I got my Nikon D40 less than a year ago, and haven't been using it very much yet, just thhe occational snap once in a while to get used to the camera. Now I finally got some extra time to really start getting in the mood for photography, but all of a sudden he camera stopped working. as I have it on auto, it won't focus, but occasionally makes the humming focusing sound. It won't take a picture, either, asI push the button, although - yet again ccasionally - it takes a snap as I push the little AE-L/AE-L button, but even then the picture comes out blurry and out of focus. Also,(his is hopefully an unrelated issue), the camera had changed the picure format from normal to RAW without me changing any settings. This was quite annoying, as now my otherwise nice holiday pictures are in a format I can not do anything with. Unlike the manual stated, there was no editing program included on a cd with the camera to help me.. I haven't made any own settings, mainly used the auto mode... Is my camera just moody, do I have bad luck, or is this a problem that could be easily solved at home?
If it's under warranty, use the warranty. It takes my D40x about a half second to focus at most. I keep my camera in a dust proof case when not in use. I've had it for 2 years, it still works fine.
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The D40 is a low end camera, but before you discard it, I would contact the closest Nikon repair depot (see the Nikon website for the location) and ask them for a repair estimate. You will then be able to decide if it is better to have it repaired or replace it with a newer model.
Remove the lens and fire off a few shots while looking inside. Make sure the mirror flips up out of the way and that the shutter opens and exposes the sensor.
I have similar problem on my D40. I think there is something mechanical with the camera's shutter button, some connections, I guess... The only solution I've found is to go to Menu > Custom Settings Menu > "AE-L/AF-L" and set to "AF". Now you can focus by AF-L button. Focusing works then perfectly.
The WORST thing is that I can't lock exposure now and that's sad :(
Maybe I can try to fix this in the camera center later, we'll see. But it takes months in Ukraine to do the fixing... Hate that!
Make sure the camera is using the appropriate focus sensor.
Does the problem occur when you focus manually?
Are you handholding the camera? Many people don't hold the camera as steady when holding it vertically. Try putting the camera on a tripod or other steady surface and see what happens.
has the lens stuck up? put it temporarily on 'M" and try to turn the focus ring. this should be freely turning;
otherwise you may want to check the camera body to lens electrical contacts (silver).. a small dab of alcohol to a q-tip.. make sure its not that wet..then try to clean the contacts.
When the camera is in auto focus mode, it will not take the picture until it locks onto a subject. If there is not enough light, the camera will "hunt" for something to focus on. Since it can't define any edges, it won't allow the shutter to release.
The D40 base model does NOT have a powered focus lever for autofocus, so if the autofocus is not working, suspect the lens.
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