D200 focus screwdriver misbehaving

[jim_gifford]

My D200 may need a trip to the shop. I post this to find out if others have had

a similar experience.

 

The motorized screwdriver-like impeller for autofocus lenses appears to be

malfunctioning. The symptom is failure to focus, or a *very* slow (several

seconds) movement from near focus to infinity focus. The camera makes its

normal autofocus motor whirring sound whether it achieves focus or not... so

the engine is running, but sometimes it appears stuck in neutral or perhaps the

screwdriver is making a poor connection to the female autofocus fitting in the

lens.

 

Remounting a lens doesn't cure it. Switching lenses to another of my five or

six AF-D Nikkors doesn't cure it. Making sure the battery is fully charged

doesn't cure it. Changing from single to continuous AF does not seem to affect

the problem at all.

 

Very gentle nudging with a fingertip can rock the impeller back and forth a

millimeter or so laterally inside its little cutout in the lens mount on the

body, rather like a loose tooth. I'm not sure if that play is normal (only have

the one D200 here to check).

 

It is an intermittent fault, alas.

 

I say "alas" because repairs are so much easier when the fault is 100 percent

consistent. This one happens sometimes, and then it might go away (leaving the

camera and lens autofocusing normally) for a few hours. Then it recurs.

 

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

Thanks. Be well,

[bsd230]

Sounds like it needs to take a trip to service. I'm sure even if it is intermittent they will be able to root it out. I probably wouldn't go poking around in there too much especially if it is still under warranty.

[hans_janssen]

The loose tooth feeling is the right feeling.

[jim_gifford]

Thanks, gentlemen.

 

Time to find some bubble wrap, and send my camera in for service.

 

-Jim