[D7000] - Auto Focus Problems And Problems (Not Related To Pixels)

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[D7000] - Auto Focus Problems And Problems (Not Related To Pixels)

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HI ISO

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Joined: Oct '10
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Is anyone having problems with the autofocus on their D7000? On several occasions I noticed my lenses would not AF at all and I couldn't figure out why. After fiddling around with the settings and changing lenses, I noticed there is some play/slack after the lens is locked in place. I finally discovered that if I twist the lens clockwise after locking it in place the AF seems to work fine. I'm talking about twisting it just a hair.

I have four lenses and they all have exhibited the same condition on the D7000. So I check them out on my D70 and they have some play as well, but I've never had any issues with the Autofocus.

Has anyone experienced this?

Posted 2 years ago #
RyanWard

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Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 61
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My 50 mm seems to miss every once in a while. twisting it just a hair fixes the problem for me as well. It just seems like if the lens is not properly seated, it won't focus and the margin of error is zero. I haven't had that issue with my Tokina 11-16 though. The 50mm is a very tight fit onto the body.

Posted 2 years ago #
kceezie

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Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 18
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I had the same problem. I didn't try the twisting I just used manual focus. But it was with my 50mm 1.8. The kit lens doesn't seem to have the problem. I was wondering if I was the only one. Thanks for the info on twisting!! Hope this works for me also.

Posted 2 years ago #
lauzobe

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Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 106
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I just got mine a couple of days ago and did experience similar issues. I would try to take pictures of my pets in low light conditions and the focus, when selecting none flash option, would not work on several occasions. I will try the twist fix and advise.

cheers,

Posted 2 years ago #
Daniel

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Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 5
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I've had the same issue on my D7000 with my 18-55 but not my 70-300 so far. I'll try the twisting solution.

Posted 2 years ago #
zzyzy

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Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 6
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Focussing in Live View is sometimes hit-and-miss, particularly if I crank my 16-85mm AF/VR towards telephoto. Seems to happen in all modes (normal, wide, face, subject). It focusses momentarily, then loses it.

No problem if not in Live View.

-- zz

Posted 2 years ago #
aakalan

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Joined: Nov '10
Posts: 1
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Don't feel bad, I've had the identical problem on two different D200s with the 70-200 f2.8VR and the 18-200 VR. It doesn't even try to autofocus. I rotate the lens in the socket a fraction of a millimeter, and suddenly it starts focusing again.

I semt one of the D200s back to Nikon along with the 70-200 VR, and they replaced the lens mounts on the lens and the body. Still does the same thing.

I believe that this is a fundamental design error in a number of different Nikon bodies. Apparently, the contacts are so fussy that even the normal play in the mount causes some of them to lose their connection.

Very annoying.

Posted 2 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 1,701
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Maybe the contacts just need a clean...

Posted 2 years ago #
zzyzy

junior member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 6
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If there were a lens mount/contact issue, wouldn't the focussing through the viewfinder also fail horribly?

-- zz

Posted 2 years ago #
VilleK

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Joined: May '10
Posts: 7
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I just found out a problem with my AF-D lenses. When I use my 50mm f/1.8D or 85mm f/1.8D lens the aperture priority mode or the manual mode don't work properly. For some reason the camera wants me to adjust the aperture from the lens even though normally I should just lock the lens to it's minimum aperture and use the command dial to change the value. The weird thing is that S- and P-modes work flawlessly. When I adjust the shutter speed the aperture is adjusted accordingly. I thought that maybe I switched some option in setup menu but I haven't been able to find anything that would be related to my problem.

I just contacted Nikon about this. Do you guys have any suggestions?

*Edit* My bad. There was a setting which enabled the use of aperture ring. I guess this is why noobs should stick with entry level DSLRs :D

Posted 2 years ago #
Drab

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Joined: Aug '10
Posts: 540
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zzyzy said:
If there were a lens mount/contact issue, wouldn't the focussing through the viewfinder also fail horribly?

Yea, valid point. So now we're suggesting some of the contacts need cleaning. ;)

Posted 2 years ago #
aesnakes

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Joined: Dec '09
Posts: 138
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ok so I had tons of dead pixels and returned my first d7000, then my next copy had no dead pixels "hurray!" BUT....I started getting this auto focus issue. My camera would not focus at certain times but if I twisted the lens back a bit it would activate the AF. It seemed that after awhile whenever a lens was first put on there was no AF till I twisted it back a bit.

So I returned the second copy today and finally got a perfect copy. This camera is amazing just know what to look for before walking out of the store and save yourself some time having to return to the store so much.

