K3 stuck in MF

Sigmund · 03-07-2015, 08:54 PM

I hope the brains trust can help here.

The body switch does nothing. I've done a functions and settings reset. When a different lens is attached on startup the camera asks what length it is.

What preceded it: I had on a Sigma lens that's worked fine lots of times and this time I switched it to MF using its own setting. When I switched to the 18-135 Pentax lens focus was stuck on manual in the body settings.

??

vonBaloney · 03-07-2015, 09:10 PM

Reverse the spell by putting the Sigma back and switching it to AF?

VoiceOfReason · 03-07-2015, 09:17 PM

Check to see that nothing is on the contacts. Perhaps clean them.

Sigmund · 03-07-2015, 09:27 PM

Thanks folks.

Yeah I tried reverse magic. Not the right phase of the moon maybe.

And yes, cleaned the contacts too.

**jbinpg** · 03-07-2015, 10:46 PM

Turn off the camera. Remove the lens. Turn on the camera. Watch the focus lug on the mount when you move the switch between AF and MF. It should extend when in AF and retract when in MF. If this does not happen then something has broken or you have run out of power.

vonBaloney · 03-07-2015, 10:47 PM

It is strange. Try the usual. Take the battery out for a bit, flip the AF/MF switch back and forth a few times, try a total reset of the camera to default settings, etc. I hate to think the body can be persuaded to be MF only simply because a Sigma lens told it so. If it did, resetting would probably clear it...

Sigmund · 03-07-2015, 11:21 PM

Thanks again.

Focus drive pops out OK. Removed battery - no change. But there must be non-volatile memory for user settings. Will look for more reset options.

rburgoss · 03-08-2015, 12:30 AM - **1 Like**

Try reflashing firmware on body. Check version and upgrade if necessary.

By all means, let us know your findings.

Sigmund · 03-08-2015, 01:43 AM

Yes, I was fearing it might come to that. Awkward when travelling. The firmware is current but a reflash might be the equivalent of "format c:"

Sigmund · 03-08-2015, 01:29 PM

Firmware updated. No change.

A search threw up some other possibilities and responses* but I got no traction: alignment of AF drive screw with lens body, and quality of batteries.

However the drive screw on my body does show noticeable slop. Would someone be kind enough to check theirs?

[* https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/229309-k...t-working.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/198424-k...ocus-mode.html ]

rburgoss · 03-08-2015, 06:27 PM

Have you tried a non DC or SDM original pentax lens? (FA or F???)

Since you say the body is asking for focal length upon mounting, this means body is not recognizing the lens as being autofocus. Pentax has three possibilities for autofocus lenses. F (FA) with no motor, just screw drive; DA with both screwdrive and internal SDM motor and just DC motor, as the 18-135. Try to test one of each just to pinpoint where is the problem coming from.

I am afraid the Sigma has something to do here, but hopefully, it would be just a software bug and not something that got shorted or burned.

Keep us posted please.

stevebrot · 03-08-2015, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by rburgoss

Since you say the body is asking for focal length upon mounting, this means body is not recognizing the lens as being autofocus.

~~...or having the A-contacts. If the "A" contact ("*" in diagram below) is not detected, AF will not be attempted.~~

Edit: I don't know where my head was at when I typed the above, but the F-- display by itself means that the "A" contact was not detected. AF should still work if the data pin (not on the diagram) is still operational. If both are dead, it would be evidence that the lens is not fully mounted or that the lens chip is not proper or that their is a fault with the body.

Steve

Sigmund · 03-08-2015, 08:54 PM

Thanks rburgoss.

Apart from the 18-135 there's a DA 12-24. Same issue. The Sigma is a 150-500 and that's HSM. So I guess that means the fault isn't (just) mechanical.

Thanks Steve. The body has 7 contacts. The 3rd from the top is recessed but still spring loaded. I've given it a clean & a 'tickle'.

Sigmund · 03-08-2015, 10:02 PM

Woah. 2nd & subsequent lens swaps have AF enabled. Phew. Looks like attending to the * contact did it.

Thanks again all.

There's two weeks of shooting in god's own country ahead.

rburgoss · 03-09-2015, 06:01 AM

Whew... thnk God nothing was wrong. Just probably some minuscule debris caught in the third mount contact. I would check all my lenses mounts fot debris and grime spots. I'm sure your problem was created by something transfered by a "dirty" lens mount.

Thanks for sharing this. I am sure this information will become very handy any time soon, for every Pentax user out there.

