Can turning a Nikon focus ring past its stop damage the lens or autofocus?
Asked 4/5/2015
5 views
2 answers
0
I used a Nikon D7000 with the 18-105mm VR kit lens in very dark conditions and switched to manual focus. While trying to focus, I turned the focus ring several full revolutions in one direction and felt a slight resistance point, then kept turning past it. The next day autofocus on that lens no longer seemed to work, although another lens autofocuses fine on the same camera body. I can still focus manually and get the green focus-confirmation dot, but the lens makes noise without moving when autofocus is engaged. Could turning the ring too far have damaged the lens, and what should I check first?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
1
Are you sure you set focus back to auto on both the body and the lens? I've made this exact mistake and thought I broke something and it was just me forgetting to turn auto back on. Good luck.
Originally by user37288. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37288
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Normally, no: on Nikon G-series lenses the focus ring is designed to disengage at the end of travel, so turning it past the stop should not damage the lens. You may feel slight resistance there, then the ring continues freely.
First, check the autofocus settings on both the camera body and the lens. The lens’s M/A or A/M switch takes priority, and it’s easy to leave either the body or lens set to manual focus by mistake.
If autofocus is correctly enabled on both and the lens still makes noise without moving, manual focus still working suggests the lens probably wasn’t damaged by simply over-turning the focus ring. The issue is more likely an autofocus/electronic problem inside the lens rather than the manual focus mechanism itself.
So: verify the AF/MF switches on both body and lens first. If those are correct and autofocus still doesn’t function, the lens likely needs inspection or repair.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI11y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Why won’t my Nikon D5500 autofocus when I half-press the shutter?
Why does my Nikon focus confirmation dot say manual focus is correct when the photos are still blurry?
Does the Canon 60D autofocus better than the 600D?
Nikon D3200 won’t autofocus after switching back from manual focus
How do you use AF+MF on Fujifilm lenses with hard-stop focus rings?