Focus malfunction I have been shooting with my D70 for a little over a year now with absolutely no problems. I shot with it last weekend with no problems. However, yesterady when I took my camera out to use it I realized that my autofocus single area option won't let me change from one focus area point to another. It is stuck on the center focus area. Even stranger when I tested the autofocus on the closest subject mode it is capable of locking on each of the five focus points. Does anybody know what the problem is? Also my warranty just expired about a month ago. Do you think I can get any support for this problem? Could it be the summer humidity that is causing this malfunction? PLEASE if anybody knows anyhting about this let me know!!! thanks

Hi Sarah,

When you compose a shot, and depress the shutter button 1/2 way - you should hear the focus motor run to find the best focus. You should also see the image eventually become sharper in the veiwfinder, during this time. Focus can only occur when there is sufficient contrast. If the area is dimly lit, the D70's focus assist lamp should come on (unless disabled in the menu) to help bring out enough contrast for focusing. It has limitations however.. it too dark, distant or still lacks contrast, the camera will not be able to focus. This is usually a problem for night time shots or poorly lit indoor shots with slower lenes. You shouldn't run into this problem on bright, sunny days or with a fast, prime lens.

The D70 and many Nikon lenses for that matter, have the ability to switch between AF and M focus modes. An image of the switches is below:


It is important that BOTH switches not be in the M position. Different lenses have different designations for Auto Focus. The one pictured on the lens allows for manual override when the lens is in the M/A position. This simply means you can twist the focus ring on the lens without first needing to change the position of the switch to M. It is a nice, handy feature. Other lenses without the M/A position would require that the switch be moved first, an additional step that could be the difference in getting the shot - or not.

Make sure you're not trying to hand-hold the camera when the shutter "1 / 1.5 x Focal length". That is, if you're shoot at 100mm, you should use a tripod if the shutter speed is 1/150 sec. If at 300mm it would be 1/450 (or 1/500) of a second. At 50mm you should be 1/60 - 1/100 of a second. That's just a guide.. some people can hold it steadier than others and the new vibration control built in to lenses can lower that shutter speed too. If you're running into that as a problem, bump your ISO up one and try again.

THose are a couple of things to check out. Hopefully, one will solve your problem. Good luck! please rate my reply - thanks!

A few suggest about this problem. First in manual or auto focus mode does the green in focus confirmation light come on in the lower right corner of the viewfinder? Are you shooting in One Shot-AF, have you selected an Auto Focus Point are your pictures in focus? I know you've been using this camera for 2 years and these questions you need to ask yourself. If that green confirmation light comes on then the picture will be in focus. a few things that will mess up focus are little or no contrast. No contrast like huge expanses of water, sky, glass or infinity will render a auto focus system near useless. Something that is good is that you haven't said anything about error codes which is good. These questions my sound lame but ask yourself this when was the last time I cleaned the lens (Front Element) use a lens cloth for this and huff on it if a little moisture is needed. Do you change lenses often and when was the last time you checked your sensor for dirt? If you have had the lens off you should check the rear lens element for finger prints or oil. A dirty rear lens element will cause everything to look as if it's shot in a dream world. Check your camera sensor buy taking a (manual) focus shot of a piece of clear blue sky download it to the computer increase the size to 100% and check out the blue for dirt. A camera that's two years old and used "normally" may need the sensor cleaned. But go back to this infocus light if it's coming on and the pictures are out of focus then you have another problem as in dirt.
Hope this was a little insight into your problem

The "For" message means you need to format the memory card.

Copy anything you don't want to lose off of the card.

Locate the LCD Illuminator Button (next to LCD on top) and the Shooting Mode button (next to Brackting button (BKT) on back). Next to both of these button should be the word "format".

Simultaneously press and hold both buttons for two seconds. The card will format. Once done, the LCD will display the number of pictures available to be taken on the card.

have you got your camera set to continuse focus this will cause this set the camera to on shot

usandy,
You can set the focal point by toggling the menu switch (you can see it moving around into different locations as it "wraps" around the viewfinder, now depending on your f-stop the area that is not in focus will be soft, you can also experiment with the autofocus lock on you subject and evn try amnually focusing on your subjects.
randy320sgi

Friends have you tried not using the A-Aperture mode?? Set in on P-for Program or M-for Manual, this should produce the colors you are hoping for. If your photo is still "hot" use the + or - button called the Exposure compensation button on the top of the camera, push that little button and turn the outside main control dial where your right thumb sits 1 third stop at a time, (you have 4 to 5) The + adds light to your photo and the - will make your photos darker play with that and let me know. Barry Brown www.coralreefphotos.com

Hi Ramki

Camcorder can not be drop, maybe the brain damage and give the wrong figures to the camcorder and caused shot off and on.

I feel sorry about this bad situation, maybe if you have menu, see the trouble shoot, but I doubt it.

Frank

The channel on the flash for remote on the 4a withthe NIKON D70
If you are using the Nikon D200 then the channel is 1a ...

If you have any more questions contact

Berrie Smith Camera Repair
[email protected]

There are a number of flexible circuit connectors on the bottom two circuit boards of the D70. Possibly one or more have come loose. The flex connector for the rear LCD panel is also on 1st circuit board (memory compression PCB). You may have a problem with the circuit board itself. There are a lot of possibilities with problems with a digital SLR.Take the camera to a competant repair shop and have them check it out.

did you try a master reset? my d80 can do a factory reset i'd be surprised if the d70 does not have this feature, look in the manual or download it from nikon's web site