K3-II, AF not working properly

**Gian** · 10-02-2019, 10:14 PM

Hello All,

my K3-II is well over 10000 clicks, and AF is not working properly.

Is there anything I can do, like, cleaning a sensor?

Most of the times now I shoot in MF, and because I'm old, it doesn't look that bad.

However, I would like to have a working camera, if possible avoiding a repair center...

-Gian

Adam · 10-02-2019, 10:27 PM

Given that the shutter life is 200k, 10k is certainly far from high mileage.

Have you tried cleaning the mirror box?

Also, what exact problem are you experiencing?

**Gian** · 10-02-2019, 11:55 PM

well... I press the button, it focuses, but it doesn't look really sharp enough, so I try to override the focus manually, but when I press again, it goes back to a slightly blurred image.
This means the camera and I have a different opinion about focusing...
In the end I just kill the AF and go MF.

---------- Post added 10-03-19 at 08:56 ----------

and no, I didn't try to clean the mirror box.
Are there detailed instructions about how to do that properly?

Snafu711 · 10-03-2019, 12:01 AM

Some additional information would be useful.

1. Which AF-Mode do you use? My K3-II was set to AUTO with all 27 focus points when I got it. This led frequently to shots where the camera would focus on a different target than what I intended. Fix: use SPOT mode.

2. Is the poor focus a general problem or does it only occur with a certain lens respectively certain focal length or situations? If it is lens-specific this points to either a unreliable AF motor (e.g. SDM failure) or communication issues (poor contact between lens and body). If it only happens at very wide angles than it might be aphysical limitation; my K3-II misfocusses mainly at very short focal length when focussing towards infinity. A generally low hit rate points rather to dust in the mirror box.

3. Is the focus only slightly off or all over the place? A picture could help for a better understanding what exactly you are unhappy with.

I also had the effect twice that I inadvertently changed the diopter setting (small wheel right of viewfinder). This led to the impression that AF was not working properly - because after AF action the picture seen in the diopter was fuzzy.

robiles · 10-03-2019, 01:15 AM

You should test your lenses for front or back focus. It is advisable to set fine adjustment for every lens individually (custom menu C-26 on the K3 -> set to 3).

I use the dot-tune method - you get a few results on google that explain exactly what you have to do. It takes maybe 10 minutes per lens but it is absolutely necessary for a high megapixel sensor camera such as the K3 II.

On my cameras, almost every lens needs a different value, and as long as the focus is tack sharp on one of the available values (-10 to +10, with 0 as standard), the camera is considered within tolerance and is in fact working properly. If you need to go outside the range to obtain perfect focus, you might need to send the camera and lens to a service center for adjustment.

My advice is to clean all the contacts, clean the mirror box using a rocket blower (i use a giottos - and i am more than pleased) and then adjust the af fine tune - hopefully all your problens will be solved.

CarlJF · 10-03-2019, 03:17 AM - **1 Like**

When you say the image is blurry, is it an actual picture or what you see through the viewfinder? If through the viewfinder, it just means you need to set the dioptric adjustment to your eye by turning the small wheel beside the viewfinder.

**UncleVanya** · 10-03-2019, 05:19 AM

Does it focus correctly in live view?

**Gian** · 10-03-2019, 05:26 AM

thank All of you for the advice.

I will do some homework, and be back here.

I do need dioptric correction, but information in the viewfinder is clear, so I guess it's setup correctly.

**aslyfox** · 10-03-2019, 05:55 PM

here is a link to the manual

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-3-2.pdf

look at page 16 for info on diapter adjustment dial

BirdDude007 · 10-21-2019, 07:55 PM

one of my K3s is doing the same thing, it thinks focus is different than what I want, its not the diopter. I blew out the mirror box and factory reset the camera and that seemed to help, but it still did it once over the weekend. is there anything I can read or watch about cleaning the focus sensor?

**Gian** · 11-10-2019, 11:34 AM

I did not know that you could enlarge the image in LV.

Indeed, the focus can be manually improved in LV, but it's not really practical to use a tripod each time you want to take a picture.

I wonder if the problem is in the camera, or it's related to a possible mechanical issue in the movement of the lens.

