Nikkor 300MM lens "chatter": Recently purchased a Nikon D700 with a Nikkor ED AF-S 70-300MM 4.5 Lens. When using AF with or without VR engaged, I'm getting this chattering sound as...

BigDJim Loc: Dallas TX

Recently purchased a Nikon D700 with a Nikkor ED AF-S 70-300MM 4.5 Lens. When using AF with or without VR engaged, I'm getting this chattering sound as lens is focusing. Has anyone else experienced this and what does one do to correct this distraction? My aging eyes are not good enough anymore to rely on Manual Focus so Auto is the way I need to go.

Any suggestions or advice from you experts would be most appreciated. Thanks, Hogs!

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Get use to it, it's normal. The closer the subjects, the more the refocusing as the subject moves. The further away, 20 feet plus the less the refocusing. That said, I always Chose a Single focusing point, normally the center one as I shoot lots of birds in flight and use spot metering as well. If the camera is deciding which focusing points to use it will readjust focusing/chattering more often. More depending on amount of light and movement of the entire scene, not just the subject you want to focus on. The smoother you move the lens and keep on specific subject with single focus point the lesser the chattering will be. Takes some practice. An Excellent lens for the money, have taken some Great shots with the it.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

BigDJim wrote:

Recently purchased a Nikon D700 with a Nikkor ED AF-S 70-300MM 4.5 Lens. When using AF with or without VR engaged, I'm getting this chattering sound as lens is focusing. Has anyone else experienced this and what does one do to correct this distraction? My aging eyes are not good enough anymore to rely on Manual Focus so Auto is the way I need to go.

Any suggestions or advice from you experts would be most appreciated. Thanks, Hogs!

Lots of solutions to choose from here, Jim:

http://www.earplugstore.com/

CO

I've gotten that also with my Nikon 80-400mm lens on stationary subjects when the camera was in AF-C mode. I switched to AF-S and the chatter stopped. I do use AF-C mode with the camera in 3D tracking mode for birds in flight and it works great.

BigDJim Loc: Dallas TX

martinfisherphoto wrote:

Get use to it, it's normal. The closer the subject... (show quote)

Thanks, Martin. Your reply accomplished two things: it's not user error and chatter is the norm with this lens. Patience and less movement seems to be a very valid answer. Appreciate your input.

BigDJim Loc: Dallas TX

CO wrote:

I've gotten that also with my Nikon 80-400mm lens on stationary subjects when the camera was in AF-C mode. I switched to AF-S and the chatter stopped. I do use AF-C mode with the camera in 3D tracking mode for birds in flight and it works great.

CO, hadn't even consider this approach, but it makes absolute sense. Thanks for getting back to me. Am off to experiment!!

BigDJim Loc: Dallas TX

RWR wrote:

Lots of solutions to choose from here, Jim:

http://www.earplugstore.com/

Great suggestion to eliminate the distraction of "lens chatter", plus with this suggestion, I can get a product that can also be used at the dinner table which could help with other irritating sounds in my life. Thanks!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

BigDJim wrote:

Great suggestion to eliminate the distraction of "lens chatter", plus with this suggestion, I can get a product that can also be used at the dinner table which could help with other irritating sounds in my life. Thanks!

Couldn't resist. Maybe with a little tuning it'll make a good squirrel call! :lol:

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

BigDJim wrote:

Recently purchased a Nikon D700 with a Nikkor ED AF-S 70-300MM 4.5 Lens. When using AF with or without VR engaged, I'm getting this chattering sound as lens is focusing. Has anyone else experienced this and what does one do to correct this distraction? My aging eyes are not good enough anymore to rely on Manual Focus so Auto is the way I need to go.

Any suggestions or advice from you experts would be most appreciated. Thanks, Hogs!

Jim, I have a D700 and use a couple of zooms with it, a 70~300 and, more often, a 28~300. If you have AF set to Continuous Focus, the lens will continue to focus with each slight move of the camera. I generally keep mine set to Single Focus.

This will focus and lock on that focus point when the shutter release is about 1/2 pushed. CF will also use batteries a bit quicker, as they are driving the focus motor quite a bit more.

CF has its advantages, but only use it when you can take advantage of those advantages.
--Bob