factory reset on D7100 to fix auto focus problem

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jmadukayil

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Top LCD does not show anything about AutoFocus or any AF mode. I have unset Pv and Fn now. A1 and A2 were and are set to focus priority. It still does take pictures in the AF mode without focusing. There is a slight sound when shutter is half pressed as if the camera will focus. But it is just a sound. No action.
 
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jmadukayil

New member
When I press the shutter when looking through the viewfinder, I find two arrows facing each other at the bottom left and the AE-L letters flashing. When I press the AF mode button and rotate the main command dial, the arrows alternate with a round solid circle but no AF-S , AF-C or AF-A letters coming on.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
That sound is probably the lens VR. It sure would appear that if you have no 'AF-something' showing on the lcd that the camera thinks the body or lens is in manual focus mode. When I flip either the lens or camera switch, that indication disappears. Since you tried different lenses, then maybe the camera A/M switch is not working. Try flipping it back and forth a little bit aggressively, just to work it. maybe it was unused for awhile and a few flips will get it going. If you are in a regular shooting mode like P, A, S, M, you should see the autofocus mode on top.
 
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nickt

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jmadukayil said:
When I press the shutter when looking through the viewfinder, I find two arrows facing each other at the bottom left and the AE-L letters flashing. When I press the AF mode button and rotate the main command dial, the arrows alternate with a round solid circle but no AF-S , AF-C or AF-A letters coming on.
Click to expand...

The arrows and the circle are the focus indicators, the circle is when it sees focus. that could happen by moving the camera around it is happens to catch something in focus. No sure about the ae-L flashing, I need to grab the camera.

edit: If the camera is showing AE-L in the viewfinder, that is saying the ae/af button is pressed or it is set to 'hold'. Set menu f4 to ae af lock.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
I don't know why you are seeing AE-L in the viewfinder all the time. That makes me think the ae/af button is stuck. But the other issue is you are not seeing AF-A, Af-S, or AF-C on the top display. That makes me think the af/m lever is not working. Either of these conditions would keep you from auto-focusing. Odd that both would be bad. If something comes to me, I'll post, but I'm out of ideas for now.
 
hark

hark

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jmadukayil said:
When I press the shutter when looking through the viewfinder, I find two arrows facing each other at the bottom left and the AE-L letters flashing. When I press the AF mode button and rotate the main command dial, the arrows alternate with a round solid circle but no AF-S , AF-C or AF-A letters coming on.
Click to expand...

To change the AF mode, you are supposed to press the AF Mode button then rotate the sub command dial (the one on the front) to change the AF-S, AF-C or AF-A. If you are rotating the command dial, that's the wrong one. Page 74. Please double check which dial you are rotating and let us know.
 
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hark

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Oh wait...I just looked at the manual, and page 74 again and it references the AF area mode. Hmmm.....
 
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hark

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When you mount the lens on the camera body, does anything in the viewfinder or on the top display change? Is the body able to read that a lens is attached?
 
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hark

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I don't have my camera in front of me, but I thought when there wasn't any lens attached, there wasn't any metering mode showing up on the top display. Do you see any metering mode (matrix, center weighted, or spot) showing up on the top display when the lens is attached compared to when the lens isn't attached?
 
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hark

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hark said:
I don't have my camera in front of me, but I thought when there wasn't any lens attached, there wasn't any metering mode showing up on the top display. Do you see any metering mode (matrix, center weighted, or spot) showing up on the top display when the lens is attached compared to when the lens isn't attached?
Click to expand...

I just pulled mine out--disregard what I just wrote.

Okay...so I looked through my viewfinder to see what displays. The AE-L button will come on when it is pressed (no matter whether a lens is attached or not). With a lens attached AND while holding down the AE-L button, my AF won't work. Going back to what was mentioned previously, it might be that the AE-L button is stuck. Do you feel the button give way underneath your thumb when it is pressed, or does it seem like it is already pushed in?
 
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jmadukayil

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The AE-L button does not seem stuck or pushed in. It presses smoothly. Previously for some reason pressing shutter would also show AE-L in the VF but I reassigned some of the buttons and hence when the shutter is pressed (assigned to taking pictures) only the solid focusing arrows are seen (no solid circles yet).
 
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hark

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Okay. When there is neither a body cap or a lens on the body, do you see a small metal lever on the body where the lens mounts? It would be located at the 7:00 position.

Secondly, how many shutter clicks does this camera have? Has it ever been dropped or damaged in any way? Are you the original owner, or did you buy it used? If you bought it used, did it work for you at some point?
 
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jmadukayil

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Yes, I do see the lever. Seems to be spring loaded.
I bought it used in Dec. Tested it just once with a lens and distinctly remember it focusing although only tested once. I haven't dropped it so far. Has a shutter count of 500.
 
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hark

hark

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Unfortunately I have no more suggestions either except if you bought it through a store, perhaps they can look at it or exchange it? Sorry. It's an unusual problem for sure.
 
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jmadukayil

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Nikon Canada's Service Center gave me an online quote of $189-299 i.e. a ballpark range plus tax. As soon as I went and submitted the camera to them, lo and behold, without even testing the camera, the price went up to $299. Reminded me instantly of Canadian Tire. Two weeks later the camera is now fixed. Said they replaced something in there. They said there is 6 month warranty on the feature that they repaired. I asked them if that warranty would be transferable to anyone I sold this camera to to which they said 'NO'. Funny!
Well, this will be my last Nikon. Never expected a brand name to have a quality such as this and a repair center of theirs to act like a money minting shop rather than being a real customer oriented and caring center. I am going to sell it.
 
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