Autofocus - Now You See It, Now You Don't
Oct 6, 2014 08:04:25 #
I'll be out shooting with my 28-300mm lens, and all of a sudden, autofocus isn't working. Then I see that the Manual/Auto switch has been moved to Manual. This has happened to me several times, so I'm going to resort to a high tech solution - a small piece of black electrical tape.
Oct 6, 2014 08:39:56 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'll be out shooting with my 28-300mm lens, and all of a sudden, autofocus isn't working. Then I see that the Manual/Auto switch has been moved to Manual. This has happened to me several times, so I'm going to resort to a high tech solution - a small piece of black electrical tape.
Use gaffers tape instead. Electrical tape leaves behind a sticky residue, especially when used in hot weather.
Oct 6, 2014 08:46:22 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Use gaffers tape instead. Electrical tape leaves behind a sticky residue, especially when used in hot weather.
Good idea. Maybe a rubber band would work. Or, I could just be more careful.
Oct 6, 2014 09:04:26 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Good idea. Maybe a rubber band would work. Or, I could just be more careful.
God forbid we change our bad habits when there are so many Redneck Engineering options available! :-D
Oct 6, 2014 09:09:26 #
Picdude wrote:
God forbid we change our bad habits when there are so many Redneck Engineering options available! :-D
If it were just a habit, I might be able to change it. I must be hitting the switch when I handle the lens. Another possibility is that I'm moving that switch when I intend to lock/unlock the lens to keep it from self-extending. I'll notice what happens when I go shooting today.
Oct 6, 2014 09:14:05 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If it were just a habit, I might be able to change it. I must be hitting the switch when I handle the lens. Another possibility is that I'm moving that switch when I intend to lock/unlock the lens to keep it from self-extending. I'll notice what happens when I go shooting today.
I had a client in a seminar yesterday who was getting regularly blown out images, and no one could figure out why, so I watched her technique closely. She had a nervous tick and the way she held her camera when not actually shooting was making her press the +/- button for her exposure compensation and rotating her command dial with her thumb as she walked. Every time I checked her EC after a blown-out shot it was at +1.3 to +2.7. I loaned her an OpTech Sling Strap and made her wear it on her left side. No more blown out images all day!
To fix a problem, you first need to figure out what, or WHO, is causing it, then there is usually an easy fix.
Oct 6, 2014 09:18:33 #
MT Shooter wrote:
To fix a problem, you first need to figure out what, or WHO, is causing it, then there is usually an easy fix.
That's it! It was one of those people at the car show. :D
When I go out shooting today, I'll be more careful and notice what my fingers are doing. I don't have any nervous ticks yet. This is a very infrequent problem, so it might be hard to track down. It could be that when I hold the lens to shoot, my hand moves the switch.
Oct 6, 2014 09:44:21 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'll be out shooting with my 28-300mm lens, and all of a sudden, autofocus isn't working. Then I see that the Manual/Auto switch has been moved to Manual. This has happened to me several times, so I'm going to resort to a high tech solution - a small piece of black electrical tape.
That has happened to me also and I'm sure it has happened to many others also. Check before you shoot!
KYHOYA
Oct 6, 2014 10:16:46 #
Oct 6, 2014 10:19:39 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Use gaffers tape instead. Electrical tape leaves behind a sticky residue, especially when used in hot weather.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Gaffer's tape all the way. If you are not familiar with it, think of it a duct tape but way more cool.
Oct 6, 2014 10:43:42 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'll be out shooting with my 28-300mm lens, and all of a sudden, autofocus isn't working. Then I see that the Manual/Auto switch has been moved to Manual. This has happened to me several times, so I'm going to resort to a high tech solution - a small piece of black electrical tape.
Re: Gizmo fixes. I am always dissapointed when I look at my $600 lens and see 1 cent rubber band preventing lens creep.
Oct 6, 2014 10:49:55 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
jerryc41 wrote:
I'll be out shooting with my 28-300mm lens, and all of a sudden, autofocus isn't working. Then I see that the Manual/Auto switch has been moved to Manual. This has happened to me several times, so I'm going to resort to a high tech solution - a small piece of black electrical tape.
The lens keeps switching to manual focus? It may be trying to tell you something!
Oct 7, 2014 07:01:02 #
When my focus auto or manual doesn't position I find that I have somehow moved the dial to lock. Aggravating...
Oct 7, 2014 07:04:45 #
Always check your camera!...Went out twice last month and couldn't figure out why the camera wouldn't focus...
No SD card.
No SD card.
Oct 7, 2014 07:12:32 #
RWR wrote:
The lens keeps switching to manual focus? It may be trying to tell you something!
Yes. It's an evil lens.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.