Sigma 70-300 APO wont focus!

[Joe T]

Im trying to sell my Sigma 70-300 APO. I have a buyer all lined up, and we met up to do the deal (;)), exchanged the money and everything, then I thought "I havent used this lens in over a year, I'd better check it's still working". So, I put it on my D70 and tried it. And guess what, IT WONT FOCUS. It just hunts back and forward :( :( So we swapped the money back, and I brought the lens home.

Ive tried cleaning the contact between lens and camera. No joy.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Its worth around £100, so its probably not worth getting repaired. The buyer is a friend of mine who wants to give it to her boyfriend (who I also know) for Christmas, but she cant really afford a new one. :(

Thanks folks. :)

[Marcel]

Before I would do anything, I would double check it on another camera, just to rule it out (even if other lenses work on your camera).

Also, try making sure you have a set focus point activated, and position something very contrasty in it (ie black and white with a very straight line inbetween), and try again.

Edit, it's not in Macro mode is it? (Sorry if its like Im pointing out the obvious, but just incase...)

[Joe T]

Thanks for the reply Marcel.

1. I have no other camera to try :(

2. Tried that. I also let rg-Tom have a play - no joy

3. Nope, not in macro mode.

Thanks for your help though.

[Warspite]

Didnt accidentally hit the manual focus switch by any chance ?

- not taking the ****, but it does happen.

[Joe T]

Didnt accidentally hit the manual focus switch by any chance ?

- not taking the ****, but it does happen.

Double and triple-checked that, thanks :)

[Joe T]

I guess its going in the bin.

[Nath]

Don't put it in the bin, send it to me! I'd pay to get it fixed :p

[Witch]

Will it focus when it IS in macro mode? And, come to think of it, if you focus it manually does it lock on OK? I assume that Nikons have a focus confirm bleep or other indicator the same as Canons do.