Intermittant Failure of Autofocus on 70-200mm AFS VR

[richard_knapp]

I have consistant failure of autofocus on this lens when I'm using it with my

D200. The lens works fine on my film camera.

 

Also, all my other lenses (inclusing the 200-400mm AFS-VR) work on my D200.

So the problem seems isolated to the 70-200mm AFS. I've had it for about three

years without previous problems.

 

I try all the tricks to no avail: turning the camera on an off; detatching and

reatatching the lens, whiping the contacts on lens, body,and batery, changing

the batery, and figeting with controls on both the lens and the body. The only

thing that works is putting the camera away for a day, in which case the

autofocus works for awhile.

 

Any tips, other than sending this bad boy in

to Nikon? Thanks.

[elliot1]

I had the same problem and finally, after months of hoping the problem would correct itself, sent it in to Nikon service. The parts list was long. Thanks goodness for long warranties.

 

Send it in so you can enjoy it again.

[tpernal]

Are we aware, that according to the instruction manual, the vibration reduction has to be

turned on after the camera has been powered up. Possibly, this could have something to

do with your problem,

[Ed_Ingold]

<i>Are we aware, that according to the instruction manual, the vibration reduction has to be turned on after the camera has been powered up.</i>

<p>

This statement is not correct - there is nothing in the manual to this effect.

<p>

On a related issue, the manual says that VR should be turned off before the lens is removed or the camera is turned off, otherwise a chattering noise may occur if the lens is shaken (the VR mechanism should be parked). This is an annoyance only, and does not harm the lens. It is corrected the next time the VR is activated (e.g., by pressing the shutter release half-way or more).

 

To the original question, have the lens examined by an authorized Nikon repair service. This action is not normal and should be repaired.

[ilkka_nissila]

The manual actually means that you should wait until the VR stops being active before turning the camera off. The VR switch need not be touched.

[james_martin9]

try cleaning the lens contacts to the mount. That cleared it up for me, but it does happen intermittently.