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12-27-2015, 12:24 PM   #1
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Auto focus issue with K-3

I recently had an issue with my K-3. I solved it but I would like to know if anyone else has encountered the issue. My K-3 is still under warranty.

I was starting to take pictures at our family Christmas Eve get together. The camera started to refuses to focus. It would cycle the lens but not focus. I would up shooting Christmas eve and Christmas day with my SONY RX-100 pocket camera.

When I finally had time to really look inti it, the camera was failing with ALL my lenses. Then I noticed that the viewfinder was very dark. I manually opened the lens diaphragm and the camera focused perfectly. Clearly the camera was not opening the lens. I cleaned the contacts on the camera and it resumed normal operation. I did not see any obvious gunk on the mount.

So the question. Has this happened to you? Do yo think this is a solved problem or an indication of a problem to come?

Hopefully this might help someone else.

Mike

12-27-2015, 04:21 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by headmj Quote
I recently had an issue with my K-3. I solved it but I would like to know if anyone else has encountered the issue. My K-3 is still under warranty.

I was starting to take pictures at our family Christmas Eve get together. The camera started to refuses to focus. It would cycle the lens but not focus. I would up shooting Christmas eve and Christmas day with my SONY RX-100 pocket camera.

When I finally had time to really look inti it, the camera was failing with ALL my lenses. Then I noticed that the viewfinder was very dark. I manually opened the lens diaphragm and the camera focused perfectly. Clearly the camera was not opening the lens. I cleaned the contacts on the camera and it resumed normal operation. I did not see any obvious gunk on the mount.

So the question. Has this happened to you? Do yo think this is a solved problem or an indication of a problem to come?

Hopefully this might help someone else.

Mike

It has not happened to me, I am pretty careful when changing lens. This is a potential problem with any interchangeable lens camera. From time to time it doesn't hurt to clean the contacts of both the lens and camera.


Larry
12-27-2015, 05:01 PM   #3
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Is the issue with the camera body or with the lens?

I would try with another lens. Then, if the problem persists, I recommend to use small AF prime lenses (eg DA Ltd) which are easy lens to focus, then longer zoom (eg DA18-250mm) which are harder the AF. Do you have the same problem with all lenses?

As suggested, I would also clean very carefully the contacts on both camera and lens.

Last edited by hcc; 12-28-2015 at 01:04 AM.
06-04-2016, 11:58 PM   #4
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I am on holiday and have experienced problems with focus ob my pentax 18-250mm lens. Over 100mm zoom the lens cycles but does not focus. Frustrating when there is a bird that is wanting to be photographed. Tried my 80-320mm lens and no problems. Will clean contacts and see if it helps.
Too many birds to shoot if camera playing up.
Colin

06-05-2016, 01:41 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by fungussface Quote
I am on holiday and have experienced problems with focus ob my pentax 18-250mm lens. Over 100mm zoom the lens cycles but does not focus. Frustrating when there is a bird that is wanting to be photographed. Tried my 80-320mm lens and no problems. Will clean contacts and see if it helps.
Too many birds to shoot if camera playing up.
Colin
Are you using a multi-point AF mode? That will give you the best results, especially with lenses that are slower to focus to begin with.

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06-05-2016, 02:19 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
Are you using a multi-point AF mode? That will give you the best results, especially with lenses that are slower to focus to begin with.
Hi Adam. I am using single point as i have had difficulty with multipoint focusing on wildlife. I have lots of pics of beautifully focussed leaves and blurry birds.
I havecleaned the terminals but to no avail. It has been working up to now.
06-05-2016, 04:37 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by fungussface Quote
Too many birds to shoot if camera playing up.
QuoteOriginally posted by fungussface Quote
Tried my 80-320mm lens and no problems.
I think your own tests reveal that the problem is lens, not body, related.

06-05-2016, 08:26 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by headmj Quote
I recently had an issue with my K-3. I solved it but I would like to know if anyone else has encountered the issue. My K-3 is still under warranty.

I was starting to take pictures at our family Christmas Eve get together. The camera started to refuses to focus. It would cycle the lens but not focus. I would up shooting Christmas eve and Christmas day with my SONY RX-100 pocket camera.

When I finally had time to really look inti it, the camera was failing with ALL my lenses. Then I noticed that the viewfinder was very dark. I manually opened the lens diaphragm and the camera focused perfectly. Clearly the camera was not opening the lens. I cleaned the contacts on the camera and it resumed normal operation. I did not see any obvious gunk on the mount.

So the question. Has this happened to you? Do yo think this is a solved problem or an indication of a problem to come?

Hopefully this might help someone else.

Mike
personally I would get it looked at before the warranty is up. send a problem lens with it and describe the problem in detail.
good luck!

Randy
06-05-2016, 09:52 AM   #9
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Thanks for the suggestions. I am around 17,000 km from home at the moment on the other side of the planet. I will put it in for a service when i get home. I will just have to survive the next 4 weeks on manual focus.: (
Must be the English weather.
06-05-2016, 09:57 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by fungussface Quote
Thanks for the suggestions. I am around 17,000 km from home at the moment on the other side of the planet. I will put it in for a service when i get home. I will just have to survive the next 4 weeks on manual focus.: (
Must be the English weather.
catch in focus helps
06-05-2016, 10:02 AM   #11
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Thanks. Will try.
Colin.
06-05-2016, 09:58 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
Are you using a multi-point AF mode?
Which specific mode of the many AF modes are you thinking of, Adam?
06-05-2016, 10:17 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Prakticant Quote
Which specific mode of the many AF modes are you thinking of, Adam?
For moving subjects I'd minimally use SEL-S, which prioritizes the chosen point but can also expand to neighboring points.

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06-05-2016, 11:52 PM   #14
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Thanks Adam. Will give it a go. Upgraded the firmware on the camera last night to the latest. Definitely the lens. Perhaps the chip needs a reboot.
Sincerely
Colin
06-06-2016, 01:01 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
For moving subjects I'd minimally use SEL-S, which prioritizes the chosen point but can also expand to neighboring points.
1) With AF or with Catch in Focus?
2) How about three cross-points (central one and two neighbouring points)? Do these three offer better focussing/reliability than 'straight' focussing points?
3) How about f=2.8 glass?
4) How about Live View focussing (i.e. Face Recognition)?
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