K-1 Auto Focus Failure

cpoteet · 04-02-2022, 05:13 PM

The auto-focus feature has failed to work on my K-1. The camera is three years old, photography is my hobby, but I only shoot about 10-20 shots a week.

I have three lenses, Pentax 28-105mm, Tamron 90mm Macro, Pentax 41mm Ltd.; none will auto-focus (including in full nor limit for the 90mm). I have used the AF many, many times and it has worked perfectly on all lenses. The lenses all focus manually and they all take perfect pictures. I shoot in AV mode 95% of the time.

It happened suddenly and I think I might have very well inadvertently changed some adjustment setting that is universally affecting the AF function. I not aware of making any such change(s), but that doesn't mean I did not.

Thoughts on what may be going-on and how I may correct it will be most appreciated.

**sergysergy** · 04-02-2022, 05:19 PM - **3 Likes**

The most obvious question but just in case...is the small lever on AF or manual mode?

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-02-2022, 05:35 PM - **1 Like**

And the standard comment, clean the contacts on the camera with a microfibre cloth and alcohol, and the lens contacts while you are at it. Then check again.

wadge22 · 04-02-2022, 05:47 PM - **2 Likes**

Also possible you have changed it to back button AF. See if the "AF" button on the back of the camera near the top right will make it autofocus.

If this is the case and you want to change it back, that's in camera menu 5 under button customization, then AF button. AF2 is the setting where the shutter button doesn't activate AF, AF1 is the 'normal' way where half press of the shutter activates AF.

Last edited by wadge22; 04-02-2022 at 06:00 PM.

gatorguy · 04-02-2022, 05:49 PM - **2 Likes**

All are excellent suggestions.

**UncleVanya** · 04-02-2022, 06:47 PM - **1 Like**

It would be odd to see screwdrive af (da 40 Ltd uses that) and in lens motor (28-105 uses this) to both fail at the same time. So I suspect it is purely a settings issue.

Try the af/mf switch as previously suggested. If that doesn’t help try turning off back button af. If that doesn’t help try turning it on and using that button to focus. If none of that works try a camera reset.

cpoteet · 04-02-2022, 07:22 PM - **7 Likes**

Thank you to each and everyone.

wade22 and UncleVanya nailed it: I had locked in the focus to use the AF button exclusively. When I now attach a lens, any lens, and press the AF button to focus...perfect.

An embarrassing mistake. I have to reflect that "If one learns by making mistakes, I am headed for Rhodes Scholar status".

Thanks, again, for taking time to address my question.

**UncleVanya** · 04-02-2022, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by cpoteet

Thank you to each and everyone.

wade22 and UncleVanya nailed it: I had locked in the focus to use the AF button exclusively. When I now attach a lens, any lens, and press the AF button to focus...perfect.

An embarrassing mistake. I have to reflect that "If one learns by making mistakes, I am headed for Rhodes Scholar status".

Thanks, again, for taking time to address my question.

Nailed it because it has happened to me. KP not K-1… but yes, I’ve had a few moments of panic from this very thing.

wstruth · 04-04-2022, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Nailed it because it has happened to me. KP not K-1… but yes, I’ve had a few moments of panic from this very thing.

Me too.

**UncleVanya** · 04-04-2022, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Nailed it because it has happened to me. KP not K-1… but yes, I’ve had a few moments of panic from this very thing.

Originally posted by wstruth

Me too.

Having too many cameras means I need to set them all up the same but rarely do... which leads to confusion sometimes. LOL.

04-02-2022, 05:13 PM	#1
cpoteet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 100	K-1 Auto Focus Failure The auto-focus feature has failed to work on my K-1. The camera is three years old, photography is my hobby, but I only shoot about 10-20 shots a week. I have three lenses, Pentax 28-105mm, Tamron 90mm Macro, Pentax 41mm Ltd.; none will auto-focus (including in full nor limit for the 90mm). I have used the AF many, many times and it has worked perfectly on all lenses. The lenses all focus manually and they all take perfect pictures. I shoot in AV mode 95% of the time. It happened suddenly and I think I might have very well inadvertently changed some adjustment setting that is universally affecting the AF function. I not aware of making any such change(s), but that doesn't mean I did not. Thoughts on what may be going-on and how I may correct it will be most appreciated.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
50-135mm sdm lens auto focus failure	Rose	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	18	07-03-2023 03:53 AM
Pentax DA * 55mm Auto focus motor failure?	suraswami	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	28	07-26-2021 12:24 PM
The dreaded SDM failure topic - Nikon AF motor failure perspective	beholder3	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	07-19-2018 10:02 PM
k5 failure to auto and manual focus	Tandrew	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	10-18-2014 05:47 PM
DA* 60-250 auto focus failure	spachl	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	06-06-2014 06:08 AM

04-02-2022, 05:19 PM - 3 Likes	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	The most obvious question but just in case...is the small lever on AF or manual mode?

04-02-2022, 05:35 PM - 1 Like	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	And the standard comment, clean the contacts on the camera with a microfibre cloth and alcohol, and the lens contacts while you are at it. Then check again.

04-02-2022, 05:47 PM - 2 Likes	#4
wadge22 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	Also possible you have changed it to back button AF. See if the "AF" button on the back of the camera near the top right will make it autofocus. If this is the case and you want to change it back, that's in camera menu 5 under button customization, then AF button. AF2 is the setting where the shutter button doesn't activate AF, AF1 is the 'normal' way where half press of the shutter activates AF. Last edited by wadge22; 04-02-2022 at 06:00 PM.

04-02-2022, 05:49 PM - 2 Likes	#5
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	All are excellent suggestions.

04-02-2022, 06:47 PM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	It would be odd to see screwdrive af (da 40 Ltd uses that) and in lens motor (28-105 uses this) to both fail at the same time. So I suspect it is purely a settings issue. Try the af/mf switch as previously suggested. If that doesn’t help try turning off back button af. If that doesn’t help try turning it on and using that button to focus. If none of that works try a camera reset.

04-02-2022, 07:22 PM - 7 Likes	#7
cpoteet Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 100 Original Poster	Thank you to each and everyone. wade22 and UncleVanya nailed it: I had locked in the focus to use the AF button exclusively. When I now attach a lens, any lens, and press the AF button to focus...perfect. An embarrassing mistake. I have to reflect that "If one learns by making mistakes, I am headed for Rhodes Scholar status". Thanks, again, for taking time to address my question.

04-02-2022, 08:22 PM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by cpoteet Thank you to each and everyone. wade22 and UncleVanya nailed it: I had locked in the focus to use the AF button exclusively. When I now attach a lens, any lens, and press the AF button to focus...perfect. An embarrassing mistake. I have to reflect that "If one learns by making mistakes, I am headed for Rhodes Scholar status". Thanks, again, for taking time to address my question. Nailed it because it has happened to me. KP not K-1… but yes, I’ve had a few moments of panic from this very thing.

04-04-2022, 02:27 PM	#9
wstruth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: at my kitchen table Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	Originally posted by UncleVanya Nailed it because it has happened to me. KP not K-1… but yes, I’ve had a few moments of panic from this very thing. Me too.

04-04-2022, 02:34 PM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by UncleVanya Nailed it because it has happened to me. KP not K-1… but yes, I’ve had a few moments of panic from this very thing. Originally posted by wstruth Me too. Having too many cameras means I need to set them all up the same but rarely do... which leads to confusion sometimes. LOL.