My 300mm f2.8

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Siberdib

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Richard
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My last three games I have been experiencing a problem with my Nikon 300mm f2.8. It is the one before the VR and VR II lenses.

Shooting on a Nikon D3s, it sometimes gets stuck in focus and won't autofocus. I have to end up switching the camera off and on again as well as give the camera a little wiggle. Now I sure this is something to do with the electronic contacts as if I keep the camera in the same position it works fine, a sudden movement, the lens freezes to say.

Obviously this is greatly frustrating in sports. The camera is under warranty even though I brought it second hand, but has anyone experienced this problem, or would know how to sort it out?

Thank you
 
It maybe worth cleaning the contacts on your lens to see if that resolves the issue
 
I used to get something similar when I used a Canon 300/2.8 with a teleconverter. A quick clean of the contacts plus a bit less haste when mounting the lens to tc and tc to camera seems to have cured this.
 
Thanks guys. Seem like an easy fix. I was dreading the worst. Will give it a go and let you know how I get on.
 
Try it Chris, it was a trick i was told about on FM forums years ago when i had a Canon 10D and a Sigma 70-200mm which just refused to work as it should, apparently it's supposed to help bridge any minute gaps between contacts due to constant wear therefore restoring the electrical signal between lens and body and the Graphite is also a very mild abrasive cleaning agent.
 
Right, the pencil/graphite technique works for a time but in a 45 mins half, 20 mins in I starts to have problems again. This is frustrating and is hindering my work. Is it possible, as in the above post, to have these replaced or professionally cleaned?
 
If it works then whats happening is the Graphite is slightly building up worn contacts to provide a sufficient electrical bridge across contacts, my next step would be to get the contacts replaced.
 
Siberdib said:
Right, the pencil/graphite technique works for a time but in a 45 mins half, 20 mins in I starts to have problems again. This is frustrating and is hindering my work. Is it possible, as in the above post, to have these replaced or professionally cleaned?
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Are you getting an error message when it won't autofocus? I'm thinking of the one with the small triangle and F6.....
 
I do have a single triangle but haven't had the f6 error code.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Do you not get the triangle with F6 (or F and another number) beside it?
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Just had a check and I actually get two triangles facing each other at right angles. No sign of any 'F' error code.

I did buy the lens second-hand from Grays of Westminster. It still comes under their warranty. Shall I contact them?
 
Siberdib said:
That's what I thought and the reason I have come on here before contacting them. I think I will look into getting the contacts replaced.
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I'm not sure it's an actual case of wear and tear as the lens I first encountered this with was brand new. A bit of Googling suggested it was just a case of the older (in my case 80-200) lenses having a "slight" compatibility issue with the newer bodies. I posted something about it (with a quote from Nikon) on TP a while back.
 
Siberdib said:
I did buy the lens second-hand from Grays of Westminster. It still comes under their warranty. Shall I contact them?
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Not to be rude, but I'm surprised that you're even asking. That would be my first port of call.
 
DemiLion said:
Not to be rude, but I'm surprised that you're even asking. That would be my first port of call.
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I thought the same but to be honest thought it would only be a quick fix that didn't warrant contacting them.
 
I am not sure potentialy contaminating the inside of a camera with highly conductive graphite is a good solution, you are risking electrical shorting as well as sensor contamination
 
Siberdib said:
I thought the same but to be honest thought it would only be a quick fix that didn't warrant contacting them.
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Don't take me wrongly, I completely get the idea of working out what the faut is in advance of returning the lens, but now that you know that it has worn contacts the matter is fairly simple: return to vendor, repair replace or refund.
 
DemiLion said:
Don't take me wrongly, I completely get the idea of working out what the faut is in advance of returning the lens, but now that you know that it has worn contacts the matter is fairly simple: return to vendor, repair replace or refund.
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That will be the plan! Feel a bit of a wally now that I didn't sort it out sooner rather than later.
 
It took me 3 or 4 sessions to get around to sorting out a fault with my own camera - and that was mainly because it decided to take semi-permanent retirement! :D
 
Richard, it sounds like you've decided to take the right course of action. Just out of interest, I've got the same lens, the one before the VR models, and had the exact same problem, but only when using the 1.4 convertor. It would work fine one minute then suddenly freeze, and the only way to free it was to take the convertor off, put the lens on the body, fire off a few frames, then put convertor back on and it was fine, until it would do it again!

I'd bought mine S/H from Fixation, so sent it back, they serviced it, and been fine ever since.

Good luck. :)
 
treeman said:
Richard, it sounds like you've decided to take the right course of action. Just out of interest, I've got the same lens, the one before the VR models, and had the exact same problem, but only when using the 1.4 convertor. It would work fine one minute then suddenly freeze, and the only way to free it was to take the convertor off, put the lens on the body, fire off a few frames, then put convertor back on and it was fine, until it would do it again!

I'd bought mine S/H from Fixation, so sent it back, they serviced it, and been fine ever since.

Good luck. :)
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Have been in contact with Grays of Westminster and they have offered to have it serviced for me - fantastic service as normal! The example you gave is exactly the problem I'm having so all being well it should get stored now and it won't hinder my work.
 
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