Posted 2 years ago #
shivaswrath

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Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 841
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contacts shouldn't need cleaning this early (for the body). . .try the lens on another body. . .new CAM AF could be causing issues. . .

Posted 2 years ago #
HI ISO

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Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 5
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I made the original post. I've had a D70 and never had a problem with my Nikon 18-70 3.5/4.5; 70-200 VR1 or Sigma 38-300. I just bought the Nikon 24-70, it works fine on the D70, but need to be twisted on the D7000 as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
HI ISO

junior member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 5
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Just a follow up, I bought the D7000 at Best Buy and it obviously has a problem. I want to return it and not exchange it. Anyone know if they will give me a hard time?

Posted 2 years ago #
Michael DeRose

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Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 277
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I think they will likely give you crap. I was told 4 times when i got my d7000 from BB, that if i wanted to return it, i would be charged a restocking fee. You might be able to return it, but likely be out a few hundred bucks.

Posted 2 years ago #
monty11

Member
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 798
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Isn't there some sort of a consumer protection clause along the lines that if you have to replace your third camera, you can demand your money back with no penalties? At least there should be!

Posted 2 years ago #
ultrataco

member
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 36
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My 5 month old 50 1.8D fits very tight with no play. It had a back focus problem (thank goodness for AF fine tune).

My 4 year old 18-55 kit lens also fits tight and works fine.

Posted 2 years ago #
cj3

new member
Joined: Nov '10
Posts: 4
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Received my d7000 body about two weeks ago. I noticed that it wasn't as sharp as my D70. After a bit of testing, I concluded that it has a back focusing issue. I dialed in a -5 AF Fine Tuning adjustment for my 18-200 VR and it fixed the issue for that lens. Unfortunately, I've already dialed in a -20, which is the max, for my 50 1.4 and it still had a back focusing issue.

I wanted to test with my 70-200 2.8 but I'm afraid I'm running out of time. I took the body to Nikon's El Segundo repair center today. I should know in 7-10 days if the issue is fixed. If not, back to Amazon it goes.

Posted 2 years ago #
Copyright

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Joined: Nov '10
Posts: 3
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I just picked up my D7000 recently. Actually, the first one had dead pixels, so I opted to return it for a new one.

I have a 35mm f1.8 that I use as my main lens. Last night, the camera's AF wouldn't work. (no assist light either). I tried to move the lens a tiny bit, but there is absolutely no play in it whatsoever. I ended up removing it and then remounting it, which fixed the issue.

Today, when I turned my camera on, once again the AF wouldn't work. I removed and remounted, and it fixed the issue.

I have tried to duplicate the problem, but no matter how much I pull/twist/push the lens, I can't get it to happen again. Since the lens is a very tight fit, I have a feeling that this is not related to the contacts. It's almost as if the camera is forgetting that there is an AF lens attached to it, and it has to be "reminded" by remounting it.

One thing I noticed is that both times this happened, it was immediately after removing the camera from a snug camera bag. Is it possible that one of the dials or switches shuts off the autofocus if it is adjusted while the camera is off? I know this seems far fetched, but I figured I'd throw that out there.

Posted 2 years ago #
BigCreek

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Joined: Nov '10
Posts: 10
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Everyone.... let's see if there is any correlation in production run or time by listing the first 4 digits of your serial number. I'd love to know if these issues are just first run problems or are they ongoing.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonbnystrom

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Joined: Nov '10
Posts: 2
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My serial # starts with 3004. I have experienced the AF stop working in the middle of shooting on at least 3 occasions with the kit 18-105mm lens. I didn't pay much attention to it the first 2 times, but on the 3rd time, I knew it wasn't something I had done. Turning the camera on and off and/or reseating the lens fixed the problem temporarily. Called Nikon and they want me to see if i can reproduce the problem with another lens, so they can determine if it is the lens or the camera. Seems like the camera to me. What has anyone learned by speaking to Nikon. I hate to send my body away during the holidays.....

Posted 2 years ago #
sunbytz

junior member
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 5
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Hi everyone,
This is my first post. I bought a D7k and will get it tomorrow. I am a newbie, so I'd like to ask you guys how do I know my D7k will have a back focussing issue and how do I check it ?
Thank you...

Posted 2 years ago #
HI ISO

junior member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 5
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My Serial number starts with 3001

Posted 2 years ago #
Drab

preferred member
Joined: Aug '10
Posts: 540
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sunbytz said:
This is my first post. I bought a D7k and will get it tomorrow. I am a newbie, so I'd like to ask you guys how do I know my D7k will have a back focussing issue and how do I check it ?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=check+for+back+focus

Posted 2 years ago #