D FA* 70-200 Communication with Camera Issue

mattieyp3 · 05-08-2016, 02:49 PM

I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas?

Adam · 05-08-2016, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by mattieyp3

I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas?

Have you updated your camera's firmware to the latest version? I'm not sure if Pentax ever added support for the K-5 but it's worth a shot.

**Tas** · 05-08-2016, 03:23 PM

It doesn't look like there is a firmware update for the K5 to communicate with the DFA* 70-200. Latest K-5 Firmware Update : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

I don't know that it is a firmware issue though as there doesn't seem to be a lot of lenses listed in the listed updates. Of course using the latest firmware is good practice.

One bit of advice that often gets brought up with lens communications issues is ensuring the mount and connections are clean.

Tas

mattieyp3 · 05-08-2016, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Tas

It doesn't look like there is a firmware update for the K5 to communicate with the DFA* 70-200. Latest K-5 Firmware Update : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

I don't know that it is a firmware issue though as there doesn't seem to be a lot of lenses listed in the listed updates. Of course using the latest firmware is good practice.

One bit of advice that often gets brought up with lens communications issues is ensuring the mount and connections are clean.

Tas

I did clean the connections so I assume that is not the issue. Are lens connections known for failing and going bad? The camera is older with 90k actuations. And with the heavy sense "hanging" from the lens mount, maybe this is greater stress than it can handle at this age? More thoughts?

Rudy · 05-08-2016, 04:38 PM

Did you try your lens in another camera body?

Not a Number · 05-08-2016, 05:23 PM

Point the lens straight up or down so the weight of the camera or lens is evenly distributed on the mount and see if that makes a difference.

Perhaps all you need is to tighten the screws a touch on the mount, camera and or lens.

mattieyp3 · 05-08-2016, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Have you updated your camera's firmware to the latest version? I'm not sure if Pentax ever added support for the K-5 but it's worth a shot.

I did update years ago and don't think they ever created a newer version.

---------- Post added 05-08-16 at 10:30 PM ----------

Originally posted by Rudy

Did you try your lens in another camera body?

Im poor and only have one body, hahahahaha.

I'll have to try something else.

---------- Post added 05-08-16 at 10:31 PM ----------

Originally posted by Not a Number

Point the lens straight up or down so the weight of the camera or lens is evenly distributed on the mount and see if that makes a difference.

Perhaps all you need is to tighten the screws a touch on the mount, camera and or lens.

Great idea. I do know that the problem is intermittent so I'm not certain what this means. But I'll try this idea of yours!

**jpzk** · 05-08-2016, 07:50 PM

It seems odd that Pentax/Ricoh would not have provided a firmware update allowing the K5 to handle this lens.
I thought that some users did use this very lens with the K5/K5II/s

kenspo · 05-09-2016, 02:12 AM

Im sure its a FW issue. It works 100% on K-3, K-3II and K-1

Paul the Sunman · 05-09-2016, 04:04 AM

I understood that the K5 would not support all the buttons and switches on the D FA 70-200 and 150-450 barrels, whereas the K3 (with firmware update) would. However, there was never any mention of the lens failing to communicate at all.

sungibr · 05-09-2016, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by mattieyp3

I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas?

In the D-FA 150-450 page on Ricoh website:

* The PENTAX K-3, PENTAX K-S2 and PENTAX K-S1 are currently the only model to accommodate the AF button functions. To activate these functions, the camera's firmware must be updated to the latest version*

Alsp, you can try to figure it out with one of those manny tables on the Ricoh site:

Table of Functions by Mount / Lens lineup/ Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING

But I guess the new D-FA lenses are suported down to K-7, at least. (but not the new AF buttons on the 150-450)

Not a Number · 05-09-2016, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by mattieyp3

Great idea. I do know that the problem is intermittent so I'm not certain what this means. But I'll try this idea of yours!

Could be the lens is defective. Consider contacting the vendor for return and replacement.

As noted above AF may not be supported on the K-5 for this lens but that shouldn't affect the F- - :

**shardulm** · 05-09-2016, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by mattieyp3

I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas?

