Newbie problem, please help :)

I have attached the 18-55mm lens that came with the camera, when I turn the camera on though it says 'lens not attached' and 'F--' is flashing... However when I rotate the lens to zoom to the point where it clicks it works okay and the message goes!
How come it doesn't recognise the lens unless it's zoomed past the point where it clicks?
Any help and advice is much appreciated
Thanks, Luke!

The lens has to click for contact points to be aligned with the contacts of the camera for the camera to recognize the lens. Just make sure you attach your lens properly before you try to use it.

If you are still having troubles, upload some pictures with your phone. One of the message and one of the lens with camera

Yeah, that error is a communication problem at the electrical contacts at the base of the lens, and the contacts inside the lens opening of the camera. Some pin contacts are not making contact. It thinks the lens is not attached.

Examine the electrical pin contacts on lens and body to make sure no obvious damage. Make sure pins are not obscured by dirt, etc.

Remove the lens and try again, rotating it fully into seated position.

I hope you have mounted the lens correctly
The white dot on the lens and white dot on the body will help you in mounting it

There is also a lens locking feature...so each time u need to use it..you will have to unlock it..n then lock it back again...
The error must be for Lens lock...read manual to know more

Thanks for the replies!
I have definitely fixed the lens as it's meant to be, with the 2 white dots and it clicks in place.
It'll take photos and recognise the lens when I turn the zoom past the first click (up to where you no longer have to hold that button down to zoom) and it'll recognise the lens and take photos in manual mode but in every auto setting it says 'lens not attached' when not zoomed past that first click (I hope this all makes sense)

What do you mean, "clicks" and "hold that button" ? Are we talking about the "kit" 18-55 vr lens? mine doesn't click and I certainly don't need to press a button to zoom... ??? As a matter of fact, neither dots my 55-200.

Can you please verify your lens.
18-55 F3.5-5.6 DX VR
18-55 F3.5-5.6 DX VRII (This has a button in the middle of the body to lock/unlock lens came standard kit with D33/5300)

Oh, didn't know the vr2 has lock against zoom creep. Moreover, I thought these only locked at the widest angle.

If it really does take zoom action for the camera to start taking pictures, and then only in manual, then there certainly is something wrong with the lens or body and checking the contacts is the first troubleshooting step indeed.

Paul, this is the 18-55 VRII AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens | NIKKOR Lens from Nikon



The button retracts the lens to make it more compact. This would also more than likely not allow the lens to function until the it is brought out of the retracted state.

This from the manual:

If the camera is turned on with the lens retracted, the camera will display a warning, “F”, or “F

skene said:

Paul, this is the 18-55 VRII AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens | NIKKOR Lens from Nikon

View attachment 103763

The button retracts the lens to make it more compact. This would also more than likely not allow the lens to function until the it is brought out of the retracted state.

Click to expand...

This lense started shipping with the D3300, so if you have it then
. The button is to retract the lense for storage.
. You have to rotate the zoom ring till; as you describe; it clicks. After that if you try to rotate it beyond 18mm mark it will not. While retracted the lense will not function.

In the D3300 the message is "Before taking photos, rotate the zoom ring to extend the lense". I guess this message is not there in D3200 or the D3100, and the generic "Lens not mounted" is flashed.

Okay I posted a demonstration video...

Is this normal? - YouTube

LukeUnderwood said:

Okay I posted a demonstration video...

Is this normal? - YouTube

Click to expand...

Yes, that's normal. As has been said a few times now: You must extend the lens from its retracted position after mounting it. You do that by pressing the button and turning the lens barrel just like you are in the video.

....

Okay thanks, phew!
My friend has the same kit but it doesn't say lens not attached so I wasn't sure if there was something wrong.
Thanks for the help everyone!

Lens not attached is an older error message...The latest firmware that they released fixes this issue