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rollin · 03-15-2010, 04:43 PM

Since I got the new DA* 50 - 135 SDM, I haven't put it down. Its just such a great lens, and everything works perfectly. Today I went out with all my gear, and when I put the kit lens on, in auto focus, it jogs quickly back and forth and doesn't lock onto anything. I thought it might be the lens so I tried another regular lens in autofocus, and it does the exact same thing. But the 50 - 135 still works fine... What am I missing or what can I try to get this back to normal??? Appreciate the help..

Rollin

JeffJS · 03-15-2010, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by rollin

Since I got the new DA* 50 - 135 SDM, I haven't put it down. Its just such a great lens, and everything works perfectly. Today I went out with all my gear, and when I put the kit lens on, in auto focus, it jogs quickly back and forth and doesn't lock onto anything. I thought it might be the lens so I tried another regular lens in autofocus, and it does the exact same thing. But the 50 - 135 still works fine... What am I missing or what can I try to get this back to normal??? Appreciate the help..

Rollin

Never heard of that one.. It's usually the other way around.. I assume that your 50-135 is locking on focus correct? In addition to the Kit lens, what other lens is doing this?

You could go through the usual, resetting the camera, make sure you are using the correct focus point, are you in AF-S or AF-C? Things like that.

stumped

Kryosphinx · 03-15-2010, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by rollin

Since I got the new DA* 50 - 135 SDM, I haven't put it down. Its just such a great lens, and everything works perfectly. Today I went out with all my gear, and when I put the kit lens on, in auto focus, it jogs quickly back and forth and doesn't lock onto anything. I thought it might be the lens so I tried another regular lens in autofocus, and it does the exact same thing. But the 50 - 135 still works fine... What am I missing or what can I try to get this back to normal??? Appreciate the help..

Rollin

I've got the same problem!! I have no idea what's wrong. I've also got the K200d, but I've not tried any SDM lenses to see if that works.

Does anyone know how to reflash the firmware? I suspect this is a firmware/software issue, not a hardware one.

Ole · 03-15-2010, 05:16 PM

Try to work the MF/AF switch a couple of times to make sure that the screw drive is properly engaged.

aleonx3 · 03-15-2010, 05:22 PM

Did you check the setting on the camera -AF.S or AF.C?

rollin · 03-15-2010, 05:24 PM

I also tried my quantaray 70 - 300 with no luck.. played with the tab on the back of the lens, made sure the lens' were locked in.. its on spot focus and single frame shooting.. might bring it in tomorrow and see if Henry's has ever seen this.. the pentax guy there used to work for Pentax and if I get it resolved before anyone finds a cure, I'll let you all in!!!

Kryosphinx · 03-15-2010, 05:28 PM

I've tried just about every possible setting variation, setting resets, removing batteries for a while, all sorts of shenanigans.

So far, the only solution is to use manual focus. With Pentax's old manual primes, it isn't so bad. :P

LeDave · 03-15-2010, 06:02 PM

Since the 50-135 is SDM, it could be a screw-drive problem.

Peter Zack · 03-15-2010, 06:10 PM

Like LeDave said. Do you hear the screw drive working? This is a new one on me...

**jbinpg** · 03-15-2010, 06:41 PM

The way I stuff my K20D in and out of my bag, I often move the AF selector off centerpoint focus. Which sometimes leads to symptoms such as you describe. Another thing to check.

rollin · 03-16-2010, 04:24 AM

I've played with the af/ mf switch, and nothing. The K200 doesnt let you choose which autofocus point to use, only spot, semi matrix or matrix. It almost seems like the drive is stuck between two points. It jogs back and forth extremely quick but only moves about a 1/4 inch. it does this about 4 times and then the focus lock light just blinks.

Maybe I'll just have to buy all SDM lenses?!!!! lol

Sonnyboy · 03-16-2010, 04:36 AM

Originally posted by rollin

The K200 doesnt let you choose which autofocus point to use, only spot, semi matrix or matrix.

On K200D, press the menu button, then third option down. Then middle choice. There you go, you can now choose your focus point with your "arrows" buttons.

If you have set option 12 (custom settings) accordingly, you can even have the focus point go automatically back to center by pressing the OK button.

Hope that helps.

Ben_Edict · 03-16-2010, 04:53 AM

Originally posted by rollin

I've played with the af/ mf switch, and nothing. The K200 doesnt let you choose which autofocus point to use, only spot, semi matrix or matrix. It almost seems like the drive is stuck between two points. It jogs back and forth extremely quick but only moves about a 1/4 inch. it does this about 4 times and then the focus lock light just blinks.

Maybe I'll just have to buy all SDM lenses?!!!! lol

"only spot, semi matrix or matrix" - these are NOT AF-modes, but only exposure metering modes. I guess, you may have selected an AF point way off the center inadvertently, as others already pointed out.

Ben

rollin · 03-16-2010, 06:39 AM

well, I didnt know you could choose your focus point.. cool!!! (I even read a review in a magazine and they said the same thing!) And metering modes, yes I stand corrected.. but this still doesn't solve the autofocus problem unfortunately!!! I sent a message to Pentax Canada with the problem, and I may go see the pentax guy here in town..
I learned something new today!!!

Timtast1c · 03-16-2010, 12:20 PM

There is another thread with the same issue

I myself had the same thing happen for a few days where all of my screwdrive lenses went crazy! they would move to and from the focus extremes constantly without locking focus (ktilens, da40, da 10-17). All of my SDM (50-135. 16-50, and 300) lenses worked fine. fortunately and oddly the problem completely dissappeared a mere 3 days later as I contemplated repair/ replacement.

Sorry i dont have more to offer...but I guess you never know..it might resolve itself.

