Comments on: Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR Lens http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275 Not a photo blog, but sometimes I play one on TV Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:38:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.12-alpha by: Rob http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-19194 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:46:19 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-19194 To Carol - I had exactly the same problem with my D300 and 70-200 combo, which also seemed to happen more frequently when i used a TC with the lens. There seem to be a lot of people experiencing the same issue and also with larger lenses. There has been a lot of discussion at the Nikonians website about this issue, and it appears to be caused by a contact problem between the lens/camera connection. The best advice I have found was to get a contact cleaner called Deoxit & Deoxit Gold and clean/treat the electrical contacts on the lens to ensure optimum conductivity. After I did this, the problems stopped. Nikon are aware of them problem and their latest firmware release for the camera is supposed to help fix the problem. To Carol - I had exactly the same problem with my D300 and 70-200 combo, which also seemed to happen more frequently when i used a TC with the lens. There seem to be a lot of people experiencing the same issue and also with larger lenses. There has been a lot of discussion at the Nikonians website about this issue, and it appears to be caused by a contact problem between the lens/camera connection. The best advice I have found was to get a contact cleaner called Deoxit & Deoxit Gold and clean/treat the electrical contacts on the lens to ensure optimum conductivity. After I did this, the problems stopped. Nikon are aware of them problem and their latest firmware release for the camera is supposed to help fix the problem.

]]> by: Carol http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-19193 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:43:50 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-19193 I love my Nikon D300...have worked my way up each step from the 100, 200, and now 300. I do have a problem though...when using my Nikkor 70-200 lens with it, my camera periodically suddenly stops shooting and flashes a 'low battery' signal...even when I have a fresh new battery popped in. I have experimented using other freshly charged batteries, battery packs, and other lenses. This only happens with my 70-200 lens on. I took it to the shop I purchased it at, and indeed they confirmed it was occasionally showing dead battery signals. After hundreds of shots taken with it on my 300 and then switching my 70-200 lens onto other camera's...they determined my 3 month old D300 must be defective. They switched the body out with a new one. During my next photo shoot...unfortunately the same thing happened and the camera battery showed dead (I have to switch the power off, then back on, to get it working again...very frustrating when needing to take fast shots!). Needless to say, I was disheartened! I had no clue a lens could actually affect a battery signal and sudden power loss. Has this ever been heard of before? I am cringing at sending it in to Nikon, waiting forever...and having to rent a lens for other shoots...but it seems that is the next step I imagine? One last note...when I put the 70-200 lens on my D-200, occasionally the shutter release refuses to focus, or work at all (although the battery still shows full in this case). Again, the only resolve is to power off, then back on..sometimes requiring more than twice to get it working again...so this is a slightly different issue, but still an odd connection with this lens. I'm baffled! <span class='jfriedl'>I've run into this exact thing before, which I've dubbed <a href='http://regex.info/blog/2007-12-05/651' rel="nofollow">Dead Battery Syndrome</a>. The first time was during a long hot shoot in the sun, so I thought it might be heat related. But I've since run into it two or three other times, the most recent having been a few days ago on a cool day with my Nikkor 17-55/2.8. Turning the camera on and off allows it to work fine again for a short time, but I found that taking the lens off momentarily has generally solved the problem for the day. I just turn the lens enough to unseat the electronic contacts, and reseat them, then things seem fine. Frustrating and inconvenient. —Jeffrey</span> I love my Nikon D300…have worked my way up each step from the 100, 200, and now 300. I do have a problem though…when using my Nikkor 70-200 lens with it, my camera periodically suddenly stops shooting and flashes a ‘low battery’ signal…even when I have a fresh new battery popped in. I have experimented using other freshly charged batteries, battery packs, and other lenses. This only happens with my 70-200 lens on. I took it to the shop I purchased it at, and indeed they confirmed it was occasionally showing dead battery signals. After hundreds of shots taken with it on my 300 and then switching my 70-200 lens onto other camera’s…they determined my 3 month old D300 must be defective. They switched the body out with a new one. During my next photo shoot…unfortunately the same thing happened and the camera battery showed dead (I have to switch the power off, then back on, to get it working again…very frustrating when needing to take fast shots!). Needless to say, I was disheartened! I had no clue a lens could actually affect a battery signal and sudden power loss. Has this ever been heard of before? I am cringing at sending it in to Nikon, waiting forever…and having to rent a lens for other shoots…but it seems that is the next step I imagine? One last note…when I put the 70-200 lens on my D-200, occasionally the shutter release refuses to focus, or work at all (although the battery still shows full in this case). Again, the only resolve is to power off, then back on..sometimes requiring more than twice to get it working again…so this is a slightly different issue, but still an odd connection with this lens. I’m baffled!

