This is something that originally had me stumped. So I thought it worth posting a quick note here in case anyone else ran into the same issue.
I was recently out shooting with the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm ƒ/2.8 lens, and when I took it out my camera bag it was in manual focus mode. And I couldn’t find a way to switch the Olympus 12-40mm lens from manual focus to autofocus. I was looking for buttons or switches on the lens. I looked for menu settings on the camera. I even had to do a web search to confirm that there wasn’t a version of the lens that was manual- focus-only. It had me stumped.
The 12-40mm lens doesn’t have a button or switch. Instead, you use the focus ring itself.
To put it in autofocus mode, slide the focus ring away from the camera body until it clicks in place. Like this:
This is switched to autofocus, with the focus ring clicked forward (away from the camera).
To switch to manual focus, slide that same ring towards the camera body. That will also expose the focus distance ruler printed on the lens barrel’s surface. Like this:
This is switched to manual focus, with the focus ring clicks backwards towards the camera and exposing the focus measure marks.
So it turns out that the solution is very simple. And, when you know about it, it’s actually quite intuitive. But if you don’t know about it, it’s not immediately apparent–at least, not to me–because it’s not the way that most other lenses do it. Not that it matters, because it’s not like there’s another option on this lens, but it’s not my favorite implementation of the toggle because I’ve found it too easy to accidentally toggle it as I’m pulling the lens in or out of my bag and there’s no locking mechanism.
Anyway, I hope this saves someone else some temporary confusion!
Rob Van says
Thank you so much, I’m using the 40 – 150 F2.8 Pro and the same thing happened to me at an engagement party, had to pack that lens away, which was so disappointing, its such a great lens.
Looking at getting the 12 – 40 Pro, sounds like its also a fantastic lens.
Pam says
Perfect! Thank you. I had used this lens and was super happy with it and then all of a sudden my photos weren’t in focus. I realized it was in manual focus but couldn’t figure out how to return to auto.
FB says
Thankyou so much! I’ve been downlading manuals, asking people and getting nowhere other than frustrated!
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou
Lee Shelton says
Thank u sooo much had two days out with the camera starting to get very frustrated, went and reset factory setting, been thought all the menus and some tutorials…. Bring back a printed manual… So thanks a lot for your post… Was beginning to wish I had bought it from a shop so I could take it back… Your a star..
Timothee Milano says
You are my hero!!! Was so stumped by this, so glad someone mentions it.
Jim says
Thanks muchos! I had this problem the other day while taking pictures and could not figure it out what I did. It ruined my day photographing. Appreciate your tip!
Shakalacka says
Great stuff! This is so simple but I never knew
Rene says
Thanks, you’ve saved my day. Simple but hidden feature.
Gordon says
Does it matter which mode the M/Auto ring switch is in for removing and installing the lens on an OM-D E-M1?
Thank you,
Gordon
HL says
One more thanks. Had me stumped.
Josine says
Thanks a lot.you saved my day!
Karen says
Thank you! I was struggling with this!!! Now I remember after reading your post.
Ludo says
Many thanks it saved me instantly 👍😉
Bob says
Walked out this morning with this (new) lens on a (new) Lumix body. Immediately stumped that I couldn’t autofocus! You just made it all clear, thank you!!
Joyce says
Thank you so much! This has been troubled me for a while now. Who could think of that???
Elise says
Unbelievable that so many hours have been lost searching for a solution to something that should never happen. I’m surprised I haven’t accidentally moved that ring until now. And there is no way I would ever have thought to slide the focusing ring up and back. Thanks for the help!
Ray says
Thank you, you solved my mystery of the day….~
Carmen says
Thank you , thank you i was going crazy.
Marios says
❤️ I appreciate your help
Lovely article.
Ryan says
Thank you!
Genius feature. So simple it confounded me.
Eliska says
Thank you so much! You saved me a lot of time as I was ready to return the lens. This is such a silly feature.
David says
It certainly had me stumped for a while.
Silvia says
You are my SAVIOUR!
god bless you!
Lee Roderick says
Lost 1/2 a day on this and this post saved me instantly. Tethered my camera for the first time and Olympus Capture wouldn’t give me a drop down menu for auto-focus, it was permanently set to “MF”. Which ironically had me saying “MF” quite a bit ;-) 2 seconds into reading your post and it’s fixed and I am on my way again. Thank you!!
DK Ping says
This had me stumped, thanks for the info!
Volker Scholz says
Good on ya. Thanks for that. Just got my new 12-40 pro and yep – was getting confused alright. But – all good now! Cheers.
Charles says
Yes was stumped all day on both my 12-40 and 70-150 that ring worked.Had both lenses for 4 years no problem just recently I must have been inadvertently been leaving the ring on the wrong setting. Kudo’s for the great type you saved me a lot of time and such!
Sue Green says
Many thanks . After a lot of searching how great to see a straightforward down to earth contribution . Thanks +++