55-200 Nikon VR lens hunting on auto focus: Is there a fix or is the Nikon 55-200 FX VR lens acting normal when it started hunting in auto focus, over and over well lit room, camera on...

tkgraves Loc: Greensboro, NC

Is there a fix or is the Nikon 55-200 FX VR lens acting normal when it started hunting in auto focus, over and over well lit room, camera on auto or program very frustrating, bought used, no warranty,seems like worse when trying to take shot of something fairly close, 4-5 feet, thanks

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

tkgraves wrote:

Is there a fix or is the Nikon 55-200 FX VR lens acting normal when it started hunting in auto focus, over and over well lit room, camera on auto or program very frustrating, bought used, no warranty,seems like worse when trying to take shot of something fairly close, 4-5 feet, thanks

Nikon guys, is there an FX version of this lens? I’m only finding specs for a DX. The spec on this lens for closest focusing distance is 1.1 M or about 3.6’, just a few inches shy of 4’, so perhaps that’s your issue.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Never saw an FX 55-200 and all the 55-200 zooms on the Nikon Web Site are DX.

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

I've never seen an FX 55-200mm from Nikon - only DX versions. Either way, I suggest: ensure the A/M switch on the side of the lens is solidly at "A"; ensure the focusing ring isn't overly stiff; ensure the subject is at least the minimum focusing distance away (3.6 feet for the DX version); and clean the lens contacts as a last resort.
What Nikon model is it mounted on? Is anything mounted between the lens and the camera?

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

One more thing: ensure you have the latest firmware update installed on your camera.

tkgraves Loc: Greensboro, NC

Sorry guys, it is a DX

tkgraves Loc: Greensboro, NC

It’s a Nikon d5300 and also tried it on a d3500 and same issue, made sure auto switch was in place and had already cleaned all contacts, and cleaned lens glass. The auto lens works it just won’t stop hunting as it tries to focus, tomorrow I’ll try it only at a longer distance than 5 feet, thanks all for your ideas.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Have a D7200 and not the others, but suspect they are the same or very similar. Try this -
Custom Settings Menu / Auto Focus S / Release, then Custom Settings Menu / Focus Tracking with Lock on / Off.

hoola

You probly need to re-set focus pattern in your near far camera menu ( then also if possible meter pattern menu maybe ) . Try with VR turned off . Otherwise ? A great lens I think . Small sharp lite .

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

tkgraves wrote:

Is there a fix or is the Nikon 55-200 FX VR lens acting normal when it started hunting in auto focus, over and over well lit room, camera on auto or program very frustrating, bought used, no warranty,seems like worse when trying to take shot of something fairly close, 4-5 feet, thanks

I suggest that you post an image where you have experienced this focus behavior, along with camera settings (or just leave the metadata intact and we'll figure out what you did), so we can have the "full picture" (yes, a pun) of what is going on. There are a number of things that could be causing this - lighting levels, camera movement, camera malfunction, lens malfunction, etc.

If you use a tripod and shoot a high contrast subject, VR off, do you still have the hunting?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's not just the lighting, but also the subject that affects ease of focus. Try focusing on something with high contrast. If it's always hunting, it probably wants to visit Mother Nikon.

bela1950 Loc: Massachusetts

tkgraves wrote:

It’s a Nikon d5300 and also tried it on a d3500 and same issue, made sure auto switch was in place and had already cleaned all contacts, and cleaned lens glass. The auto lens works it just won’t stop hunting as it tries to focus, tomorrow I’ll try it only at a longer distance than 5 feet, thanks all for your ideas.

Perhaps you can return it. I would try.

tcthome Loc: NJ

If in low light? , try releasing your shutter or BBF button & pressing it again. If your not tracking a moving subject, set up & use BBF & try pressing the focus button & quickly release to see if this stops the hunt. If not, get rid of the lens or send it to Nikon to have checked out.

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

tkgraves wrote:

Is there a fix or is the Nikon 55-200 FX VR lens acting normal when it started hunting in auto focus, over and over well lit room, camera on auto or program very frustrating, bought used, no warranty,seems like worse when trying to take shot of something fairly close, 4-5 feet, thanks

My 55-200 VR (the original VR model, not the P or VRII model) does precisely the same thing. Hunts profusely sometimes. It does this on my D5200, D7000, and D7100 bodies with focus tracking on or off. And distance or light quality seems not to matter. I just thought it to be a cheaply made lens and I don't use it often enough to replace it with something better. If it dies altogether, I will replace it. Yes, I DO miss shots with it!
~ I do find it interesting to read other of the same lenses also do this hunting and not locking/stopping in focus. So, I'm intrigued to see comments on this thread!

tallshooter

tkgraves wrote:

Is there a fix or is the Nikon 55-200 FX VR lens acting normal when it started hunting in auto focus, over and over well lit room, camera on auto or program very frustrating, bought used, no warranty,seems like worse when trying to take shot of something fairly close, 4-5 feet, thanks

Shooting mode? If stopped down too far that lens will hunt.