Auto-Focus problem caused by K100D or by user?

I'm really hoping someone can help a frustrated new owner of a K100D out -

Just received my K100D last week and decided to take it out for some very early morning pics. Numerous times I would press the shutter release button half way down and the focus indicator would light up. I would then attempt to push the shutter button the rest of the way down but nothing would happen.

It was very early morning, outside and most of the problems were in heavy wooded areas with a lot of shade. I realize that low-light conditions can be a problem with Auto-Focus, but even little point and shoots I've owned in the past never had this kind of issue. This has been happening intermittently since I received the camera but this morning was the worst.

I guess I have 2 main questions -

1. The focus indicator was on and not blinking - doesn't this mean that the camera is focused and it should allow me to shoot?

2. How can I determine if this is a "camera issue" or a "user issue"?

I am very new to the DSLR world so my money would be on "user issue" but I want to make sure before the return period ends from the camera shop where I purchased.

Any suggestions for testing if the Auto-focus is functioning correctly? Would REALLY appreciate any help!!!!

I can't think offhand what's happening, if the AF shows locked, i.e. solid not blinking, then you can take a shot 100% of the time. If there's nothing to focus on then the focus mechanism usually hits the end stops rather obviously with 2 thuds and gives up with the AF lock indicator blinking.

The only time I've had nonsensical AF behaviour was the day I got the camera when I was trying out what turned out to be unsuitable (old) NiMh batteries with a high internal resistance.

Thanks much for the reply - appreciate it.

Your comments about batteries is interesting. One thing I didn't mention is that my battery indicator light was also acting a little strange, one minute it would show almost empty and the next full. hmmmm...

Maybe there's a connection? I'm using NiMH 2000's, I know the manual states to use 2500's but I believe the only difference is storage capacity.

What's your charger? How old are the batteries? There is more of a concern than just storage. When current flows from a battery, voltage drops. Lower capacity, old or poorly charged batteries can result in a lower instantaneous voltage than the camera can operate from, resulting in odd problems.

If you are going to use NiMH batteries, get good ones - high capacity, quality ones such as Powerex 2700s. And for a charger, consider the Maha C-204W. These are excellent products and worth the money.
(Look at http://www.thomasdistributing.com/ )

In the meanwhile, buy one set of lithium AAs or two CR-V3s and see how things work.

Rick

camperguy01 said:

Maybe there's a connection? I'm using NiMH 2000's, I know the
manual states to use 2500's but I believe the only difference is
storage capacity.

Click to expand...

I've been using 1700's that are about 3 years old ... not many shots per charge but it works.

Barney

I use 2700mah nimh's and they work great, but when the batteries get low they have similar problems to your description. The battery indicator will act strange and the shutter won't always work. My suggestion like the others is to get some trusted batteries (non rechargeable)CRV3s or good AA's. If this fixes it, buy new NIMH's with higher capacity.
--



http://www.pbase.com/jcphotos

WHy not try a set of lithium CRV3s in order to determine if it's a battery issue or a camera issue. As others have said, once the focus indicator lights up, you should be able to snap the picture.

I've also occasionally noticed that my battery indicator will go back a forth occasionally, I don't think that's anything to worry about.

b> Just received my K100D last week and decided to take it out for

camperguy01 said:

some very early morning pics. Numerous times I would press the
shutter release button half way down and the focus indicator would
light up. I would then attempt to push the shutter button the rest
of the way down but nothing would happen.

It was very early morning, outside and most of the problems were in
heavy wooded areas with a lot of shade. I realize that low-light
conditions can be a problem with Auto-Focus, but even little point
and shoots I've owned in the past never had this kind of issue.
This has been happening intermittently since I received the camera
but this morning was the worst.

I guess I have 2 main questions -

1. The focus indicator was on and not blinking - doesn't this mean
that the camera is focused and it should allow me to shoot?

2. How can I determine if this is a "camera issue" or a "user issue"?

I am very new to the DSLR world so my money would be on "user
issue" but I want to make sure before the return period ends from
the camera shop where I purchased.

Any suggestions for testing if the Auto-focus is functioning
correctly? Would REALLY appreciate any help!!!!

Click to expand...

--



Kristian Farren
http://kf3.net

Are you using a lens with an aperature ring not set on A?

If you haven't changed the custom function it will nor release.

Yes, I've got 1700mAh Olympus (made by Sanyo I believe) NiMh's that work fine, Uniross 2000's that also work fine, but 2 sets of Uniross 2100's cause either non-startup or peculiar problems. New Energizer 2500's are the best by far out of my collection (800+ shots on a fresh charge), a borrowed set of new Duracell 2500's seemed good as well.

Thanks much for the replies.

I went out and purchased some new batteries last night - XtraPower Pro. Hopefully that will help.

The lens is the kit lens - DA 18-55mm - no aperture ring.

SteveB said:

Yes, I've got 1700mAh Olympus (made by Sanyo I believe) NiMh's that
work fine, Uniross 2000's that also work fine, but 2 sets of
Uniross 2100's cause either non-startup or peculiar problems.

Click to expand...

not impressed with Uniross, had problems myself too

RP

Well, I think I've decided to exchange it (so glad I purchased from B & H).
Pretty bummed out after waiting all this time for it.....

I really think I have a bad copy. About 5% to 10% of the shots I'm attempting to take show the focus indicator is lit but the camera is still not allowing me to take the shot. If the focus indicator was blinking or not being displayed I could understand but it should let me take the shot regardless of exposure if the focus light is solid....

Thanks again to everyone who replied.....

Good luck !

One last thought, you're not filling the buffer are you ? If you fire off a bunch of pictures in quick succession you'll have to pause while the camera writes to the memory card.

Great question but no. Just taking one pic at a time.

Thanks for the reply.

I also use 4 sets of 1700mAh's, not many shots per set but it works, now trying new 2100mAh's, hopefully they last longer.

As for focussing problems: i have it to (istDL). IMO the focussing didn't go 100%: just refocus and the shot can be made. Happens when it is 'to dark' (inside).
The cam 'locks', protects against out-of-focus shots.

Looks alike the menu setting: allow shot while flash is loading. If disabled no shot can be taken before flash is loaded.

Is an aperature value shown?

Just wondering if there may be a lens coupling problem that is making so the contact isn't always working properly.

It may be as simple as the shutter switch is damaged.

Yes an aperture value is displayed everytime in the viewfinder. Good thought process though!

I just wish the problem was more consistent so I could narrow down the cause.

Thanks for replying. Hearing others opinions really helps. Makes sense. Some of the shots I'm taking though are without flash, so no need to wait for flash to re-charge.

One of the other frustrations with this is that yes this problem is happening in what I would call "lower - light" situations but not really "low - light", if that makes any sense. For example early morning pics outside. Yes it's not high-noon but I'd hardly describe morning, outdoor shots as "low-light".

Don't be offended at my question, but after you're AF light is 'locked in' are you releasing your finger from the button and then pressing it again or are you going from half-way down to fully down?

I only ask this because you said you were very new to dslr and doing this would be consistent with the problem you describe. I can't think of any other user issue that would give you this problem.