KP AF Mode button does nothing

JMeyer · 10-18-2019, 03:56 PM

So when I press and hold the AF MODE button and rotate the front/rear dials in Program mode, the dials change the aperture and shutter speed as usual. When pressing and holding the AF MODE button, it should switch AF MODE, right? I wonder if it only works in certain settings/modes?

I sure wish Pentax could produce an intelligable user manual!

Adam · 10-18-2019, 04:04 PM

Pressing the button alone does nothing. You need to turn the opposite dial to change the mode, AFAIK. In other words, one dial controls the points, and the other the mode (AF.C or AF.S).

parinya-ekparinya · 10-18-2019, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by JMeyer

So when I press and hold the AF MODE button and rotate the front/rear dials in Program mode, the dials change the aperture and shutter speed as usual. When pressing and holding the AF MODE button, it should switch AF MODE, right? I wonder if it only works in certain settings/modes?

I sure wish Pentax could produce an intelligable user manual!

It was described in page number 60 of the manual. You have to turn the front and rear e-dials while pressing the AF mode button to make a change.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-18-2019, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by JMeyer

I sure wish Pentax could produce an intelligable user manual!

It is thorough but Japanese to English leaves some space for interpreting.

**UncleVanya** · 10-18-2019, 05:13 PM

I'm confused. He mentions pushing the button and tiring the dials but says it isn't changing modes just aperture and shutter speed. That's wrong - right? Maybe broken button?

**Ex Finn.** · 10-18-2019, 05:57 PM

I am in the P-mode most of the time. Pressing the AE , front dial changes modes, rear dial changes focus points, at least on my KP

**Ex Finn.** · 10-18-2019, 06:05 PM

So, when you push the button, does the rear display change? If not then a possible hardware problem.

JMeyer · 10-18-2019, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by parinya-ekparinya

It was described in page number 60 of the manual. You have to turn the front and rear e-dials while pressing the AF mode button to make a change.

Yes, I am pressing and holding the AF MODE button while turning the e-dials, front and rear. I think I understand how it's supposed to behave. But what happens is: the e-dials change the shutter speed & aperture as they would without pressing down the button. (I almost always shoot in PROGRAM mode, if that makes any difference.)

Maybe it is a faulty button?

---------- Post added 10-18-2019 at 06:38 PM ----------

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

So, when you push the button, does the rear display change? If not then a possible hardware problem.

No, the rear display doesn't change. I'd expect it to highlight the AF field, but it doesn't.

This isn't a customizable button, right? I was wondering if I'd disabled it by mistake.

**Mikesul** · 10-18-2019, 07:24 PM

Perhaps, I misunderstand the problem but the AF mode button is on the left side of the lens mount on the front of the camera. When you press that and rotate the front dial you will change AF.S/AF.C. The rear dial will change the focus point. Are you, perhaps, pushing the AF/AE button on the rear of the camera?

**monochrome** · 10-18-2019, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by JMeyer

Yes, I am pressing and holding the AF MODE button while turning the e-dials, front and rear. I think I understand how it's supposed to behave. But what happens is: the e-dials change the shutter speed & aperture as they would without pressing down the button. (I almost always shoot in PROGRAM mode, if that makes any difference.)

Maybe it is a faulty button?

---------- Post added 10-18-2019 at 06:38 PM ----------

No, the rear display doesn't change. I'd expect it to highlight the AF field, but it doesn't.

This isn't a customizable button, right? I was wondering if I'd disabled it by mistake.

The rear LCD should display the current AF Mode and should change when pressing the AF Mode button on the left side of the mount If the AF Mode selection has not been reassigned. See Page 60 of the User Guide

The AF Mode can be assigned to C!, C2, or C3 from the Menu | Camera | 5 | > | AF Mode and would then be controlled - when the Custom Function is selected - by turning the Smart Function wheel (third wheel). See page 105 of the User Guide.

**scc** · 10-19-2019, 11:09 AM

Which lens are you using?

StarTroop · 10-20-2019, 04:40 PM

This may be a silly question, but it's worth asking just to be sure:
Is the AF switch set to AF or MF? Also, are you using an AF lens, and if you are, are you sure that it's working properly (e.g., the contacts are clean and the lens is mounted correctly?)

Upon checking my KP, I can see that pressing the AF button while an AF lens is mounted but the focus switch set to MF will still allow me to change AF point mode, but when using an actual manual focus-only lens, no matter what position the switch is in the AF button will have no effect. So, the simplest way to troubleshoot my suggestion is to check if your display shows "MF" and not "AF.C" or "AF.S", while making sure the switch is set to AF. If that is the case, and you're sure you're using an AF lens, then you probably have a contact issue. If not, then the button may be faulty.

parinya-ekparinya · 10-20-2019, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by JMeyer

Yes, I am pressing and holding the AF MODE button while turning the e-dials, front and rear. I think I understand how it's supposed to behave. But what happens is: the e-dials change the shutter speed & aperture as they would without pressing down the button. (I almost always shoot in PROGRAM mode, if that makes any difference.)

Maybe it is a faulty button?

---------- Post added 10-18-2019 at 06:38 PM ----------

Sorry for my misunderstanding.
A faulty button should be rare, but I guess that is possible.

**bkpix** · 10-20-2019, 09:08 PM

Sounds broken to me.

Sandy Hancock · 10-20-2019, 09:14 PM

Do you really have to press *AND* hold the button? I think press and release is all I have to do. I'll check when I get home....

