Problem with View Finder mode

tortie · 08-23-2015, 06:15 AM

Hi
I am a newbie owner of a K-S1 and am trying the various features. All was well but now the shutter release button will not take a picture using Auto Focus in Viewfinder Mode. It will take one on Manual Focus. Live View seems to work OK on Auto Focus. Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-23-2015, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by tortie

Hi
I am a newbie owner of a K-S1 and am trying the various features. All was well but now the shutter release button will not take a picture using Auto Focus in Viewfinder Mode. It will take one on Manual Focus. Live View seems to work OK on Auto Focus. Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

Welcome to the forum! I don't have a K-S1 so there could be thing I am missing, but most controls are universal to all Pentax DSLRs. You will also get some responses from people a lot better than I am about diagnosing problems. It sounds as though you may have the camera set to focus priority, but for some reason the focus is not achieved. The camera will only fire if the subject is in focus. This does not make a difference in manual focus, and live view uses a different focusing system. There are a lot of variables here so more information may be required. What is the subject you are shooting? How is the lighting? Are you getting focus confirmation?

Adam · 08-23-2015, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by tortie

Hi
I am a newbie owner of a K-S1 and am trying the various features. All was well but now the shutter release button will not take a picture using Auto Focus in Viewfinder Mode. It will take one on Manual Focus. Live View seems to work OK on Auto Focus. Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

In AF-S mode (unless the release priority custom function is set), the shutter won't release unless your subject is in focus. Is that not the case?

tortie · 08-23-2015, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

Welcome to the forum! I don't have a K-S1 so there could be thing I am missing, but most controls are universal to all Pentax DSLRs. You will also get some responses from people a lot better than I am about diagnosing problems. It sounds as though you may have the camera set to focus priority, but for some reason the focus is not achieved. The camera will only fire if the subject is in focus. This does not make a difference in manual focus, and live view uses a different focusing system. There are a lot of variables here so more information may be required. What is the subject you are shooting? How is the lighting? Are you getting focus confirmation?

Many thanks for your reply - here is some more info:
Custom settings - if focus priority is set only AF-C will allow the shutter to fire but focus is not achieved and pictures are over-exposed.
If shutter priority is set AF-S, AF-C & AF-A will allow the shutter to fire but again focus is not achieved and pictures are over-exposed.
The subject was my wife and the lighting was bright, inside the house.

tortie · 08-24-2015, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by Adam

In AF-S mode (unless the release priority custom function is set), the shutter won't release unless your subject is in focus. Is that not the case?

Thanks for your reply Adam
I hope the extra info that I gave in reply to ramseybuckeye will be of some help to try and resolve my issue.

Adam · 08-24-2015, 11:59 AM

It sounds like you're confusing a few different settings here- the AF settings shouldn't have any effect on the exposure of your image.

Make sure your camera is set to matrix metering.

Could you post some sample photos straight out of camera that show the problem?

tortie · 08-25-2015, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Adam

It sounds like you're confusing a few different settings here- the AF settings shouldn't have any effect on the exposure of your image.

Make sure your camera is set to matrix metering.

Could you post some sample photos straight out of camera that show the problem?

I think you are right Adam - I'm feeling really confused right now!! The K-S1 is my first DSLR - I'm trying to upgrade from a Panasonic Bridge. I've decided to go back to square one and try to reset all the camera settings back to their default values i.e. how they were set when I unpacked the box. Then I'll go back to basics and start all over again.

I think I may have been a bit over-enthusiatic by experimenting with things, including trying an old Pentax ME Super film camera 50mm f/1.7 lens, which was given to me! I did get this to work and took some decent photos with it before returning to my kit lens which also worked fine ... for a while. I'm thinking that I have maybe changed some settings incorrectly along the way and got myself (and the camera) in a muddle!

Thank you for your help so far. I'll let you know how I get on - I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll be needing some help on this excellent forum.

