Frustrated focusing issue!

treebeard · 09-17-2012, 07:16 AM

Okay, I love my K-5, especially the DR and the high iso performance. However, I am starting to have issues using my Pentax 35/2.4 AL lens with my K-5. The darn thing will just not focus using center-point but I don't seem to have an issue using auto-5 or auto-11. The issue is that I don't like using either of those focus modes. Any suggestions?

Na Horuk · 09-17-2012, 07:24 AM

Wait, you mean it won't focus correctly, or the machine refuses to run AF?

**pearsaab** · 09-17-2012, 07:25 AM

have you checked the calibration on the lens

Docrwm · 09-17-2012, 07:29 AM

There are a lot of threads on AF and the problems with the 11 point AF Pentax uses. The main takeaway for me is that the center AF point is NOT as small as the little red square you see in the viewfinder - its about as big as the ( ) marks in the viewfinder. Try thinking about that and see if something within the area covered by the ( ) marks isn't in focus instead of what you intended.

I'll beat others to the punch and say - post some photos with the problem

treebeard · 09-17-2012, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Wait, you mean it won't focus correctly, or the machine refuses to run AF?

While in AF-s the lens just keep trying to focus while making that horrible "I can't focus" noise. I have no problems using the 18-55 kit lens that came with my K-r though. I have tried using the calibration feature in the camera using the + and - settings but that does not seem to make a difference. I added a link to the OOF images....I finally got it to focus on the last image (the 1st one on my flickr page). I deleted about 4 more images that were also OOF.

Flickr link: Flickr: treebeard1968's Photostream

GoldenRGuy · 09-17-2012, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

While in AF-s the lens just keep trying to focus while making that horrible "I can't focus" noise. I have no problems using the 18-55 kit lens that came with my K-r though. I have tried using the calibration feature in the camera using the + and - settings but that does not seem to make a difference. I added a link to the OOF images....I finally got it to focus on the last image (the 1st one on my flickr page). I deleted about 4 more images that were also OOF.

Flickr link: Flickr: treebeard1968's Photostream

Maybe try turning the camera off, pulling the battery (with the lens still on) then turning it back on. I sometimes get the "failure to find focus" with my Tamron 18-75, but turning it off and on seems to fix it.

treebeard · 09-17-2012, 08:16 AM

I will try that.

JinDesu · 09-17-2012, 08:18 AM

Can you try aiming at a very obvious object? Like, a flat poster with a nice contrasty element?

If it focuses straight on, try moving around angles and see what happens. Aim to keep the solid contrasty element centered.

rawr · 09-17-2012, 08:32 AM

I have to ask (I always do): do you have a UV or 'protection' filter on that lens? If yes, take it off, put a hood on the lens, and try again.

treebeard · 09-17-2012, 08:39 AM

Okay, so this is interesting. I checked the battery and then noticed that it was one of the 3rd party brands I bought as backup (Pearstone). I pulled it...put the genuine Pentax battery in and then proceeded to use the lens with apparently no issue. I had no problems focusing on the flowers I used as an example. Weird or what?!

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-17-2012, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

Okay, so this is interesting. I checked the battery and then noticed that it was one of the 3rd party brands I bought as backup (Pearstone). I pulled it...put the genuine Pentax battery in and then proceeded to use the lens with apparently no issue. I had no problems focusing on the flowers I used as an example. Weird or what?!

put the questionable battery back in, and while attempting to focus, (suggest on a tripod to allow you to move away from the view finder) watch the top display as you are focusing. If it starts to fade, or goes off etc, then the third party battery, for what ever reason is dropping too low for things to work properly

treebeard · 09-17-2012, 08:44 AM

What I noticed is that before I took the battery out I was shooting at f/2.4, after turning the camera off and putting the Pentax battery in the aperture was f/5.6 and I swear I did not touch any dials!

rawr · 09-17-2012, 04:35 PM

That battery issue is not surprising.

The camera is like a PC. Try running your desktop computer on a wonky power supply and you'll see all sorts of problems start to randomly appear.

My K-x would also sometimes have issues with AF performance, depending on what kind of batteries you put in (Lithiums vs alkalines vs eneloops), and battery charge too.

treebeard · 09-17-2012, 05:26 PM

Just got back from the beach. My k-5 and Tamron 70-200 gave me some more focusing issues. It seems that center point focus has become useless for me. I can't even use it to focus on a post that's an easy target at 70mm. I am starting to wonder if I need to send the body in for checking. I love this camera, but I am not sure why my lenses hunt so damn much!

treebeard · 09-18-2012, 02:33 PM

What a knucklehead I am. I put the Tamron 70-200 on my k-r and I was like, "wow, that focuses fast!" After looking at the contacts on my K-5 I noticed alot of grime and stuff where the lens meets the body. I cleaned the contacts with an eraser and wiped the grime off and behold, I can now use center focus and my lenses seem to SNAP to focus quickly now. Sheesh.

