Manual Focus DA300

shiner · 11-14-2022, 06:22 PM

I use my DA300 + 1.4x for occasional Moon shots, and I manually focus it in LV with focus peaking (old school, I know but it's what works for me), zoomed in. I keep being frustrated as to how to defeat the AF. Lens is manually set to MF, but when depressing the cable release it still tries to AF. Though I'm certain that I'm missing something simple, I gave up and just use a KP for these shots. What setting am I missing?

Spock · 11-14-2022, 06:35 PM

Have you set the camera to MF?
Btw, I let my K3-3 camera do the focus when I shoot the moon and it's always dead on.

**UncleVanya** · 11-14-2022, 07:32 PM

That’s interesting. So if the lens is in Manual Focus mode it still autofocuses on the k3iii? This same lens with the same setting doesn’t do this on the KP?

**luftfluss** · 11-14-2022, 07:58 PM

Hmm, what about the shutter button, as opposed to the cable release?

shiner · 11-14-2022, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

That’s interesting. So if the lens is in Manual Focus mode it still autofocuses on the k3iii? This same lens with the same setting doesn’t do this on the KP?

Yes, both cameras set to MF (with the physical switch), M mode.

---------- Post added 11-14-22 at 10:37 PM ----------

Originally posted by luftfluss

Hmm, what about the shutter button, as opposed to the cable release?

Same. I'm wondering if maybe it's a problem with the lens, as I just now discovered that if I set up my 20-40 in the same way, it will manually focus, no problem.

---------- Post added 11-14-22 at 10:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by Spock

Have you set the camera to MF?
Btw, I let my K3-3 camera do the focus when I shoot the moon and it's always dead on.

Yes. It appears that the face of the Moon has the slightest different focus point from the edges (I know that probably sounds nuts but the images seem to support it to my eye)

**UncleVanya** · 11-14-2022, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by shiner

Yes, both cameras set to MF (with the physical switch), M mode.

Same. I'm wondering if maybe it's a problem with the lens, as I just now discovered that if I set up my 20-40 in the same way, it will manually focus, no problem.

The DA 300 has a switch on the lens. The 20-40 does not. I’m lost. If you set the DA 300 to M on the lens what happens?

**luftfluss** · 11-14-2022, 09:10 PM - **1 Like**

So, the camera's switch is set to MF, and the lens switch is set to MF, and it autofocuses when the shutter is released.

Crazy. I wonder if another user can replicate this.

**othar** · 11-15-2022, 03:14 AM

You could separate AF and shutter release as a workaround by designating AF to back-button-focusing only

Fogel70 · 11-15-2022, 04:48 AM

Is DA 300 converted to screw drive? If so I'm not sure if the AF-switch on the lens affect AF?

Maybe this could be a problem with screw drive converted lenses?

**c.a.m** · 11-15-2022, 05:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by shiner

What setting am I missing?

Perhaps check the following menu item in the camera:

C6 (Customization), AF with Remote Control -- Sets whether to use autofocus when shooting with the remote control unit. The default is OFF. See page 74 of the Operating Manual.

I think this action refers mainly to the infrared remote control, as indicated on page 74, but perhaps it also applies to a wired remote control.

- Craig

**UncleVanya** · 11-15-2022, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by Fogel70

Is DA 300 converted to screw drive? If so I'm not sure if the AF-switch on the lens affect AF?

Maybe this could be a problem with screw drive converted lenses?

A converted DA300 doesn’t behave this way with previous bodies in my experience. I’m unclear if the manual focus switch on the lens has been used given the comment that the 20-40 used in the same way worked correctly and that lens has no switch.

shiner · 11-18-2022, 02:25 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

A converted DA300 doesn’t behave this way with previous bodies in my experience. I’m unclear if the manual focus switch on the lens has been used given the comment that the 20-40 used in the same way worked correctly and that lens has no switch.

Yes, I used the switch on the lens.

---------- Post added 11-18-22 at 04:26 AM ----------

Originally posted by c.a.m

Perhaps check the following menu item in the camera:

C6 (Customization), AF with Remote Control -- Sets whether to use autofocus when shooting with the remote control unit. The default is OFF. See page 74 of the Operating Manual.

I think this action refers mainly to the infrared remote control, as indicated on page 74, but perhaps it also applies to a wired remote control.

- Craig

Yes, it is set to OFF

---------- Post added 11-18-22 at 04:27 AM ----------

Originally posted by Fogel70

Is DA 300 converted to screw drive? If so I'm not sure if the AF-switch on the lens affect AF?

Maybe this could be a problem with screw drive converted lenses?

No, but I think I'd like screw drive on this lens... or a new version with PLM!

