In conjunction with the copperhill cleaning...AF problems now appear

Thirdfox

I've posted this up on dpreview's Nikon forums but would like your opinions too:

Hi there guys - this is stressing me out as I have two assignments next week.

I have just cleaned my sensor via the copperhill method and now the AF is a bit wonky (even if I were to have scratched the AA filter that shouldn't affect AF right?)

The problem is that the lenses do not seem to want to traverse the work focus range when it can't lock focus. i.e. it normally travels from infinity to close to infinity... now it seems that the lens stop a bit after moving back from infinity (close objects can't be focused on first time). Sometimes the camera is unfocused and I half press the shutter release again and nothing happens (normally it would traverse the focal range again trying to lock onto something...)
Does anyone know of any solutions for this? Would a reset help?

Really grateful for any help you can give,
Daniel



This hasn't really put me off doing the cleaning myself (I can't afford to be spending upwards of 100 euro per clean) but I am really worried for my camera though. Has this ever happened to any of your cameras? The AF module shouldn't be affected by anything done to the sensor at all right?

pete4130

Have you tried more than one lens? I've used the copperhill static brush plenty of times in the past no bother. You might have gotten some natural oils from your hand onto the contacts of the lens or the camera. Get some alcohol and gently clean the contacts (correct me if I'm wrong about using alcohol somebody, I don't want to mess up a somebody to mess up a camera on my advice!).
As far as I know it shouldn't affect the AF. Seeing as you posted this thread at 1:13am I'm guessing your indoors at home where the light may not be too good and the AF might struggle in the low light, so try a bright room with all the lights on too, eliminate the obvious things first. Also check how well your battery is charged too, it might affect your AF?

ThOnda

Well, AF sensors are in front of your pentaprismatic "thing", so anything you have done to the sensor shouldn't affect focusing.
Clean contacts both on body and the lense first. Than try another lens.

Thirdfox

I've tried my two lenses - and cleaned the contacts. No real improvement. The lenses would sometimes refuse to focus on a slightly dim but very contrasty object.

We'll see if this affects my real life shooting

TelePaul

That's crazy. Uhmmm for the sake of your gear would ya take it to a shop and have them sort things? I know it'll cost ya but ti's probably worth it.

Thirdfox

Might make a trip into Gunns then (they'll probably redirect me to Portebello)