Problem with 55-300mm lens on D5500

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Hi all.
I've encountered an issue with my used Nikon DX AF-S 55-300mm lens since fitting it onto a brand new D5500. It will not lock into focus nor allow me to take a shot (presumably because it knows the shot is out of focus). Yet other lenses on this body work perfectly.

It’s set in “A” mode (not "M") and continues to work perfectly on my old D3100 body. Any ideas would be much appreciated.


Brian
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Thanks Don. I'll go easy for sure but can only test it tonight when I get home.

Still seems odd to me that it works every time on the old D3100 but not on the new D5500. When fitted to the new body I can sort of hear the lens motor slowly trying to get there but just not quite making it. Sounds like it's an effort.
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
After a gentle clean of the lens contacts using a q-tip dampened with Ethanol I'm pleased to report the lens is now working perfectly on both camera bodies. :D

A small black smudge on the q-tip shows that something came away but there were no visible dirt particles.

Thanks for the advice. Panic over! :)
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
After a gentle clean of the lens contacts using a q-tip dampened with Ethanol I'm pleased to report the lens is now working perfectly on both camera bodies. :D

A small black smudge on the q-tip shows that something came away but there were no visible dirt particles.

Thanks for the advice. Panic over! :)

Sometimes this group is very helpful in spending other people's money. :) It's great to see when the group helps people save money too. :D
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
If you're going to be cleaning the contacts on your camera/lenses, you may as well do a proper job of it: Deoxit D100. Horses for courses and all that. The last time I used Deoxit I cleaned the bayonet mount and lens contacts on two camera bodies and half a dozen lenses. The amount of gunk it removes, even from already "clean" contacts, is shocking.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
If you're going to be cleaning the contacts on your camera/lenses, you may as well do a proper job of it: Deoxit D100. Horses for courses and all that. The last time I used Deoxit I cleaned the bayonet mount and lens contacts on two camera bodies and half a dozen lenses. The amount of gunk it removes, even from already "clean" contacts, is shocking.

It works great on electric guitar and bass potentiometers, too. :)
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Yeah, I'm not done singing the praises of Dexoit just yet...

Having gotten motivated by this thread, I just finished cleaning the bayonet mount of my D750 since it occurred to me it's been a while. The dark spot on this microfiber towel shows what Deoxit removed from JUST the lens mount of my D750 which, to the naked eye, looked perfectly clean (pardon the cell phone pic):
.....
IMG_20180110_074526.jpg


.....
It works great on electric guitar and bass potentiometers, too. :)
It has so many uses, it's ridiculous. The stuff is amazing...
 
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Karmann_65

Senior Member
Having gotten motivated by this thread, I just finished cleaning the bayonet mount of my D750 since it occurred to me it's been a while.

A little motivation is all it takes sometimes. Glad I could help! ;)

I'm guessing that a little Deoxit goes a long way given the cost (here in the UK anyway) £5.79 for 2ml
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
A little motivation is all it takes sometimes. Glad I could help! ;)

I'm guessing that a little Deoxit goes a long way given the cost (here in the UK anyway) £5.79 for 2ml
Wow, that IS a tiny bottle. The smallest bottle I've seen on this side of the pond is 7.4ml but I'm not in the UK.

More to the point, though, yes; even that little bottle will last you quite some time.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Hmmm, I wonder if that is what I need on my pistol grip to stop it from sticking?

I will order some. There is always some kind of contact or another that needs cleaning.
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Seems like this little issue has not totally gone away after all.

I'm finding that when the lens is at full zoom (as it so often is taking wildlife pictures) the camera will often "refuse" to take a picture at all. More often than not at full zoom, no focus beep sounds and the shutter will not activate. If I back off the zoom even the smallest amount the lens will usually then focus.

Again, with the lens on my D3100 there are no such issues.

I've not done any software update on the camera and believe there is one out there. Would this be worth a try or am I barking totally up the wrong tree?

On a side note, I much prefer the dot style focus points of the D3100 to the box type used on the D5500.
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
After countless attempts at changing the settings and cleaning contacts, it's fair to say my 70-300 AF-S lens is not happy mounted on my D5500.

I'm very tempted therefore to buy the later AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR lens which I know will require a camera software update. If I do the software update will my other Nikon AF-S lenses (18-55mm kit lens and 35mm prime) still be compatible, as these currently have no issues?
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
As a follow up to this story, I've now purchased a new Nikon 70-300mm AF-P lens and with no software update I couldn't be happier. ;)

Focus is now sharp, fast and almost silent. Despite the new lens being basic in it's operation (with no external switches) and having a plastic mount, it performs exceptionally well and is light enough in weight for day to day use. :encouragement:
 
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