Fuji X-e1 problem

[nongfuspring]

For some reason I cannot change out of manual focus mode. I have a 35mm 1.4 mounted and I while I can physically switch to C and S on the front of the camera the camera itself doesn't change modes.

I've tried resetting the camera, taking out the battery, mounting and unmounting the lens, etc. etc., but still no use. Right now I'm also using current firmware. I'm worried the switch itself has broken or worn out, but it's not exactly an old camera and I rarely switch between M C and S.

Perhaps I'm missing something glaringly obvious?

Any help appreciated!

 

[YYV_146]

Try to see if the camera can update the lens firmware? If it can then it can obviously recognize the lens, which means it's either a software issue or the switch broke. Otherwise maybe there's something wrong with the lens connects.

 

[rybolt]

what happens when you push the AF/AE button on the back upper right?
Also, try another lens just to make sure it isn't a lens issue.
Firmware on lens shouldn't be the issue.

 

[GaryLH]

Have u checked to make sure there is no oil or anything like that which would cause the gold contacts on the lens to no make a good connection to the contacts on the body of the camera?

Gary

Ps. When I had my problem w/ the 27 pancake lens that failed.. After I tried everything, I called Fuji repair. They were really helpful and after determining I had tried everything they would have done, they said it looked like I had a defective lens and to send it in.

 

[nongfuspring]

The AF/AE button works fine in MF mode, the lens communicates perfectly with the body. In fact I think I used to be able to switch modes even without the lens on the camera, so I really think it has to be a problem with the switch rather than the lens. TBH I'm a bit disappointed since I'm a stickler for reliability and I'm on the road at the moment (and will be for the next 3 months) making this very inconvenient.

Thanks for the help guys, I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and call Fuji. Times like this I'm glad I have my indestructible film cameras (knock on wood).

 

[GaryLH]

I know u mentioned resetting the camera, but does that mean u did reset to factory default. This was my last resort option before I called Fuji myself.

Gary

 

[nongfuspring]

Yeah, resetting to factory default, but to no avail I'm afraid...

 

[rybolt]

In the meantime you can stil use it by pushing the AF button. Right?

 

[pseudobreccia]

After removing the battery...press the power button/switch to discharge any residual electric from the capacitors...reinstall the battery and give it another go. This probably won't work...but you may wish to give it a try if you haven't already.

 

[honozooloo]

Bummer to hear you're having trouble.

I regularly (every few months) use just a touch of rubbing alchohol (the q-tip should be visibly damp but not soaked with alcohol) on a q-tip to clean the gold electrical contacts on my AF-driven lenses, and (with the battery REMOVED and the camera OFF) have also made it a habit to give the contacts on my camera bodies a cleaning as well. I live in 80%+ humidity weather pretty much year round, so maintaining the quality of all the electrical contacts in my gear has become second nature to me after things didn't work when I really, really needed them to. YMMV but even if you're in less humid weather, rapid temp change and other factors can cause moisture accumulation or poor contact. Maybe give that a try and see if that helps?

Also, do you have another Fuji lens or camera body handy? If not maybe ask a fuji-owning friend or a local camera shop. You could simply swap the lenses on the two X-cameras and isolate the issue to either the lens or camera (odds are it's one or the other but not both failing).

Good luck!

EDIT: Just in case you're missing the most obvious culprit, do you have your AE/AF Lock Mode Button configured for AF & AE On When Pressed? If so then the shutter button will not respond for AE or AF when pressed. I believe that setting can be reached via the Q menu.

 

[Johnny_Johnson]

Forgive me if this is a dumb suggestion but - have you tried pushing the focusing ring on the lens forward?

Later,
Johnny

 

[sebastel]

Forgive me if this is a dumb suggestion but - have you tried pushing the focusing ring on the lens forward?

the 35mm does not have that kind of focus ring. it was introduced only with the 14mm and the 23mm.

:-(

 

[Johnny_Johnson]

the 35mm does not have that kind of focus ring. it was introduced only with the 14mm and the 23mm.

:-(

See, it was a dumb question. 😉. The only prime that I have is the 14mm and wasn't sure.

Later,
Johnny

 

[nongfuspring]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

The 35mm doesn't have a push/pull ring on the lens barrel, so that's not the culprit in this case.

I had a go with the battery removal/on,off switch thing, but no luck there either.

My lens contacts are clean, and in any case I don't think the lens is what is at issue. Previously I was able to switch focussing modes even without a lens attached at all (now I can't).

The lens is actually still capable of autofocusing if the AE-L,AF-L button is pressed in MF mode, the camera performs completely normally, the only issue being it can't switch into a dedicated autofocus mode. The only explanation I can think of is that the connections inside of the C/S/M switch are busted, which is strange considering it seems very clean cosmetically.

 

[GaryLH]

Well the good is that the afl still works, so u still have something to use. It is a bummer though.

Good luck
Gary