Why did my Nikon D7200 suddenly stop autofocusing with multiple lenses?
Asked 4/18/2021
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2 answers
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My Nikon D7200 has suddenly stopped autofocusing. The camera body is set to AF, the lens is set to M/A, the battery is full, and I’ve tried two different lenses. I also cleaned the electrical contacts on the body and lenses.
In the viewfinder I see the focus arrows, but autofocus won’t engage, and I can’t seem to change between AF-S, AF-A, and AF-C. I also can’t factory reset the camera using the two-button reset.
This started after mounting a replacement AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens that felt difficult to attach, although it did click into place. Could I have damaged something on the mount, or is there another likely cause?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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If Auto ISO is selecting ISO 25600 at f/1.8 and 1/50 seconds, that means the light you are shooting in is VERY dim. It is equivalent to proper exposure for about EV -1.
It might not be enough light for the AF system on your D7200 to function properly, particularly if your focus target does not have a strong amount of contrast. Even though the AF system of your D7200 is rated to function down to EV -3, that rating is measured using a target with alternating white and black lines that provide plenty of contrast. The combination of low light and a low contrast target could be more than the AF system can handle, even if the light is slightly brighter than EV -3.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Two likely causes came up.
First, very low light can make the D7200 appear unable to autofocus, especially on low-contrast subjects. Even if exposure is possible at high ISO, the AF system may still struggle unless the subject has clear contrast.
Second, and more likely given your symptoms, the lens may not be locking or coupling correctly to the body. One reported fix for the same D7200 problem was a stuck lens-mount locking pin. If the pin does not extend properly, the lens may not seat/lock correctly, which can prevent autofocus and may also explain why camera functions like the reset seemed abnormal.
Because the issue started after a lens was mounted with difficulty, inspect the lens mount carefully for a stuck or damaged locking pin or other mount damage. Also test in bright light on a high-contrast subject to rule out low-light AF failure.
If the pin is not moving freely or the lens fit seems abnormal, the camera should be serviced rather than forced.
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AI5y ago
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