Why won't shutter release?

yozza · 11-11-2016, 03:07 AM

I am trying to find out why the shutter release on my k1 doesn't fire on the rare occasion. I just see a flashing circle through the viewfinder with the other setup. Does anyone know?

Thanks.

Adam · 11-11-2016, 03:17 AM

That means the image is not in focus, and if you're in focus priority mode in AF.S, the shutter will not fire until you re-focus.

yozza · 11-11-2016, 03:52 AM

The picture i was taking was a landscape and looked vey focused through the viewfinder. Is focus priority mode not recommended for some things?

Thanks

**clackers** · 11-11-2016, 04:44 AM

Listen for the beep, Yozza.

**woodywesty** · 11-11-2016, 05:28 AM

Originally posted by clackers

Listen for the beep, Yozza.

What happens (or isn't) when you hear the "beep" and it still doesn't fire?

Woodywesty

**clackers** · 11-11-2016, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by woodywesty

What happens (or isn't) when you hear the "beep" and it still doesn't fire?

Woodywesty

Focus confirmation but it doesn't fire?

If it still does it after you do a Reset Settings, you probably have a fault.

Take lots of shots under different conditions (Live View, timer, phone app, AF-C vs AF-S, different lenses, etc) to isolate when it happens.

**woodywesty** · 11-11-2016, 06:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Focus confirmation but it doesn't fire?

If it still does it after you do a Reset Settings, you probably have a fault.

Take lots of shots under different conditions (Live View, timer, phone app, AF-C vs AF-S, different lenses, etc) to isolate when it happens.

I have made "settings" mistakes on several occasions which is a sure fire way to learn your camera! I think though that my not firing issue is limited to my DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135 has never worked and my DA*300 "sometimes just finds focus and won't fire. When I switch to my non DA* lenses everything is fine. Well, most everything is fine... the photographer is still error prone.. ;-)

**UncleVanya** · 11-11-2016, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by woodywesty

I have made "settings" mistakes on several occasions which is a sure fire way to learn your camera! I think though that my not firing issue is limited to my DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135 has never worked and my DA*300 "sometimes just finds focus and won't fire. When I switch to my non DA* lenses everything is fine. Well, most everything is fine... the photographer is still error prone.. ;-)

On a k-1 or in general? Have you tried converting these to screw drive?

**woodywesty** · 11-11-2016, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

On a k-1 or in general? Have you tried converting these to screw drive?

On both K3 and K3ll bodies. The DA*50-135 I have simply put in a drawer as a bad mistake on my part. Should have known better. The DA*300 only fails to fire maybe 5% of the time which I can live with. Converting a new lens to screw drive after spending $1000 for it is more than I can accept. As is, it sets there as a warning to me to never make the DA* mistake again..

**UncleVanya** · 11-11-2016, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by woodywesty

On both K3 and K3ll bodies. The DA*50-135 I have simply put in a drawer as a bad mistake on my part. Should have known better. The DA*300 only fails to fire maybe 5% of the time which I can live with. Converting a new lens to screw drive after spending $1000 for it is more than I can accept. As is, it sets there as a warning to me to never make the DA* mistake again..

I'm just not following the logic of leaving a lens in a drawer vs converting it to make it useful to you. I convert these all the time and people are thrilled to have them working again. I bought mine for $300 on eBay with dead SDM. I was lucky, the SDM woke up and never went to sleep. I also have a DA* 200 and a DA* 60-250 and my niece has a DA 17-70. None have failed and none give problems in focusing.

If you decide to convert either lens I am happy to help you through the process or even convert them (see my thread for SDM conversions in the marketplace.)

**woodywesty** · 11-11-2016, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I'm just not following the logic of leaving a lens in a drawer vs converting it to make it useful to you. I convert these all the time and people are thrilled to have them working again. I bought mine for $300 on eBay with dead SDM. I was lucky, the SDM woke up and never went to sleep. I also have a DA* 200 and a DA* 60-250 and my niece has a DA 17-70. None have failed and none give problems in focusing.

If you decide to convert either lens I am happy to help you through the process or even convert them (see my thread for SDM conversions in the marketplace.)

In a way I can agree with you. Unfortunately I let my stubbornness override logic sometimes... Its hard for me to rationalize spending $1,000 for a new lens and then spending more to have it converted to a technology that would have made the lens new costing maybe $500. If I had bought it from some poor sucker like me for a deal then having it converted would have been a heck of a deal. So I hang on to the fantasy of finding the person responsible for SDM and making them eat the lens... I'll use my FA 77 and 100 and move to position. Both lenses always focus.

