Period Unable to focus with 907X

[spb]

So yesterday I went out in the snow to take some images of my favourite trees laden with snow. The temperature was -5 degrees still within the range specified for the 907X. I also had the Control Grip on.

Got to the first tree, so 2 minutes outside, switched camera on and when I pressed the shutter button, the auto focus square could not confirm focus red square, and not only that the auto focus square was dancing about, I was not pressing any of the buttons including shutter button. I tried to take an image up to 3 or 4 minutes afterwards. Removed the battery, waited a minute. Arrived at my favourite tree, same thing. This time I ignored the dancing auto focus square and fired the shutter two or three times. XCD 30mm lens. Managed to get one good shot out of 4. Switched off walked 3 minutes to the next tree, switched on and focus confirmation almost instant i.e. completely normal. From then on for the next 40 minutes no problems at all, and lovely images.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[jotloob]

The only reason I could think of , is , that the different electronic components take different time to reach the same temperature , your -5C .
and therefore behave different .

 

[spb]

The only reason I could think of , is , that the different electronic components take different time to reach the same temperature , your -5C .
and therefore behave different .

Ok it is the first time it happened, and I have been out several times reently when it has been 1 to 2 degrees or -1 - 2. Camera is working as normal inside today, so I am not worried.

 

[jotloob]

Stephen
I would not worry either . I believe , you could have several units that might show similar symptoms already at +-0C or work flawless at -10C .
But my kit will not suffer that sickness, as I don‘t like snow and will not go out with my 907 kit .
We have very heavy snowfall right now , hibernation comes into my mind .

 

[spb]

I normally prefer to hibernate! However, with most places closed I cannot resist to go out.

 

[Vilpo]

Any chance that autofocus could not find enough contrast from the snow? With pure white snow and even lightning it is not an easy task for auto focus. I have had some experiences of that issue with mirrorless 35mm cameras recently.

 

[spb]

Possible but would be the very first time I had come across it

 

[spb]

Any chance that autofocus could not find enough contrast from the snow? With pure white snow and even lightning it is not an easy task for auto focus. I have had some experiences of that issue with mirrorless 35mm cameras recently.

Possible but would be the very first time I had come across it. Ah but wait a minute thinking on this, would you say any different, if the lens was XCD 30 or 65 or 90mm? It seems to me you could be right and that effect is magnifies with a wider angle lens. Normally I go out with either the 65 or 90 mm and never a problem so far.

 

[Paratom]

I had my 907x out at about -3 degrees C fpor 1,5h and it worked without any problems.

 

[spb]

I had my 907x out at about -3 degrees C fpor 1,5h and it worked without any problems.

With or without the Control Grip?

I was out again today -1 no Grip, no problems.

 

[onasj]

I'm not sure it's a temperature issue. Have you updated the firmware of all your lenses and your body? I had occasional (rare) autofocus issues with some XCD lenses on my 907x that seem to be corrected by the recent firmware update—at least no instances since then. If I recall correctly, some of the firmware update notes suggested autofocus fixes.

 

[spb]

Yes all up to date.

 

[Vilpo]

Would you mind posting a photo of those snow laden trees?

 

[spb]

There you go

 

[bab]

Sounds like a temperature switch hiccup from warm to cold? My guess the camera throttled off to protection mode.

 

[spb]

Sounds like a temperature switch hiccup from warm to cold? My guess the camera throttled off to protection mode.

As it has not happened again, I would tend to agree.

 

[Vilpo]

And definitely enough dark branches for autofocus to hit the target

 

[spb]

And definitely enough dark branches for autofocus to hit the target

Thanks Vilpo, I keep forgetting that about the contrast-detect focussing. If there is not enough contrast...