Nikon D90 Problem ??

John Young

John Young

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On my camera recently I have found on odd occasions the focus wont lock on. Its kind of hunting in and out of focus.

At first I thought it was the lens but while it was doing it recently I swapped lenses and at that moment it seemed to struggle on the other lens (kit lens) to even focus at all... I swapped back to first lens and all was well.

This happens rarely about once in 300 photos or less

Anyone heard of this, its still in warranty but it will be hard for the to diagnose when it happens so rarely
 
I take it you have the focus assist light on? Are you shooting in very dark conditions when it happens?
 
What lenses are you using? It is possible both lenses have slow focus. I've had lenses that hunt like crazy on my D90. My latest lens, the 105 micro, which is pro quality, hunts like a mad thing in anything but great light. I tend to grab the focus ring, manual focus loosely and then let it lock on in auto. For macro I use it in manual always.

I remember my old 50mm 1.8D used to hunt badly too. Whereas I find my tamron 17-50 locks on much quicker, and people say that is a slow lens to focus.
 
What are you focusing on? I remember this happened to me once when I was just playing about and I realised I had the focus point at a plain cream wall and it had nothing to lock on to.
 
The lenses are a Sigma 24-60mm f/ 2.8 EX DG and the 18-105 Nikon kit lens

Thing is the Sigma especially is normally quick and snaps into focus straight away. Plus when it all works its nice and sharp. Its just those odd occasions when it doesent. Like I said before I thought it was the lens until I swapped over to the kit lens when the camera was in the middle of a 'episode' and it would not focus kit lens either.

A few min later all was well again.

The subject I focused on varied and light varied, but there was something to focus on not a plane wall or anything

One thing I have not tried yet is cleaning the contacts between camera and lens, not sure what's best to clean them with ?
 
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Might also be worth doing a full reset of the camera. Only problem with that is you will have to amend the setting, to your taste, own again.
 
Had similar a while back. Was either the lens contacts being cleaned, inadvertently covering focus light or other ropey technique.
It's never happened for a long time now....i use af-s mode and do a lot of focus/recompose of kids at night but technique has improved a lot so could have been something like the assist beam not sure....
Make sure all your lenses are clean. My 35 1.8 was transferring gunk to the other lenses as well at times. I look after my kit but amazed how quickly crap seems to accumulate
 
Cagey75 said:
What lenses are you using? It is possible both lenses have slow focus. I've had lenses that hunt like crazy on my D90. My latest lens, the 105 micro, which is pro quality, hunts like a mad thing in anything but great light. I tend to grab the focus ring, manual focus loosely and then let it lock on in auto. For macro I use it in manual always.

I remember my old 50mm 1.8D used to hunt badly too. Whereas I find my tamron 17-50 locks on much quicker, and people say that is a slow lens to focus.
Click to expand...

Thats interesting and a bit of a concern as the 105 is my planned next buy. (nikon 105, yes??) hmmm
 
Yup, the Nikon 2.8 micro VR ED 105.

It's fine and focuses quick enough in good light when shooting at a distance. But indoor, getting in closer, hunts like mad. Though close on you're better to use manual control I feel. It's a great lens. Just don't expect lightening fast lock on at all times. All macro lenses do this though.
 
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