Lens AF Continually "hunting"

[robbcwz]

Just bought the Sony 75-300 lens - alpha compatable. Is it normal for the Auto Focus to be continually "hunting" when just carrying the camera while it is on? The standard Sony lens does not do this. It is a bit annoying and I assume the battery life will be impacted too. It does stop if I select the MF mode in between pictures, but that seems to defeat the purpose of having the AF mode.

Thanks,

[Frog]

I'm not a Sony guy but to me it shouldn't be trying to foucs unless you have the shutter half way pressed.

[OldClicker]

No, it is not normal. Since it is only the new lens, I would say it is the lens. Take it back. - TF

btw - What body?

[NoKnees]

It's not normal, but not abnormal, pending on how you have your camera setup.... If you have "eye-start AF" set to on, just having the eyepiece brushing up against your body or anything else will make it think it should start... On the a700, there's a setting for this to work with "grip only", as it has a sensor in the grip to enable/disable this function if the camera isn't in your hand...

But, since this isn't happening with your other lenses, it's probably not the problem...

It could be a bad chip/contact in the lens that is going in and out of contact with the camera as you walk around, messing with you as well... More likely a lens issue to try to warranty...

How does the lens work other than this issue? IQ acceptable?

[robbcwz]

No, it is not normal. Since it is only the new lens, I would say it is the lens. Take it back. - TF

btw - What body?

Sony alpha 330 Body.

[robbcwz]

It's not normal, but not abnormal, pending on how you have your camera setup.... If you have "eye-start AF" set to on, just having the eyepiece brushing up against your body or anything else will make it think it should start... On the a700, there's a setting for this to work with "grip only", as it has a sensor in the grip to enable/disable this function if the camera isn't in your hand...

But, since this isn't happening with your other lenses, it's probably not the problem...

It could be a bad chip/contact in the lens that is going in and out of contact with the camera as you walk around, messing with you as well... More likely a lens issue to try to warranty...

How does the lens work other than this issue? IQ acceptable?

NoKnees, you were exactly correct! It is the "eye-start AF"! Double-checked and it doesn't do it with the other lens, just this one! As soon as the eye-piece is within a few inches of your body, it starts hunting - pretty annoying when you are shoulder-carrying the camera. Guess I'll just use anything but the auto focus!

Thanks again.

[OldClicker]

NoKnees, you were exactly correct! It is the "eye-start AF"! Double-checked and it doesn't do it with the other lens, just this one! As soon as the eye-piece is within a few inches of your body, it starts hunting - pretty annoying when you are shoulder-carrying the camera. Guess I'll just use anything but the auto focus!

Thanks again.

I don't understand how 'eye-start' could know which lens you have on???

Anyway, just turn off 'eye-start', not AF.

TF

[pisco]

I don't understand how 'eye-start' could know which lens you have on???

Anyway, just turn off 'eye-start', not AF.

TF

it must be the way he carries the camera with this lens

[BBRoberts]

I have that camera. Both my lens do that. It has nothing to do with the lens. Just turn off auto start.