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Trouble auto focusing with 300mm lens
Jul 23, 2012 09:47:34 #
The autofocusing on my Nikon D7000 goes in and out when I use my 70-300mm at 300mm. I am thinking about purchasing the 80-400mm lens for wildlife in Africa but I'm worried that it won't focus.
Jul 24, 2012 06:19:22 #
Is the 70-300 the nikon VR version. If so I use mine for wildlife all the time and have no problems. You may want to check the focus mode your 7000 is set to. Also the 80-400 is a fantastic lens albeit a bit heavy.
Jul 24, 2012 09:22:58 #
shealinda4 wrote:
The autofocusing on my Nikon D7000 goes in and out when I use my 70-300mm at 300mm. I am thinking about purchasing the 80-400mm lens for wildlife in Africa but I'm worried that it won't focus.
I used my 70-300mm VRII lens in Africa and had no problem autofocusing on my D80. We were in jeeps for 12 days driving through sand - don't even think about changing lenses out there - take just one lens and one that isn't too heavy. The 70-300 was perfect. If yours isn't the VR version you might consider trading for it.
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Jul 24, 2012 09:42:43 #
Also, read Ken Rockwell's review of the 80-400mm lens. He likes it but indicates that the autofocus is slow. This would have been a problem for me in Africa since the jeep was full and not much time to get into position for a good shot.
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400vr.htm
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400vr.htm
Jul 24, 2012 09:46:16 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
It could be the subject that's causing the problem and not a problem with the lens or camera. My camera searches in vain to focus on a clear sky, fine pattern like a mesh screen, etc. Changing the subject, amount of zoom, camera focus options, etc. may change if and how quickly the it can lock on a subject. Experiment.
Jul 24, 2012 10:47:58 #
Jul 24, 2012 15:42:09 #
Jul 24, 2012 16:10:07 #
Jul 24, 2012 16:20:16 #
Jul 25, 2012 01:47:01 #
nitejdp53 wrote:
I was commenting on you avatar.
Oh, yes, it did hurt. Especially when the paramedics had to straighten my leg so they could fit me on the medavac helicopter. Trust me, they didn't give me near enough morephene to do the trick. It felt like they were cutting my leg off with a chain saw.
Jul 25, 2012 01:55:17 #
shealinda4 wrote:
The autofocusing on my Nikon D7000 goes in and out when I use my 70-300mm at 300mm. I am thinking about purchasing the 80-400mm lens for wildlife in Africa but I'm worried that it won't focus.
Setting your camera to AF-Continuous will make the lens search everytime a blade of grass waves in front of it. AF-Servo may minimize this. Personally, at 300mm, I prefer manual focus. Try to auto-focus on a flock of flying birds; you'll see what I mean.
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Jul 25, 2012 09:50:58 #
Thanks. I'm finally reading the manual and just read about using AF-S rather than AF-C. Wow, there's an awful lot to learn if you want to do more than just "auto"
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