I need focusing help please

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-30-2015, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Murfy

I think I fixed it, and if anything thinks "no that is impossible" feel free to mention it, because I really want to find the cause. But what I did was really clean out the AF prism (I read that on another post) with a dust free cloth that I keep in a baggy for film negatives, I blew out dust in the focusing screen (but I added a hair, ugh!) and I reset everything. I took a bunch of photos and the only ones that are out of focus are slow shutter speed and other reasons I can probably explain. I had much many more photos in focus and in focus where I felt I focus. So maybe it just needed a good cleaning?

I am going to remember that solution. If the AF cannot see anything, it won't focus. Good move! Thanks for the note.

**UncleVanya** · 06-30-2015, 04:00 PM

How do you clean the AF prism? Photos or detailed description would help.

Murfy · 06-30-2015, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

How do you clean the AF prism? Photos or detailed description would help.

it was in another post in the forum. look for a circular thing for lack of a better word, at the bottom, when you use the sensor cleaning option on the k-3, I just stuck my finger in an old ilford anti dust and static cloth that I used for film, but I havent used it for years so I used it in hopes of it being pretty clean. I rubbed the prism with the cloth and it came out with black from some where, I dont know if I was over zealous or if it was that dirty, but it did that a few times and then blew dust out, making sure not to touch the sensor. I will find the post because I am terrible at giving instructions.

here is the link to the post and the af prism instructions is the first post after the question https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/291692-k...autofocus.html

---------- Post added 06-30-15 at 09:03 PM ----------

Originally posted by UncleVanya

How do you clean the AF prism? Photos or detailed description would help.

I found this article just now, it has a cross section where the prism is K3 issue with focus - Photo.net Pentax Forum

**UncleVanya** · 06-30-2015, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by Murfy

it was in another post in the forum. look for a circular thing for lack of a better word, at the bottom, when you use the sensor cleaning option on the k-3, I just stuck my finger in an old ilford anti dust and static cloth that I used for film, but I havent used it for years so I used it in hopes of it being pretty clean. I rubbed the prism with the cloth and it came out with black from some where, I dont know if I was over zealous or if it was that dirty, but it did that a few times and then blew dust out, making sure not to touch the sensor. I will find the post because I am terrible at giving instructions.

here is the link to the post and the af prism instructions is the first post after the question https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/291692-k...autofocus.html

---------- Post added 06-30-15 at 09:03 PM ----------

I found this article just now, it has a cross section where the prism is K3 issue with focus - Photo.net Pentax Forum

Interesting. Thank you.

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06-30-2015, 03:54 PM	#16
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Murfy I think I fixed it, and if anything thinks "no that is impossible" feel free to mention it, because I really want to find the cause. But what I did was really clean out the AF prism (I read that on another post) with a dust free cloth that I keep in a baggy for film negatives, I blew out dust in the focusing screen (but I added a hair, ugh!) and I reset everything. I took a bunch of photos and the only ones that are out of focus are slow shutter speed and other reasons I can probably explain. I had much many more photos in focus and in focus where I felt I focus. So maybe it just needed a good cleaning? I am going to remember that solution. If the AF cannot see anything, it won't focus. Good move! Thanks for the note.

06-30-2015, 04:00 PM	#17
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	How do you clean the AF prism? Photos or detailed description would help.

06-30-2015, 05:27 PM	#18
Murfy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 803 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya How do you clean the AF prism? Photos or detailed description would help. it was in another post in the forum. look for a circular thing for lack of a better word, at the bottom, when you use the sensor cleaning option on the k-3, I just stuck my finger in an old ilford anti dust and static cloth that I used for film, but I havent used it for years so I used it in hopes of it being pretty clean. I rubbed the prism with the cloth and it came out with black from some where, I dont know if I was over zealous or if it was that dirty, but it did that a few times and then blew dust out, making sure not to touch the sensor. I will find the post because I am terrible at giving instructions. here is the link to the post and the af prism instructions is the first post after the question https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/291692-k...autofocus.html ---------- Post added 06-30-15 at 09:03 PM ---------- Originally posted by UncleVanya How do you clean the AF prism? Photos or detailed description would help. I found this article just now, it has a cross section where the prism is K3 issue with focus - Photo.net Pentax Forum

06-30-2015, 06:12 PM	#19
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Originally posted by Murfy it was in another post in the forum. look for a circular thing for lack of a better word, at the bottom, when you use the sensor cleaning option on the k-3, I just stuck my finger in an old ilford anti dust and static cloth that I used for film, but I havent used it for years so I used it in hopes of it being pretty clean. I rubbed the prism with the cloth and it came out with black from some where, I dont know if I was over zealous or if it was that dirty, but it did that a few times and then blew dust out, making sure not to touch the sensor. I will find the post because I am terrible at giving instructions. here is the link to the post and the af prism instructions is the first post after the question https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/291692-k...autofocus.html ---------- Post added 06-30-15 at 09:03 PM ---------- I found this article just now, it has a cross section where the prism is K3 issue with focus - Photo.net Pentax Forum Interesting. Thank you.