A problem that wasn't
Posted 30/10/2026 - 06:41
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Clearly the deciding factor in your in depth investigation into the root cause was the Beer - you've changed my life, I will always fall back to your approach for any problems in future
LennyBloke
Posted 30/10/2026 - 08:11
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LennyBloke wrote:
Clearly the deciding factor in your in depth investigation into the root cause was the Beer - you've changed my life, I will always fall back to your approach for any problems in future
+1. Clearly the deciding factor in your in depth investigation into the root cause was the Beer - you've changed my life, I will always fall back to your approach for any problems in future
Just remember that the beer goes into the orifice that's usually behind the camera, not into the camera itself.
Steve
Posted 30/10/2026 - 10:55
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Most people will tell you not to touch the wheel after a drink but in this case they're wrong...
I have had this happen to me. The wheel on my S5 is too easly moved so I long ago covered it with some black electrical tape, which is barely noticeable.
I once had a similar problem on one of my Nikon F801Ss but the problem turned out to be that the focusing screen had been knocked out of position and had fallen a bit.
And, Nikon again, I recently bought a used F80 for a very good price and when I got it the viewfinder was very dark and I couldn't get any lens to focus on it. Checked the little wheel, not that, checked the focusing screen, not that. I thought I might as well put some batteries in it to check if the electronics work and when I did that and half-pressed the shutter the VF and focusing problems cleared up. I have absolutely no idea what might have happened that could be caused just by having no batteries.
I have had this happen to me. The wheel on my S5 is too easly moved so I long ago covered it with some black electrical tape, which is barely noticeable.
I once had a similar problem on one of my Nikon F801Ss but the problem turned out to be that the focusing screen had been knocked out of position and had fallen a bit.
And, Nikon again, I recently bought a used F80 for a very good price and when I got it the viewfinder was very dark and I couldn't get any lens to focus on it. Checked the little wheel, not that, checked the focusing screen, not that. I thought I might as well put some batteries in it to check if the electronics work and when I did that and half-pressed the shutter the VF and focusing problems cleared up. I have absolutely no idea what might have happened that could be caused just by having no batteries.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
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3723 posts
12 years
Slap in the middle of England
I changed the lens on my K1 and, as I often do, had a quick look through the viewfinder. It was out of focus so I half pressed to engage the AF. It was still out of focus. Oh Sh**! I checked everything and tried a different lens. Just the same problem. I released the shutter and got a perfectly focused and exposed image! Oh No. Is it my eye? After various silly tests it wasn't my eye so what is going on? Is the viewfinder dirty? So I cleaned it and things remained the same. I put an offending lens onto the K3. No problem. So it's the camera.
I went and got a beer - the universal panacea and then I noticed a tiny control wheel just to the right and behind the viewfinder. Turns out that I had inadvertently caught it with a finger and turned the diopter control when I changed the lens!
So check it before panicking if you get a similar 'fault' It will more than likely be your own (fault),
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