Nikon 17-55/2.8 with D200 autofocus problem

[john y.k. lee]

I bought a new 17-55/2.8 several months ago and have been using it with my D200.

However, I am having some serious focus problems.

 

As a reference, I used the D200 with the 18-70 kit lens as well as with a

80-200/2.8 without any autofocus problems.

 

With the new 17-55, however, I have focus hunting problems. When I press AF-ON

(which is how I have the autofocus set to go), the lens never seems to get the

right focus. It will settle on one spot which will be completely out of focus,

and when I press the AF-ON again, it settles on another spot which is also out

of focus, and then when I press it again, it settles on a different spot which

may or may not be in focus. It moves very fast since it is an AF-S lens, but it

never hits the right spot. I've given up on the AF, and now I focus manually

every time. In fact, I've ordered the Katz-Eye to help with this.

 

It is definitely not a problem with the D200, since it works fine with the other

lenses. I've tried switching all the buttons and menu settings, but this does

not really help the main problem which is the autofocus.

 

Should I return the lens to Nikon? Am I doing something wrong?

[dan_brown4]

This doesn't sound right. Do you have the problem even when you select the center focus

point (it's the cross-type), which should lock quickly and reliably?

[ntv666]

I just got one. It is absolutely fine. Please chek up the focus area selection as mentioned by Mr. Dan. This is one of the best rated DX lenses and your pictures are very sharp. Slect the centre Focus point and lock it . All the best.

[ShunCheung]

Do you have access to another D200 and if not, how about just another Nikon AF SLR that can drive AF-S lenses? I would test the lens on another camera to verify.

 

Most likely, you need to send the 17-55 DX back to Nikon Melville (Long Island, NY) for check up. For AF issues, you may need to send your camera also for fine adjustments. (Hopefully neither component is gray market or Nikon USA will not take it.)

[walterh]

My copy works as well as the D200 allows. There are some shortcomings if you come from an F5 (like I do) in speed and interference from nearby high contrast objects but the latter is a D200 problem that shows more pronounced at a wider angle.

[john y.k. lee]

Thank you everybody for the quick answer. I should have known it was the lens, but since it is the first thousand dollar lens I've ever used, I assumed it was me.

 

I tried the lens on my F100, and it didn't work. I tried my 18-70 kit lens and my 24-85 lens on the D200 and they autofocus smoothly. I'm quite bummed by this, especially since I've been sitting on the lens for a while without the time to put it through its paces until this holiday season.

 

I hope I'm still in the warranty year period.

[john y.k. lee]

I just got my replacement lens today, and it autofocuses perfectly. I thought there was something wrong with me, and it turned out to be the lens. I'm quite relieved. Thanks for the help.