Lens Stopped Focusing - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/27/2010 01:18:25 PM · #1

I was in the middle of a shoot the other day and my Tokina 16-50 stopped focusing. I've cleaned the contacts on the lens and the camera (all other lenses still focus fine) and I've now run out of ideas on how to fix it myself.

I've been auto focusing it, but my vision isn't really great, especially if what I'm focusing on is more than three feet away.

I'm still in Malawi/Africa, so sending the lens out isn't an option.

Any ideas?

VitaminB

Nikon D800

08/27/2010 01:27:51 PM · #2

Originally posted by geinafets:

I am assuming you meant manually focusing it

Do your other lenses auto focus properly? If so, its the lens, if not, it might be the camera.

Aside from that, Im not sure what else to suggest.

ambaker

Google Glass Google Glass

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

08/27/2010 02:56:06 PM · #3

Did it stop focusing in the middle of a series of picture? Did anything happen at that time, such as a bump or other impact to the lens?

Since your other lenses work, it is not the camera. Could any dirt or debris gotten under the collar that selects the focusing mode? Does the collar slide smoothly, and all the way to the auto position? Can you try the lens on another body? You've cleaned the contacts, are any of them, on the lens out of alignment? (Bent, pushed in, or for some other reason less likely to make contact.)

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

08/27/2010 03:10:18 PM · #4

Whoops, yes,

VitaminB, I did mean manually focusing. It's the auto focus that has stopped working.

I was shooting in a fairly bright location, so I don't know the exact picture that it stopping focusing on. The location was empty, so I am quite sure there were no bumps. The collar slides smoothly in every direction (around in both directions as well as forward and back--the way that changes it to auto/manual). The building was on a sand road, so dirt may have been a factor, but I dusted it off every few minutes and I don't feel any dust anywhere. None of the contacts look distorted. Is there anyway that they could look normal yet somehow not still line up? I don't have another body here and I haven't seen anyone (tourists included) with a DSLR here, Canon or otherwise.

Thank you both for your help!

snaffles

Nikon D7100

08/27/2010 03:52:55 PM · #5

My 18-200 did precisely the same thing, quit autofocusing esp at the top end of its range. Turns that the front lens element was loose! Was able to manually tighten it (carefully) by hand. I did hear something definitely moving around and when I was cleaning the lens with a microfibre cloth, noticed the lens moving too.

hope it is such a quick fix for you. Good luck!

08/27/2010 04:46:33 PM · #6

Now that I think about it, it stopped focusing around the time that I put on my lens hood (with much difficulty getting it twisted on right). I wonder if I twisted the front element loose? I'll check that as soon as I get home! Thanks

snaffles!