18-55mm won't autofocus. Help Please!

Hi, I am new here, and also fairly new to dslr, I have had the Nikon D40 for about 3 years now and finally have grasped using it on settings other than Auto. I hope I get all the terminology right trying to explain this.

I received the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55 VR lens (used) yesterday, my camera was bought used and only came with the 55-200 lens. I am having issues with autofocus but only when trying to use the left or right focus area. The center focus area works just fine, it will focus and take great photos. Using closest subject AF-mode, it will work but sometimes slowly - object will come into focus but when pressing the shutter release button down completely to take the picture it will sometimes take a few seconds to actually snap the shot, but sometimes it is instant. In both Dynamic and single area mode it will only focus properly and allow me to take a picture when using the center focus area. When trying to use the left or right it will attempt to focus but never actually bring the object into clear focus, sometimes I can play with it and keep pressing the shutter release to readjust the focus to clear point then press the AF-L button and take the picture but this is more time consuming than using manual focus. I have googled and looked into every setting or user error issue and none of those things seem to explain why the AF is working in center area but not the other two. I am sure the lens switch is on A not M and the cameras setting itself is on AF-A.

Any advice on what it sounds as though this may be?

"....it will sometimes take a few seconds to actually snap the shot, but sometimes it is instant..."


Yeah...that usually happens when the shutter speed changes, which again depends on the available light, which depends on the ISO, which depends........getting the picture here?

What you don't mention is which setting you're in when all this happens to you. I'm going to assume you're in Aperture Mode (A), but without knowing for sure, I have to assume.

Would you like me to send you a Setup Guide for your D40? Just PM me your email address and I'll send it along to you.

Thank you for your response I will pm you my e-mail for the setup guide.

The autofocus issue is happening in M, A, S, and P modes. I have also tried the full range of ISO settings, using the on camera flash, without flash and outside in sunlight for each mode. In each situation so far Closest subject AF mode works, as well as center focus in Dynamic and Single AF mode, but I'm getting no luck working with the left or right brackets selected for focus area.

Welcome to nikonites! I hope you'll be able to get this issues solved soon!

Bill16 said:

Welcome to nikonites! I hope you'll be able to get this issues solved soon!

Click to expand...

Thank you, I do too. The wonderful part to all of this is that the lens is the first thing I have ever purchased from e-bay and now I'm regretting the decision to buy it off of there. :dispirited:

ashleyn858 said:

I received the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55 VR lens (used) yesterday…. I am having issues with autofocus but only when trying to use the left or right focus area.

Click to expand...

On seeing the thread title, I immediately thought of this switch, and wondered if perhaps you had it set wrong. It switches the lens between autofocus and manual focus.

But on reading your post, it appears your issue is more complex than that. I post this anyway, just in case it helps you or someone else who may later stumble into this thread.

Bob Blaylock said:

On seeing the thread title, I immediately thought of this switch, and wondered if perhaps you had it set wrong. It switches the lens between autofocus and manual focus.

But on reading your post, it appears your issue is more complex than that. I post this anyway, just in case it helps you or someone else who may later stumble into this thread.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately it is seeming to be much more complex. I have also had the lens contacts cleaned just to be sure but I have found no suggestion for why it will focus in one setting but not others. Also while doing some more playing around with it I have noticed that it also will not autofocus, no matter the setting, when turned (zoomed?) all the way in to 18mm. I noticed too while looking at the lens after watching a youtube video on how to spot broken lenses I found this.

I am definitely no expert on these things, but that just doesn't normal to me. Is it supposed to be that way?

ashleyn858 said:

I am definitely no expert on these things, but that just doesn't normal to me. Is it supposed to be that way?

Click to expand...

Not good. One or more leaves of the aperture appear to be damaged. Can you return it?

Eyelight said:

Not good. One or more leaves of the aperture appear to be damaged. Can you return it?

Click to expand...

The posting for it on eBay said the seller did not accept refunds, but I contacted him today about it. He said he didn't have a nikon camera so he couldn't understand the issue and sent me links to different forum discussions reasons why auto focus won't work - all of which I had already found and ruled out before contacting him or posting here. So now I have to determine and let home know that it is for sure an issue with the lens being messed up and see what happens. Hopefully I'm dealing with an honest person.

