200-500 5.6 focus problem

snj979s

Senior Member
I'm overall pleased with my copy of Nikon's 200-500mm 5.6 tele. Recently though I've noticed that it is unable to autofocus through the focus range sometimes. If the focus is near where it needs to autofocus it snaps into focus fine but if it has to focus through the focus range it doesn't even search for focus sometimes. I've missed a number of shots this way. So I've been focusing manually to get it close then using auto the rest of the way. Not too big of a problem but I paid a lot of money for it and would rather it worked like any other lens and attempt to autofocus even when it has to search through the full focal range. And yes, it's not a forgot the focus limiter problem. Any one having this issue with the lens?
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
Back in 2015, there was a recall on this lens because of this problem. Although I wasn't having the problem, I sent mine in for the firmware upgrade.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Are you trying to go from one end of the focus range, or near to it, to the other? It there isn't much contrast within the scene, and if the subject is far out of focus range, the camera may not detect the subject at all and therefore won't focus on the subject. In that case, you might have to manually focus to closer to the subject IOT get the camera and lens to pick up the subject and begin the focus process. The issue is compounded by smaller subjects, as well.

Does it do this both through the viewfinder and in Live View modes?

Is what you are experiencing something like what Steve Perry discusses in his review of the D850 starting at about 12:30 into this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=nRC6dhUF-H0 ?
If so, your problem might not be with the lens, but just with the way autofocus works in just about all cameras. If that is the case, you just need to learn and employ a technique to avoid or work around this issue when out in the field with your camera.

Good luck in resolving this, and good shooting!

WM
 
Last edited:

snj979s

Senior Member
Yeah it's only when the focus is way off and it has to focus through most of the focus range. If it's close it autofocuses fine. I've just been getting into the habit of being pre-focused which is just good technique anyway. That being said, I've never had a lens, dirt cheap or otherwise, that didn't attempt to grab a lock by searching. So I'm wodering if that's just the way they are or something wrong with my lens.
 
Top