D300 won't autofocus and a fix

Brand new D300 with a full battery and a 17-55 f/2.8 fails to autofocus at any

range and lighting conditions, the lens is driven from minimum distance to

infinity and stops. Changing the AF settings and switching the selector between

C and S had no effects. No errors were displayed in the LCD and there is no

mention of this problem in the manual. <p>A search on photo.net <a

href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00McP9"

target="blank">only came up with a single post</a>, but no replies with a

solution. I then found a thread on dpreview where several people experienced

the same problem. The fix was to switch to liveview momentarily. That trick

worked for me. I switched to 'lv' then back to 'S' and the AF worked normally

ever since.<p>

Nothing like this has ever happened to me with my other Nikon cameras.

Is that the smell of freshly baked software I'm detecting? I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a new bit of firmware roaming around after some more of this sort of thing pops up. It's inevetible with anything that complex... the software in camera has more virtual moving parts than a jet aircraft. Hell, the camera itself has a lot of <i>actual</i> moving parts, as far as that goes. Glad to know you found a fix - that would be maddening in the field, under pressure to shoot. BTW, could you focus manually to the camera's satisfaction?

It didn't dawn on me to try manual focusing then, but what still worries me a bit is that the 'fix' seems to be completely unrelated to the problem. Hopefully it was just a fluke...

This could potentially be a side effect from having the live view option. Although I am sure live view is useful to certain people, I am not a big fan of it and sometimes wonder whether we are, or at least I am, better off without it.

 

I happen to have used two different samples of the D300 and two different 17-55mm/f2.8 DX. So far I have never run into such problem yet.

 

Again, the D300 is still very new to me (and to everybody). It is very likely that my preferences will change over time. Perhaps in a few months I'll find live view an important feature. It is just too early to tell at this point.

No to be insulting, but why would you need a fix or need to switch to anything? Glad you found one for sure. It would seem to me that the software/cam should function properly concerning AF without your intervention.

 

I wish you good luck and hopefully as Matt said, possibly a firmware update.

 

Thanks for the post as I am still deciding on a new cam.

Shun with proper software the capability for live view should not be a burden. If you do not need it just do not use it. And with the next firmware update this should be solved. The "nice trick" from Nikon seems to be that there is no live histogram on the D300. I will wait for the next update or I may have to go for the D3 to use live view with histogram on a light microscope. This is an example where both features come in extremely handy. It would be even more handy if the lcd screen could be swiveled^^.

Keep in mind that the AF module is at the bottom of the camera, below the mirror. There is a secondary mirror attached to the bottom of the main mirror to reflect some light downward to the AF module. (If you remove the lens from your Nikon DSLR and gentally use a finger to lift the mirror [GENTALLY, plesae], you'll see the secondary mirror underneath it.)

 

Live view requires the (main) mirror to be up so that in-coming light can hit the sensor. That is why it affects the AF mechanism.

 

I can see a swivel LCD can be useful for low-level close up shots or PJ/reporter type "raise the camera above the crowd" shots, but that is another item that can be broken off from the camera.

 

Anyway, we are getting off topic, but I can see that the popularity of live view indicates that when the back LCD continues to improve, it may eventually replace the optical viewfinder in SLRs and that will be a major change in SLR design, as there won't be any mirror any more. But all of that will be for another future discussion.

Some recent discussion on dpreview suggests it may be an issue with handgrip putting very slight pressure on the lens release button thereby deactivating the AF. It's caused by a combination of the button protruding further forward from the face of the camera and the release force being reduced. Supposedly an issue with the d3 as well. Change your grip and see if it works. Brian.

A Google search returned several other reports of the same problem and folks who contacted Nikon were advised to return their brand new cameras for repair. Apparently Nikon is unaware of a quick fix for this issue. I checked the AF operation with 3 other lenses from macro to 300mm and they all worked fine. What I still don't have a clue on is why switching to liveview fixed the problem.<p>

I also noticed that the lens mount of my camera was dirty, some kind of oily residue was smeared on it. It cleaned off easily, but a new camera should not look like this.

<p>

<img width=600 src="http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6877/d300mountjw0.jpg">

This EXACT problem with the EXACT same lens happened to me. With my brand new D300.

 

The fix for me was simply to snap a photo, out of focus or not. It has worked perfectly after that first shot.

Well, every D300 available is essentially brand new, as that camera was released only 3+ weeks ago. I happen to have 2 of each of the D300 and the 17-55mm/f2.8 DX with me, and I have tried various combinations among those. So far I haven't seen this problem yet myself, but that doesn't mean a whole lot.

Daniel - Your experience is very interesting. Something in the camera was out-of-sync until a full image capture is performed, then normal operation is resumed. In my case, the camera was set so that it must establish focus before capturing a shot, and I didn't think to change it. I'd still like to understand the root cause of this problem.

Working at a camera store, I have encountered this problem twice so far. I also snapped a couple of shots out of focus and the problem ended much to the delite of the owners. They have been back to the store since and have reported no further issues.

Tom - The solution that you and Daniel found is so simple yet effective. It seems that what I experienced is not an isolated case and that the problem can be easily solved by the user. The 'Troubleshooting' section of the manual should definitely include a note on this problem.

