Weird AF problem I haven't heard anyone mention

Designosophy · 05-25-2011, 06:30 AM

I just got my K-5 on Monday, and I'm quite happy with it. The only issue I've had so far is a problem when using the DA 16-45. In shadows, even in daytime, sometimes the lens will hunt, then the camera will give me the hexagon and AF confirm light, but it won't take a photo. I have to switch it to manual focus to get it to take the photo. I've checked all my settings, and they're the same as my K-7, but the K-7 will take the photo. For example, catch-in-focus is not on. I might have missed something, but I don't know what.

I have not tried every lens. I use a lot of manual focus lenses - the 16-45 is actually my first Pentax AF lens aside from the kit lens I got with my K-x. But it would be nice to be able to use AF reliably.

Any ideas what could be causing this.

glanglois · 05-25-2011, 06:40 AM

It doesn't like your composition?

I wish my K-5 had that feature. Would be a fine instructional tool and allow me to own half the terabytes of disk I do now .....

Rupert · 05-25-2011, 06:49 AM

I've had the same problem with the DA* 50-135, but on the DS, K10D, K20D and K5.......I assume it it is the lens. I don't recall ever having this problem with my DA 16-45...maybe someone will have a more definitive answer?

Verglace · 05-25-2011, 07:07 AM

Try going to Settings 15. AF-S and change it to Release Priority

Designosophy · 05-25-2011, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by glanglois

It doesn't like your composition? I wish my K-5 had that feature. Would be a fine instructional tool and allow me to own half the terabytes of disk I do now .....

LOL - The composition of the shot I was trying to get was bad. I was just going for a high-contrast shot to see what I could do with it in PP.

Originally posted by Rupert

I've had the same problem with the DA* 50-135, but on the DS, K10D, K20D and K5.......I assume it it is the lens. I don't recall ever having this problem with my DA 16-45...maybe someone will have a more definitive answer?

Glad to hear I'm not entirely alone.

Originally posted by Verglace

Try going to Settings 15. AF-S and change it to Release Priority

Will check that out - thanks.

mel · 05-25-2011, 08:45 AM

I use single point focusing and if won't lock quickly I try to find a different point on my subject on which to focus. Often the point on which I'm trying to focus will not have enough contrast for it to read.

rfortson · 05-25-2011, 08:59 AM

Never had that happen where I get the green hexagon and it won't release. I can't even think of a setting that would prevent it firing if the camera gives the green hexagon. Unfortunately, that sounds like a problem with either the camera or lens (or combo). Is it repeatable?

05-25-2011, 06:30 AM	#1
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	Weird AF problem I haven't heard anyone mention I just got my K-5 on Monday, and I'm quite happy with it. The only issue I've had so far is a problem when using the DA 16-45. In shadows, even in daytime, sometimes the lens will hunt, then the camera will give me the hexagon and AF confirm light, but it won't take a photo. I have to switch it to manual focus to get it to take the photo. I've checked all my settings, and they're the same as my K-7, but the K-7 will take the photo. For example, catch-in-focus is not on. I might have missed something, but I don't know what. I have not tried every lens. I use a lot of manual focus lenses - the 16-45 is actually my first Pentax AF lens aside from the kit lens I got with my K-x. But it would be nice to be able to use AF reliably. Any ideas what could be causing this.

05-25-2011, 07:26 AM	#5
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137 Original Poster	Originally posted by glanglois It doesn't like your composition? I wish my K-5 had that feature. Would be a fine instructional tool and allow me to own half the terabytes of disk I do now ..... LOL - The composition of the shot I was trying to get was bad. I was just going for a high-contrast shot to see what I could do with it in PP. Originally posted by Rupert I've had the same problem with the DA* 50-135, but on the DS, K10D, K20D and K5.......I assume it it is the lens. I don't recall ever having this problem with my DA 16-45...maybe someone will have a more definitive answer? Glad to hear I'm not entirely alone. Originally posted by Verglace Try going to Settings 15. AF-S and change it to Release Priority Will check that out - thanks. Last edited by Designosophy; 05-25-2011 at 07:27 AM. Reason: Avoid double-posting

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05-25-2011, 06:40 AM	#2
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	It doesn't like your composition? I wish my K-5 had that feature. Would be a fine instructional tool and allow me to own half the terabytes of disk I do now .....

05-25-2011, 06:49 AM	#3
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I've had the same problem with the DA* 50-135, but on the DS, K10D, K20D and K5.......I assume it it is the lens. I don't recall ever having this problem with my DA 16-45...maybe someone will have a more definitive answer?

05-25-2011, 07:07 AM	#4
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	Try going to Settings 15. AF-S and change it to Release Priority

05-25-2011, 08:45 AM	#6
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	I use single point focusing and if won't lock quickly I try to find a different point on my subject on which to focus. Often the point on which I'm trying to focus will not have enough contrast for it to read.

05-25-2011, 08:59 AM	#7
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Never had that happen where I get the green hexagon and it won't release. I can't even think of a setting that would prevent it firing if the camera gives the green hexagon. Unfortunately, that sounds like a problem with either the camera or lens (or combo). Is it repeatable?