I have run into an issue lately with my D300 and Nikon 70-200mm where it will not focus. Sometimes it even changes the aperture on it's own. I have it set to 2.8 but when I look it show 6.3 on the lcd window ontop. If I slightly push the lens a bit it goes back to 2.8. I have noticed that when I shoot, I have to force the lens a bit to the right, very lightly, for it to work. This sounds to me like a contact issue. Now, I seem to be having the same problem with my D90 and Sigma 150-500mm. The symptom is different though. Sometimes it will react as if there is no lens attached to the camera. The aperture will show the f error. This too sounds like contacts. What would be the best method to clean the contacts? Somebody recommended a product called Deoxit, but I don't like the idea of spraying stuff on the camera.
I agree that the contacts are suspect. You don't say where you are, but over time some climates are more prone to it than others. Somehow our local climate here in Kodiak is prone.
We've never had to resort to any product for cleaning the contacts, though. We just swipe them vigorously with a pencil eraser as a routine part of lens cleaning. And we concentrate on the lenses, rather than engender loose dirt and eraser bits inside the body while cleaning the body contacts. I'd give it a try before resorting to buying anything. If the eraser doesn't work, then it's time to get more aggressive.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on April 21, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Start first with a soft cloth, and then see if it goes away. Since the eraser can leave little bits, best to start with a cloth first, it just might be enough.
I decided to go with the Isopropyl alchohol(99.35%) and special cotton swabs for cleaning electrical contacts. I'll see how that goes. While I was cleaning the contacts on the D90 and Sigma lens, I wasn't seeing any dirt or residue coming off on the swab. What I did notice is that on the lens, the round part that connects the contacts to the lens, a small screw was loose, which causes the contacts to move slightly. So I don't think it was a dirty contacts issue for the Sigma lens. It looks like it was for the D300 and the Nikon lens as I did notice some black residue on the swab after cleaning.
What I did notice is that on the lens, the round part that connects the contacts to the lens, a small screw was loose, which causes the contacts to move slightly. So I don't think it was a dirty contacts issue for the Sigma lens. It looks like it was for the D300 and the Nikon lens as I did notice some black residue on the swab after cleaning.
Discussion
5 repliesWe've never had to resort to any product for cleaning the contacts, though. We just swipe them vigorously with a pencil eraser as a routine part of lens cleaning. And we concentrate on the lenses, rather than engender loose dirt and eraser bits inside the body while cleaning the body contacts. I'd give it a try before resorting to buying anything. If the eraser doesn't work, then it's time to get more aggressive.
Contact cleaning solved the issue - hope it does for you too.
sandy r
Bingo! I bet you're back in business.