DFA 150-450mm won’t focus

**TL4** · 03-27-2021, 09:28 AM

Hello folks,
I have a new KP, and the lens won’t focus. No focus indicator light, but the shutter will fire. Any ideas what to check? I assume it’s user error.Thank you.

**jatrax** · 03-27-2021, 09:32 AM - **1 Like**

1 - Make sure the AF / MF switch is in AF on the lens
2 - Current firmware on the KP?
3 - Try cleaning the contacts with a microfiber cloth, just a buff should work
4 - Make sure the KP is not in manual focus mode

**K-Three** · 03-27-2021, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

3 - Try cleaning the contacts with a microfiber cloth, just a buff should work

Both on camera lens mount and on lens,

**Crooski** · 03-27-2021, 10:47 AM

Is the camera new or second hand ?. when second hand, check for back button focus

**TL4** · 03-27-2021, 10:47 AM

All of those things are complete. No focus.

Bertrand3000 · 03-27-2021, 11:17 AM

Is your KP fine with another lens? Screwdrive and in-lens motor?

Paul the Sunman · 03-27-2021, 01:11 PM

Do you get any response from the focus buttons on the lens? Also, is the focus limiter on the lens set to "Full"?

The DFA 150-450 should work with KP firmware version 1.00 I think, since it's a 2017 camera and a 2015 lens, but it may be worthwhile making sure you have the latest firmware installed.

**luftfluss** · 03-27-2021, 01:52 PM

When in doubt, do a factory reset.

**jatrax** · 03-27-2021, 02:45 PM

If you have checked all the primary faults its time to test further:
1 - try the lens on a different camera
2 - try a different lens on the KP

This will isolate whether the fault is the lens or the camera.

It also might be useful to know if you have used the 150-450 on a different body in the past or if you just acquired it.

repaap · 03-27-2021, 11:45 PM

Just one note. With Pentax lenses there is two metal strips next to each other square shaped. Just make sure that they are at their place and not bended in any way. I was shooting at event with my DFA*70-200 and I did do were quick lens change. By mistake I did move just a bit those 2. Luckily they did not break. I did get scared if focus was gone, until I noticed those twisted. I managed to bend them carefully back and AF was back too.

**TL4** · 03-29-2021, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

Is your KP fine with another lens? Screwdrive and in-lens motor?

Yes, just fine.

**TL4** · 04-02-2021, 11:26 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jatrax

If you have checked all the primary faults its time to test further:
1 - try the lens on a different camera
2 - try a different lens on the KP

This will isolate whether the fault is the lens or the camera.

It also might be useful to know if you have used the 150-450 on a different body in the past or if you just acquired it.

The lens is being returned while I can.

**Ex Finn.** · 04-02-2021, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by TL4

The lens is being returned while I can.

That`s a bummer, should have been plug-and-play straight out of the box with a new KP and a new lens.

**manishved** · 04-02-2021, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

That`s a bummer, should have been plug-and-play straight out of the box with a new KP and a new lens.

Time for a Warranty claim

**Ex Finn.** · 04-02-2021, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by manishved

Time for a Warranty claim

Pretty much.

03-27-2021, 09:28 AM	#1
TL4 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 52	DFA 150-450mm won’t focus Hello folks, I have a new KP, and the lens won’t focus. No focus indicator light, but the shutter will fire. Any ideas what to check? I assume it’s user error.Thank you.

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03-27-2021, 09:32 AM - 1 Like	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	1 - Make sure the AF / MF switch is in AF on the lens 2 - Current firmware on the KP? 3 - Try cleaning the contacts with a microfiber cloth, just a buff should work 4 - Make sure the KP is not in manual focus mode

03-27-2021, 10:03 AM	#3
K-Three Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pugetopolis, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Originally posted by jatrax 3 - Try cleaning the contacts with a microfiber cloth, just a buff should work Both on camera lens mount and on lens,

03-27-2021, 10:47 AM	#4
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,680	Is the camera new or second hand ?. when second hand, check for back button focus

03-27-2021, 11:17 AM	#6
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	Is your KP fine with another lens? Screwdrive and in-lens motor?

03-27-2021, 01:11 PM	#7
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Do you get any response from the focus buttons on the lens? Also, is the focus limiter on the lens set to "Full"? The DFA 150-450 should work with KP firmware version 1.00 I think, since it's a 2017 camera and a 2015 lens, but it may be worthwhile making sure you have the latest firmware installed.

03-27-2021, 01:52 PM	#8
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	When in doubt, do a factory reset.

03-27-2021, 02:45 PM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	If you have checked all the primary faults its time to test further: 1 - try the lens on a different camera 2 - try a different lens on the KP This will isolate whether the fault is the lens or the camera. It also might be useful to know if you have used the 150-450 on a different body in the past or if you just acquired it.

03-27-2021, 11:45 PM	#10
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Just one note. With Pentax lenses there is two metal strips next to each other square shaped. Just make sure that they are at their place and not bended in any way. I was shooting at event with my DFA*70-200 and I did do were quick lens change. By mistake I did move just a bit those 2. Luckily they did not break. I did get scared if focus was gone, until I noticed those twisted. I managed to bend them carefully back and AF was back too.

03-29-2021, 03:41 AM	#11
TL4 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 52 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bertrand3000 Is your KP fine with another lens? Screwdrive and in-lens motor? Yes, just fine.

04-02-2021, 11:26 AM - 1 Like	#12
TL4 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 52 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax If you have checked all the primary faults its time to test further: 1 - try the lens on a different camera 2 - try a different lens on the KP This will isolate whether the fault is the lens or the camera. It also might be useful to know if you have used the 150-450 on a different body in the past or if you just acquired it. The lens is being returned while I can.

04-02-2021, 04:43 PM	#13
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by TL4 The lens is being returned while I can. That`s a bummer, should have been plug-and-play straight out of the box with a new KP and a new lens.

04-02-2021, 05:56 PM	#14
manishved Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. Calif Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,651	Originally posted by Ex Finn. That`s a bummer, should have been plug-and-play straight out of the box with a new KP and a new lens. Time for a Warranty claim

04-02-2021, 05:58 PM	#15
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by manishved Time for a Warranty claim Pretty much.