08-23-2015, 06:15 AM	#1
tortie New Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Normandy, France Posts: 8	Problem with View Finder mode Hi I am a newbie owner of a K-S1 and am trying the various features. All was well but now the shutter release button will not take a picture using Auto Focus in Viewfinder Mode. It will take one on Manual Focus. Live View seems to work OK on Auto Focus. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

08-23-2015, 12:26 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by tortie Hi I am a newbie owner of a K-S1 and am trying the various features. All was well but now the shutter release button will not take a picture using Auto Focus in Viewfinder Mode. It will take one on Manual Focus. Live View seems to work OK on Auto Focus. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks. In AF-S mode (unless the release priority custom function is set), the shutter won't release unless your subject is in focus. Is that not the case? 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:

08-24-2015, 11:59 AM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	It sounds like you're confusing a few different settings here- the AF settings shouldn't have any effect on the exposure of your image. Make sure your camera is set to matrix metering. Could you post some sample photos straight out of camera that show the problem? 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:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
645Z bug? No Multi-shot at AF2 at view finder mode	thomaskplee	Pentax Medium Format	12	03-29-2015 07:54 AM
Cracked View Finder	MrHowell	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	3	02-01-2015 09:07 PM
Moire in view finder only and fuzzy look through view finder	Indy78	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	13	06-11-2014 11:36 AM
View finder vs Live View on K5 II	Wingincamera	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	5	12-08-2012 03:47 PM
It's like my view finder just doesnt work with old lenses	dmbaile2	Pentax K-r	13	08-11-2012 02:21 PM

08-23-2015, 06:59 AM	#2
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Originally posted by tortie Hi I am a newbie owner of a K-S1 and am trying the various features. All was well but now the shutter release button will not take a picture using Auto Focus in Viewfinder Mode. It will take one on Manual Focus. Live View seems to work OK on Auto Focus. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks. Welcome to the forum! I don't have a K-S1 so there could be thing I am missing, but most controls are universal to all Pentax DSLRs. You will also get some responses from people a lot better than I am about diagnosing problems. It sounds as though you may have the camera set to focus priority, but for some reason the focus is not achieved. The camera will only fire if the subject is in focus. This does not make a difference in manual focus, and live view uses a different focusing system. There are a lot of variables here so more information may be required. What is the subject you are shooting? How is the lighting? Are you getting focus confirmation?

08-23-2015, 11:45 PM	#4
tortie New Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Normandy, France Posts: 8 Original Poster	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye Welcome to the forum! I don't have a K-S1 so there could be thing I am missing, but most controls are universal to all Pentax DSLRs. You will also get some responses from people a lot better than I am about diagnosing problems. It sounds as though you may have the camera set to focus priority, but for some reason the focus is not achieved. The camera will only fire if the subject is in focus. This does not make a difference in manual focus, and live view uses a different focusing system. There are a lot of variables here so more information may be required. What is the subject you are shooting? How is the lighting? Are you getting focus confirmation? Many thanks for your reply - here is some more info: Custom settings - if focus priority is set only AF-C will allow the shutter to fire but focus is not achieved and pictures are over-exposed. If shutter priority is set AF-S, AF-C & AF-A will allow the shutter to fire but again focus is not achieved and pictures are over-exposed. The subject was my wife and the lighting was bright, inside the house.

08-24-2015, 06:03 AM	#5
tortie New Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Normandy, France Posts: 8 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam In AF-S mode (unless the release priority custom function is set), the shutter won't release unless your subject is in focus. Is that not the case? Thanks for your reply Adam I hope the extra info that I gave in reply to ramseybuckeye will be of some help to try and resolve my issue.

08-25-2015, 07:28 AM	#7
tortie New Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Normandy, France Posts: 8 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam It sounds like you're confusing a few different settings here- the AF settings shouldn't have any effect on the exposure of your image. Make sure your camera is set to matrix metering. Could you post some sample photos straight out of camera that show the problem? I think you are right Adam - I'm feeling really confused right now!! The K-S1 is my first DSLR - I'm trying to upgrade from a Panasonic Bridge. I've decided to go back to square one and try to reset all the camera settings back to their default values i.e. how they were set when I unpacked the box. Then I'll go back to basics and start all over again. I think I may have been a bit over-enthusiatic by experimenting with things, including trying an old Pentax ME Super film camera 50mm f/1.7 lens, which was given to me! I did get this to work and took some decent photos with it before returning to my kit lens which also worked fine ... for a while. I'm thinking that I have maybe changed some settings incorrectly along the way and got myself (and the camera) in a muddle! Thank you for your help so far. I'll let you know how I get on - I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll be needing some help on this excellent forum.