09-17-2012, 07:16 AM	#1
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Frustrated focusing issue! Okay, I love my K-5, especially the DR and the high iso performance. However, I am starting to have issues using my Pentax 35/2.4 AL lens with my K-5. The darn thing will just not focus using center-point but I don't seem to have an issue using auto-5 or auto-11. The issue is that I don't like using either of those focus modes. Any suggestions?

09-17-2012, 07:59 AM	#5
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Originally posted by Na Horuk Wait, you mean it won't focus correctly, or the machine refuses to run AF? While in AF-s the lens just keep trying to focus while making that horrible "I can't focus" noise. I have no problems using the 18-55 kit lens that came with my K-r though. I have tried using the calibration feature in the camera using the + and - settings but that does not seem to make a difference. I added a link to the OOF images....I finally got it to focus on the last image (the 1st one on my flickr page). I deleted about 4 more images that were also OOF. Flickr link: Flickr: treebeard1968's Photostream Last edited by treebeard; 09-17-2012 at 08:09 AM.

09-18-2012, 02:33 PM	#15
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Problem found! What a knucklehead I am. I put the Tamron 70-200 on my k-r and I was like, "wow, that focuses fast!" After looking at the contacts on my K-5 I noticed alot of grime and stuff where the lens meets the body. I cleaned the contacts with an eraser and wiped the grime off and behold, I can now use center focus and my lenses seem to SNAP to focus quickly now. Sheesh.

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09-17-2012, 07:24 AM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Wait, you mean it won't focus correctly, or the machine refuses to run AF?

09-17-2012, 07:25 AM	#3
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	have you checked the calibration on the lens

09-17-2012, 07:29 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	There are a lot of threads on AF and the problems with the 11 point AF Pentax uses. The main takeaway for me is that the center AF point is NOT as small as the little red square you see in the viewfinder - its about as big as the ( ) marks in the viewfinder. Try thinking about that and see if something within the area covered by the ( ) marks isn't in focus instead of what you intended. I'll beat others to the punch and say - post some photos with the problem

09-17-2012, 08:13 AM	#6
GoldenRGuy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kingston, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 154	Originally posted by treebeard While in AF-s the lens just keep trying to focus while making that horrible "I can't focus" noise. I have no problems using the 18-55 kit lens that came with my K-r though. I have tried using the calibration feature in the camera using the + and - settings but that does not seem to make a difference. I added a link to the OOF images....I finally got it to focus on the last image (the 1st one on my flickr page). I deleted about 4 more images that were also OOF. Flickr link: Flickr: treebeard1968's Photostream Maybe try turning the camera off, pulling the battery (with the lens still on) then turning it back on. I sometimes get the "failure to find focus" with my Tamron 18-75, but turning it off and on seems to fix it.

09-17-2012, 08:16 AM	#7
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	I will try that.

09-17-2012, 08:18 AM	#8
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Can you try aiming at a very obvious object? Like, a flat poster with a nice contrasty element? If it focuses straight on, try moving around angles and see what happens. Aim to keep the solid contrasty element centered.

09-17-2012, 08:32 AM	#9
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I have to ask (I always do): do you have a UV or 'protection' filter on that lens? If yes, take it off, put a hood on the lens, and try again.

09-17-2012, 08:39 AM	#10
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Okay, so this is interesting. I checked the battery and then noticed that it was one of the 3rd party brands I bought as backup (Pearstone). I pulled it...put the genuine Pentax battery in and then proceeded to use the lens with apparently no issue. I had no problems focusing on the flowers I used as an example. Weird or what?!

09-17-2012, 08:42 AM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Originally posted by treebeard Okay, so this is interesting. I checked the battery and then noticed that it was one of the 3rd party brands I bought as backup (Pearstone). I pulled it...put the genuine Pentax battery in and then proceeded to use the lens with apparently no issue. I had no problems focusing on the flowers I used as an example. Weird or what?! put the questionable battery back in, and while attempting to focus, (suggest on a tripod to allow you to move away from the view finder) watch the top display as you are focusing. If it starts to fade, or goes off etc, then the third party battery, for what ever reason is dropping too low for things to work properly

09-17-2012, 08:44 AM	#12
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	What I noticed is that before I took the battery out I was shooting at f/2.4, after turning the camera off and putting the Pentax battery in the aperture was f/5.6 and I swear I did not touch any dials!

09-17-2012, 04:35 PM	#13
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	That battery issue is not surprising. The camera is like a PC. Try running your desktop computer on a wonky power supply and you'll see all sorts of problems start to randomly appear. My K-x would also sometimes have issues with AF performance, depending on what kind of batteries you put in (Lithiums vs alkalines vs eneloops), and battery charge too.

09-17-2012, 05:26 PM	#14
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793 Original Poster	Just got back from the beach. My k-5 and Tamron 70-200 gave me some more focusing issues. It seems that center point focus has become useless for me. I can't even use it to focus on a post that's an easy target at 70mm. I am starting to wonder if I need to send the body in for checking. I love this camera, but I am not sure why my lenses hunt so damn much!