vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I have had this lens for a while and of course it only has manual focus on my D3200 but with the internal focusing motor of my newer (D7200 it worked well.
However suddenly lately it stopped working, both the autofocus function as well as the relaying information from the lens tohecamera: the controls do not alter F-stop and time anymore. On my other (AF with external motors everything is working fine.
I looked at the contacts and everything looks clean to my eyes.
Any suggestions to what he problem could be?

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...looked at the contacts and everything looks clean to my eyes..."
A visual inspection doesn't confirm that there isn't an organic film prohibiting electronic contact from functioning correctly. Isopropyl alcohol is an industry standard for cleaning contacts...

Test this D7200 body with another Screw Driver lens might be your next step...
You might take the lens off the body, turn the focus ring and watch to see if the "Slot" on the lens mount turns.

Worst Case? Send the D7200 back to Nikon to for service.

Wishing you all the best with this epic camera... I love my D7200, it rocks!

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks. This is mg only lens without built-in focusing motor. Will try the isopropylETOH

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Cleaned contacts : minimal dirt came off. When manually moving the F stop ring of the lens, the numbers are transmitted to the camera when in manual (not in program). I can see the aperture opening the manual movingthex lever on the back of the lens. I do not hear an internal motor noise: could that be the problem? My other lenses with external focusing motors seem to work just fine.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...My other lenses with external focusing motors seem to work just fine..." That's good news! And yes it is possible that the screwdriver motor has failed in the D7200. I have a colleague who has the same issue with a Nikon D4 which refuses to work with older lenses that lack an internal motor.

His solution? He only uses Nikkors with internal focusing motors. Problem solved :)

What do I use on my D7200 in that focal length? A fabulous Sigma 17-50mm zoom optic albeit it's an f/2.8. However it has OS (Optical Stabilization) i.e. VR in Nikon speak. As such blows Nikon's only "Pro" DX lens (Nikon AF-S DX 17-55/2.8) out of the water with 4 stops of stabilization)

Check it out: Sigma AF 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM; Weight: 629 grams; Filter 77mm; Min focus 0.9 feet

While it's discontinued you still can find it new at many sellers here in the US for ~ $350 new.
Used prices are half of that amount. Oh this Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 is an order of magnitude superior to your slow Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 plastic model... Although the new "P" version does up the game in focus speed but it still is two stops slower at the long end.

Hope this helps vanderhala

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

His solution? He only uses Nikkors with internal focusing
Oh this Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 is an order of magnitude superior to your slow .

Yes but 2.8 does not give same bouquet as 1.8. Thanks

ggttc Loc: TN

Double check to see your f stop ring is set to smallest stop. Like f 22 etc.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Call Nikon directly at 1-800-645-6687 and ask the experts on your camera.
But, just for fun before you call, have you tried the two button reset?

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Yes , thanks

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...Yes but 2.8 does not give same bouquet as 1.8. Thanks..."

Solution: Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.4E for Nikon $185
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1431246-REG/yongnuo_yn50mm_f1_8_n_e_yn50mm_50mm_f_1_8_prime.html

After I purchased this epic f/1.4E I sold my AF 50mm f/1.4D
The Yougnuo is vastly superior in all aspects! and at half the price...

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Alphabravo2020

You probably know to match camera and lens focus modes on the D lenses. According to the documentation, if you set the camera to auto focus and manually focus the lens it can damage the motor. It sounds like you have connectivity issues so maybe this is unrelated. Does that lens even have a M/F switch?

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...Does that lens even have a M/F switch?" Alphabravo2020 it does not... Only an aperture ring.
The mount has five pins to transmit data to the camera and a slot to accept a screwdriver focus device.

"...if you set the camera to auto focus and manually focus the lens it can damage the motor..." Yep this is a very real problem with older "D" and "AF" type Nikkors... It's actually too easy to hold the focus ring accidentally while the D7200's screwdriver attempts to turn the helicoils... A sure way to toast the camera's motor Alphabravo2020...

btw, the same holds true for many third party "in lens motors" and why the newer AF-S Nikkors have instant manual focus override...

btw, KEH has the OP's AF 50mm f/1.8D in EX + condition for less than $100
https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-nikkor-50mm-f-1-8d-af-lens.html
Believe they will warranty it for 180 days... free return at up to 30 days

Hope this helps...

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I did know that there is no M/F switch. Did not know about the manual risk of damaging camera motor. will have to have camera checked at Samy's Camera Thanks. (I have not other AF lens that would need a camera motor to test it).

Bill_de Loc: US

I just checked my AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4 on a D7200. If that lens is not set to F/16 the focus does not work. The switch on the camera body must be set to AF.

If there is a problem you should see "fEE" in the viewfinder.

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