Panasonic stuck in MF (no switch on lens, and camera switch does nothing)

Hello,

Since this afternoon, my Panasonic G7 is stuck in Manual Focus. I was actually shooting when it happened... shot a few things in AF, switched to MF, then 5 minutes later tried back AF, and ... well nothing...

No there is no clutch or switch on the lens (i tried changing lenses, happened with the 42.5 f1.7, then i tried the kit lens 12-60 f3.5-5.6), yes i used the switch on the camera, no it is not AF/AE locked, i checked multiple times. I tried resetting the camera a few times, nothing.

I can't access any of the focus related settings, aside from the "custom" menu (so i can't access the AFS/AFF setting in "Rec", and i can't access focus options from my Q. menu either).

What i noticed since it happened is that on my screen, next to my quality presets (fine, fine+raw, etc...) is MF instead of AFS (or AFS depending), and it stays stuck on MF. There is also the rectangle (?) to show where you touch focus is set to which i can move, and the little [AF] bottom right to trigger the AF.

Checked my settings multiple times, didn't find anything wrong or unusual, i've been on it for probably 2 hours now. I've searched on internet and found 2 topics on another website, but posts were unanswered, so ...

If a good soul could give me some help, i'd be really thankful.

Have a nice day 

Are the lens contacts in the mount clean and dry?
If you're desperate enough, did you try a factory reset of the camera?

I don't have enough familiarity with the G7 to tell (I have GX85 which has no physical MF switch), but is your camera's current behavior consistent with how it behaves if your camera has the switch on "MF"?

If so, maybe your AF switch is stuck or has something lodged into it or it's dirty. Usually such fixes would involve first removing all power (in this case take out battery). Try toggling switch back and forth a couple times.

If you have electronics cleaner spray, it can be used if there is a gap that allows it to get in between the switch (however, make sure you have it angled so that any excess runs off outside the camera body, not inside, where it can't get out). Usually this is used to exposed contacts however, given it's hard to tell if it has dried yet if the switch contact is not exposed. Switch can be toggled while using it to clear out any foreign material that may be stuck on the switch contact.

After waiting a sufficient enough time for it to dry, restore power (insert battery) and try the switch again with power on to see if it's working.

Dznk wrote:

Hello,

Since this afternoon, my Panasonic G7 is stuck in Manual Focus. I was actually shooting when it happened... shot a few things in AF, switched to MF, then 5 minutes later tried back AF, and ... well nothing...

No there is no clutch or switch on the lens (i tried changing lenses, happened with the 42.5 f1.7, then i tried the kit lens 12-60 f3.5-5.6), yes i used the switch on the camera, no it is not AF/AE locked, i checked multiple times. I tried resetting the camera a few times, nothing.

I can't access any of the focus related settings, aside from the "custom" menu (so i can't access the AFS/AFF setting in "Rec", and i can't access focus options from my Q. menu either).

What i noticed since it happened is that on my screen, next to my quality presets (fine, fine+raw, etc...) is MF instead of AFS (or AFS depending), and it stays stuck on MF. There is also the rectangle (?) to show where you touch focus is set to which i can move, and the little [AF] bottom right to trigger the AF.

Checked my settings multiple times, didn't find anything wrong or unusual, i've been on it for probably 2 hours now. I've searched on internet and found 2 topics on another website, but posts were unanswered, so ...

If a good soul could give me some help, i'd be really thankful.

Have a nice day

when you see the option to use Touch AF to select focus, and you can use One Touch AF (IIRC the term) to do AF once, basically G7 recognised your lens. These options are a viable to M43 lenses in MF mode. If G7 cannot recognise your lens (i.e. regard it as a MF lens) these Touch operations will not available.

It ruled out my first thought that when you mounted the lens, or go whatever reason you press the lens release key and so the lens had not been sitting properly. So a loose contact.

Factory reset will not reinstate your Drive mode from MF to AF. If you sure on drive dial you are not in MF, might try to take out the battery for a few minutes to see could the problem be solved. Sometimes after certain time our camera might be oxidized etc that might see temporary hardware crash.

Wasabi Bob wrote:

JakeJY wrote:

If you have electronics cleaner spray, it can be used if there is a gap that allows it to get in between the switch (however, make sure you have it angled so that any excess runs off outside the camera body, not inside, where it can't get out).

NO!

You don't want to introduce the possibility of any liquid into the lens interior.

Try another lens - if it acts the same than time to have it evaluated by Service.

I'm not talking about the lens, but the switch on the body. The OP already said there is no MF switch on the lens (nor would I suggest using liquid for the lens).

I looked at the service manual and disassembly guide for the G7 before suggesting this. The switch is on the rear board and it's separated from the sensor by the main circuit board and a couple plates. Electronic cleaner spray is safe for circuit boards as long as they are unpowered and you allow enough time for it to dry off.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4268617

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-download/panasonic-service-manual

Dznk wrote:

Aside from the persistent rectangle, it’s behaving exactly like in MF

I tried some electronic cleaner spray, moved the switch a few times, gave it time to dry, nothing.

I presume you are talking about the switch on the body. If so, then I'm all out of ideas. Maybe time for service to look at it.

As other mentioned, the spray should not be used on the lens.

Dznk wrote:

Also, when i searched the internet for an answer i found somebody talking about reflashing the firmware, i wont’ do that but that gave me an idea, so i’ll try to update the firmware and see if anything good happens.

If you have problem only with this lens - yes, try it.  I had another problem with this lens - the aperture didn't stop down after using a macro ring, and only trying the reflashing helped me. I said trying because the version of the firmware on the lens and that I downloaded was the same, but I started the process and after it my lens started to work properly.

Hi Donna D

Please describe how you know it is stuck in MF.

The original description said "and the camera does nothing" Does nothing mean all you can do is turn it on and off ?, menu don' work, etc .. or does it mean "it won't focus"?

There is a lot of interaction between settings and they are not always obviouis

Please List these conditions or settings as they are configured while it's not working:

1. Which camera do you have, e.g.  G85, G7.....
2. Position of the Switch on the back of the camera, AFS/AFF OR AFC OR MF
3. Switch on the lens if there is one
4. Mode Dial setting, e.g.  P mode
5. Other dial setting if you have a separate dial

The Wrench C settings such as:

1. Direct Focus Area
2. Focus/Release Priority
3. AF + MF
4. MF Assist
5. MF Assist Display
6. MF Guide
7. AF/AE Lock
8. Shutter AF
9. Half Press Release

Mark

Of your G7, including the LCD content and posted here?