Pentax DA* 70-200 f2.8 Focus Issue

Tricktech · 11-01-2018, 08:15 PM

Right in the middle of a shoot, the lens stopped catching focus, tried other lenses on my K-1 with no problems, put the lens on my K-3, no focus lock. Hunts, but wont catch lock.

Known issue? Is there a fix?

**Paul the Sunman** · 11-01-2018, 10:24 PM

Just to be sure: you didn't move the focus lock?

I find dust or dirt on the front element can affect focus, especially in bright sunlight.

**hyyz** · 11-02-2018, 05:13 AM

Maybe check the focus limiter on the lens. If your object is out of range allowed by your limiter setting, it can't get focus.

**kmarceau** · 11-02-2018, 05:50 AM

Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. I checked all of the lens focus switches to make sure I had not (accidentally)moved anything. My other lenses worked fine. I put the 70-200 on my K3 and experienced the same problem. Focus kept hunting without locking in. At times it would lock briefly but quickly go out of focus. Still under warranty so I brought to Precision Camera in Enfield. They said I would have it back in a week. I called this past Monday and now they are telling me that my lens has to "go back to the factory" for repair - whatever that means

**aslyfox** · 11-02-2018, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by kmarceau

Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. I checked all of the lens focus switches to make sure I had not (accidentally)moved anything. My other lenses worked fine. I put the 70-200 on my K3 and experienced the same problem. Focus kept hunting without locking in. At times it would lock briefly but quickly go out of focus. Still under warranty so I brought to Precision Camera in Enfield. They said I would have it back in a week. I called this past Monday and now they are telling me that my lens has to "go back to the factory" for repair - whatever that means

mine wouldn't focus at all

sent to Precision a month ago

told it had to go to Japan, told it was sent a week ago

D FA* 70-200mm repair information needed - PentaxForums.com

mikesbike · 11-02-2018, 07:57 AM

Wow- 3 people having this lens obviously having a serious AF defect develop of the same nature! That is unusual, especially among pro-level lenses. There's yet another thread in the SLR lens section, but it appears in his case to be a matter of fine AF tuning with his camera.

**aslyfox** · 11-02-2018, 09:19 AM

UPDATE:

contacted Precision again today 11/2 regarding my HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW which was received by Precision on Oct 5

it was sent to Japan on 10/25

they confirmed that the lens arrived in Japan on 10/31

normal process is the review and estimate of cost of repair sent to Precision who will then contact me

hopefully I will learn something in the next 10 days they say

Tricktech · 11-05-2018, 04:56 PM

On one hand, glad to hear I am not alone, on the other, I’m not happy it sounds like an extended repair process

Tricktech · 03-23-2019, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

UPDATE:

contacted Precision again today 11/2 regarding my HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW which was received by Precision on Oct 5

it was sent to Japan on 10/25

they confirmed that the lens arrived in Japan on 10/31

normal process is the review and estimate of cost of repair sent to Precision who will then contact me

hopefully I will learn something in the next 10 days they say

Did you get your lens back?, a replacement?... still dont have it?

**aslyfox** · 03-23-2019, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Tricktech

Did you get your lens back?, a replacement?... still dont have it?

thanks for the inquiry

I put updated info in this thread

D FA* 70-200mm repair information needed - PentaxForums.com

but not here

I had it repaired and have had it back for a while and sad to report, it still suffers from " operator error " as does my other equipment

11-01-2018, 08:15 PM	#1
Tricktech Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Appleton, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 121	*Pentax DA 70-200 f2.8 Focus Issue** Right in the middle of a shoot, the lens stopped catching focus, tried other lenses on my K-1 with no problems, put the lens on my K-3, no focus lock. Hunts, but wont catch lock. Known issue? Is there a fix?

11-02-2018, 05:50 AM	#4
kmarceau Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New England Posts: 57	Same Here Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. I checked all of the lens focus switches to make sure I had not (accidentally)moved anything. My other lenses worked fine. I put the 70-200 on my K3 and experienced the same problem. Focus kept hunting without locking in. At times it would lock briefly but quickly go out of focus. Still under warranty so I brought to Precision Camera in Enfield. They said I would have it back in a week. I called this past Monday and now they are telling me that my lens has to "go back to the factory" for repair - whatever that means

03-23-2019, 03:11 PM	#10
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,252	Originally posted by Tricktech Did you get your lens back?, a replacement?... still dont have it? thanks for the inquiry I put updated info in this thread D FA* 70-200mm repair information needed - PentaxForums.com but not here I had it repaired and have had it back for a while and sad to report, it still suffers from " operator error " as does my other equipment other than that no problems Last edited by aslyfox; 03-23-2019 at 03:17 PM.

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11-01-2018, 10:24 PM	#2
Paul the Sunman Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,277	Just to be sure: you didn't move the focus lock? I find dust or dirt on the front element can affect focus, especially in bright sunlight.

11-02-2018, 05:13 AM	#3
hyyz Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 469	Maybe check the focus limiter on the lens. If your object is out of range allowed by your limiter setting, it can't get focus.

11-02-2018, 06:03 AM	#5
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,252	Originally posted by kmarceau Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. I checked all of the lens focus switches to make sure I had not (accidentally)moved anything. My other lenses worked fine. I put the 70-200 on my K3 and experienced the same problem. Focus kept hunting without locking in. At times it would lock briefly but quickly go out of focus. Still under warranty so I brought to Precision Camera in Enfield. They said I would have it back in a week. I called this past Monday and now they are telling me that my lens has to "go back to the factory" for repair - whatever that means mine wouldn't focus at all sent to Precision a month ago told it had to go to Japan, told it was sent a week ago D FA* 70-200mm repair information needed - PentaxForums.com

11-02-2018, 07:57 AM	#6
mikesbike Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 3,926	Wow- 3 people having this lens obviously having a serious AF defect develop of the same nature! That is unusual, especially among pro-level lenses. There's yet another thread in the SLR lens section, but it appears in his case to be a matter of fine AF tuning with his camera.

11-02-2018, 09:19 AM	#7
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,252	UPDATE: contacted Precision again today 11/2 regarding my HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW which was received by Precision on Oct 5 it was sent to Japan on 10/25 they confirmed that the lens arrived in Japan on 10/31 normal process is the review and estimate of cost of repair sent to Precision who will then contact me hopefully I will learn something in the next 10 days they say

11-05-2018, 04:56 PM	#8
Tricktech Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Appleton, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 121 Original Poster	On one hand, glad to hear I am not alone, on the other, I’m not happy it sounds like an extended repair process

03-23-2019, 11:21 AM	#9
Tricktech Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Appleton, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 121 Original Poster	Originally posted by aslyfox UPDATE: contacted Precision again today 11/2 regarding my HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW which was received by Precision on Oct 5 it was sent to Japan on 10/25 they confirmed that the lens arrived in Japan on 10/31 normal process is the review and estimate of cost of repair sent to Precision who will then contact me hopefully I will learn something in the next 10 days they say Did you get your lens back?, a replacement?... still dont have it?

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