RCJets Loc: Virginia

Two days ago I was out setting up to shoot some Osprey in the nest with some fledglings. I had my NIkon 80-400 mn mounted to the camera and was attaching it the Tripod using the mounting shoe on the lens. I was holding the camera as I adjusted the set screw on the tripod to lock in the lens shoe when suddenly the lens fell off of the camera. Since my hand was already next to the shoe on the lens, I was able to grab it before it fell to the ground. Phew! That scared me, and was I ever lucky.

What happened? The lens was not locking into place after making the small rotation that we all make when changing lens. When the unlock button was depressed, the small pin (for lack of a better word) that extends into the lens to lock it in place, was not re-extending once the button was released. This was a fault in the camera itself.

I played with it for a few minutes with no luck and finally got the lens and camera mounted on my tripod and got a few good photos. Later that evening I took a few photos at my VFW meeting using my normal lens, being very careful to ensure the lens was in place even if not locked. Before I was finished there, I started having auto focus issues. Were they related?

When I got home I went into my shop to address these issues. I got a Q-tip and put a small drop of methanol on it and touched it to the stuck locking pin which was flush with the surface. I finally got it to release by tapping on the surface next to the little pin with a small plastic screwdriver handle. I think the alcohol softened up what ever had it stuck. As for the auto focus problem, I used a little alcohol on the contacts on the lens and inside of the camera, and that cleared up that issue.

I didn't mean for this to get so long, but thought it worth mentioning. I can't be the only person to run into these issues, so if helps one person, it's worth it.

Joe

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Thanks for the info Joe.

Don

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I appreciate knowing about this, thanks!

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

It's always the little things that get us tripped-up. Glad to hear that you remmedied the problems.......those contacts can be tricky at times and lens locks as well. Delicate stuff.

Bill_de Loc: US

Good info. Glad nothing hit the floor.

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kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Thanks for the info. I will remember what you did if I ever have those issues.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks for letting us know about your experience and the remedy!

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

Never happened to me, but a good example of the benefits of cleaning the camera (or having it cleaned) periodically.

AnotherBob

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

It is good to learn from bitter experience, better yet to learn from someone else's bitter experience. Thanks for the tip.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Good information.
Mundy