11-14-2022, 06:22 PM	#1
shiner Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N GA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,127	Manual Focus DA300 I use my DA300 + 1.4x for occasional Moon shots, and I manually focus it in LV with focus peaking (old school, I know but it's what works for me), zoomed in. I keep being frustrated as to how to defeat the AF. Lens is manually set to MF, but when depressing the cable release it still tries to AF. Though I'm certain that I'm missing something simple, I gave up and just use a KP for these shots. What setting am I missing?

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11-14-2022, 06:35 PM	#2
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Have you set the camera to MF? Btw, I let my K3-3 camera do the focus when I shoot the moon and it's always dead on.

11-14-2022, 07:32 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	That’s interesting. So if the lens is in Manual Focus mode it still autofocuses on the k3iii? This same lens with the same setting doesn’t do this on the KP?

11-14-2022, 07:58 PM	#4
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Hmm, what about the shutter button, as opposed to the cable release?

11-14-2022, 08:30 PM	#5
shiner Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N GA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,127 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya That’s interesting. So if the lens is in Manual Focus mode it still autofocuses on the k3iii? This same lens with the same setting doesn’t do this on the KP? Yes, both cameras set to MF (with the physical switch), M mode. ---------- Post added 11-14-22 at 10:37 PM ---------- Originally posted by luftfluss Hmm, what about the shutter button, as opposed to the cable release? Same. I'm wondering if maybe it's a problem with the lens, as I just now discovered that if I set up my 20-40 in the same way, it will manually focus, no problem. ---------- Post added 11-14-22 at 10:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by Spock Have you set the camera to MF? Btw, I let my K3-3 camera do the focus when I shoot the moon and it's always dead on. Yes. It appears that the face of the Moon has the slightest different focus point from the edges (I know that probably sounds nuts but the images seem to support it to my eye)

11-14-2022, 08:57 PM	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by shiner Yes, both cameras set to MF (with the physical switch), M mode. Same. I'm wondering if maybe it's a problem with the lens, as I just now discovered that if I set up my 20-40 in the same way, it will manually focus, no problem. The DA 300 has a switch on the lens. The 20-40 does not. I’m lost. If you set the DA 300 to M on the lens what happens?

11-14-2022, 09:10 PM - 1 Like	#7
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	So, the camera's switch is set to MF, and the lens switch is set to MF, and it autofocuses when the shutter is released. Crazy. I wonder if another user can replicate this.

11-15-2022, 03:14 AM	#8
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	You could separate AF and shutter release as a workaround by designating AF to back-button-focusing only

11-15-2022, 04:48 AM	#9
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Is DA 300 converted to screw drive? If so I'm not sure if the AF-switch on the lens affect AF? Maybe this could be a problem with screw drive converted lenses?

11-15-2022, 05:31 AM - 1 Like	#10
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by shiner What setting am I missing? Perhaps check the following menu item in the camera: C6 (Customization), AF with Remote Control -- Sets whether to use autofocus when shooting with the remote control unit. The default is OFF. See page 74 of the Operating Manual. I think this action refers mainly to the infrared remote control, as indicated on page 74, but perhaps it also applies to a wired remote control. - Craig

11-15-2022, 07:43 AM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by Fogel70 Is DA 300 converted to screw drive? If so I'm not sure if the AF-switch on the lens affect AF? Maybe this could be a problem with screw drive converted lenses? A converted DA300 doesn’t behave this way with previous bodies in my experience. I’m unclear if the manual focus switch on the lens has been used given the comment that the 20-40 used in the same way worked correctly and that lens has no switch.

11-18-2022, 02:25 AM	#12
shiner Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N GA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,127 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya A converted DA300 doesn’t behave this way with previous bodies in my experience. I’m unclear if the manual focus switch on the lens has been used given the comment that the 20-40 used in the same way worked correctly and that lens has no switch. Yes, I used the switch on the lens. ---------- Post added 11-18-22 at 04:26 AM ---------- Originally posted by c.a.m Perhaps check the following menu item in the camera: C6 (Customization), AF with Remote Control -- Sets whether to use autofocus when shooting with the remote control unit. The default is OFF. See page 74 of the Operating Manual. I think this action refers mainly to the infrared remote control, as indicated on page 74, but perhaps it also applies to a wired remote control. - Craig Yes, it is set to OFF ---------- Post added 11-18-22 at 04:27 AM ---------- Originally posted by Fogel70 Is DA 300 converted to screw drive? If so I'm not sure if the AF-switch on the lens affect AF? Maybe this could be a problem with screw drive converted lenses? No, but I think I'd like screw drive on this lens... or a new version with PLM!