Samsung GX-1L (*istDL2) Focus Problems

VaughnA · 12-10-2010, 06:27 AM

I have a friend with a GX-1L with a strange problem. It seems that it will fire the shutter only when in focus with the indicator even when in AF-S with a manual lens. And when the flash is popped up it won't fire at all and will never show the focus indicator. He's brought it in to work with a MF lens so I can't check it with AF until the evening but he says that it will not try to AF if the flash is up. I suspect that something may be fried in the flash system that interlocks with AF. Any ideas?

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-10-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by VaughnA

I have a friend with a GX-1L with a strange problem. It seems that it will fire the shutter only when in focus with the indicator even when in AF-S with a manual lens.

That's supposed to happen. I think it works slightly differently than Catch-in-Focus, but that's exactly what I'm used to with the DS.

Quote:

And when the flash is popped up it won't fire at all and will never show the focus indicator. He's brought it in to work with a MF lens so I can't check it with AF until the evening but he says that it will not try to AF if the flash is up. I suspect that something may be fried in the flash system that interlocks with AF. Any ideas?

I think you're right here. The flash can strobe to assist with low-light AF. On my DS, popping up the flash doesn't affect the focus indicator or AF at all. It doesn't seem like the menus give you any flash control options that would help or cause the issue. AUTO PICT or green mode might affect its behavior.

wombat2go · 12-10-2010, 12:17 PM

VaughnA,

I can replicate the first problem on a DL by switching the MF/AF switch to AF. -. Maybe his switch is faulty. Also in this condition it will not fire at all in low light because there is not enough light to focus.

VaughnA · 12-10-2010, 12:21 PM

I didn't word the first part well. Even in MF setting it wouldn't fire at all. But I found the problem for that little glitch. The MF/AF switch is VERY tight and although it said MF it acted like catch in focus was on. After having to mightily force it over AF then back to MF it worked fine with the MF lens and the flash down. I wonder if his teenage daughter (Primary user) had tried to manually focus with an AF lens on the camera and bound something up in the screw drive that locked it into AF until I forced it loose.

I'm going to take a look at the flash problems when I get home this evening.

VaughnA · 12-10-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by wombat2go

VaughnA,

I can replicate the first problem on a DL by switching the MF/AF switch to AF. -. Maybe his switch is faulty. Also in this condition it will not fire at all in low light because there is not enough light to focus.

See my post made at the same time. I think that was the problem for this instance. I had to force it back & forth a couple of times and now it works ok.

12-10-2010, 06:27 AM	#1
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	*Samsung GX-1L (istDL2) Focus Problems** I have a friend with a GX-1L with a strange problem. It seems that it will fire the shutter only when in focus with the indicator even when in AF-S with a manual lens. And when the flash is popped up it won't fire at all and will never show the focus indicator. He's brought it in to work with a MF lens so I can't check it with AF until the evening but he says that it will not try to AF if the flash is up. I suspect that something may be fried in the flash system that interlocks with AF. Any ideas?

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12-10-2010, 12:12 PM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by VaughnA I have a friend with a GX-1L with a strange problem. It seems that it will fire the shutter only when in focus with the indicator even when in AF-S with a manual lens. That's supposed to happen. I think it works slightly differently than Catch-in-Focus, but that's exactly what I'm used to with the DS. Quote: And when the flash is popped up it won't fire at all and will never show the focus indicator. He's brought it in to work with a MF lens so I can't check it with AF until the evening but he says that it will not try to AF if the flash is up. I suspect that something may be fried in the flash system that interlocks with AF. Any ideas? I think you're right here. The flash can strobe to assist with low-light AF. On my DS, popping up the flash doesn't affect the focus indicator or AF at all. It doesn't seem like the menus give you any flash control options that would help or cause the issue. AUTO PICT or green mode might affect its behavior.

12-10-2010, 12:17 PM	#3
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	VaughnA, I can replicate the first problem on a DL by switching the MF/AF switch to AF. -. Maybe his switch is faulty. Also in this condition it will not fire at all in low light because there is not enough light to focus.

12-10-2010, 12:21 PM	#4
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363 Original Poster	I didn't word the first part well. Even in MF setting it wouldn't fire at all. But I found the problem for that little glitch. The MF/AF switch is VERY tight and although it said MF it acted like catch in focus was on. After having to mightily force it over AF then back to MF it worked fine with the MF lens and the flash down. I wonder if his teenage daughter (Primary user) had tried to manually focus with an AF lens on the camera and bound something up in the screw drive that locked it into AF until I forced it loose. I'm going to take a look at the flash problems when I get home this evening.

12-10-2010, 12:22 PM	#5
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363 Original Poster	Originally posted by wombat2go VaughnA, I can replicate the first problem on a DL by switching the MF/AF switch to AF. -. Maybe his switch is faulty. Also in this condition it will not fire at all in low light because there is not enough light to focus. See my post made at the same time. I think that was the problem for this instance. I had to force it back & forth a couple of times and now it works ok.