Pentax K30 will not focus - focus hexagon green light keeps flashing

agaurav · 03-15-2018, 01:32 AM

Hello all,

My 6 year old Pentax K30 isn't working fine. I use a Pentax 18-135 mm lens with it and realized on previous vacation that it wouldn't want to focus. The green focus indicator hexagonal LED in the viewfinder keeps blinking. I tried to remove the battery and install again but that didn't help. I removed the lens, wiped the contacts with a dry cloth and mounted again.

The firmware is version v1.06. Is there anything that I can do to fix the problem? I want to avoid spending money sending it for repairs.

Thanks,
Gaurav

Adam · 03-15-2018, 01:49 AM

Perhaps there's dirt stuck near the AF sensor? Try cleaning out the mirror box and see if that helps.

If not, there's always live view AF.

**UncleVanya** · 03-15-2018, 06:43 AM

Have you tried another lens yet?

**Kevin B123** · 03-15-2018, 08:39 AM

I would make sure the subject to focus on has a good change in contrast and is beyond the minimum focal distance, and in reasonable light.
If you can't lock on in those conditions something is wrong. As mentioned change lenses and try again to rule the lens out.

agaurav · 03-21-2018, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

I would make sure the subject to focus on has a good change in contrast and is beyond the minimum focal distance, and in reasonable light.
If you can't lock on in those conditions something is wrong. As mentioned change lenses and try again to rule the lens out.

Hi there - thanks for the suggestions and ideas. Yes, I was ensure that the subject has good contract and min focal distance. I have been using cameras for many years now so was able to do this basic bit of debugging. I finally managed to borrow another lens and that works just fine. This was a 35mm prime lens and it has no issue. If I go back to my 18-135mm then it still doesn't focus.

Has the lens gone bad? Anything else that I can do? The lens contact seem fairly clean.

**Kevin B123** · 03-22-2018, 05:08 AM

Originally posted by agaurav

Has the lens gone bad? Anything else that I can do?

It sounds like it has as you've ruled out the main causes. It could be a simple matter of internal screws loosing off and causing the IF mechanism to stick. Perhaps someone who has had one in pieces could comment?

**UncleVanya** · 03-22-2018, 06:02 AM

Next steps:
Can you manually focus the 18-135 and get the green hecagon confirmation to stay lighted up solid?

Which 35mm prime did you try? Was it a screw drive lens or sdm/DC? Can you get another SDM or DC lens to try?

agaurav · 03-26-2018, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Next steps:
Can you manually focus the 18-135 and get the green hecagon confirmation to stay lighted up solid?

Which 35mm prime did you try? Was it a screw drive lens or sdm/DC? Can you get another SDM or DC lens to try?

I did try manual focus and the focus indicator green hexagon light is happy and locks and beep is heard.

I tried the Pentax DA-35mm f/2.4 lens. I am trying to see if anyone has a Pentax lens but nobody shoots Pentax in my immediate friend circle. I am in Mountain View, California and going to try some photo clubs if I can find some. Thanks!

03-15-2018, 01:32 AM	#1
agaurav Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 25	Pentax K30 will not focus - focus hexagon green light keeps flashing Hello all, My 6 year old Pentax K30 isn't working fine. I use a Pentax 18-135 mm lens with it and realized on previous vacation that it wouldn't want to focus. The green focus indicator hexagonal LED in the viewfinder keeps blinking. I tried to remove the battery and install again but that didn't help. I removed the lens, wiped the contacts with a dry cloth and mounted again. The firmware is version v1.06. Is there anything that I can do to fix the problem? I want to avoid spending money sending it for repairs. Thanks, Gaurav

03-15-2018, 01:49 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Perhaps there's dirt stuck near the AF sensor? Try cleaning out the mirror box and see if that helps. If not, there's always live view AF. 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:

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03-15-2018, 06:43 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Have you tried another lens yet?

03-15-2018, 08:39 AM	#4
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	I would make sure the subject to focus on has a good change in contrast and is beyond the minimum focal distance, and in reasonable light. If you can't lock on in those conditions something is wrong. As mentioned change lenses and try again to rule the lens out.

03-21-2018, 08:34 PM	#5
agaurav Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 25 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kevin B123 I would make sure the subject to focus on has a good change in contrast and is beyond the minimum focal distance, and in reasonable light. If you can't lock on in those conditions something is wrong. As mentioned change lenses and try again to rule the lens out. Hi there - thanks for the suggestions and ideas. Yes, I was ensure that the subject has good contract and min focal distance. I have been using cameras for many years now so was able to do this basic bit of debugging. I finally managed to borrow another lens and that works just fine. This was a 35mm prime lens and it has no issue. If I go back to my 18-135mm then it still doesn't focus. Has the lens gone bad? Anything else that I can do? The lens contact seem fairly clean.

03-22-2018, 05:08 AM	#6
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	Originally posted by agaurav Has the lens gone bad? Anything else that I can do? It sounds like it has as you've ruled out the main causes. It could be a simple matter of internal screws loosing off and causing the IF mechanism to stick. Perhaps someone who has had one in pieces could comment?

03-22-2018, 06:02 AM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Next steps: Can you manually focus the 18-135 and get the green hecagon confirmation to stay lighted up solid? Which 35mm prime did you try? Was it a screw drive lens or sdm/DC? Can you get another SDM or DC lens to try?

03-26-2018, 08:15 PM	#8
agaurav Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 25 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Next steps: Can you manually focus the 18-135 and get the green hecagon confirmation to stay lighted up solid? Which 35mm prime did you try? Was it a screw drive lens or sdm/DC? Can you get another SDM or DC lens to try? I did try manual focus and the focus indicator green hexagon light is happy and locks and beep is heard. I tried the Pentax DA-35mm f/2.4 lens. I am trying to see if anyone has a Pentax lens but nobody shoots Pentax in my immediate friend circle. I am in Mountain View, California and going to try some photo clubs if I can find some. Thanks!