150-450 DFA will not auto-focus.

Craig Carson · 07-11-2018, 03:40 PM

My K3 has been recently returned after repair to the computer and now my 150-450 will not auto-focus. It maintains MF on the LCD screen regardless of the toggle switch setting, all settings on the lens are set to AF as well. My other lenses 70-200 DFA and the 18-135mm kit lens work fine. The firmware upgrade is 1.30. All other features of the lens work but when the 150-450 is attached the camera will not auto-focus or retain the menu feature, it just flashes up and then is gone. Is this a lens problem or a camera problem?

pjsaure · 07-11-2018, 03:53 PM

Hi Craig, my guess would be that the lens probably doesn't connect well to the body.
Did you try cleaning the contacts on the mount both on your camera and your lens?
This is quite a heavy lens, if there is any play in the mount, the weight might amplify it and cause a bad connection. Any dirt could make matters worse.
Also, I guess you know it, but you should hold the camera+lens combo by the heaviest component (in your case this is obviously the lens) to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the mount.

**RobA_Oz** · 07-11-2018, 03:57 PM

Hi Craig, and welcome to Pentax Forums. I see you’ve taken your time for a first post!

Anyway, I can’t be too precise about your issue with the D FA 150-450, as I don’t have one, but from your description it sounds like a lens problem if your other lenses work as normal. What do you mean by “menu feature”?

Craig Carson · 07-11-2018, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

Hi Craig, and welcome to Pentax Forums. I see you’ve taken your time for a first post!

Anyway, I can’t be too precise about your issue with the D FA 150-450, as I don’t have one, but from your description it sounds like a lens problem if your other lenses work as normal. What do you mean by “menu feature”?

Thank you pjsaure, all connections are tight and have been cleaned multiple times. You are correct, it is very heavy and so it is carried properly and carefully.
Rob_Oz, thank you, I agree, the lens is the more likely culprit. By menu feature I mean the LCD display that controls the camera features which normally allows me to scroll through it but now it only flashes on screen and then disappears.

MarkJerling · 07-11-2018, 05:55 PM

Anyone near you Craig, with a Pentax camera, that can test the lens on their camera?

Also, you could install the latest firmware version for the camera and see if that helps. (1.40)

**jbinpg** · 07-11-2018, 06:58 PM

It takes 2 surfaces to make an electrical contact. Check the contacts inside the lens mount also and give them a good clean.

Craig Carson · 07-12-2018, 11:13 AM

Thank you MarkJerling and Jbinpg. The latest firmware for the K3 is 1.30. 1.40 is for the K1 and all contacts are clean. I have made a fb request for a different camera body to test it on, no luck so far.

**aslyfox** · 07-12-2018, 11:51 AM

Although I don't think it is the answer to the OP's problem

the K 3 has a new update

1.40 is the most recent for the K 3

K-3：
Changes to V1.40

Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-D FA*50mmF1.4 SDM AW.
Improved stability for general performance.
*Contents of [Version 1.30] and earlier version will be also updated.

Latest K-3 Firmware Update : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

K3，KP，K1 firmware update - Page 3 - PentaxForums.com

I just uploaded it.

Tbone51 · 03-17-2019, 01:08 PM - **1 Like**

bought mine in June, 2017. never dropped or damaged; treated like a baby. today it just stopped autofocusing. not sure why, but it's not the camera, nor the user. I thought that the DC autofocus motor of this lens was a point in its favor, unlike the SDM motors of old. Fortunately, its still covered under a 3 year extended warranty. Has anyone else experienced this problem? What is the cause? Is there any remedy other than sending it away to the lens hospital?

**Mikesul** · 03-17-2019, 02:39 PM

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble. It is a pretty reliable lens but anything can develop problems. You are lucky to have the extended warranty. First be sure that the AF/MF switch is working right and set right. Check the lens contacts. If all you see is good send it in for repair.

Tbone51 · 03-17-2019, 04:32 PM

Thanks,
I’ve checked both of the above, and gently cleaned the contacts; still no life😔

MarkJerling · 03-18-2019, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Craig Carson

Thank you MarkJerling and Jbinpg. The latest firmware for the K3 is 1.30. 1.40 is for the K1 and all contacts are clean. I have made a fb request for a different camera body to test it on, no luck so far.

Did you find a solution Craig?

MarkJerling · 03-18-2019, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Tbone51

Thanks,
I’ve checked both of the above, and gently cleaned the contacts; still no life😔

Sending it for repair?

Tbone51 · 03-18-2019, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Sending it for repair?

I can’t speak for Craig, but I’m sending mine in for repair. Will provide followup...

**bulloughphotography** · 04-04-2022, 04:12 PM

Hello. The focusing motor in my Pentax 150-450 has died. Not on warranty. Do any of you know of a source for a replacement motor I can install (I’d buy the motor). Or, I’m also willing to send it in for repair if need be. Any recommendations on that? I’d prefer to buy a motor…even a good used one. Thanks

07-11-2018, 03:40 PM	#1
Craig Carson New Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 3	150-450 DFA will not auto-focus. My K3 has been recently returned after repair to the computer and now my 150-450 will not auto-focus. It maintains MF on the LCD screen regardless of the toggle switch setting, all settings on the lens are set to AF as well. My other lenses 70-200 DFA and the 18-135mm kit lens work fine. The firmware upgrade is 1.30. All other features of the lens work but when the 150-450 is attached the camera will not auto-focus or retain the menu feature, it just flashes up and then is gone. Is this a lens problem or a camera problem?

