d700 focusing issue

Harvey_nikon

Harvey_nikon

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Hi all,

I am not sure if this is a lens or a camera issue, but I am sure its happened on both of my lenses now so guessing its the camera.

Tonight for instance, I popped the Sb900 and started playing and focussed it on my bag on the floor and it worked fine. tilted it up and tried to focus on the fireplace and nothing.

I could manually focus but no auto focus. I tried flicking focusing switch on camera and lens from manual to auto but nothing, turned it on and off, and nothing, removed lens and nothing. removed the flash, nothing, lens hood and nothing. Then it just started working.

is there anything I am doing that could be messing it up, or does it sound like something's gone tits up?

I've the weekend off so will be taking lots of photos and will see if it happens again. :(
 
Might be worth cleaning the contacts. Had an issue with my 70-200 that sounded similar, ok after a clean. Other than that I've no idea, sorry.
 
Was there any detail on the fireplace?

The autofocus looks for lines of contrast to focus on. if you point the camera at something blank and without contrast or lines, it will fail to focus.
 
trevorbray said:
Might be worth cleaning the contacts. Had an issue with my 70-200 that sounded similar, ok after a clean. Other than that I've no idea, sorry.
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I'll give it a clean this weekend and see if it happens again over the weekend!

Ziggy said:
Was there any detail on the fireplace?

The autofocus looks for lines of contrast to focus on. if you point the camera at something blank and without contrast or lines, it will fail to focus.
Click to expand...

I had 51 point 3d focussing on and then single point, aiming for edges and the SB900 firing its light to help focus. Once it was working again it focused on the same spot fine.

Thanks for the help so far :)
 
Well, I've been playing with the camera over the last few days and I've figured out what the problem is, although I didn't notice until I put the 70-200mm on.

Its definitely the camera as it is like this with both lenses.

When looking at the top LCD the F number will change from say f/2.8 to just f/0. The lenses are rotating when attached by about 1 degree, you can feel it move ever so slightly so its obviously losing its connection to the points.

Wedding on Sat, can't risk sending it off for repairs until after (and it'll give me time to figure out how).

Unless anyone can suggest anything I can try to sort it?
 
Had very similar problems with my D90 especially when using my 18-200. I cleaned the contacts on both the lens and the camera with isopropyl alcohol, then problem disappeared, but it occasionally comes back. When it does I find remounting the lens does the trick. I also have a bit of slack in my lens mount exactly as you described. Personally I can live with it as it doesn't happen that often, however I'm not in such a critical position as you - I can afford to miss a shot or two.

I guess you're going to need it serviced to really cure the problem.
 
I'd get a replacement body on hire for the wedding as you don't want it playing silly beggars then without another body handy.
 
Just off to work now, but will be sitting down tonight and going over the suggestions here and replying back :)

thanks
 
I also have a bit of slack in my lens mount exactly as you described. Personally I can live with it as it doesn't happen that often
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I have the same with my D90, but its only really obvious with larger lenses, the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 was the first lens I noticed it on but the 80-200 does it a tiny bit as well
 
There's a nikon authorised service centre in London Road, Stoke. Not that far from 'castle:

H Lehmann Ltd
247-249 London Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 5AA

Tel 01782 413611
Fax 01782 744579

www.hlehmann.co.uk

There's another camera place in Cross Heath (slightly closer) but I can't find it.

Found it. Johnson's photopia:

http://www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk/Partners_106.php

They seem to do Nikon but not an authorised centre but seem to do lots of other brands.
 
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Harvey_nikon said:
Just off to work now, but will be sitting down tonight and going over the suggestions here and replying back :)

thanks
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Sounds like a problem with the mount/contacts at the very least, that 0fstop is what you get when you put a non-CPU lens on. Did you buy it from a shop? I would be in there with it and expecting a replacement or loaner if it needs to go out for repair.
 
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