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mtkang · 05-21-2013, 02:00 PM

hi guys,

got my k-30 like 2 months ago, i recently keep finding it has problem to focus on infinity sometimes. Like i half press, and it was kept searching.

It seems had problem on my kit lense from k-x and also the 35mm f2.4..

Anyway knows what could be the problem?

Adam · 05-21-2013, 03:40 PM

Happens sometimes with wider lenses. Have you tried calibrating the focus?

Fixing Front and Back Focus - Causes of Front- and Back-Focus - PentaxForums.com

Ken T · 05-22-2013, 09:56 AM

Using Center Focus Point and focus on something has more contrast.

mtkang · 05-22-2013, 11:37 PM

but most guys are not having problem with the kit lense?

i try not to do anything since just a few month old, maybe i can send it back for a check or replacement if it is not normal

dragra · 05-23-2013, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by mtkang

but most guys are not having problem with the kit lense?

i try not to do anything since just a few month old, maybe i can send it back for a check or replacement if it is not normal

Why don't you post some of your problem pictures? This way we may have some more accurate diagnosis.

mtkang · 05-23-2013, 08:28 AM

sometimes the camera is just searching for focus.. even it is a bright day.. it is not a photo is out of focus after taking.

guess i need to read up a bit how the autofocus of the DSLR works so i have some clues.

SteveB · 05-23-2013, 10:32 AM

All I can think of that you might be doing wrong when trying to focus on infinity is perhaps you're aiming the AF sensor at the sky. If the sky is plain blue or white/grey then there's nothing that the AF can focus on, basically because it looks much the same out of focus as in focus. You either need definite clouds with edges/detail or make sure you're aiming at trees, skyline or something with contrast.

RedMist · 05-28-2013, 03:42 AM

Unfortunately I've had similar problems with my K30 but only when using the 40mm Limited lens and always when trying to focus at something more than 50ft away or more - my only other lens at the moment is the 18-135 WR and I haven't experienced the problem with that. It happened again at the weekend, I was using it in very sunny conditions but I was trying to photograph people in costumes (plenty of contrast) in the shade next to a building about 75ft away and it refused to focus even when I moved the focus point slightly, I should probably have switched to manual focus but got frustrated at the time and used my RX100 instead which focused with no problems.

It has only happened 5 or 6 times (over 5 months) and at the moment I would be inclined to say it is lens related but I haven't really experimented enough in comparison with my 18-135 to be certain.

SteveB · 05-29-2013, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by RedMist

Unfortunately I've had similar problems with my K30 but only when using the 40mm Limited lens and always when trying to focus at something more than 50ft away or more - my only other lens at the moment is the 18-135 WR and I haven't experienced the problem with that. It happened again at the weekend, I was using it in very sunny conditions but I was trying to photograph people in costumes (plenty of contrast) in the shade next to a building about 75ft away and it refused to focus even when I moved the focus point slightly, I should probably have switched to manual focus but got frustrated at the time and used my RX100 instead which focused with no problems.

It has only happened 5 or 6 times (over 5 months) and at the moment I would be inclined to say it is lens related but I haven't really experimented enough in comparison with my 18-135 to be certain.

Now you say that, I do remember having an issue one time in very sunny weather where I was trying to AF on something 25ft away that was big, detailed but shaded and next to blindingly bright light just on the edge of the frame and it just wouldn't focus. I can't remember what lens it was (probably the 35/2.4 though) but I put it down to lens flare confusing the AF sensors. I haven't noticed it since.

mtkang · 05-29-2013, 12:57 PM

Sometimes the focus will have problem that become annoying that fail to focus on common scene.. I wonder is there a way to check focus?

dragra · 05-31-2013, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by mtkang

Sometimes the focus will have problem that become annoying that fail to focus on common scene.. I wonder is there a way to check focus?

As long as you don't post some of your "problem" pictures this conversation is pointless.

altopiet · 05-31-2013, 08:39 AM

I would also like to see some of the pics (with EXIF) causing the problems. I haven't had any problems so far, using various lenses

RedMist · 06-01-2013, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

I would also like to see some of the pics (with EXIF) causing the problems. I haven't had any problems so far, using various lenses

The problem is that the camera won't lock focus so if you have focus priority enabled it won't take a photo so it's not possible to post any problem photos

altopiet · 06-01-2013, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by RedMist

The problem is that the camera won't lock focus so if you have focus priority enabled it won't take a photo so it's not possible to post any problem photos

Ok,I get it. I'm using release priority, might give it a try tomorrow and see what happens with focus priority.

EDIT: Have you tried release priority?

dragra · 06-01-2013, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by RedMist

The problem is that the camera won't lock focus so if you have focus priority enabled it won't take a photo so it's not possible to post any problem photos

Your brains have to be online with the camera AF-mode, I mean you ought to "tell" the camera what you're after, what's your point of interest. If you point it to the plain sky it might be tough, except there is some cloud or BIF which it can have a lock on.

05-21-2013, 02:00 PM	#1
mtkang Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 65	k-30 focus problem hi guys, got my k-30 like 2 months ago, i recently keep finding it has problem to focus on infinity sometimes. Like i half press, and it was kept searching. It seems had problem on my kit lense from k-x and also the 35mm f2.4.. Anyway knows what could be the problem?

