Reading mode: Light Dark

X-T1 manual focusing

Go to last post
S

SparkyF986

Member
Messages
27
Solutions
1
Reaction score
1
Location
UK
I have had some trouble when manually focusing. In this mode when I turn the focusing ring to activate the lens stepper-motor, the focus position will sometimes jump quite large amounts, and sometimes it would move very small amounts which is what you would expect.

This inconsistent behaviour, which occurs even when the ring is turned very slowly, happens always (and only) when the focusing ring is reversed in turn direction, the first 'click' of the ring produces a large jump in position, subsequent 'clicks' result in only small movements.

I would like to know: has anyone else discovered this behaviour or is it peculiar to my copy of the X-T1 system, in which case I need to have the camera or the lenses serviced? It happens with all my XF prime lenses, including the 60mm f/1.4, 35mm F/1.4 and the 23mm F1.4 - and is particularly severe with the 23mm.

My current 'work around' is to turn the ring only in one direction and not to use the usual method for mechanically-coupled lenses (XF lenses being drive-by-wire, not mechanically coupled) of 'forward a bit, backward a bit' until best focus is found.

I would be glad of any feedback or information about other people's findings with manual focusing accuracy and behaviour.
 
Solution
S
As promised, I am updating this forum now that the camera and 23mm F1.4 lens have had a trip to Fujifilm's UK service department.

The response from there is that the behaviour I described in the initial post does occur with my kit and also - after testing - proved to be typical of all their X-T1 cameras and lenses. They are forwarding the matter to Fujifilm Japan and hoping that a subsequent firmware update will cure this.

So, is it a problem for the X-T1 user wishing to manual focus at close distance?

My opinion is that it is sufficiently troublesome using the 23mm F1.4 lens that I shall not use the 'to and fro' method of finding the precise focus position - reversing the direction of turn of the focusing ring in the vicinity of my'...
Check if You have the actual Firmware for Your Camera and Lenses Installed.
 
Last edited:
It sounds like excessive backlash in the mechanism. It seems odd that it would be happening in multiple lenses. I have the 14, 23 and 56mm primes (although the 56mm is not a clutched focus mechanism like the other two). None of those lenses exhibit the issue you describe.

Steve
 
Thank you Carsten. Yes, I have the latest firmware for each lens and also the camera; in fact, I re-installed that for the camera (vers. 1.1) as I wondered if that was the fault.
 
With the 23mm F1.4, that's by design since in AF mode the lens's distance setting could be anywhere, but when you click it and move it manually, the lens setting must now conform to the distance values printed on the lens barrel. So when you first start to move it, the camera has to move the lens focus setting from wherever it was in AF mode to the value printed on the barrel.

Joe
 
Last edited:
Same here no problem with 18 35 60 18-55 55-200
 
I'm not quite sure if your explanation applies only to when first starting to make movements in manual focus mode or, more generally, at any subsequent stage. It is the latter that I experience - each and every time the direction of movement is reversed. So, if I think I have overshot the ideal position slightly and try to go back just a very small distance I will actually get a large adjustment - more than I want and taking me further from the ideal point than before!

I have queried this behaviour of the X-T1 with the Fujifilm Technical department, I will update when I have a reply (not yet after 1 week).
 
Last edited:
As promised, I am updating this forum now that the camera and 23mm F1.4 lens have had a trip to Fujifilm's UK service department.

The response from there is that the behaviour I described in the initial post does occur with my kit and also - after testing - proved to be typical of all their X-T1 cameras and lenses. They are forwarding the matter to Fujifilm Japan and hoping that a subsequent firmware update will cure this.

So, is it a problem for the X-T1 user wishing to manual focus at close distance?

My opinion is that it is sufficiently troublesome using the 23mm F1.4 lens that I shall not use the 'to and fro' method of finding the precise focus position - reversing the direction of turn of the focusing ring in the vicinity of my' ideal' position results in an unacceptable focus movement. Instead, I shall approach my 'ideal' position from one direction only. This is quite workable, if sometimes a bit slower.

For the 35mm and 60mm lenses, I find the issue is less of a problem. The option to proceed as with the 23mm lens is always there if needed.

Thanks to all who have done their own investigations, I am happy that some of you did not experience what I have found.
 
Solution
Thanks for flagging this - it was something puzzling me with the 56 in manual around MFD that I never really got my head around. It was taking me on a little quantum leap and was a bit disorienting.
 
It took me quite some time to discover what was happening and, in the end, it was boring old systematic testing that revealed it.

Incidentally, up to now it seems that you and I are the only ones who are having this issue, at least from those few who have posted here. I'm not sure how that fits with Fujifilm Service finding it happening with all their lenses.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top