Lost operating button ( shutter and focus ) Unfortunately, button on top of camera that operates 'shutter' and aslso zooms lens has come off and lost. need to replace part ( fitting appears undamaged )

Hi Anna,

In order for your Nikon to auto focus correctly, you need to have several things:

First - focus indicator. In your viewfinder, locate it on the bottom row of the status information bar; you should see a small, green circle in the left-most position. This will BLINK when you partially depress the shutter release (or back button focus - depending how you focus your D5000) whenever the subject is OUT of focus. It will switch to "STEADY ON" when the subject is IN focus. Please note that you will not be able to release the shutter any time it is blinking unless you make a change to the setting that will allow you to release the shutter when the camera is out of focus (not recommended).

Second - light. You must have enough light entering the camera for it to detect areas of different contrast on the selected focus point. If there is not enough light there is too little contrast for the camera to autofocus and no matter how close or how far (and everywhere between) the focus is set resulting in the camera "hunting" near and far to find it. The green circle will not stop blinking. Have you tried in a well lit room or outdoors in daylight?

Third - minimum focus distance. All lenses have a minimum focus distance. Acording to Nikon, yours is rated at 3.6' (1.1m) (see: http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-DX-VR-Zoom-Nikkor-55-200mm-f%252F4-5.6G-IF-ED.html for full specs on this lens). This means your subject needs to be at least 3.6' away to be able to focus on it - manually or aut0matically - it makes no difference. There are lenses that do "very close" focussing that are called "Macro" (but curiously Nikon branded versions of these lenses are called "Micro"), that are also telephoto lenses. Your lens is not a macro/micro type.

Lastly - operational equipment. It is possible that there is an issue with the D5000 camera body or lens (or even both). Try another lens to see it it works as expected. No other lens? Go to camera store with your camera and lens and "shop" for a new lens. Ask to try it out in the store and see if it it works. Maybe the counterperson will identify another issue with your set up.

I hope this helps & good luck!

The "button" is actually just a plastic extension for the actual switch on the printed circuit board. You will have to dismantle the camera to gain access to the board and then use a DMM to test the switch contacts.

How are you zooming in? If you are using a button to zoom, that is to check the focus: it's just enlarging the image for your convenience during focusing. In order to get a zoomed-in image when press the shutter button, you need to adjust the zoom ring manually on the lens barrel before taking the picture.

This issue can occur in the following circumstances:
The subject is too close to the camera lens Insufficient lighting Subject movement Camera movement Incorrect camera settings Incorrect camera operation Follow the steps below to help prevent taking pictures that appear blurry, out-of-focus or distorted.

If the camera has both an auto focus and manual focus mode, make sure it is set to auto focus. Make sure there is enough lighting to allow the camera to focus on the subject. Make sure the camera settings are set appropriately. When taking close-up or macro-type shots, ensure the subject is not closer than the minimum focus distance of the lens. Also, if the camera has a zoom option, set it to the W (wide-angle) position. If you have a fast-moving subject and the camera has a Program AE mode with a higher shutter speed (such as Sports action), make sure it is enabled. Also, if the camera has an ISO control, set it to a higher setting. If your camera has a SteadyShot/anti-blur function, ensure it is enabled. Aim the camera at the subject. Press the shutter button halfway down. NOTES:
Pressing the shutter button halfway down allows the camera to focus automatically. A flashing green indicator will be visible in the LCD or viewfinder. When the indicator stops flashing, focusing is finished and the camera is ready to take the picture. Some camera models have a Monitoring AF setting that can be selected which allows the camera to focus without the need to hold the button halfway down. Consult the instruction manual of the camera for information whether or not this is applicable for your model.

I have the same problem any ideas on how to solve it?

Your cameras focus lens is probably stuck.
It operates via a long metal rod, a pin which follows a track in the side wall of the lens and a tensioned spring. one or more of these has probably jammed causing the focus lens not to move when you zoom.
Unfortunately for this camera, if you cannot free it by switching on/off, tapping the lens etc, you will have to strip the camera down to get at the lens unit. you will have to discharge the flash capacitor before desoldering the control board from the main board before removing to access the lens.
Recommend you find someone who knows about this or send to Fuji.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTITf correct focus cannot be obtained
When the subject to be focused is not on the AF target mark (not positioned
in the center of the composition), you can use the following steps to obtain the
correct focus on the subject. This operation is referred to as "focus lock".
Determine the position of the subject after focusing (Focus Lock)
1 Press the power switch.
• The camera turns on in the shooting
mode.
• The lens extends and the monitor turns
on.
• The orange lamp lights.
2 Turn the mode dial and select a
shooting mode.
"Shooting mode" (P.36)
3 Position the AF target mark on
the subject you want to focus on.
• When shooting a hard-to-focus
subject, point the camera at an object
about the same distance away as the
subject.
Press the shutter button halfway
until the green lamp lights.
• When the green lamp lights steadily,
the focus and the exposure are locked.
• When the green lamp blinks, the focus
and exposure are not locked. Release
your finger from the shutter button, reposition
your subject and press the
shutter button halfway again.
5 Keeping the shutter button
pressed halfway, recompose
your shot.
6 Press the shutter button fully.
Try the above, info from D-535, C-370 and X-450.
I can email you the complete manual if this works.
Regards
Phillip

When operating any digital camera, the camera tries to capture the best focus and exposure for that particular scene. By pressing the shutter button half-way down, the focus and exposure is being set. There will be a green circle on the upper left hand corner of the screen, then your camera is ready to take the picture. Slowly depress the shutter the rest of the way down to take the picture.

An E:61:10 error means Zoom operations fault Inspect the lens block zoom reset sensor.
You can try to do a manual reset on your camera. If that doen't work it will probably have to be sent in for service.

If the camera is having trouble doing an auto focus you can try the FOCUS LOCK feature. This feature allows you to focus on another subject roughly the same distance away from you, and then move the camera back to your original subject and take your picture without losing that focus. First turn the camera on and locate the AutoFocus Target Mark in the center of the LCD. The AF Target Mark resembles an open and close bracket [ ]. Position this AF Target Mark on a subject roughly the same distance away from you as the subject that the camera is having trouble focusing on. Press the shutter button halfway enabling the lens to focus. While keeping the shutter button pressed halfway, move the camera back to include the subject you originally wanted in the image, then press the shutter fully. (Please see page 42 in the D-535 Zoom Reference Manual in Section 3, under the heading titled “If Correct Focus Cannot Be Obtained”, for a more detailed explanation.)