Wont take a picture...

I got the d5100 in July. While using the Nikon DX 55-200mm lens I have some trouble. When I focus it won't snap the picture sometimes. Am I trying to focus too close or have I confused the camera? It seems to happen when I try to get close shots.

Correct, If you are too lose, the shutter will not operate.

cdly said:

I got the d5100 in July. While using the Nikon DX 55-200mm lens I have some trouble. When I focus it won't snap the picture sometimes. Am I trying to focus too close or have I confused the camera? It seems to happen when I try to get close shots.

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Hi and welcome...The minimum focusing distance is approximately 3 feet 6 inches for this lens, if inside that the lens will hunt...

This happened to me today. I had the 55-200 lens on and it kept searching while shooting close up. Just back up. lol

whew, thanks, I was afraid my camera wasn't working. I have not had a zoom lens for so long, I am used to getting close to get the shot! I just found you guys today, am excited to search the site. SO excited to have my camera!

If you don't hear the beep or see the green light indicating the camera found focus it will not release the shutter. Back up until you hear the beep and see the green light in the viewfinder and the shutter will release and capture the picture.

If you want to get close, get yourself a macro lens. Then you can get REALLY close! I'd suggest a 60mm or a nice 85mm macro.

cdly said:

I got the d5100 in July. While using the Nikon DX 55-200mm lens I have some trouble. When I focus it won't snap the picture sometimes. Am I trying to focus too close or have I confused the camera? It seems to happen when I try to get close shots.

Click to expand...

Unlike a prime lens a zoom lens requires a further focusing distance. Try stepping back a bit and see if that helps. If you've been shooting with basically primes I bet you've moved those feet a bit too close to allow proper focus.

cdly said:

whew, thanks, I was afraid my camera wasn't working. I have not had a zoom lens for so long, I am used to getting close to get the shot! I just found you guys today, am excited to search the site. SO excited to have my camera!

Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum by the way!!! You will surely learn a lot and have a great time doing it

You'll love the camera, and yes, back up a little when using the 55-200mm if it's not focusing

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! And thanks for the advice! The macro lens is on my list, but you know. I really wanted to enter a photo in the weekly challenge (harvest) but my photos are from weeks ago... Guess I could take a pic of the fruit cupboard... Have made LOTS of stuff from the garden.

Also New update, it won't focus in spot mode if the focus spot is too plain; took grad photos, often needed to simply move the focus dot to the face, then reframe my picture.

One method of checking if the lense is focusing is to keep an eye on the "green dot". If there is a beep or the dot is not blinking then you have the focus. If the dot is blinking, then it has not confirmed the focus. Normally if you are closer than the minimum distance it will blink.

The kit 18-55 has one of the shortest close focusing distances in zooms. It is 0.92 feet and magnification of 0.31. Which means that flowers of around 2 inches in diameter will fill the DX sensor.