Thread: X100 Manual Focus

Before I make a complete dork of myself in taking my X100 back to the shop for repairs, I thought I would check in here...

It seems to me that my manual focus is not working... at all. That is, when I set the side switch to MF and then rotate the focus ring, the lens does not move in and out, as it does during AF. What I am wondering is if there is something critical I have missed in setup that means I am not using MF when I want to. I was sure it was working in the past at some point (I don't actually use it very much at all, but the other night there was something I was having trouble nailing on AF... and MF just failed entirely)..

So... am I a twit who has missed something critical, or am I returning it for repair asap?

What happens when you hit the AF button on the rear while in MF mode?

Originally Posted by stillshunter

What happens when you hit the AF button on the rear while in MF mode?

Not much. No change in focus, but the screen shows a green box with arrows on all four sides (The one you use for choosing a focus point) .

I've just played with MF again, and I can get focus (well I seem to) but its making some awful ticking noises, as if the lens is trying to move but unable to. The distance bar on the LCD screen shows that theres movement... but the lens remains static.

[edit] the lens noise is the same as the one you get with AF-C (which I have never used until just now, to check)

Oops sorry Sue, meant the AFL/AEL....been a while since I had the X100

Originally Posted by stillshunter

Oops sorry Sue, meant the AFL/AEL....been a while since I had the X100

LOL.. and I have not even become familiar enough with it to know that's what you meant. Yep, that works as its supposed to.

OK so at worst there might be a mechanical issue between the ring and the focus mechanism. But before you get concerned - have you tried battery and card out, warm up both and then both back in and fire her up? It might just be the cold....don't laugh!

Sounds stupid but I just - literally!! - had a cardiac stopper with the X10. Turned it on..."Focus Issue"...off/on..."Focus Issue". Change to MF...no change, no engagement. Persisted for a minute or two. Took everything out to the other room (where the fire's on) and warmed them up, after a couple of on/off cycles no more reported "Focus Issue" but just no focus - both AF or manual. Eventually she is working again, as is the MF a little time after again. Just noticed how cold it is back here where I store my gear. Film gear's still fine but the X10 didn't seem to like the very cold very much. Tender little soul. But now that it's warm the mechanism seem fine.

I'll check on this tomorrow morning. If the distance scale is moving, you are changing the focal plane. Maybe the lens just doesn't move that much?

Originally Posted by stillshunter

OK so at worst there might be a mechanical issue between the ring and the focus mechanism. But before you get concerned - have you tried battery and card out, warm up both and then both back in and fire her up? It might just be the cold....don't laugh!

Sounds stupid but I just - literally!! - had a cardiac stopper with the X10. Turned it on..."Focus Issue"...off/on..."Focus Issue". Change to MF...no change, no engagement. Persisted for a minute or two. Took everything out to the other room (where the fire's on) and warmed them up, after a couple of on/off cycles no more reported "Focus Issue" but just no focus - both AF or manual. Eventually she is working again, as is the MF a little time after again. Just noticed how cold it is back here where I store my gear. Film gear's still fine but the X10 didn't seem to like the very cold very much. Tender little soul. But now that it's warm the mechanism seem fine.

I'll try anything! I'll get back on this one...

Originally Posted by Luke

I'll check on this tomorrow morning. If the distance scale is moving, you are changing the focal plane. Maybe the lens just doesn't move that much?

Maybe, but it should move a BIT. As I noted earlier, I do seem to be able to focus (at least in macro, with manual) but its taking multiple rotations of the focus ring. Just seems wrong to me.

Originally Posted by kyteflyer

I do seem to be able to focus (at least in macro, with manual) but its taking multiple rotations of the focus ring. Just seems wrong to me.

Sorry to break it to you Sue but this is entirely normal....and a common gripe of many X100 owners - both current and former

Originally Posted by stillshunter

Sorry to break it to you Sue but this is entirely normal....and a common gripe of many X100 owners - both current and former

My first reaction to this was something I cannot type here, and maintain any semblance of dignity. I'm going to assume that everything I am experiencing is normal, and my conclusion, therefore, is that I shan't be doing much in the way of manual focus. Its a pest.

Thanks, Mark :-/