Having a major problem with Dynax 7

[Nightshade]

Hey guys, I'm having a huge problem with my 7's autofocus. Here are the details:

When I depress the shutter button halfway, instead of quickly autofocusing on my target, the little square lights up red as usual and the lens just barely moves. I have to click about 5 times for it to finally focus on a subject. Also, sometimes when it does manage to focus, it goes crazy and just goes back and forth right over the subject real fast forever (backforthbackforthbackforth....)

No, I am not releasing the shutter button too early; holding it down forever doesn't do anything. I can only get the lens to move a little closer if I let go of the button and push it down again.

Yes, I've tried to move the PASM dial to [P], P, A, S, and M.

Yes, the camera is set to the 9-segment autofocus (where I manually pick one of the squares. I've tried both this and the "auto-autofocus", where it picks the AF point for you. Neither work.)

Yes, I've switched it through all of the S, A, C, and MF focusing methods.

I've erased the memory, reset all the custom functions, etc.

Finally, I've shot well over 2500+ photos with this camera over the last year. I know how it's supposed to work, and it's not working properly. No, I haven't gotten it wet or dropped it.


The camera -WILL- autofocus. I just need to click it many, many times. When you have it focused on something close and then try to focus far away, it's supposed to whirrrr and do it all smoothly in one motion. It no longer does.

I have to shoot a wedding this weekend. Help?

 

[deslim27]

hmm.. I also start to have similar problem recently. I was caught by surprised a few times when mine refuse to activate the AF, even my subject is obviously out-of-focus. Do you think we should send the body to recalibrate or service? BTW, mine is on Continuous AF most of the time, until recently I've changed so Single AF and switch the focus confirm deep on..

Anyone else has such problem also? Can advise?

 

[sulhan]

Hi Nite....

WOndering if you tried using another lens??......there may be a case where the lens finger circuit is damaged.

Do keep us updated.....

rgds,
Sulhan

 

[Nightshade]

I have tried with my entire gamut of lenses; Minolta OEM 20mm 2.8, 28 2.8, 50 1.4, 100 2.8, 200 2.8 and 24-105 AFD 3.5-4.5. All identical problems. And I tried cleaning the contacts in the Maxxum 7's body.

 

[yeocolin]

hmm.. I also start to have similar problem recently. I was caught by surprised a few times when mine refuse to activate the AF, even my subject is obviously out-of-focus. Do you think we should send the body to recalibrate or service? BTW, mine is on Continuous AF most of the time, until recently I've changed so Single AF and switch the focus confirm deep on..

Anyone else has such problem also? Can advise?

For deslim27's problem, it could be that you accidentally or forgotten that you've activated the AF/MF button on your right (just behind the shuttle button). I suggest this is the problem cos you said your's refuse to activate the AF.

For nightshade's problem, its quite bewildering. I strongly suggest that you send it to the Minolta centre to check it out. After you've solved the problem, please share with us your experience. Thanks.

 

[deslim27]

For deslim27's problem, it could be that you accidentally or forgotten that you've activated the AF/MF button on your right (just behind the shuttle button). I suggest this is the problem cos you said your's refuse to activate the AF.

Hi Colin,

I'm sure it wasn't AF/MF button problem. If the problem occurs, I just select another AF point, and try to AF again, my camera will 'wake up'. Also, it is not due to low contrast or light.. I can experience the problem in broad daylight. Thanks for your advise still

Cheers!

 

[hoppinghippo]

Hi Colin,

I'm sure it wasn't AF/MF button problem. If the problem occurs, I just select another AF point, and try to AF again, my camera will 'wake up'. Also, it is not due to low contrast or light.. I can experience the problem in broad daylight. Thanks for your advise still

Cheers!

I"ve not gotten that with my dynax 7, maybe it has dirty AF sensors or something?

nightshade: is this a recent prob or was it like that from the start? maybe wear and tear and some electronic parts go haywire? have you tried with eyestart off?

 

[Nightshade]

gah, I hate eyestart...never used it

and yes, it was working flawlessly up until a week ago.


It's not some random setting causing trouble. Something _died_.

 

[hoppinghippo]

gah, I hate eyestart...never used it

and yes, it was working flawlessly up until a week ago.


It's not some random setting causing trouble. Something _died_.

sounds like your camera is spoilt tho, guess no choice you have to send it in for repairs!

 

[TME]

I have a similar problem but only with the lens I use always. The AF refuses to work. I find that on the data panel, no aperture reading is taken. I need to turn the zoom ring of the lens to get the camera to register an aperture reading... I found out that it was oxidised contacts on the 7's body. The problem has returned intermittently. In my case, the AF sensors in the viewfinder do not light up at all. So can confirm with Nightshade that his is not a contact problem.

Could it be a shutter button contact problem? U need to depress the shutter button to activate the AF. If that contact is not very good (and u have been shooting a lot), that may be the source of the problem and also why even though u switch focus modes and lenses, the problem persists.

 

[Nightshade]

Let me assure you guys that 100% of -everything- else works fine. I've shot 13 rolls of film in the past week, and every single frame looks fine.


The only thing that does _not_ work is autofocus. It is otherwise a fully-operational camera.

 

[TME]

Let me assure you guys that 100% of -everything- else works fine. I've shot 13 rolls of film in the past week, and every single frame looks fine.


The only thing that does _not_ work is autofocus. It is otherwise a fully-operational camera.

Hmmm..... it might be sensor that links the shutter button to the AF that is faulty. Anyway no use speculating lar..... send back to Minolta S'pore and they get it right I guess. Do share with us what's up. In the meantime I guess u'll have to stick to MF for complete reliability.

 

[Nightshade]

Shot the wedding yesterday; went really well.

I was in class and such from 9am until 10:20PM on Friday, then drove 3.5 hours north to the Bay Area. Was at the wedding at 9:45am the next morning, and left the Bay Area to come back to San Luis Obispo at 8PM.

It's been a loooooong weekend.

Focused everything manually and used a Maxxum 7000 for a few backup shots (and it's a damned good thing I did, for the Maxxum 7 screwed up rolling some film and then couldn't rewind it, so I ruined a few frames getting that fixed =*( )

First wedding I've ever shot. It was an awesome experience, and the Bride told me if I want more work there were a lot of people pestering her for me

Anyway, when I get done with my various photo projects I have now, I'll send it off to New Jersey (Minolta USA's fix-it center) and keep you guys informed. Thanks so far for the help.