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treebeard · 03-01-2013, 06:48 AM

This is a strange problem with my K-5. I bought a 3rd party batter grip about 2 months ago and it attaches easily and it really helps to balance the weight, especially with my Tamron 70-200. However, when my Sigma 18-50 2.8-4.5 OS HSM lens is mounted on the camera I occasionally lose focus confirmation whether I am using Auto 5 or center point (I use center point 98%). I have to turn the camera off and back on again. A few days ago I was doing some profile shots for a local magazine and it kept happening over and over again. It does not happen with my Tamron 70-200. I am THINKING it may have something to do with the 3rd party grip, but nothing is loose and the battery that is in the grip is a Pentax brand. Has anyone had a similar issue like this occur?

Docrwm · 03-01-2013, 07:34 AM

I haven't but I do not have an HSM lens other than my 18-135. Did you try taking the grip off when you were having the problems? Did that make the camera work properly?

treebeard · 03-01-2013, 07:49 AM

I actually unscrewed the grip and screwed it back on. However, it happened again. I can't seem to figure it out. I checked the contacts of the lens and body and they are clean. This has never happened with my Tamron 70-200 with or without the grip.

Docrwm · 03-01-2013, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

I actually unscrewed the grip and screwed it back on. However, it happened again. I can't seem to figure it out. I checked the contacts of the lens and body and they are clean. This has never happened with my Tamron 70-200 with or without the grip.

Weird. Did you check the contacts for the grip, not the lens mount?

treebeard · 03-01-2013, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Weird. Did you check the contacts for the grip, not the lens mount?

Yes, they appear clean and everything fits together fine. All the buttons on the grip work so I wonder if something is having an effect on the HSM portion of the lens. It has OS but it's turned off since I use the SR in the camera. What I also noticed though is that when the center focal square does not light up I still get the beep and the camera will take the picture even if it's not in focus.

Docrwm · 03-01-2013, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

Yes, they appear clean and everything fits together fine. All the buttons on the grip work so I wonder if something is having an effect on the HSM portion of the lens. It has OS but it's turned off since I use the SR in the camera. What I also noticed though is that when the center focal square does not light up I still get the beep and the camera will take the picture even if it's not in focus.

I'd try a run without the grip and see if you can recreate the problem. If not then its the grip and at $35 I'd get a new one. If it does recreate without the grip I'd send the camera in for service.

treebeard · 03-01-2013, 08:18 AM

I have another shoot this afternoon and I am going to use that lens exclusively so I will take the grip off and see what happens. It certainly does balance out the camera much better so I can't see myself continuing to shoot without one.

Docrwm · 03-01-2013, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

I have another shoot this afternoon and I am going to use that lens exclusively so I will take the grip off and see what happens. It certainly does balance out the camera much better so I can't see myself continuing to shoot without one.

I agree, when my Pentax grip had a problem I bought a knock off one because I was so used to it that I really wasn't functioning well without one on the camera

treebeard · 03-01-2013, 02:38 PM

Just got back from my shoot. The Sigma did the same thing with the grip off. Not sure what to do at this point. It's my most used lens at the moment due to my assignments. I am going to try it on my newly acquired K-01 and see what happens.

Docrwm · 03-01-2013, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by treebeard

Just got back from my shoot. The Sigma did the same thing with the grip off. Not sure what to do at this point. It's my most used lens at the moment due to my assignments. I am going to try it on my newly acquired K-01 and see what happens.

Sorry to hear that, but remember that the K-01 uses a different focusing method. I'd try LV on the K-5 and see if it happens because that's the equivalent for the K-01.

treebeard · 03-01-2013, 03:30 PM

I will try that as well. I really don't think it's an issue with the K-5 since my Tamron 70-200 worked on it, the Sigma 10-20 3.5 HSM worked on it and the 35/2.4 worked on it. I have never had any issues with any of the above mentioned lenses. If it continues to happen with the Sigma 18-50 I will take it out back and sight in my Springfield 30-06 with it.

treebeard · 03-01-2013, 09:23 PM

Went out tonight to shoot a metal reunion show here at a local hotspot. I did not have any issues.....sheesh this is weird. However, I did some fine adjustments with the lens and I have it at -6 right now.

Docrwm · 03-02-2013, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

I will try that as well. I really don't think it's an issue with the K-5 since my Tamron 70-200 worked on it, the Sigma 10-20 3.5 HSM worked on it and the 35/2.4 worked on it. I have never had any issues with any of the above mentioned lenses. If it continues to happen with the Sigma 18-50 I will take it out back and sight in my Springfield 30-06 with it.

Sigma's service is supposed to be top rate. I'd let them have a crack at it, you can always sight in the 30-06 later.

treebeard · 03-02-2013, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Sigma's service is supposed to be top rate. I'd let them have a crack at it, you can always sight in the 30-06 later.

I only have about 2 weeks left shooting down here and then I am going to be moving back to NH. I will deal with it when I get back there since I won't be working for any magazine or newspaper until I get settled in there.