I had the exact same problem - my D300 refused to focus properly when I first turned it on. I accidentally stumbled on the same solution when I changed shooting modes to Live View and then back to Single. Since then, I've changed lens and taken many shots and I've had no problems whatsoever. But I'm a little worried. I have no idea what is causing this problem and I can't afford to have this happen when I'm in the field shooting. So, I called Nikon Tech Support and played dumb to try to get some answers. I got through right away and the gentleman who took my call was knowledgeable and did what he could to help me. After about 20 minutes of trying different things, he put me on hold and came back with the switching in and out of Live View solution. For all I know, he Googled it and read this forum - lol! I asked him if this was a permanent fix and if so, how exactly did it fix the problem. He came clean right away and said he didn't know because it's a newly discovered issue. He indicated that I should watch Nikon's USA website (the D300 page) for future announcements, but he did *not* indicate that an announcement was imminent.

 

At this point, I'm not sure what to do. I might return my camera to the dealer and try to get a copy without this problem because I simply don't know if it will become an issue again in the future. That being said, it does behave like something that might be able to be fixed with a firmware update.

 

- Jon V

I bought the d300 and 18-200 mm lens a week ago, went to nepal, and bingo, no auto focus. I had five or six people fiddling with settings and after three days, it worked again.

 

What is the latest status of this problem. Can anyone help please?

Chris, in your case, I would send the D300 back to Nikon for checking. I have used two different D300's so far; one of them was a loaner from Nikon that I don't have in possession any more. Neither one has any problems. Yesterday, I met a couple with one D300 each since like the first day the camera was released. Neither one of their has any problems. So I am not sure how wide-spread this problem is.

 

If it happens once, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. But if it can't AF for a few days and suddenly recovers, I definitely would get it inspected.

Hi Chris,

Just to clarify - did your autofocus *ever* work before you had this problem, or did you first experience it when you turned on the camera for the first time?

Bought my D300 on Nov. 27. Autofocus worked for one month and then stopped working. Called Nikon Service twice on Jan. 8. They said they never heard of an autofocus problem with the D300 (BS). They had me ship it back. Cost me $50 UPS Insured. My camera is listed in their repair list as "autofocus does not work, repair under warranty." I think Nikon should send me a new camera and refund my $50 shipping fee. I also own a D200 and have owned many Nikons. I'm po'd.

Perched D300 today. Fit the 50mm f2.8. Autofocus did not work. Same problem as Berg. Changed lenses to 18-200. Same problem. Look in the manual under trouble shooting. No solution.

 

Not wanting to take the camera back to the store and convinced i was missing something simple, google searched the problem. Came across this thread. Did as instructed. Ah was la. FIXED.

 

Thank god for the internet.

 

I would like to know what the cause of the problem is. I do believe it could very well be a software bug. Is it not the software that does the focus analysing? Something just needed to kick it into gear, like going to live view. Regardless, it would be good of Nikon to inform it's users of the cause and effect.

Well, I got the D300, hot off the presses, through NPS, and I have had many issues.

I also tried the quick fix, it work(ed)(s) for a little while, then the focus stops, works again, stops, works again.

This happened to me on a day I had to shoot two basketball games.

What the #%$@?

Further, I bought the additional motor drive. I need two batteries to power my camera properly(for the record). Is the D3 powered the same way? During that same game, without warning, the camera shutdown; flashing "recharge batteries." Both batteries? I turned the camera off, back on, it took one frame, then shut down. It would not let me take another picture.

I almost puked at this point, took the motor drive off, switched batteries around, (checked which battery the camera was reading), after a little while the camera worked, o.k. This battery business actually hasn't happened again..... yet! But who knows when it will; I think its time for me to make some calls. This is stressfull. I want a new camera.

Without this forum, I would have thought it was me for at least another month.

Thanks, Shannon

Hi Shannon,

You seem to be in the minority with your focus problem. Every other case I've read about, and based on my own experience, the initial autofocus problem is just that - initial. It seems to have occurred on very few units and when it does, the "switch to live view and back" fix works. I apologize in advance for suggesting this if you've already tried it - please do not take offense - but did you accidentally bump the focus selector (near the lens mount) while you were shooting? If so, it might be in an intermediate position, which could cause the focus issues you're having. Just a thought. Otherwise, with regard to your battery issues, yes, you need both batteries working at once to obtain 8 fps. Otherwise, you'll get 6 fps. The D3 can do even more than 8 fps, but you'll need the EN-EL4 battery. So far, I haven't needed the 8 fps even in some fast-paced photojournalism, but I understand your sports needs may be different. Check your battery contacts for any debris, and then also check your battery's remaining charges in the D300's menu system to make sure you don't have a battery that is approaching the end of its useful life. Otherwise, I'd call Nikon USA and take advantage of that one year warranty. - Jon

Here again. 2 posts later, and tomorrow i am taking the D300 back to the store. No not for the focus problem, but i have a hot?stuck? pixel. It only appears in images shot with ISO 500 and over. 400 and below were fine. I did not spot it right away as i mostly shoot RAW, and the processing of the RAW file maps out the pixel, but i found it on the D300's LCD, when zooming in. After a bit of experimentation, i found it was not long exposures, but ISO settings that the hot?stuck? pixel appeared. When shooting JPEG it appears in post production, not RAW. I wonder if this is directly linked to the earlier focus problem. Anyone else with these two errors or was i just very unlucky?

Any hot/stuck pixel problem should have absolutely nothing to do with any AF issues. Those are independent problems.

I agree Shun. But i did find it odd that this fault on the sensor appeared only on ISO 500 and over.

 

The saga continues. I was given a replacement D300 today by Jessops. Test tonight and i discover a 'dead' pixel. Back to the store tomorrow? I'm afraid so.

 

It's a real shame. I did not have a single problem with my D80.