Ashley...if that's your lens in those photos, that's your problem why it's not focusing! He sold you a bad lens. Chalk it up to a bad experience and forget it. It's a bad lens. It can be repaired, but it would cost more to repair than the lens is really worth.

fotojack said:

Ashley...if that's your lens in those photos, that's your problem why it's not focusing! He sold you a bad lens. Chalk it up to a bad experience and forget it. It's a bad lens. It can be repaired, but it would cost more to repair than the lens is really worth.

Click to expand...

Well that is wonderful. What could cause something like that to happen?

ashleyn858 said:

Well that is wonderful. What could cause something like that to happen?

Click to expand...

Lots and lots of pictures, unless there is signs of damage on the exterior. But still, if you experienced the problems the first day you had the lens, it was likely damaged before they shipped it.

Even if a seller lists things as non-returnable, a good seller will attempt to make it right.

ashleyn858 said:

He said he didn't have a nikon camera so he couldn't understand the issue

Click to expand...

He would not need a Nikon to understand the picture showing the damaged aperture or for that matter to look at the lens before selling it. He basically admitted he had not done even a basic inspection of a product he intended to sell.

Course too depends on how much was paid. Was the price a little too good maybe?

Eyelight said:

Lots and lots of pictures, unless there is signs of damage on the exterior. But still, if you experienced the problems the first day you had the lens, it was likely damaged before they shipped it.

Even if a seller lists things as non-returnable, a good seller will attempt to make it right.

Click to expand...

I am really hoping so.

The starting bid price was really low, but I noticed that a lot probably incorrectly assumed it was draw in more bidders, but as far as the actual price I paid for it was right at $76.59. I know that is around $20 cheaper than the local camera store sells the same used lens for, but all of the bids I had watched and even some "buy now" sales showed the same lens, listed in good working condition to be going for $65-$75.

eBay has something called Buyer Protection. If you purchased it using PayPal you can get your money back if it hasn't been too long since the purchase date. You need to file your complaint now.

Mike D90 said:

eBay has something called Buyer Protection. If you purchased it using PayPal you can get your money back if it hasn't been too long since the purchase date. You need to file your complaint now.

Click to expand...

i agree, I had a similar experience with a chinese seller some months back, the lens adapter I bought did not fit and the seller was not really accommodating. I activated ebay buyer protection and opened a case, within a couple of days I had a confirmation from ebay that my money has been trasfered back. Of course, if you are to have a case you need to be sure that the seller made no reference to the defect you have on the ebay listing. Good luck!

Yes that is a defective lense. I do not think it was damaged due to excessive use. Looks more like a botched repair attempt. The goods are defective, and e-bay protection holds, unless it was a "as-is" sale.

Personally I would never buy pre owned inexpensive lenses, unless I know the seller and can inspect the lense. What did you gain, the new lens is about a hundred dollars more, hence it is not worth the hassle.

ashleyn858 said:

Thank you, I do too. The wonderful part to all of this is that the lens is the first thing I have ever purchased from e-bay and now I'm regretting the decision to buy it off of there. :dispirited:

Click to expand...

Hopefully you paid by PayPal and less than 45 days ago. You can lodge a complaint thru PayPal and they will sort it. The beauty of paying by PayPal

Even if you didn't pay via PayPal, it is worth contacting eBay themselves, they are very helpful (in my personal experience).

I bought some items from eBay ages ago. What arrived was not what was advertised, but a similar item (car part) and I accepted it providing it fitted correctly. It didn't. As it was for a vehicle we were restoring it was a while before I got round to trying it so the 45day dispute period had passed. Seller agreed to refund if I returned item. I returned item and no refund arrived. All this time I was emailing and receiving replies....then the fellow I was dealing with "got sick" and no-one else would deal with me. Now it was 9 months after purchase. Like a dog with a bone I pursued....contacted eBay, they suggested online fraud. I contacted various online fraud agencies, emailed seller to say what I was doing....lo and behold all my money including cost of return postage for the part was returned.

Anyone I have spoken to about the PayPal dispute system has had good results also, so worth the effort. Also stops the seller doing this to other people.

There are various options for getting your money back through Ebay , misdescribed goods , faulty or broken are all covered , mostly its for buy it now goods listed on Ebay that have buyer protection . Auction only have different rules ,and I think with Auction its up to the seller to refund if they are willing .
Therefore when buying off Ebay always see if an item has a 14 day money back guarantee , as that is the safest option .
Sometimes unscrupulous sellers sell via Auction knowing full well its more difficult for the buyer to get there money back .
if they put no returns accepted , they can argue its a contract you fulfilled when you bidded.
Sorry to hear of your predicament and hope you get it sorted.
Remember the caveat buyer beware .