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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-04-2016, 01:49 PM
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This problem all started when I was using single point.
1. It's not related to f/8 because it also happens with the f/5.6 300mm DA + 1.4x combination.
2. That it works first time after turning on the camera and then doesn't work, suggests a firmware problem rather that a basic failure.
3. This is a problem that has happened over the past couple of weeks. It did not happen during the first 60,000+ photos I took with this K-3, many of which were with either the DA 300mm or the 150-450mm both with and without the 1.4x.
It could be an aging issue. Or it could be some dirt has gotten into a vital area interfering with the AF (but see #2 above).
Time to take searching for repair options seriously.
Dave
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-04-2016, 10:54 AM
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What I don't like is that it goes to the short end and then gives up. It means that shooting at a moving object in the sky is a tough proposition. Perhaps I should try using a preset that forces it to infinity.
Dave
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-04-2016, 08:49 AM
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Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I have some more data points having again gone to Allenhurst this morning.
1. I decided to take the 1.4x out of the equation by shooting without it.
2. I switched the lens to the 6m - ∞ setting (since my main interest was birds in flight).
3. I switched to 27 AF points as you suggested.
As for dust, I've been running the dust removal action on startup since I acquired the camera. I ran it a few extra times this morning. I'm a bit reluctant to actually poke around inside the camera.
The bottom line is that although things seemed a bit better, I still have the problem.
So, I tried an experiment:
1. I changed the lens back to full focusing range.
2. I switched off the camera and manually adjusted the focus ring to the 6.6 feet end.
3. I pointed the camera at some rocks about 40 yards away and held the shutter half down. It focused correctly and quickly.
4. Without turning the camera off, I manually adjusted the focus ring again to the 6.6 feet end.
5. I pointed at the same rocks. It would not focus. Would not move from the 6.6 feet setting.
When I got home, I repeated the experiment using some trees a hundred yards from our front steps. Same result.
So, I tried the lens with my wife's K-x using the same experiment with the same trees. And the lens worked with the K-x.
So, it looks like the camera is the problem.
I think I need to look into repair services in the New Jersey area.
Dave
---------- Post added 02-04-2016 at 10:56 AM ----------
biz-engineer: I've just seen your reply. Sorry to hear you also have a similar problem.
I'll see what happens with my DA-300.
Wow! Looks like we do have the same problem. With the TC & DA-300, the K-3 won't focus with 27 points selected but worked like a charm with single point.
Dave
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-03-2016, 12:41 PM
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I'm suddenly having autofocus problems. It is most likely to happen when I'm trying to shoot birds in flight at the shore. This morning, for example, a Northern Gannet flew by as I was standing on the jetty at Allenhurst, NJ. I was pointing directly at the bird (as can been seen by the position in the frame of the smudge against the light background) yet the camera (K3) would not focus with the 1.4x HD and 150-450 lens. This seems to be a new phenomenon that has just started happening in the last couple of weeks. The lens shifts all the way to the short end of the range and refuses to shift even if I then point at something only a few feet away.
The problem was also happening when I tried to grab some photos of Sanderlings on the beach. If I was pointing at the featureless beach the AF would go to the 6 feet setting and stick there. I found that if I pointed to the ground a short way in front of me, I could then get the AF to work by slowly tilting the camera away from me so that the distance slowly increased.
Thinking that perhaps the 1.4x HD was affecting things, I removed it and still had the problem, so it's either the camera or the lens (or some weirdness about the combination).
This afternoon, I went back to Allenhurst with my Sigma 150-500 instead of the 150-450. And the behavior was similar in that if I failed to point directly at the bird, the focus would go to the short end of the range, but it didn't get stuck there like the 150-450. I have taken upwards of 70,000 images with my K-3, so perhaps it's just exhibiting old age, but my sense is that this is more of a lens problem than a camera problem.
Settings:
K-3 camera
TAv mode
AF active area: Spot ( I experimented with the 9-spots setting but it made no difference)
Menu C3 15-18 are all set to 1.
I had the AF button set to AF1 which should allow either the shutter release or the AF button to be used for focusing. I had basically forgotten that I had done this, so possibly this is the problem.
Lens
1.4x HD installed
Preset button set to AF
Focus range set to Full
Mode button set to QFS/A
I just tried some experiments with the AF button switched off and it was fairly easy to reproduce the problem by pointing at some of the remaining snow banks. Hmm: I should try that with the Sigma, too. Same problem.
I'm starting to suspect it's the camera showing its age or perhaps I'm just expecting too much.
Is anyone else seeing anything like this?
Can anyone suggest a remedy? Or some experiments to perform to narrow down the cause of the problem?
Thanks,
Dave
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