BirdDude007 · 11-24-2019, 04:42 PM

I took a smal lens brush and cleaned the focusing sensor glass with the mirror up. my camera has given me no issues since then, you might want to try that

10-02-2019, 10:14 PM	#1
Gian Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Laveno Mombello, Italy Posts: 133	K3-II, AF not working properly Hello All, my K3-II is well over 10000 clicks, and AF is not working properly. Is there anything I can do, like, cleaning a sensor? Most of the times now I shoot in MF, and because I'm old, it doesn't look that bad. However, I would like to have a working camera, if possible avoiding a repair center... -Gian

10-02-2019, 10:27 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Given that the shutter life is 200k, 10k is certainly far from high mileage. Have you tried cleaning the mirror box? Also, what exact problem are you experiencing? 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:

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10-02-2019, 11:55 PM	#3
Gian Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Laveno Mombello, Italy Posts: 133 Original Poster	well... I press the button, it focuses, but it doesn't look really sharp enough, so I try to override the focus manually, but when I press again, it goes back to a slightly blurred image. This means the camera and I have a different opinion about focusing... In the end I just kill the AF and go MF. ---------- Post added 10-03-19 at 08:56 ---------- and no, I didn't try to clean the mirror box. Are there detailed instructions about how to do that properly?

10-03-2019, 12:01 AM	#4
Snafu711 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 307	Some additional information would be useful. 1. Which AF-Mode do you use? My K3-II was set to AUTO with all 27 focus points when I got it. This led frequently to shots where the camera would focus on a different target than what I intended. Fix: use SPOT mode. 2. Is the poor focus a general problem or does it only occur with a certain lens respectively certain focal length or situations? If it is lens-specific this points to either a unreliable AF motor (e.g. SDM failure) or communication issues (poor contact between lens and body). If it only happens at very wide angles than it might be aphysical limitation; my K3-II misfocusses mainly at very short focal length when focussing towards infinity. A generally low hit rate points rather to dust in the mirror box. 3. Is the focus only slightly off or all over the place? A picture could help for a better understanding what exactly you are unhappy with. I also had the effect twice that I inadvertently changed the diopter setting (small wheel right of viewfinder). This led to the impression that AF was not working properly - because after AF action the picture seen in the diopter was fuzzy.

10-03-2019, 01:15 AM	#5
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	You should test your lenses for front or back focus. It is advisable to set fine adjustment for every lens individually (custom menu C-26 on the K3 -> set to 3). I use the dot-tune method - you get a few results on google that explain exactly what you have to do. It takes maybe 10 minutes per lens but it is absolutely necessary for a high megapixel sensor camera such as the K3 II. On my cameras, almost every lens needs a different value, and as long as the focus is tack sharp on one of the available values (-10 to +10, with 0 as standard), the camera is considered within tolerance and is in fact working properly. If you need to go outside the range to obtain perfect focus, you might need to send the camera and lens to a service center for adjustment. My advice is to clean all the contacts, clean the mirror box using a rocket blower (i use a giottos - and i am more than pleased) and then adjust the af fine tune - hopefully all your problens will be solved.

10-03-2019, 03:17 AM - 1 Like	#6
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	When you say the image is blurry, is it an actual picture or what you see through the viewfinder? If through the viewfinder, it just means you need to set the dioptric adjustment to your eye by turning the small wheel beside the viewfinder.

10-03-2019, 05:19 AM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	Does it focus correctly in live view?

10-03-2019, 05:26 AM	#8
Gian Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Laveno Mombello, Italy Posts: 133 Original Poster	thank All of you for the advice. I will do some homework, and be back here. I do need dioptric correction, but information in the viewfinder is clear, so I guess it's setup correctly.

10-03-2019, 05:55 PM	#9
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	here is a link to the manual http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-3-2.pdf look at page 16 for info on diapter adjustment dial

10-21-2019, 07:55 PM	#10
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	one of my K3s is doing the same thing, it thinks focus is different than what I want, its not the diopter. I blew out the mirror box and factory reset the camera and that seemed to help, but it still did it once over the weekend. is there anything I can read or watch about cleaning the focus sensor?

11-10-2019, 11:34 AM	#11
Gian Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Laveno Mombello, Italy Posts: 133 Original Poster	I did not know that you could enlarge the image in LV. Indeed, the focus can be manually improved in LV, but it's not really practical to use a tripod each time you want to take a picture. I wonder if the problem is in the camera, or it's related to a possible mechanical issue in the movement of the lens.

11-24-2019, 04:42 PM	#12
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	I took a smal lens brush and cleaned the focusing sensor glass with the mirror up. my camera has given me no issues since then, you might want to try that

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