07-11-2018, 05:55 PM	#5
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Anyone near you Craig, with a Pentax camera, that can test the lens on their camera? Also, you could install the latest firmware version for the camera and see if that helps. (1.40) Last edited by MarkJerling; 07-11-2018 at 06:30 PM.

07-12-2018, 11:51 AM	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Although I don't think it is the answer to the OP's problem the K 3 has a new update 1.40 is the most recent for the K 3 K-3： Changes to V1.40 Optimized performance when attaching new lens HD PENTAX-D FA50mmF1.4 SDM AW. Improved stability for general performance. Contents of [Version 1.30] and earlier version will be also updated. Latest K-3 Firmware Update : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING K3，KP，K1 firmware update - Page 3 - PentaxForums.com I just uploaded it. Last edited by aslyfox; 07-12-2018 at 02:14 PM.

03-17-2019, 01:08 PM - 1 Like	#9
Tbone51 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 120	DFA 150-450 autofocus problem bought mine in June, 2017. never dropped or damaged; treated like a baby. today it just stopped autofocusing. not sure why, but it's not the camera, nor the user. I thought that the DC autofocus motor of this lens was a point in its favor, unlike the SDM motors of old. Fortunately, its still covered under a 3 year extended warranty. Has anyone else experienced this problem? What is the cause? Is there any remedy other than sending it away to the lens hospital?

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07-11-2018, 03:53 PM	#2
pjsaure Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Toulouse Posts: 82	Hi Craig, my guess would be that the lens probably doesn't connect well to the body. Did you try cleaning the contacts on the mount both on your camera and your lens? This is quite a heavy lens, if there is any play in the mount, the weight might amplify it and cause a bad connection. Any dirt could make matters worse. Also, I guess you know it, but you should hold the camera+lens combo by the heaviest component (in your case this is obviously the lens) to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the mount.

07-11-2018, 03:57 PM	#3
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Hi Craig, and welcome to Pentax Forums. I see you’ve taken your time for a first post! Anyway, I can’t be too precise about your issue with the D FA 150-450, as I don’t have one, but from your description it sounds like a lens problem if your other lenses work as normal. What do you mean by “menu feature”?

07-11-2018, 05:08 PM	#4
Craig Carson New Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by RobA_Oz Hi Craig, and welcome to Pentax Forums. I see you’ve taken your time for a first post! Anyway, I can’t be too precise about your issue with the D FA 150-450, as I don’t have one, but from your description it sounds like a lens problem if your other lenses work as normal. What do you mean by “menu feature”? Thank you pjsaure, all connections are tight and have been cleaned multiple times. You are correct, it is very heavy and so it is carried properly and carefully. Rob_Oz, thank you, I agree, the lens is the more likely culprit. By menu feature I mean the LCD display that controls the camera features which normally allows me to scroll through it but now it only flashes on screen and then disappears.

07-11-2018, 06:58 PM	#6
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	It takes 2 surfaces to make an electrical contact. Check the contacts inside the lens mount also and give them a good clean.

07-12-2018, 11:13 AM	#7
Craig Carson New Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thank you MarkJerling and Jbinpg. The latest firmware for the K3 is 1.30. 1.40 is for the K1 and all contacts are clean. I have made a fb request for a different camera body to test it on, no luck so far.

03-17-2019, 02:39 PM	#10
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Sorry to hear that you are having trouble. It is a pretty reliable lens but anything can develop problems. You are lucky to have the extended warranty. First be sure that the AF/MF switch is working right and set right. Check the lens contacts. If all you see is good send it in for repair.

03-17-2019, 04:32 PM	#11
Tbone51 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 120	Thanks, I’ve checked both of the above, and gently cleaned the contacts; still no life😔

03-18-2019, 03:54 PM	#12
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by Craig Carson Thank you MarkJerling and Jbinpg. The latest firmware for the K3 is 1.30. 1.40 is for the K1 and all contacts are clean. I have made a fb request for a different camera body to test it on, no luck so far. Did you find a solution Craig?

03-18-2019, 03:54 PM	#13
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by Tbone51 Thanks, I’ve checked both of the above, and gently cleaned the contacts; still no life😔 Sending it for repair?

03-18-2019, 06:14 PM	#14
Tbone51 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 120	Originally posted by MarkJerling Sending it for repair? I can’t speak for Craig, but I’m sending mine in for repair. Will provide followup...

04-04-2022, 04:12 PM	#15
bulloughphotography Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 45	Hello. The focusing motor in my Pentax 150-450 has died. Not on warranty. Do any of you know of a source for a replacement motor I can install (I’d buy the motor). Or, I’m also willing to send it in for repair if need be. Any recommendations on that? I’d prefer to buy a motor…even a good used one. Thanks