Auto focus fails
Nov 30, 2019 18:20:37 #
My dear old D200 is, I believe, reaching its use-by date
It refuses to auto focus and release the shutter. However, if I manually focus, it will and fire 9 times out of 10. I have tried cleaning the contacts both on the camera and assorted lenses, to no avail.
Although DX it continues to take excellent images, when it wants to.
I would hate to throw the body into the bin, but do I have any options - without spending heaps of $'s.
Your comments would be appreciated...
It refuses to auto focus and release the shutter. However, if I manually focus, it will and fire 9 times out of 10. I have tried cleaning the contacts both on the camera and assorted lenses, to no avail.
Although DX it continues to take excellent images, when it wants to.
I would hate to throw the body into the bin, but do I have any options - without spending heaps of $'s.
Your comments would be appreciated...
Nov 30, 2019 18:30:59 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Remove every battery in the rig and leave it out for at least a minute.
If you have a battery vertical grip remove its battery and remove the grip from the body.
If you have a battery vertical grip remove its battery and remove the grip from the body.
Nov 30, 2019 19:07:01 #
Nov 30, 2019 19:07:32 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
The D200 is a good old camera. If you can't resolve your problem, you may have to consider buying another camera. I recall someone on this forum called Nikon USA Repair about his D200, and he was told his camera could not be repaired, because of no parts.
Nov 30, 2019 19:23:25 #
Upgrade and you will find peace of mind. A lighter wallet, but peace of mind.
Nov 30, 2019 19:39:46 #
Valenta wrote:
My dear old D200 is, I believe, reaching its use-b... (show quote)
Proper diagnosis is necessary. Does this happen with only one lens? Or does it happen also with other lenses? That needs to be your FIRST test to diagnose the issue.
Nov 30, 2019 19:56:22 #
Nov 30, 2019 20:27:11 #
Valenta wrote:
My dear old D200 is, I believe, reaching its use-b... (show quote)
Sorry to hear. It was my first serious digital camera, and being a CCD device, had a clarity and color that rivals even more recent cameras with higher resolution.
However, you are correct - its time is past. You've gotten way more than your money's worth out of that 14 yr old camera.
Nov 30, 2019 21:29:11 #
I started out in digital with a D200. Was and is an outstanding camera, tough as nails. "Only" 10.2 MP that prints to 16 x 20 and bigger with no problems. I liked it so much that I bought a backup body several years ago. Two months later I dropped something on the original body's top LCD display. "Back-up" body still in use. It's outclassed now by higher tech newer cameras like my D500, D610, D850. But I don't care. I still use it for intervalometer work where it can't be protected very well. Thinking about putting it in an underwater case. Bodies can still be bought for chump change.
Dec 1, 2019 01:42:59 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Valenta wrote:
My dear old D200 is, I believe, reaching its use-b... (show quote)
Unless you only photograph moving subjects, lack of autofocus would seem to be a minor issue.
Dec 1, 2019 08:29:03 #
G. Crook
Loc: Linden, TX
You’ll note the OP said he cleaned the contacts on the body and all lenses.
Dec 1, 2019 08:42:55 #
The D200 is the camera that I used for one week some years back. It gave me excellent files and the first generation Nikon colors were simply spectacular.
As it is known camera manufacturers after something like 7 years tend to discontinue service and parts in old cameras. I guess it is better to sell something new and it is more profitable.
If AF is the only problem I would keep the camera and focus manually. If shutter failure is happening then now you have a serious problem and you will have to buy something new or used in good condition...unless you find a repair station that can do the job.
To do the repairs could be more expensive than the actual price of the camera. It is all up to you.
As it is known camera manufacturers after something like 7 years tend to discontinue service and parts in old cameras. I guess it is better to sell something new and it is more profitable.
If AF is the only problem I would keep the camera and focus manually. If shutter failure is happening then now you have a serious problem and you will have to buy something new or used in good condition...unless you find a repair station that can do the job.
To do the repairs could be more expensive than the actual price of the camera. It is all up to you.
Dec 1, 2019 09:01:27 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Most cities of appreciable size will have a camera mechanic.
Some are incredibly awesome, some are incredibly inept. Most have spare bodies so parts ... at least used ... could be available.
Some are incredibly awesome, some are incredibly inept. Most have spare bodies so parts ... at least used ... could be available.
Dec 1, 2019 09:58:26 #
wingclui44
Loc: CT USA
Valenta wrote:
My dear old D200 is, I believe, reaching its use-b... (show quote)
Before throwing it to the garbage bin, I would like to suggest some thing it may help. I have the D200 over 10 years with out any issue, and I'm still using it, even having a FF Df. First, the D200 can use both 'G' type AF lenses which have built in focus motor and older AF-D/AF lenses which don't have built in focusing motor, it needs the focusing motor in the D200 body to drive the focusing linkage (a screw on the base of the lens) to focus. Can you tell me what type of lenses you have? It's sure the focusing system has a problem, but you may have luck that it may work one way or the other. It may be the fault on the camera body motor, so the AF-D/AF won't work; or electrical circuit problem on the focusing system that could not sense the focus with the sensor. If you have both type of lens, try it out.
By the way, using MF if not a big deal if you have experience and skill, half of my dozen lenses are MF lens.
Good Luck!
Dec 1, 2019 10:27:04 #
Valenta wrote:
My dear old D200 is, I believe, reaching its use-b... (show quote)
Another comment suggested removing the battery for a minute. There are three other ideas that have worked for me in rescuing old (Canon) cameras with schizophrenic tendencies. All are free, so no harm in giving them a shot. Also there is no actual REASON these should help, but all have done so for me... Good luck.
1) In conjunction with the battery out, switch or depress the camera to 'on' position for 10 seconds and return to 'off'. Theoretically, this can discharge static charge that may reside within.
2) With camera off and no battery, attach to USB on computer, then replace battery and power up. This one is a true Gremlin fix as it got an old T2i to boot up when the camera had been unresponsive for weeks.
3) Simply reset all factory settings. This one reset the shutter actuation issues in a neighbor's Canon 40D, which she then sold for above market value to a beginner photographer.
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