10-18-2019, 03:56 PM	#1
JMeyer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: usa Posts: 25	KP AF Mode button does nothing So when I press and hold the AF MODE button and rotate the front/rear dials in Program mode, the dials change the aperture and shutter speed as usual. When pressing and holding the AF MODE button, it should switch AF MODE, right? I wonder if it only works in certain settings/modes? I sure wish Pentax could produce an intelligable user manual!

10-18-2019, 04:04 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Pressing the button alone does nothing. You need to turn the opposite dial to change the mode, AFAIK. In other words, one dial controls the points, and the other the mode (AF.C or AF.S). 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:

10-18-2019, 07:25 PM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by JMeyer Yes, I am pressing and holding the AF MODE button while turning the e-dials, front and rear. I think I understand how it's supposed to behave. But what happens is: the e-dials change the shutter speed & aperture as they would without pressing down the button. (I almost always shoot in PROGRAM mode, if that makes any difference.) Maybe it is a faulty button? ---------- Post added 10-18-2019 at 06:38 PM ---------- No, the rear display doesn't change. I'd expect it to highlight the AF field, but it doesn't. This isn't a customizable button, right? I was wondering if I'd disabled it by mistake. The rear LCD should display the current AF Mode and should change when pressing the AF Mode button on the left side of the mount If the AF Mode selection has not been reassigned. See Page 60 of the User Guide The AF Mode can be assigned to C!, C2, or C3 from the Menu \| Camera \| 5 \| > \| AF Mode and would then be controlled - when the Custom Function is selected - by turning the Smart Function wheel (third wheel). See page 105 of the User Guide. Last edited by monochrome; 10-18-2019 at 07:32 PM.

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10-18-2019, 04:53 PM	#3
parinya-ekparinya Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Bangkok Photos: Gallery Posts: 114	Originally posted by JMeyer So when I press and hold the AF MODE button and rotate the front/rear dials in Program mode, the dials change the aperture and shutter speed as usual. When pressing and holding the AF MODE button, it should switch AF MODE, right? I wonder if it only works in certain settings/modes? I sure wish Pentax could produce an intelligable user manual! It was described in page number 60 of the manual. You have to turn the front and rear e-dials while pressing the AF mode button to make a change.

10-18-2019, 05:06 PM	#4
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by JMeyer I sure wish Pentax could produce an intelligable user manual! It is thorough but Japanese to English leaves some space for interpreting.

10-18-2019, 05:13 PM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,406	I'm confused. He mentions pushing the button and tiring the dials but says it isn't changing modes just aperture and shutter speed. That's wrong - right? Maybe broken button?

10-18-2019, 05:57 PM	#6
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	I am in the P-mode most of the time. Pressing the AE , front dial changes modes, rear dial changes focus points, at least on my KP

10-18-2019, 06:05 PM	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	So, when you push the button, does the rear display change? If not then a possible hardware problem.

10-18-2019, 06:36 PM	#8
JMeyer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: usa Posts: 25 Original Poster	Originally posted by parinya-ekparinya It was described in page number 60 of the manual. You have to turn the front and rear e-dials while pressing the AF mode button to make a change. Yes, I am pressing and holding the AF MODE button while turning the e-dials, front and rear. I think I understand how it's supposed to behave. But what happens is: the e-dials change the shutter speed & aperture as they would without pressing down the button. (I almost always shoot in PROGRAM mode, if that makes any difference.) Maybe it is a faulty button? ---------- Post added 10-18-2019 at 06:38 PM ---------- Originally posted by Ex Finn. So, when you push the button, does the rear display change? If not then a possible hardware problem. No, the rear display doesn't change. I'd expect it to highlight the AF field, but it doesn't. This isn't a customizable button, right? I was wondering if I'd disabled it by mistake.

10-18-2019, 07:24 PM	#9
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Perhaps, I misunderstand the problem but the AF mode button is on the left side of the lens mount on the front of the camera. When you press that and rotate the front dial you will change AF.S/AF.C. The rear dial will change the focus point. Are you, perhaps, pushing the AF/AE button on the rear of the camera?

10-19-2019, 11:09 AM	#11
scc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 165	Which lens are you using?

10-20-2019, 04:40 PM	#12
StarTroop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 175	This may be a silly question, but it's worth asking just to be sure: Is the AF switch set to AF or MF? Also, are you using an AF lens, and if you are, are you sure that it's working properly (e.g., the contacts are clean and the lens is mounted correctly?) Upon checking my KP, I can see that pressing the AF button while an AF lens is mounted but the focus switch set to MF will still allow me to change AF point mode, but when using an actual manual focus-only lens, no matter what position the switch is in the AF button will have no effect. So, the simplest way to troubleshoot my suggestion is to check if your display shows "MF" and not "AF.C" or "AF.S", while making sure the switch is set to AF. If that is the case, and you're sure you're using an AF lens, then you probably have a contact issue. If not, then the button may be faulty.

10-20-2019, 07:19 PM	#13
parinya-ekparinya Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Bangkok Photos: Gallery Posts: 114	Originally posted by JMeyer Yes, I am pressing and holding the AF MODE button while turning the e-dials, front and rear. I think I understand how it's supposed to behave. But what happens is: the e-dials change the shutter speed & aperture as they would without pressing down the button. (I almost always shoot in PROGRAM mode, if that makes any difference.) Maybe it is a faulty button? ---------- Post added 10-18-2019 at 06:38 PM ---------- Sorry for my misunderstanding. A faulty button should be rare, but I guess that is possible.

10-20-2019, 09:08 PM	#14
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 568	Sounds broken to me.

10-20-2019, 09:14 PM	#15
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Do you really have to press AND hold the button? I think press and release is all I have to do. I'll check when I get home....