My K-R won't focus

amayers3 · 09-18-2013, 07:51 AM

Hello, I'm in need of some help here. This morning I dropped my K-R a couple of feet. It didn't looked damaged and since it's survived multiple drops, pouring rain, and rollercoasters I thought I had nothing to worry about. However, the autofocus has a mind of it's own all of a sudden. About an hour ago, it only wanted to autofocus on things close to me but now it only wants to autofocus on things far away. The manual focus is working just fine though so this makes me think the problem is the camera itself rather than my 35mm 2.4 AL lens. The only issue I've ever had with my camera is with the playback screen going black after I look at the last image on the memory card. That problem came up when I accidentally put the battery in wrong and had a hard time getting it back out. Since then, the issue fixed itself but the battery won't glide in and out so easily anymore. Has anyone else had this problem or know how to fix it?

Na Horuk · 09-18-2013, 08:28 AM

Try live view, does AF work normally there?
Can you try AF with a different lens?
I suspect you damaged the AF module or a part of it. I doubt there is much you can do. Use live view, MF, zone focusing, or think about a new camera body. A used K-30 is not that expensive anymore.

amayers3 · 09-18-2013, 08:38 AM

Thanks for replying. Unfortunately, AF is not working properly in live view. I will see if the problem persists with a different lens when I get home. I will definitely consider upgrading.

Na Horuk · 09-18-2013, 08:41 AM

Wait, if AF is not working in live view, its not just the AF module.
It could be the camera or lens mount being bent, or the lens elements being decentered.

amayers3 · 09-18-2013, 08:47 AM

How can I tell? Everything looks normal as far as I can tell.

**Aristophanes** · 09-18-2013, 10:47 AM

Try setting AF to the AE-L button option. Maybe the shutter release button is jammed.

minahasa · 09-18-2013, 10:59 AM

Great! My Kr has just developed a similar error. Via viewfinder it just won't focus, just gives the whirring "krrr..krrr..krrr" several times until if stopped like the focus is found, but it's not focus and the shutter will not operate. However, in live view the focus is fast, sharp, and spot on.

Dead AF module? Where is this module anyway? The thingy below the mirror?

amayers3 · 09-18-2013, 11:11 AM

No luck with setting AF to AE-L. Sorry to hear that you have a similar problem. Not sure where the module is. I just went ahead and ordered a K-30. I tried one at work the other day and was extremely impressed.

amayers3 · 09-18-2013, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by amayers3

No luck with setting AF to AE-L. Sorry to hear that you have a similar problem. Not sure where the module is. I just went ahead and ordered a K-30. I tried one at work the other day and was extremely impressed.

Ah, it turns out the AF was broken on the lens, not the camera!

wsteffey · 09-18-2013, 04:41 PM

Ah yes, I had the same problem with both my sigma 70-300 APO DG lenses. One dropped when the camera strap broke, and one was knocked to the floor by my wife's now deceased cat. They would "click" and "ratchet" (sic) but they would give up and not focus. Knew it was the lenses because others worked fine. Sent both off to Sigma and they replaced the "index ring" on both. Oddly, both now work perfectly on my KX, but one will not work on my K100d. $60.00 each including freight, but now both look like brand new.Cheaper than buying another.

09-18-2013, 07:51 AM	#1
amayers3 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 22	My K-R won't focus Hello, I'm in need of some help here. This morning I dropped my K-R a couple of feet. It didn't looked damaged and since it's survived multiple drops, pouring rain, and rollercoasters I thought I had nothing to worry about. However, the autofocus has a mind of it's own all of a sudden. About an hour ago, it only wanted to autofocus on things close to me but now it only wants to autofocus on things far away. The manual focus is working just fine though so this makes me think the problem is the camera itself rather than my 35mm 2.4 AL lens. The only issue I've ever had with my camera is with the playback screen going black after I look at the last image on the memory card. That problem came up when I accidentally put the battery in wrong and had a hard time getting it back out. Since then, the issue fixed itself but the battery won't glide in and out so easily anymore. Has anyone else had this problem or know how to fix it?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My K-5 II firmware 1.04 won't load on my camera!	newtexican	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	14	11-29-2014 06:00 AM
Help! Pentax K-r won't turn on?	Marie Anette	Pentax K-r	9	02-10-2013 04:08 PM
Old K mount lens won't fit on my k-r body	Timelime	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	02-10-2013 01:02 PM
My K20D doesn't won't focus	Slowpoke Rodriguez	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	5	01-06-2013 08:04 PM
K-5 and DA*50-135 won't focus in LIVE VIEW.	bossa	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	6	03-08-2012 04:02 AM

09-18-2013, 08:28 AM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Try live view, does AF work normally there? Can you try AF with a different lens? I suspect you damaged the AF module or a part of it. I doubt there is much you can do. Use live view, MF, zone focusing, or think about a new camera body. A used K-30 is not that expensive anymore.

09-18-2013, 08:38 AM	#3
amayers3 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 22 Original Poster	Thanks for replying. Unfortunately, AF is not working properly in live view. I will see if the problem persists with a different lens when I get home. I will definitely consider upgrading.

09-18-2013, 08:41 AM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Wait, if AF is not working in live view, its not just the AF module. It could be the camera or lens mount being bent, or the lens elements being decentered.

09-18-2013, 08:47 AM	#5
amayers3 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 22 Original Poster	How can I tell? Everything looks normal as far as I can tell.

09-18-2013, 10:47 AM	#6
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Try setting AF to the AE-L button option. Maybe the shutter release button is jammed.

09-18-2013, 10:59 AM	#7
minahasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Photos: Albums Posts: 586	Great! My Kr has just developed a similar error. Via viewfinder it just won't focus, just gives the whirring "krrr..krrr..krrr" several times until if stopped like the focus is found, but it's not focus and the shutter will not operate. However, in live view the focus is fast, sharp, and spot on. Dead AF module? Where is this module anyway? The thingy below the mirror?

09-18-2013, 11:11 AM	#8
amayers3 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 22 Original Poster	No luck with setting AF to AE-L. Sorry to hear that you have a similar problem. Not sure where the module is. I just went ahead and ordered a K-30. I tried one at work the other day and was extremely impressed.

09-18-2013, 03:54 PM	#9
amayers3 New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by amayers3 No luck with setting AF to AE-L. Sorry to hear that you have a similar problem. Not sure where the module is. I just went ahead and ordered a K-30. I tried one at work the other day and was extremely impressed. Ah, it turns out the AF was broken on the lens, not the camera!

09-18-2013, 04:41 PM	#10
wsteffey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 106	Ah yes, I had the same problem with both my sigma 70-300 APO DG lenses. One dropped when the camera strap broke, and one was knocked to the floor by my wife's now deceased cat. They would "click" and "ratchet" (sic) but they would give up and not focus. Knew it was the lenses because others worked fine. Sent both off to Sigma and they replaced the "index ring" on both. Oddly, both now work perfectly on my KX, but one will not work on my K100d. $60.00 each including freight, but now both look like brand new.Cheaper than buying another.