03-15-2010, 04:43 PM	#1
rollin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 88	Pentax guys I need your help.. Since I got the new DA* 50 - 135 SDM, I haven't put it down. Its just such a great lens, and everything works perfectly. Today I went out with all my gear, and when I put the kit lens on, in auto focus, it jogs quickly back and forth and doesn't lock onto anything. I thought it might be the lens so I tried another regular lens in autofocus, and it does the exact same thing. But the 50 - 135 still works fine... What am I missing or what can I try to get this back to normal??? Appreciate the help.. Rollin

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03-15-2010, 05:06 PM	#2
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by rollin Since I got the new DA* 50 - 135 SDM, I haven't put it down. Its just such a great lens, and everything works perfectly. Today I went out with all my gear, and when I put the kit lens on, in auto focus, it jogs quickly back and forth and doesn't lock onto anything. I thought it might be the lens so I tried another regular lens in autofocus, and it does the exact same thing. But the 50 - 135 still works fine... What am I missing or what can I try to get this back to normal??? Appreciate the help.. Rollin Never heard of that one.. It's usually the other way around.. I assume that your 50-135 is locking on focus correct? In addition to the Kit lens, what other lens is doing this? You could go through the usual, resetting the camera, make sure you are using the correct focus point, are you in AF-S or AF-C? Things like that. stumped

03-15-2010, 05:13 PM	#3
Kryosphinx Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 129	Originally posted by rollin Since I got the new DA* 50 - 135 SDM, I haven't put it down. Its just such a great lens, and everything works perfectly. Today I went out with all my gear, and when I put the kit lens on, in auto focus, it jogs quickly back and forth and doesn't lock onto anything. I thought it might be the lens so I tried another regular lens in autofocus, and it does the exact same thing. But the 50 - 135 still works fine... What am I missing or what can I try to get this back to normal??? Appreciate the help.. Rollin I've got the same problem!! I have no idea what's wrong. I've also got the K200d, but I've not tried any SDM lenses to see if that works. Does anyone know how to reflash the firmware? I suspect this is a firmware/software issue, not a hardware one.

03-15-2010, 05:16 PM	#4
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,409	Try to work the MF/AF switch a couple of times to make sure that the screw drive is properly engaged.

03-15-2010, 05:22 PM	#5
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Did you check the setting on the camera -AF.S or AF.C?

03-15-2010, 05:24 PM	#6
rollin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 88 Original Poster	I also tried my quantaray 70 - 300 with no luck.. played with the tab on the back of the lens, made sure the lens' were locked in.. its on spot focus and single frame shooting.. might bring it in tomorrow and see if Henry's has ever seen this.. the pentax guy there used to work for Pentax and if I get it resolved before anyone finds a cure, I'll let you all in!!!

03-15-2010, 05:28 PM	#7
Kryosphinx Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 129	I've tried just about every possible setting variation, setting resets, removing batteries for a while, all sorts of shenanigans. So far, the only solution is to use manual focus. With Pentax's old manual primes, it isn't so bad. :P

03-15-2010, 06:02 PM	#8
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Since the 50-135 is SDM, it could be a screw-drive problem.

03-15-2010, 06:10 PM	#9
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Like LeDave said. Do you hear the screw drive working? This is a new one on me...

03-15-2010, 06:41 PM	#10
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	The way I stuff my K20D in and out of my bag, I often move the AF selector off centerpoint focus. Which sometimes leads to symptoms such as you describe. Another thing to check.

03-16-2010, 04:24 AM	#11
rollin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 88 Original Poster	I've played with the af/ mf switch, and nothing. The K200 doesnt let you choose which autofocus point to use, only spot, semi matrix or matrix. It almost seems like the drive is stuck between two points. It jogs back and forth extremely quick but only moves about a 1/4 inch. it does this about 4 times and then the focus lock light just blinks. Maybe I'll just have to buy all SDM lenses?!!!! lol

03-16-2010, 04:36 AM	#12
Sonnyboy New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Prague Posts: 11	Originally posted by rollin The K200 doesnt let you choose which autofocus point to use, only spot, semi matrix or matrix. On K200D, press the menu button, then third option down. Then middle choice. There you go, you can now choose your focus point with your "arrows" buttons. If you have set option 12 (custom settings) accordingly, you can even have the focus point go automatically back to center by pressing the OK button. Hope that helps.

03-16-2010, 04:53 AM	#13
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by rollin I've played with the af/ mf switch, and nothing. The K200 doesnt let you choose which autofocus point to use, only spot, semi matrix or matrix. It almost seems like the drive is stuck between two points. It jogs back and forth extremely quick but only moves about a 1/4 inch. it does this about 4 times and then the focus lock light just blinks. Maybe I'll just have to buy all SDM lenses?!!!! lol "only spot, semi matrix or matrix" - these are NOT AF-modes, but only exposure metering modes. I guess, you may have selected an AF point way off the center inadvertently, as others already pointed out. Ben

03-16-2010, 06:39 AM	#14
rollin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 88 Original Poster	well, I didnt know you could choose your focus point.. cool!!! (I even read a review in a magazine and they said the same thing!) And metering modes, yes I stand corrected.. but this still doesn't solve the autofocus problem unfortunately!!! I sent a message to Pentax Canada with the problem, and I may go see the pentax guy here in town.. I learned something new today!!!

03-16-2010, 12:20 PM	#15
Timtast1c Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 330	There is another thread with the same issue I myself had the same thing happen for a few days where all of my screwdrive lenses went crazy! they would move to and from the focus extremes constantly without locking focus (ktilens, da40, da 10-17). All of my SDM (50-135. 16-50, and 300) lenses worked fine. fortunately and oddly the problem completely dissappeared a mere 3 days later as I contemplated repair/ replacement. Sorry i dont have more to offer...but I guess you never know..it might resolve itself.

Pentax guys I need your help..

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