I’ve run into this exact thing before, which I’ve dubbed Dead Battery Syndrome. The first time was during a long hot shoot in the sun, so I thought it might be heat related. But I’ve since run into it two or three other times, the most recent having been a few days ago on a cool day with my Nikkor 17-55/2.8. Turning the camera on and off allows it to work fine again for a short time, but I found that taking the lens off momentarily has generally solved the problem for the day. I just turn the lens enough to unseat the electronic contacts, and reseat them, then things seem fine. Frustrating and inconvenient. —Jeffrey

]]> by: Dave http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-14268 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:36:07 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-14268 Could you give me some suggestion as to what the best settings are to get the best results are? Focus Mode - Continuous servo AF or Single servo AF? Focus Area Selection - Single-area AF, Dynamic-area AF, Group dynamic- AF, or Dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority Focus Zone Selection - Normal Frame (11 Areas) or Wide Frame (7 Areas) On the lens could the problem be I am in Vibration reduction mode and I took the shot before it was ready. I contacted a forum and the suggested opening up the lens to get a faster shutter speed and to use Continuous servo AF. I had shutter speeds up to 6400 at 2.8; it did not make a difference. Could suggest what setting I should be using to help me diagnose the problem. In your opinion are focusing problem mostly with the lens or the camera body? I was a wedding photographer until I retired for health reasons. I never noticed focusing problems before, but then I was not using the 70-200 when doing weddings. Could you give me some suggestion as to what the best settings are to get the
best results are?
Focus Mode - Continuous servo AF or Single servo AF?

Focus Area Selection - Single-area AF, Dynamic-area AF, Group dynamic- AF, or
Dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority

Focus Zone Selection - Normal Frame (11 Areas) or Wide Frame (7 Areas)

On the lens could the problem be I am in Vibration reduction mode and I took the
shot before it was ready.

I contacted a forum and the suggested opening up the lens to get a faster
shutter speed and to use Continuous servo AF. I had shutter speeds up to 6400 at 2.8;
it did not make a difference.

Could suggest what setting I should be using to help me diagnose the problem. In your opinion are focusing problem mostly with the lens or the camera body? I was a wedding photographer until I retired for health reasons. I never noticed focusing problems before, but then I was not using the 70-200 when doing weddings.

]]> by: Dave http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-14226 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 07:39:10 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-14226 I am having a problen with focusing. I was giving your link for your test chart. I have not tried it yet, before I do I have a question. I am seeing the problem with my 70-200 VR 2.8 lens. Should I run the test with this lens and again with a different lens. I am guessing this would let me know if it is the lens or the camera. Would this be correct? <span class='jfriedl'>Well, I'm not sure. Let's say it's the camera, and the 2nd lens you test with also has a problem that just happens to cancel out the problem with the camera. Then, it'd appear as if your lens was at fault. I'm not suggesting that this is a likely case, but it's something to pay attention to. It may well just be the camera/lens combination... I don't really know enough about why one or the other might be out of adjustment to speculate. — Jeffrey</span> I am having a problen with focusing. I was giving your link for your test chart. I have not tried it yet, before I do I have a question. I am seeing the problem with my 70-200 VR 2.8 lens. Should I run the test with this lens and again with a different lens. I am guessing this would let me know if it is the lens or the camera. Would this be correct?