03-07-2015, 08:54 PM	#1
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142	K3 stuck in MF I hope the brains trust can help here. The body switch does nothing. I've done a functions and settings reset. When a different lens is attached on startup the camera asks what length it is. What preceded it: I had on a Sigma lens that's worked fine lots of times and this time I switched it to MF using its own setting. When I switched to the 18-135 Pentax lens focus was stuck on manual in the body settings. ??

03-08-2015, 07:17 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by rburgoss Since you say the body is asking for focal length upon mounting, this means body is not recognizing the lens as being autofocus. ~~...or having the A-contacts. If the "A" contact ("" in diagram below) is not detected, AF will not be attempted.~~ Edit:* I don't know where my head was at when I typed the above, but the F-- display by itself means that the "A" contact was not detected. AF should still work if the data pin (not on the diagram) is still operational. If both are dead, it would be evidence that the lens is not fully mounted or that the lens chip is not proper or that their is a fault with the body. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 03-09-2015 at 05:54 PM.

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03-07-2015, 09:10 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Reverse the spell by putting the Sigma back and switching it to AF?

03-07-2015, 09:17 PM	#3
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Check to see that nothing is on the contacts. Perhaps clean them.

03-07-2015, 09:27 PM	#4
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142 Original Poster	Thanks folks. Yeah I tried reverse magic. Not the right phase of the moon maybe. And yes, cleaned the contacts too.

03-07-2015, 10:46 PM	#5
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Turn off the camera. Remove the lens. Turn on the camera. Watch the focus lug on the mount when you move the switch between AF and MF. It should extend when in AF and retract when in MF. If this does not happen then something has broken or you have run out of power.

03-07-2015, 10:47 PM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	It is strange. Try the usual. Take the battery out for a bit, flip the AF/MF switch back and forth a few times, try a total reset of the camera to default settings, etc. I hate to think the body can be persuaded to be MF only simply because a Sigma lens told it so. If it did, resetting would probably clear it...

03-07-2015, 11:21 PM	#7
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142 Original Poster	Thanks again. Focus drive pops out OK. Removed battery - no change. But there must be non-volatile memory for user settings. Will look for more reset options.

03-08-2015, 12:30 AM - 1 Like	#8
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Try reflashing firmware on body. Check version and upgrade if necessary. By all means, let us know your findings.

03-08-2015, 01:43 AM	#9
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142 Original Poster	Yes, I was fearing it might come to that. Awkward when travelling. The firmware is current but a reflash might be the equivalent of "format c:"

03-08-2015, 01:29 PM	#10
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142 Original Poster	Firmware updated. No change. A search threw up some other possibilities and responses* but I got no traction: alignment of AF drive screw with lens body, and quality of batteries. However the drive screw on my body does show noticeable slop. Would someone be kind enough to check theirs? [* https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/229309-k...t-working.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/198424-k...ocus-mode.html ]

03-08-2015, 06:27 PM	#11
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Have you tried a non DC or SDM original pentax lens? (FA or F???) Since you say the body is asking for focal length upon mounting, this means body is not recognizing the lens as being autofocus. Pentax has three possibilities for autofocus lenses. F (FA) with no motor, just screw drive; DA with both screwdrive and internal SDM motor and just DC motor, as the 18-135. Try to test one of each just to pinpoint where is the problem coming from. I am afraid the Sigma has something to do here, but hopefully, it would be just a software bug and not something that got shorted or burned. Keep us posted please.

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03-08-2015, 08:54 PM	#13
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142 Original Poster	Thanks rburgoss. Apart from the 18-135 there's a DA 12-24. Same issue. The Sigma is a 150-500 and that's HSM. So I guess that means the fault isn't (just) mechanical. Thanks Steve. The body has 7 contacts. The 3rd from the top is recessed but still spring loaded. I've given it a clean & a 'tickle'.

03-08-2015, 10:02 PM	#14
Sigmund Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 142 Original Poster	Woah. 2nd & subsequent lens swaps have AF enabled. Phew. Looks like attending to the * contact did it. Thanks again all. There's two weeks of shooting in god's own country ahead.

03-09-2015, 06:01 AM	#15
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Whew... thnk God nothing was wrong. Just probably some minuscule debris caught in the third mount contact. I would check all my lenses mounts fot debris and grime spots. I'm sure your problem was created by something transfered by a "dirty" lens mount. Thanks for sharing this. I am sure this information will become very handy any time soon, for every Pentax user out there.