03-01-2013, 06:48 AM	#1
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Weird problem with my K-5 This is a strange problem with my K-5. I bought a 3rd party batter grip about 2 months ago and it attaches easily and it really helps to balance the weight, especially with my Tamron 70-200. However, when my Sigma 18-50 2.8-4.5 OS HSM lens is mounted on the camera I occasionally lose focus confirmation whether I am using Auto 5 or center point (I use center point 98%). I have to turn the camera off and back on again. A few days ago I was doing some profile shots for a local magazine and it kept happening over and over again. It does not happen with my Tamron 70-200. I am THINKING it may have something to do with the 3rd party grip, but nothing is loose and the battery that is in the grip is a Pentax brand. Has anyone had a similar issue like this occur?

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03-01-2013, 07:34 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I haven't but I do not have an HSM lens other than my 18-135. Did you try taking the grip off when you were having the problems? Did that make the camera work properly?

03-01-2013, 07:49 AM	#3
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	I actually unscrewed the grip and screwed it back on. However, it happened again. I can't seem to figure it out. I checked the contacts of the lens and body and they are clean. This has never happened with my Tamron 70-200 with or without the grip.

03-01-2013, 07:53 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by treebeard I actually unscrewed the grip and screwed it back on. However, it happened again. I can't seem to figure it out. I checked the contacts of the lens and body and they are clean. This has never happened with my Tamron 70-200 with or without the grip. Weird. Did you check the contacts for the grip, not the lens mount?

03-01-2013, 08:06 AM	#5
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Weird. Did you check the contacts for the grip, not the lens mount? Yes, they appear clean and everything fits together fine. All the buttons on the grip work so I wonder if something is having an effect on the HSM portion of the lens. It has OS but it's turned off since I use the SR in the camera. What I also noticed though is that when the center focal square does not light up I still get the beep and the camera will take the picture even if it's not in focus.

03-01-2013, 08:16 AM	#6
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by treebeard Yes, they appear clean and everything fits together fine. All the buttons on the grip work so I wonder if something is having an effect on the HSM portion of the lens. It has OS but it's turned off since I use the SR in the camera. What I also noticed though is that when the center focal square does not light up I still get the beep and the camera will take the picture even if it's not in focus. I'd try a run without the grip and see if you can recreate the problem. If not then its the grip and at $35 I'd get a new one. If it does recreate without the grip I'd send the camera in for service.

03-01-2013, 08:18 AM	#7
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	I have another shoot this afternoon and I am going to use that lens exclusively so I will take the grip off and see what happens. It certainly does balance out the camera much better so I can't see myself continuing to shoot without one.

03-01-2013, 08:36 AM	#8
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by treebeard I have another shoot this afternoon and I am going to use that lens exclusively so I will take the grip off and see what happens. It certainly does balance out the camera much better so I can't see myself continuing to shoot without one. I agree, when my Pentax grip had a problem I bought a knock off one because I was so used to it that I really wasn't functioning well without one on the camera

03-01-2013, 02:38 PM	#9
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Just got back from my shoot. The Sigma did the same thing with the grip off. Not sure what to do at this point. It's my most used lens at the moment due to my assignments. I am going to try it on my newly acquired K-01 and see what happens.

03-01-2013, 03:14 PM	#10
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by treebeard Just got back from my shoot. The Sigma did the same thing with the grip off. Not sure what to do at this point. It's my most used lens at the moment due to my assignments. I am going to try it on my newly acquired K-01 and see what happens. Sorry to hear that, but remember that the K-01 uses a different focusing method. I'd try LV on the K-5 and see if it happens because that's the equivalent for the K-01.

03-01-2013, 03:30 PM	#11
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	I will try that as well. I really don't think it's an issue with the K-5 since my Tamron 70-200 worked on it, the Sigma 10-20 3.5 HSM worked on it and the 35/2.4 worked on it. I have never had any issues with any of the above mentioned lenses. If it continues to happen with the Sigma 18-50 I will take it out back and sight in my Springfield 30-06 with it.

03-01-2013, 09:23 PM	#12
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Went out tonight to shoot a metal reunion show here at a local hotspot. I did not have any issues.....sheesh this is weird. However, I did some fine adjustments with the lens and I have it at -6 right now.

03-02-2013, 07:12 AM	#13
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by treebeard I will try that as well. I really don't think it's an issue with the K-5 since my Tamron 70-200 worked on it, the Sigma 10-20 3.5 HSM worked on it and the 35/2.4 worked on it. I have never had any issues with any of the above mentioned lenses. If it continues to happen with the Sigma 18-50 I will take it out back and sight in my Springfield 30-06 with it. Sigma's service is supposed to be top rate. I'd let them have a crack at it, you can always sight in the 30-06 later.

03-02-2013, 08:02 AM	#14
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Sigma's service is supposed to be top rate. I'd let them have a crack at it, you can always sight in the 30-06 later. I only have about 2 weeks left shooting down here and then I am going to be moving back to NH. I will deal with it when I get back there since I won't be working for any magazine or newspaper until I get settled in there.

Weird problem with my K-5

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