**UncleVanya** · 11-11-2016, 08:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by woodywesty

In a way I can agree with you. Unfortunately I let my stubbornness override logic sometimes... Its hard for me to rationalize spending $1,000 for a new lens and then spending more to have it converted to a technology that would have made the lens new costing maybe $500. If I had bought it from some poor sucker like me for a deal then having it converted would have been a heck of a deal. So I hang on to the fantasy of finding the person responsible for SDM and making them eat the lens... I'll use my FA 77 and 100 and move to position. Both lenses always focus.

Pm sent.

**clackers** · 11-11-2016, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by woodywesty

I think though that my not firing issue is limited to my DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135 has never worked and my DA*300 "sometimes just finds focus and won't fire.

Okay, we have our answer then - not your camera.

Your DA*300 would need its AF motor replaced.

But the DA* 50-135 has its backup method ... and the lens is so good I even used it last weekend on my K-1 in crop mode (see below). It was intermittently not working for the guy I bought it off a couple of years ago, so I relieved him of it, and converted it in about fifteen minutes.

rldenver · 11-11-2016, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by yozza

I am trying to find out why the shutter release on my k1 doesn't fire on the rare occasion. I just see a flashing circle through the viewfinder with the other setup. Does anyone know?

Thanks.

You might try making sure the manual focus vs auto focus (MF AF) switch is set right. I often switch between mf and auto lenses and have the same issue when this switch is set right.

**woodywesty** · 11-11-2016, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Okay, we have our answer then - not your camera.

Your DA*300 would need its AF motor replaced.

But the DA* 50-135 has its backup method ... and the lens is so good I even used it last weekend on my K-1 in crop mode (see below). It was intermittently not working for the guy I bought it off a couple of years ago, so I relieved him of it, and converted it in about fifteen minutes.

Well, while the DA*300 hasn't been used a whole lot and while it is a very fine optic.... I'm not paying Ricoh to fix their "F" up. The focusing mechanisms in the DA* lenses appears to be a great teaching aid in Engineering college's of how not to design an electromechanical focusing mechanism. I "may" get the DA*50-135 converted as its so reasonable cost wise and because there isn't any other quality crop sensor zoom in that focal range available to replace it. If the DA*300 craps out it goes to the dump and I'll save up and buy the lens I really wanted, the Sigma 300 f2.8 which is both optically great and always focuses.

Having said all of that, I really like all of my Pentax gear especially the FA lenses along with my DA*16-50 which is a great lens and so far has worked/focused every time but one out of three lenses working isn't enough justification to invest any more money into DA* lenses..

Great photo by the way. Shows how good the DA*50-135 glass really is...
Bob

11-11-2016, 03:07 AM	#1
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77	Why won't shutter release? I am trying to find out why the shutter release on my k1 doesn't fire on the rare occasion. I just see a flashing circle through the viewfinder with the other setup. Does anyone know? Thanks.

11-11-2016, 03:17 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	That means the image is not in focus, and if you're in focus priority mode in AF.S, the shutter will not fire until you re-focus. 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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11-11-2016, 03:52 AM	#3
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	The picture i was taking was a landscape and looked vey focused through the viewfinder. Is focus priority mode not recommended for some things? Thanks

11-11-2016, 04:44 AM	#4
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Listen for the beep, Yozza.

11-11-2016, 05:28 AM	#5
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by clackers Listen for the beep, Yozza. What happens (or isn't) when you hear the "beep" and it still doesn't fire? Woodywesty

11-11-2016, 05:57 AM	#6
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by woodywesty What happens (or isn't) when you hear the "beep" and it still doesn't fire? Woodywesty Focus confirmation but it doesn't fire? If it still does it after you do a Reset Settings, you probably have a fault. Take lots of shots under different conditions (Live View, timer, phone app, AF-C vs AF-S, different lenses, etc) to isolate when it happens.

11-11-2016, 06:42 AM - 1 Like	#7
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by clackers Focus confirmation but it doesn't fire? If it still does it after you do a Reset Settings, you probably have a fault. Take lots of shots under different conditions (Live View, timer, phone app, AF-C vs AF-S, different lenses, etc) to isolate when it happens. I have made "settings" mistakes on several occasions which is a sure fire way to learn your camera! I think though that my not firing issue is limited to my DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135 has never worked and my DA300 "sometimes just finds focus and won't fire. When I switch to my non DA lenses everything is fine. Well, most everything is fine... the photographer is still error prone.. ;-)

11-11-2016, 07:34 AM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by woodywesty I have made "settings" mistakes on several occasions which is a sure fire way to learn your camera! I think though that my not firing issue is limited to my DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135 has never worked and my DA300 "sometimes just finds focus and won't fire. When I switch to my non DA lenses everything is fine. Well, most everything is fine... the photographer is still error prone.. ;-) On a k-1 or in general? Have you tried converting these to screw drive?

