Pentax Q close focus issue

Just updated it to firmware v1.12 and thought I'd try some close focus shots with the standard 01 prime lens.
With the camera in manual focus mode I can shoot images reasonably close (5 inches) and have them in focus. But in auto focus mode, the camera fails to focus at that distance - you can see the focus pass through where it should be and end up some way off.
The lens's specification shows that it's minimum focussing distance is 7.9 inches yet it does focus closer, but only in manual focus mode.
Is this normal for the Q and is it possible to get it to auto focus at around 5 inches?

John K

Strange......these two above were taken using the Q and standard 01 prime lens on manual focus from 2 inches away
.....and this (below) was taken on autofocus from 3 inches (as close as I can get on autofocus without using the macro setting):




All straight from the camera....only resized


By the way, I too have just updated the firmware to version 1.12

The minmum focus distance is measured from the sensor plane, which will be further away than the front element of the lens. At the very closest distance it's always difficult to make sure we are not too close when using AF, with any camera.

Thanks for trying Michael and confirming my findings and to John for your comment. I was measuring from the sensor plane. I doubt it is firmware related but seems odd that the auto focus goes right through the correct setting, so it looks like it ought to be able to autofocus closer than it seems to manage. I therefore get the feeling it might be normal for the Q but I've not had that issue with any of the K series DSLRs I've used.

John K

Sometimes cameras exceed the expected specification, but it's unpredictable when they do by how much they will.

I have found this from the outset with the original firmware

Thank you too for confirming it isn't an issue just for me.

If the lens can physically focus at a certain distance I cannot understand why it fails to do it on auto; if the focus point was derived from a non TTL source I could just about understand it, but to my knowledge it is via TTL. One has to wonder by what method it does choose to make its focus point in auto mode then? One would also think some mention might have been made in the camera handbook that it can be made to focus closer using the manual focus method.

John K