tungsten light problem so that things actually get much worse in these specific circumstances. Then again there are people who insist that their unit works fine even in low tungsten light which might mean that the problematic conditions have not been nailed down exactly.

Rin · 03-06-2011, 05:56 AM

i tested in low tungsten light, but i see small FF focus.

but difficult to test this since, there are differences in the color of tungsten as well.

03-04-2011, 07:20 PM	#1
Rin Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 87	Question about the AF/AF-C/MF switch I received my replacement K5 past week and now i am a bit curious if everything is all right ofcourse. I was wondering is it normal that the Focus switch makes a click when switching from MF to AF-C. while switching from AF-C to AFS or from AF-C to MF doesnt click like that. You can feel the click, it is not the same as the feel that the switch locks in position for the mode you select. It is audible from MF to AF-C only. It maybe sounds like nitpicking and i didn't notice it before. Just a little bit worried that maybe the switch will give problems in the future.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Switch to Ubuntu?	Deiberson	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	91	01-24-2011 08:34 AM
Brand Switch question	nemopaice	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	34	07-20-2010 09:25 AM
Well, I've made the switch.....	maxwell1295	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	33	09-19-2009 12:00 AM
auto/man switch question	BernardMarx	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	15	06-15-2009 12:11 PM
Question About Auto/Manual Switch on Vivitar M42 Lens	zx-m	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	06-11-2008 06:49 PM

03-04-2011, 07:41 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Mine is very soft, FWIW. It seems to work. Go out and take some pictures. You worry too much.

03-04-2011, 07:56 PM	#3
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Switching from MF to AF-C physically moves the screw drive n and out of contact with the socket on the lens

03-04-2011, 11:50 PM	#4
qtopplings Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marin, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282	Originally posted by Rin I received my replacement K5 past week and now i am a bit curious if everything is all right ofcourse. I was wondering is it normal that the Focus switch makes a click when switching from MF to AF-C. while switching from AF-C to AFS or from AF-C to MF doesnt click like that. You can feel the click, it is not the same as the feel that the switch locks in position for the mode you select. It is audible from MF to AF-C only. It maybe sounds like nitpicking and i didn't notice it before. Just a little bit worried that maybe the switch will give problems in the future. My K-5 makes the same noise. I wouldn't worry about it.

03-05-2011, 03:44 AM	#5
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310	Originally posted by Smeggypants Switching from MF to AF-C physically moves the screw drive n and out of contact with the socket on the lens @ Rin This is correct, on both K-7 and K-5. No worries!

03-05-2011, 04:06 AM	#6
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	+1 : the switch disengages the screw drive going to MF whereas going between AF.S and AF.C is probably just operating an electrical switch

03-05-2011, 05:26 AM	#7
Rin Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 87 Original Poster	yeah i know i worry too much but after 2 replacements i am super cautious but never noticed it before. But this also happens when using a non screw drivelens? Because i only have lenses of that type.

03-05-2011, 05:34 AM	#8
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	The lever operates to mechanically draw in / disengage the screw drive shaft when moved to MF so the difference in feel is most likely from that, you'd probably feel it just the same even with no lens mounted (in which case you can see it happening, BTW ).

03-05-2011, 10:25 AM	#9
Rin Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 87 Original Poster	really never thought of that it that simple and obvious haha. i really was too worried. thanks!

03-05-2011, 11:38 AM	#10
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	My K-7 does the same, no worries!

03-05-2011, 02:31 PM	#11
bjdavey Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alexandria, VA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 162	Mine does exactly the same - no problems, it works fine.

03-05-2011, 07:31 PM	#12
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	The lens release button, when pressed, also retracts the screw drive into the body so you can twist the lens on and off without snagging it Some people use this button as a quick AF disable

03-05-2011, 08:06 PM	#13
Rin Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 87 Original Poster	thats actually quite nice. I feel stupid i overlooked something that simple, but was just worried after 2 faulty units that it was hard to believe that this one was all good. No i just hope not stains appear in time. I do not notice much of the focus issues either, calibrated my lenses and it just works.

03-06-2011, 01:21 AM	#14
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Originally posted by Rin thats actually quite nice. I feel stupid i overlooked something that simple, but was just worried after 2 faulty units that it was hard to believe that this one was all good. No i just hope not stains appear in time. I do not notice much of the focus issues either, calibrated my lenses and it just works. The AF problem is about front focus in lowish tungsten light (<4 EV or so, something like f=2.8 t=1/50s iso=3200, with actual tungsten bulbs) . Other cameras suffer from this too, but it seems that in K-5s case the focus shift gets kind of extreme in comparision. The best guess as to what is going on would seem to be that the new and improved SAFOX+ somehow manages botch the compensation/correction that is meant to eliminate the common tungsten light problem so that things actually get much worse in these specific circumstances. Then again there are people who insist that their unit works fine even in low tungsten light which might mean that the problematic conditions have not been nailed down exactly.

03-06-2011, 05:56 AM	#15
Rin Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 87 Original Poster	i tested in low tungsten light, but i see small FF focus. but difficult to test this since, there are differences in the color of tungsten as well.