I am hoping you are using a freshly charged battery and an original Pentax battery in there. I have one battery (non branded) that shows perfectly fine as charged but causes the camera/lens to not respond at times for no apparent reason (and the battery meter shows green and a few minutes later drops to yellow all of a sudden) but does not show F-- or anything.
That newer 70-200 may be need a good battery in the camera instead since it is SDM and draws power from the body battery. Just another possibility and may not be the case in your situation though.

**Erictator** · 05-09-2016, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by mattieyp3

I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas?

Have I got a deal for you!

Send the new D FA* 70-200 to me since I'm getting a K1 soon as there is stock, and I'll send you my Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO in trade, and it will work perfectly on your K5.
I know this as a fact because it works great on my K5.

See, I am there for ya buddie!

Eric

mattieyp3 · 05-09-2016, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by Erictator

Have I got a deal for you!

Send the new D FA* 70-200 to me since I'm getting a K1 soon as there is stock, and I'll send you my Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO in trade, and it will work perfectly on your K5.
I know this as a fact because it works great on my K5.

See, I am there for ya buddie!

Eric

Hahaha! That makes me laugh. I do have an FA* 80-200 that needs a new home. Soon, for a pretty penny, it will be in its new location. Maybe you're interested!? Now maybe I'm your buddie?! Hahaha.

---------- Post added 05-10-16 at 02:02 AM ----------

Originally posted by shardulm

I am hoping you are using a freshly charged battery and an original Pentax battery in there. I have one battery (non branded) that shows perfectly fine as charged but causes the camera/lens to not respond at times for no apparent reason (and the battery meter shows green and a few minutes later drops to yellow all of a sudden) but does not show F-- or anything.
That newer 70-200 may be need a good battery in the camera instead since it is SDM and draws power from the body battery. Just another possibility and may not be the case in your situation though.

A fresh battery is a good point. I had started with a fresh battery for the baseball game I was shooting and experienced the problem after 750 shots. Maybe the battery is the problem. (They are orig. Pentax batteries.)

05-08-2016, 02:49 PM	#1
mattieyp3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Washington, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 160	*D FA 70-200 Communication with Camera Issue** I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas?

05-08-2016, 02:55 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by mattieyp3 I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas? Have you updated your camera's firmware to the latest version? I'm not sure if Pentax ever added support for the K-5 but it's worth a shot. 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:

05-08-2016, 03:23 PM	#3
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	K5 Firmware list It doesn't look like there is a firmware update for the K5 to communicate with the DFA* 70-200. Latest K-5 Firmware Update : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING I don't know that it is a firmware issue though as there doesn't seem to be a lot of lenses listed in the listed updates. Of course using the latest firmware is good practice. One bit of advice that often gets brought up with lens communications issues is ensuring the mount and connections are clean. Tas

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05-08-2016, 04:04 PM	#4
mattieyp3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Washington, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tas It doesn't look like there is a firmware update for the K5 to communicate with the DFA* 70-200. Latest K-5 Firmware Update : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING I don't know that it is a firmware issue though as there doesn't seem to be a lot of lenses listed in the listed updates. Of course using the latest firmware is good practice. One bit of advice that often gets brought up with lens communications issues is ensuring the mount and connections are clean. Tas I did clean the connections so I assume that is not the issue. Are lens connections known for failing and going bad? The camera is older with 90k actuations. And with the heavy sense "hanging" from the lens mount, maybe this is greater stress than it can handle at this age? More thoughts?

05-08-2016, 04:38 PM	#5
Rudy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 109	Did you try your lens in another camera body?

05-08-2016, 05:23 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Point the lens straight up or down so the weight of the camera or lens is evenly distributed on the mount and see if that makes a difference. Perhaps all you need is to tighten the screws a touch on the mount, camera and or lens.

05-08-2016, 07:30 PM	#7
mattieyp3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Washington, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Have you updated your camera's firmware to the latest version? I'm not sure if Pentax ever added support for the K-5 but it's worth a shot. I did update years ago and don't think they ever created a newer version. ---------- Post added 05-08-16 at 10:30 PM ---------- Originally posted by Rudy Did you try your lens in another camera body? Im poor and only have one body, hahahahaha. I'll have to try something else. ---------- Post added 05-08-16 at 10:31 PM ---------- Originally posted by Not a Number Point the lens straight up or down so the weight of the camera or lens is evenly distributed on the mount and see if that makes a difference. Perhaps all you need is to tighten the screws a touch on the mount, camera and or lens. Great idea. I do know that the problem is intermittent so I'm not certain what this means. But I'll try this idea of yours!

