3 replies to this topic

[boostedneutrino]

Hello Nikon experts,

 

For the last 24 hours or so, I've had trouble getting an autofocus lock with my Nikon Z9. Before that, my setup was working great.  Can anyone help?

 

My setup:

 

- Camera body: Nikon Z9

 

- Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

 

- Teleconverter: Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III

 

- Adaptor: Nikon FTZ mount adaptor

 

Symptoms:

 

- When I try to use auto-focus to focus on a subject, the auto-focus will stop a little in front or in back (I can't tell which) of the subject, and the subject will remain blurry. Then the auto-focus will quickly "flicker" back and forth near the subject, and the image in the viewfinder will get blurrier and clearer (but never fully sharp) until the autofocus finally gives up and scans to the end of its range. The "flicker" is pretty fast with a period of about 2-3 cycles per second.

 

- I first noticed this yesterday when I was out photographing birds. The autofocus worked great until I removed my teleconverter to photograph a close subject. The "flicker" behavior started when I reattached the lens directly to the FTZ adaptor. It's been going on ever since, no matter whether I have the teleconverter attached or not.

 

Stuff I've tried that hasn't fixed the problem:

 

- Using a rocket blower to clean the Z9's sensor

 

- Using a rocket blower plus cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth to clean the lens and teleconverter

 

- Cleaning off the contacts on the lens, teleconverter, FTZ adaptor, and camera

 

- Turning the camera off and on again

 

- Removing the camera battery for a few minutes

 

Any other suggestions?

 

Thank you!

 

Ed

 

[Ron]

This is totally out of my wheelhouse because I haven't even seen a Z9 in the flesh, but the only thing I can think of is to try a reset. Otherwise, give Nikon a ring. You wouldn't happen to be a Nikon NPS member, would you? Depending on your level, they can fast track the resolution of these kinds of problems.

 

--Ron

[dswan]

I have a D5500 doing something very similar.  It's OK if I fire real fast, but if I linger to do a composition, it does exactly what you are describing.  I've done similar sensor cleaning, de-dusting, restarting, lens cleaning, battery removal, etc.  Everything looks immaculate but it keeps happening.  It goes in and out of focus real fast and settles out of focus, especially in bright light.  Sometimes, it's OK indoors but that's unreliable too.

 

That only suggestions I have gotten were to chuck it into the river but I'd rather try something else before I do that.  The river will be there for a while.

 

Oh yeah, to add, the same thing happens on full auto, aperture priority or shutter priority.

[Brian]

Does it work correctly without the 1.4x TC?

 

With the 1.4x, you are an F8 lens. That tends to be a limit on phase detect AF modules.