No autofocus in viewfinder

aaronjamesgray · 01-13-2014, 08:58 AM

I am using a K-30 and the Tamron 80-210mm 1:4.5-5.6 Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database. AF is working in live view but not through the viewfinder. I have the camera set to AF.S and the A ring is enabled, so I'm not sure why it's only working in one view. I've tried using Manual and Aperture Priority on the dial. My newer zooms (DA L 50-200, e.g.) are working using both. Any ideas?

**ChipB** · 01-13-2014, 10:58 AM

Only thing I can think of is the pins on the lens might be dirty - clean them with "something" (there's lots of discussion about what to use to clean the pins). Personally, I'd either lightly rub them with an eraser or perhaps a cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol. Both of these suggestions will get some flack - use your own judgement. Good luck.

aaronjamesgray · 01-14-2014, 07:41 AM

Tried that, Chip. It did not work. I saw someone else had posted something about superimposing, but that message disappeared. I checked that and toggled it on/off... It did not seem to make much of a difference. I don't mind using live view, I'm just curious why it would only work in one and not the other.

**ChipB** · 01-14-2014, 09:17 AM

Hummm, I'm 'bout out of ideas (that didn't take long, did it?)

Since the lenses are physically focused using the lead screw we think we know the camera is ok and the lenses can physically focus - since both lenses focus using LV it appears that Contrast AF works as it should - since one lens focuses when using Phase Detect AF (not LV) it appears that that function works and is configured correctly. So, nothing is broken??

If you can, I'd suggest taking your K30 and two lenses (one that focuses and the Tamron) to a camera store and see if they'll let you "test" the different combos. Or, perhaps you know someone who has a Pentax DSLR??

NOW I'm out of ideas....................

aaronjamesgray · 01-15-2014, 07:41 AM

I went into C mode and set the dial to M. It seemed to be a bit more responsive but I'm not quite sure yet. I'll do some more testing this weekend.

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-15-2014, 03:48 PM

Is the AF not working or is the viewfinder diopter out of adjustment such that the image in the viewfinder is blurry?

aaronjamesgray · 01-21-2014, 07:39 AM

Figured it out... dunce move on my part. I had the A ring enabled but the aperture wasn't set to A on the lens. I thought it was. Everything is working now. I feel dumb. LOL.

**ChipB** · 01-21-2014, 08:01 AM

Glad it's sorted out - and don't feel like the lone ranger ALL of us have done something dumb at one time or another - and some of us have done more than one!!

mrNewt · 01-21-2014, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by aaronjamesgray

Figured it out... dunce move on my part. I had the A ring enabled but the aperture wasn't set to A on the lens. I thought it was. Everything is working now. I feel dumb. LOL.

Hahaha, that's the first thing that came to mind while I was reading trough the posts.
I've done that too a couple of times... it gets frustrating after a while

aaronjamesgray · 01-21-2014, 09:45 AM

Haha. Thanks for the help guys.

01-13-2014, 08:58 AM	#1
aaronjamesgray Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 190	No autofocus in viewfinder I am using a K-30 and the Tamron 80-210mm 1:4.5-5.6 Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database. AF is working in live view but not through the viewfinder. I have the camera set to AF.S and the A ring is enabled, so I'm not sure why it's only working in one view. I've tried using Manual and Aperture Priority on the dial. My newer zooms (DA L 50-200, e.g.) are working using both. Any ideas?

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01-13-2014, 10:58 AM	#2
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Only thing I can think of is the pins on the lens might be dirty - clean them with "something" (there's lots of discussion about what to use to clean the pins). Personally, I'd either lightly rub them with an eraser or perhaps a cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol. Both of these suggestions will get some flack - use your own judgement. Good luck.

01-14-2014, 07:41 AM	#3
aaronjamesgray Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 190 Original Poster	Tried that, Chip. It did not work. I saw someone else had posted something about superimposing, but that message disappeared. I checked that and toggled it on/off... It did not seem to make much of a difference. I don't mind using live view, I'm just curious why it would only work in one and not the other.

01-14-2014, 09:17 AM	#4
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Hummm, I'm 'bout out of ideas (that didn't take long, did it?) Since the lenses are physically focused using the lead screw we think we know the camera is ok and the lenses can physically focus - since both lenses focus using LV it appears that Contrast AF works as it should - since one lens focuses when using Phase Detect AF (not LV) it appears that that function works and is configured correctly. So, nothing is broken?? If you can, I'd suggest taking your K30 and two lenses (one that focuses and the Tamron) to a camera store and see if they'll let you "test" the different combos. Or, perhaps you know someone who has a Pentax DSLR?? NOW I'm out of ideas....................

01-15-2014, 07:41 AM	#5
aaronjamesgray Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 190 Original Poster	I went into C mode and set the dial to M. It seemed to be a bit more responsive but I'm not quite sure yet. I'll do some more testing this weekend.

01-15-2014, 03:48 PM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Is the AF not working or is the viewfinder diopter out of adjustment such that the image in the viewfinder is blurry?

01-21-2014, 07:39 AM	#7
aaronjamesgray Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 190 Original Poster	Figured it out... dunce move on my part. I had the A ring enabled but the aperture wasn't set to A on the lens. I thought it was. Everything is working now. I feel dumb. LOL.

01-21-2014, 08:01 AM	#8
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Glad it's sorted out - and don't feel like the lone ranger ALL of us have done something dumb at one time or another - and some of us have done more than one!!

01-21-2014, 08:04 AM	#9
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by aaronjamesgray Figured it out... dunce move on my part. I had the A ring enabled but the aperture wasn't set to A on the lens. I thought it was. Everything is working now. I feel dumb. LOL. Hahaha, that's the first thing that came to mind while I was reading trough the posts. I've done that too a couple of times... it gets frustrating after a while

01-21-2014, 09:45 AM	#10
aaronjamesgray Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 190 Original Poster	Haha. Thanks for the help guys.

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