No camera functionality when AF-S lenses mounted in Auto focus mode?

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SGC2.0

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Hey guys, first post here (I wasn't sure if there was a semi-mandatory/recommended 'Introduction' post so I'll just start with a quick one and then move on to my question.)

I'm a hobbyist photographer, mostly I use my cameras for stop-motion animation. A couple years ago I bought a D3100 and eventually outgrew it, so I just upgraded to the D7100. So far I'm very happy with the quality of the images and the feature set of the camera! I generally only use my camera in a studio setting where I can really think about and test exposures without pressure, but my day job is as a graphic designer in a smallish firm where I am (as of late) frequently called upon to be the 'in house photographer' for clients.

Okay, so with that primer I'll get to the meat: I cannot get two of my AF-S lenses to auto focus with my D7100. They auto focus perfectly with my D3100, but when I mount them to the D7100, if I don't already have the lens AND the body set to 'M' then when the camera is turned on the top LCD display just shows the little battery icon and it flashes, but the icon is of a full battery, not an 'empty battery' icon. If at any point I switch the body OR the lens into 'A/M' or 'A' then the camera immediately locks up and doesn't function at all. It's not that it won't autofocus, it just won't work. But setting everything back to manual focus and everything works (except auto focus obviously!)

In my animation studio this is not a problem, I wouldn't dream of using autofocus, in fact I don't even use AF lenses, I use all old manual glass), but when called upon to do quick photo shoots at work, auto focus is kind of important to me!

The two lenses that refuse to allow auto-focus operation are the kit lens from my D3100, the AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens, and the other lens that won't auto focus is the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX. Neither of these lenses function in auto-focus mode, but work just find in all manual mode. Now strangely enough, my 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor auto-focuses just fine with this camera. i cannot for the life of my figure out why that lens will focus just fine, but the other two will not. Everything I have read suggests that this camera should work just fine with those first two lenses.

So if anyone has any ideas, I'm happy to hear them! If I haven't described the issue clearly enough, or you need more info, please let me know. Thanks!
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I would bet your contacts need cleaned on the camera. Since you rarely used your auto focus or your AF lenses, your contacts on the camera may have a film on them non use. You know tarnish, but not enough to show up as obvious. :)

Also clean the contacts on the lenses, because it could be a combination of the two causing the issue.

Anyway that is what I would try first. Welcome to Nikonites! I hope you'll love it here with us shutter bugs! :D
 
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SGC2.0

SGC2.0

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Bill, I forgot to mention that I did clean the contacts on both the lenses and the camera body. However, I only cleaned them with a clean microfiber cloth, not anything with any sort of solvent or anything, which I felt would be too harsh. What might you suggest cleaning them with? Also...because the autofocus DOES work when using my 50mm 'D' type lens without an internal focus motor, I figured the contacts must be in good shape already.

I also did ensure that the lenses are indeed seated correctly, and that the lens release button fully pops out and 'clicks' to show that the lens is mounted properly.

I realize my other post was pretty long-winded (not uncommon for me), so I was less than clear. To answer your question Mike, yes - I have both the lens and the camera body itself set to AF, and when I do that, the camera simply locks up and won't function, the only thing it shows is the battery icon on the top LCD. If I turn the camera off and switch the lens and the body to Manual focus, the camera turns on and functions beautifully but without auto-focus. This is for 'G'-type lenses, at least the two that I have ready access to test.
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Dont think your lens contacts need cleaning as the lenses work on your D3100,this leaves the camera contacts i have heard that a clean pencil eraser will do it but it would be very easy for rubbing's to fall in the camera,wait for other answers.
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
An pencil eraser is apparently best for cleaning the contacts, I don't think a cloth would remove any film.

Also, welcome to the forum!
 
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SGC2.0

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Would it still be the camera contacts even if auto-focus works perfectly on my 50mm 1.8D? I know that lens has fewer contacts so the unused ones may be the ones on the camera that are contacting the internal-focus-motor-lenses?

Gorf, the camera was a reboxed body from Amazon Warehouse Deals. It had 60 total accuations on the shutter when I got it, so basically brand new. I updated the firmware to the latest available C:1.02, and the problem still persists.

Gramps, I do not have another battery to try, I only have a wall-adapter (that is not Nikon btw.) But I haven't tested to see if the problem persists when the camera is plugged in in this way.

Maybe the next option is to hold the camera so the mount is parallel with the floor and use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts and make sure any eraser gunk would fall out and on the floor? I can also try the wall-adapter as an alternative to the battery.
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
Didn't have time to read the entire thread so my take is suspect... but are the lenses that work vs the lenses that don't work, which motor is being used? For instance, the two that lock up are they using their own AF motor or the camera's? I'm guessing the 50mm 1.8D uses the D7100 motor while the other lenses uses the lens motor. Saying how the motor works fine on the D3100 makes me think that the interaction between D7100 and those lenses are messed up possibly not knowing which motor to use or conflicting signals as to which motor to use.
 
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SGC2.0

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Papa, that definitely seems to be the case. The 50mm uses the focus motor in the body of the camera, while the other two DX lenses use focus motors built into the lens.

I just wondered if anyone else has had issues with this problem, or knew of a fix. Because it is likely a lens-to-camera interface problem, I will try to clean the contacts on the camera with an eraser like suggested and report back after work today.

Does anyone know the best kind of pencil eraser to use? A new one obviously, haha, but i mean like black, white (like on a bic mech. pencil), pink like a regular no. 2?

Thanks again for all your help guys!
 
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Deleted

Senior Member
I think that there is an issue with the camera. There will be some logic to determine which motor is used during autofocus. As this is only happening with one camera, I suggest that there is an issue with the camera body. I would send it for a service.
 
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SGC2.0

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I'd like to avoid sending the camera in for service since it is not under warranty, and I don't want to spend a lot to have a Nikon repair professional use an eraser on it when I could have done that myself, haha. I understand your thinking though, but as I haven't tried cleaning the contacts, I'll do that first and let you know how it goes.

Any opinions on what kind of eraser? Thanks again, guys!
 
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Deleted

Senior Member
Understood, I just looked what Amazon Warehouse Deals is, I don't think they have this in the UK.

It seems to be that you have a faulty camera. I suggest that you return it under the warranty procedure for refund.
 
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