Well, I’m not sure. Let’s say it’s the camera, and the 2nd lens you test with also has a problem that just happens to cancel out the problem with the camera. Then, it’d appear as if your lens was at fault. I’m not suggesting that this is a likely case, but it’s something to pay attention to. It may well just be the camera/lens combination… I don’t really know enough about why one or the other might be out of adjustment to speculate. — Jeffrey

]]> by: Edward Massias http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-13273 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:23:06 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-13273 I like this blog, I'm inspired to go get that Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR.. Thing is I may have to save for quite some time to get one..LOL..... My fav pic is the first pic you posted of your son at the playground playing in the sand... What I really liked about ti is how it made me and my girlfriend had a good laugh when I zoomed in and say that his T-Shirt was inside-out....LOL I immediately thought you was soo excited to get your new lens you basically throw on some clothes on you son and say LETS GO!... lol.... All is good.. keep up the great work.. eddie www.emassiasphotography.com Kingston, Jamaica I like this blog, I’m inspired to go get that Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR.. Thing is I may have to save for quite some time to get one..LOL….. My fav pic is the first pic you posted of your son at the playground playing in the sand… What I really liked about ti is how it made me and my girlfriend had a good laugh when I zoomed in and say that his T-Shirt was inside-out….LOL I immediately thought you was soo excited to get your new lens you basically throw on some clothes on you son and say LETS GO!… lol…. All is good.. keep up the great work..

eddie
www.emassiasphotography.com
Kingston, Jamaica

]]> by: Keith http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-11914 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:45:02 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-11914 thanks for sharing the pics. i wonder if anyone carries the white grey version in the US? <span class='jfriedl'>I've seen it offered at Adorama and B&H in the past, but apparently it became scarce around the beginning of the year.... —Jeffrey</span> thanks for sharing the pics. i wonder if anyone carries the white grey version in the US?

I’ve seen it offered at Adorama and B&H in the past, but apparently it became scarce around the beginning of the year…. —Jeffrey

]]> by: Jon http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-11911 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:50:01 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-11911 Playing with my shiny new D300 today, I discovered something extraordinary. There is now an option to "fine tune" AF in the menus. That is to say, you can dial in +5 or -3, or whatever you wish, and test shoot until you eliminate front or back focus problems. Whats more, it saves the setting for each CPU lens! Nikon service for these issues will become a thing of the past. What a great idea! <span class='jfriedl'>No kidding on the "great idea" front. I've seen a marked increase in interest in my <a href='http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart/' rel="nofollow">autofocus test chart</a> in relation to this. If someone wishes to send a D3 or D300 to me, I will be happy to perform extensive analysis :D —Jeffrey</span> Playing with my shiny new D300 today, I discovered something extraordinary. There is now an option to “fine tune” AF in the menus. That is to say, you can dial in +5 or -3, or whatever you wish, and test shoot until you eliminate front or back focus problems. Whats more, it saves the setting for each CPU lens! Nikon service for these issues will become a thing of the past. What a great idea!

No kidding on the “great idea” front. I’ve seen a marked increase in interest in my autofocus test chart in relation to this. If someone wishes to send a D3 or D300 to me, I will be happy to perform extensive analysis :D —Jeffrey

]]> by: An impressed Canon user http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-11506 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 05:56:48 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-11506 Why on earth is Nikon trying to 'cash in' on the recognition of Canon's grey/white lenses? It seems to me that people will think, like I did, that it is a Canon lens: "yep, another Canon user. Must be good. Gotta get me a Canon." Nice to see Nikon advertising for their opposition.... ;o) Why on earth is Nikon trying to ‘cash in’ on the recognition of Canon’s grey/white lenses? It seems to me that people will think, like I did, that it is a Canon lens: “yep, another Canon user. Must be good. Gotta get me a Canon.” Nice to see Nikon advertising for their opposition…. ;o)

]]> by: Ziad http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-9793 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:11:29 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-9793 Doing some research on this lens. Thanks for the samples. I think your D200 has a backfocus issue. Because everybody else I read didnt complain about the focus. I will go ahead and get this lens though. I found a white version of it which are considered pretty rare. Best wishes Doing some research on this lens. Thanks for the samples. I think your D200 has a backfocus issue. Because everybody else I read didnt complain about the focus. I will go ahead and get this lens though. I found a white version of it which are considered pretty rare.
Best wishes

]]> by: dickie http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-8822 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:58:53 +0000 http://regex.info/blog/2006-11-06/275#comment-8822 ^^^^^ How Rude??? ^^^^ thnx for sharing your findings jeff.. i'm in the process of trying to find one of these white, sorry, light grey vr lenses,, they're rarer than rocking horse poop!! ^^^^^ How Rude??? ^^^^

thnx for sharing your findings jeff.. i’m in the process of trying to find one of these white, sorry, light grey vr lenses,, they’re rarer than rocking horse poop!!

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