11-11-2016, 07:51 AM	#9
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by UncleVanya On a k-1 or in general? Have you tried converting these to screw drive? On both K3 and K3ll bodies. The DA50-135 I have simply put in a drawer as a bad mistake on my part. Should have known better. The DA300 only fails to fire maybe 5% of the time which I can live with. Converting a new lens to screw drive after spending $1000 for it is more than I can accept. As is, it sets there as a warning to me to never make the DA* mistake again..

11-11-2016, 08:09 AM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by woodywesty On both K3 and K3ll bodies. The DA50-135 I have simply put in a drawer as a bad mistake on my part. Should have known better. The DA300 only fails to fire maybe 5% of the time which I can live with. Converting a new lens to screw drive after spending $1000 for it is more than I can accept. As is, it sets there as a warning to me to never make the DA* mistake again.. I'm just not following the logic of leaving a lens in a drawer vs converting it to make it useful to you. I convert these all the time and people are thrilled to have them working again. I bought mine for $300 on eBay with dead SDM. I was lucky, the SDM woke up and never went to sleep. I also have a DA* 200 and a DA* 60-250 and my niece has a DA 17-70. None have failed and none give problems in focusing. If you decide to convert either lens I am happy to help you through the process or even convert them (see my thread for SDM conversions in the marketplace.)

11-11-2016, 08:33 AM	#11
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by UncleVanya I'm just not following the logic of leaving a lens in a drawer vs converting it to make it useful to you. I convert these all the time and people are thrilled to have them working again. I bought mine for $300 on eBay with dead SDM. I was lucky, the SDM woke up and never went to sleep. I also have a DA* 200 and a DA* 60-250 and my niece has a DA 17-70. None have failed and none give problems in focusing. If you decide to convert either lens I am happy to help you through the process or even convert them (see my thread for SDM conversions in the marketplace.) In a way I can agree with you. Unfortunately I let my stubbornness override logic sometimes... Its hard for me to rationalize spending $1,000 for a new lens and then spending more to have it converted to a technology that would have made the lens new costing maybe $500. If I had bought it from some poor sucker like me for a deal then having it converted would have been a heck of a deal. So I hang on to the fantasy of finding the person responsible for SDM and making them eat the lens... I'll use my FA 77 and 100 and move to position. Both lenses always focus.

11-11-2016, 08:42 AM - 1 Like	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by woodywesty In a way I can agree with you. Unfortunately I let my stubbornness override logic sometimes... Its hard for me to rationalize spending $1,000 for a new lens and then spending more to have it converted to a technology that would have made the lens new costing maybe $500. If I had bought it from some poor sucker like me for a deal then having it converted would have been a heck of a deal. So I hang on to the fantasy of finding the person responsible for SDM and making them eat the lens... I'll use my FA 77 and 100 and move to position. Both lenses always focus. Pm sent.

11-11-2016, 12:48 PM	#13
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by woodywesty I think though that my not firing issue is limited to my DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135 has never worked and my DA300 "sometimes just finds focus and won't fire. Okay, we have our answer then - not your camera. Your DA300 would need its AF motor replaced. But the DA* 50-135 has its backup method ... and the lens is so good I even used it last weekend on my K-1 in crop mode (see below). It was intermittently not working for the guy I bought it off a couple of years ago, so I relieved him of it, and converted it in about fifteen minutes.

11-11-2016, 01:00 PM	#14
rldenver New Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Albums Posts: 8	Originally posted by yozza I am trying to find out why the shutter release on my k1 doesn't fire on the rare occasion. I just see a flashing circle through the viewfinder with the other setup. Does anyone know? Thanks. You might try making sure the manual focus vs auto focus (MF AF) switch is set right. I often switch between mf and auto lenses and have the same issue when this switch is set right.

11-11-2016, 01:48 PM	#15
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by clackers Okay, we have our answer then - not your camera. Your DA300 would need its AF motor replaced. But the DA 50-135 has its backup method ... and the lens is so good I even used it last weekend on my K-1 in crop mode (see below). It was intermittently not working for the guy I bought it off a couple of years ago, so I relieved him of it, and converted it in about fifteen minutes. Well, while the DA300 hasn't been used a whole lot and while it is a very fine optic.... I'm not paying Ricoh to fix their "F" up. The focusing mechanisms in the DA lenses appears to be a great teaching aid in Engineering college's of how not to design an electromechanical focusing mechanism. I "may" get the DA50-135 converted as its so reasonable cost wise and because there isn't any other quality crop sensor zoom in that focal range available to replace it. If the DA300 craps out it goes to the dump and I'll save up and buy the lens I really wanted, the Sigma 300 f2.8 which is both optically great and always focuses. Having said all of that, I really like all of my Pentax gear especially the FA lenses along with my DA16-50 which is a great lens and so far has worked/focused every time but one out of three lenses working isn't enough justification to invest any more money into DA lenses.. Great photo by the way. Shows how good the DA*50-135 glass really is... Bob