05-08-2016, 07:50 PM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	It seems odd that Pentax/Ricoh would not have provided a firmware update allowing the K5 to handle this lens. I thought that some users did use this very lens with the K5/K5II/s

05-09-2016, 02:12 AM	#9
kenspo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Oslo Posts: 2,207	Im sure its a FW issue. It works 100% on K-3, K-3II and K-1

05-09-2016, 04:04 AM	#10
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	I understood that the K5 would not support all the buttons and switches on the D FA 70-200 and 150-450 barrels, whereas the K3 (with firmware update) would. However, there was never any mention of the lens failing to communicate at all.

05-09-2016, 06:57 AM	#11
sungibr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sao Paulo Photos: Albums Posts: 149	Originally posted by mattieyp3 I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas? In the D-FA 150-450 page on Ricoh website: * The PENTAX K-3, PENTAX K-S2 and PENTAX K-S1 are currently the only model to accommodate the AF button functions. To activate these functions, the camera's firmware must be updated to the latest version* Alsp, you can try to figure it out with one of those manny tables on the Ricoh site: Table of Functions by Mount / Lens lineup/ Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING But I guess the new D-FA lenses are suported down to K-7, at least. (but not the new AF buttons on the 150-450)

05-09-2016, 07:28 AM	#12
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by mattieyp3 Great idea. I do know that the problem is intermittent so I'm not certain what this means. But I'll try this idea of yours! Could be the lens is defective. Consider contacting the vendor for return and replacement. As noted above AF may not be supported on the K-5 for this lens but that shouldn't affect the F- - :

05-09-2016, 01:05 PM	#13
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	Originally posted by mattieyp3 I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas? I am hoping you are using a freshly charged battery and an original Pentax battery in there. I have one battery (non branded) that shows perfectly fine as charged but causes the camera/lens to not respond at times for no apparent reason (and the battery meter shows green and a few minutes later drops to yellow all of a sudden) but does not show F-- or anything. That newer 70-200 may be need a good battery in the camera instead since it is SDM and draws power from the body battery. Just another possibility and may not be the case in your situation though.

05-09-2016, 01:14 PM	#14
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,345	Originally posted by mattieyp3 I recently received my D FA* 70-200 and I love it. However, I have been experiencing some problems with it when attached to my K-5. Basically, there appears to be a camera and lens communication problem. The viewing screen on the top of the K-5 flashes "F--" and autofocus does not work! Ideas? Have I got a deal for you! Send the new D FA* 70-200 to me since I'm getting a K1 soon as there is stock, and I'll send you my Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO in trade, and it will work perfectly on your K5. I know this as a fact because it works great on my K5. See, I am there for ya buddie! Eric

05-09-2016, 10:59 PM	#15
mattieyp3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Washington, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Erictator Have I got a deal for you! Send the new D FA* 70-200 to me since I'm getting a K1 soon as there is stock, and I'll send you my Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO in trade, and it will work perfectly on your K5. I know this as a fact because it works great on my K5. See, I am there for ya buddie! Eric Hahaha! That makes me laugh. I do have an FA* 80-200 that needs a new home. Soon, for a pretty penny, it will be in its new location. Maybe you're interested!? Now maybe I'm your buddie?! Hahaha. ---------- Post added 05-10-16 at 02:02 AM ---------- Originally posted by shardulm I am hoping you are using a freshly charged battery and an original Pentax battery in there. I have one battery (non branded) that shows perfectly fine as charged but causes the camera/lens to not respond at times for no apparent reason (and the battery meter shows green and a few minutes later drops to yellow all of a sudden) but does not show F-- or anything. That newer 70-200 may be need a good battery in the camera instead since it is SDM and draws power from the body battery. Just another possibility and may not be the case in your situation though. A fresh battery is a good point. I had started with a fresh battery for the baseball game I was shooting and experienced the problem after 750 shots. Maybe the battery is the problem. (They are orig. Pentax batteries.)