05-21-2013, 03:40 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Happens sometimes with wider lenses. Have you tried calibrating the focus? Fixing Front and Back Focus - Causes of Front- and Back-Focus - PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-01-2013, 06:47 AM	#14
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Originally posted by RedMist The problem is that the camera won't lock focus so if you have focus priority enabled it won't take a photo so it's not possible to post any problem photos Ok,I get it. I'm using release priority, might give it a try tomorrow and see what happens with focus priority. EDIT: Have you tried release priority? Last edited by altopiet; 06-01-2013 at 06:58 AM.

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05-22-2013, 09:56 AM	#3
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	Using Center Focus Point and focus on something has more contrast.

05-22-2013, 11:37 PM	#4
mtkang Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 65 Original Poster	but most guys are not having problem with the kit lense? i try not to do anything since just a few month old, maybe i can send it back for a check or replacement if it is not normal

05-23-2013, 02:41 AM	#5
dragra Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ljubljana Photos: Albums Posts: 238	Originally posted by mtkang but most guys are not having problem with the kit lense? i try not to do anything since just a few month old, maybe i can send it back for a check or replacement if it is not normal Why don't you post some of your problem pictures? This way we may have some more accurate diagnosis.

05-23-2013, 08:28 AM	#6
mtkang Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 65 Original Poster	sometimes the camera is just searching for focus.. even it is a bright day.. it is not a photo is out of focus after taking. guess i need to read up a bit how the autofocus of the DSLR works so i have some clues.

05-23-2013, 10:32 AM	#7
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	All I can think of that you might be doing wrong when trying to focus on infinity is perhaps you're aiming the AF sensor at the sky. If the sky is plain blue or white/grey then there's nothing that the AF can focus on, basically because it looks much the same out of focus as in focus. You either need definite clouds with edges/detail or make sure you're aiming at trees, skyline or something with contrast.

05-28-2013, 03:42 AM	#8
RedMist Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 28	Unfortunately I've had similar problems with my K30 but only when using the 40mm Limited lens and always when trying to focus at something more than 50ft away or more - my only other lens at the moment is the 18-135 WR and I haven't experienced the problem with that. It happened again at the weekend, I was using it in very sunny conditions but I was trying to photograph people in costumes (plenty of contrast) in the shade next to a building about 75ft away and it refused to focus even when I moved the focus point slightly, I should probably have switched to manual focus but got frustrated at the time and used my RX100 instead which focused with no problems. It has only happened 5 or 6 times (over 5 months) and at the moment I would be inclined to say it is lens related but I haven't really experimented enough in comparison with my 18-135 to be certain.

05-29-2013, 10:50 AM	#9
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	Originally posted by RedMist Unfortunately I've had similar problems with my K30 but only when using the 40mm Limited lens and always when trying to focus at something more than 50ft away or more - my only other lens at the moment is the 18-135 WR and I haven't experienced the problem with that. It happened again at the weekend, I was using it in very sunny conditions but I was trying to photograph people in costumes (plenty of contrast) in the shade next to a building about 75ft away and it refused to focus even when I moved the focus point slightly, I should probably have switched to manual focus but got frustrated at the time and used my RX100 instead which focused with no problems. It has only happened 5 or 6 times (over 5 months) and at the moment I would be inclined to say it is lens related but I haven't really experimented enough in comparison with my 18-135 to be certain. Now you say that, I do remember having an issue one time in very sunny weather where I was trying to AF on something 25ft away that was big, detailed but shaded and next to blindingly bright light just on the edge of the frame and it just wouldn't focus. I can't remember what lens it was (probably the 35/2.4 though) but I put it down to lens flare confusing the AF sensors. I haven't noticed it since.

05-29-2013, 12:57 PM	#10
mtkang Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 65 Original Poster	Sometimes the focus will have problem that become annoying that fail to focus on common scene.. I wonder is there a way to check focus?

05-31-2013, 08:05 AM	#11
dragra Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ljubljana Photos: Albums Posts: 238	Originally posted by mtkang Sometimes the focus will have problem that become annoying that fail to focus on common scene.. I wonder is there a way to check focus? As long as you don't post some of your "problem" pictures this conversation is pointless.

05-31-2013, 08:39 AM	#12
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	I would also like to see some of the pics (with EXIF) causing the problems. I haven't had any problems so far, using various lenses

06-01-2013, 06:41 AM	#13
RedMist Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 28	Originally posted by altopiet I would also like to see some of the pics (with EXIF) causing the problems. I haven't had any problems so far, using various lenses The problem is that the camera won't lock focus so if you have focus priority enabled it won't take a photo so it's not possible to post any problem photos

06-01-2013, 07:22 AM	#15
dragra Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ljubljana Photos: Albums Posts: 238	Originally posted by RedMist The problem is that the camera won't lock focus so if you have focus priority enabled it won't take a photo so it's not possible to post any problem photos Your brains have to be online with the camera AF-mode, I mean you ought to "tell" the camera what you're after, what's your point of interest. If you point it to the plain sky it might be tough, except there is some cloud or BIF which it can have a lock on.

k-30 focus problem

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