Lens problem

[SteveM617]

Just thought I'd run this past you...
I have an issue with my 70 to 300mm lens; Nikon AF 1: 4-5.6 G;
If I set it on any auto programme it can't find the aperture; I get a flashing F - - where I should get F4.5 say.
I tried it on manual and the first time it worked ok but after that it's back to F - -.
Now I can set the speed on manual but not the aperture.

My Nikon 18mm to 70mm lens works fine; AF-S NIKKOR 1:35-4.5G ED.

So the camera seems ok.

I was wondering if it's some crud blocking the electrical signal but I can't see anything wrong. The contacts seem clean; the lens hasn’t been dropped or damaged in any way.

I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.....

[chris-p]

Hi Steve

Welcome to the forums.

Can you control the aperture if the camera is set in aperture priority mode? It sounds like dodgy contacts so, even if they seem clean, it might be worth cleaning them anyway.

What camera are you using? If you have access to another Nikon DSLR then it's probably worth mounting the lens on that as well to see if you still get the same problem.

[SteveM617]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I will try to seek out another Nikon user, thanks.

Aperture priority gives me the same F - - flashing; but it works fine on the 18 to 70mm lens.

I use a D70.

[PaulMontgomery]

It sounds like contacts to me. F-- is the usual error if a lens with an aperture ring isn't locked on the smallest setting (which isn't true in this case) so I'm guessing the cameras getting confused and not reading lens data correctly.

[chris-p]

Yeah, it sounds like contacts to me as well. Often just re-seating the lens can fix the problem but if it's happening every time you attach the lens it might hint at something more unpleasant.

If you can get another camera, try the lens on a different camera and see if it works. That will help somewhat!

[SteveM617]

Thanks for your advice guys....

The plot thickens somewhat; it will sometimes work with aperture being captured and auto focus working but only at maximum zoom; 300mm. If I pull back at all it never works. Odd...