Hi everyone,

I've had my D3 since about October 2007 and I haven't had one single problem with it, until last week Wednesday when I was getting my gear ready for a trip.
Basically, it's stopped autofocusing. Whenever I try to focus the camera searches and then pulls focus right back to the nearest distance.
This happens on all my lenses so I know it's a camera issue.
I've cleaned the lens contacts on both body and lenses and now I'm at a loss as to what might be going wrong.
Can any one here shed any light on what may be happening and how I can rectify the issue?

Mark

The first thing that spring to mind is the possibility of dust on the sensor. I'd assume that you've cleaned that, but it's worth checking.

OK, technically the first thing that sprung to mind was "he's got it set to manual mode" but that would have been patronising.

Have you tried any third party lenses? Does it happen in every AF mode?

Have you tried this?

Thinking about it, (and I'm sure you've already done this as well) have you tried the two button reset?

This problem occurs before the mirror flips up so it's not a sensor problem. I suppose I could give the mirror a clean but there's no noticeable dirt when looking through the viewfinder.
Still, I'll give it a shot tonight.

Mark

I hope you get it sorted, Mark. It's no fun when something gives out on you.

*doesn't want to mention mirror actuation limits in case it scares the horses*

During my time in Bruges my shutter count just ticked over the 10,000 mark.
My camera should be good for ten times that amount so I really can't see it being that, and if it is then there's a sale of goods act I'll be looking up.

Mark

Might be completely unrelated but I did hear of some D300 problems with focus on another forum. Some managed to 'fix' the problem by turning Live View on then off and others simply snapped out of focus pics and the focus kicked back in. To be honest it sounds like coincidence rather than a fix.

Sales of Goods saved my skin with a 2yr old Samsung GX10 when I took it back to Argos. They didnt even bother sending it for repair they simply game me a refund minus 10% and I bought the GX20 there and then for the same money - which is probably why they werent bothered sending it away maybe? (It was actually still in warranty just anyway even though Samsung told me it wasnt).

Be very careful of cleaning the mirror Mark - it's not reccommended. Use a rocket blower but don't physically touch it unless you use something like a pec-pad and even then.....

I spoke to a friend who has a D3 (press photog) and he confirmed it happened to him. A temporary fix is to reset the camera settings, the secondary fix was to use the autofocus button(?) but ultimately he had to send it back to Nikon. His work paid the invoice so he doesn't know how much it cost - sorry.

Al

I've tried a couple of different auto modes on each of my lenses and it happens just the same. I have no third party lenses to try it out on, but if I do have to take it to a shop to get fixed I'll ask to test on a lens they have first.
I've checked out that link and I don't think my problem falls in to any of the steps mentioned, though I'll go through them all tonight just to be sure.
Thanks for the posting.

Mark

*sigh* I'll have to hunt around for my blower as I haven't seen it in a while.
Thanks for the advice.Was it the same issue with the focus pulling right back, as if the subject was at the nearest focal distance to the camera?Ah man, that's a pity. I could really do with preparing myself properly as to how much this is likely to cost me.

Mark

Yes - He said as soon as he depressed the shutter button halfway the autofocus would kick in and hunt all the way to the longest focal distance and then pull back to the shortest where it stayed

This happened over the winter in early 2008 when the camera was cold so there may have been battery probs as well.

Another (unrelated) issue I saw recently called for a change of battery in the camera - you know, the one that retains all the settings? Worth a punt as they only last 5 years max.

Al

PS - my mate has requested a copy of the invoice from his work. You never know???

Oh man that'd be cool if he got it. Even if it's an astronomical amount at least I'd be prepared for the worst.

Mark

Do you mean that you might leave a space in this months photo comp

Seriously, my sincere sympathies Mark. I hope you get it sorted simply and soon.

He still has the tiPhone.