Nikon D80 Digital Camera with 18-135mm Lens Logo
Posted on Dec 03, 2007
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Nikon Auto focus problem with the 18-135 KIT lense

Hello,
I have a Nikon D-80 that I bought with the Kit lense 18-135. All of a sudden the auto focus function seemed to have stopped working. I am looking for help to resolve this issue.

  • 3 more comments 
  • Anonymous Aug 24, 2008

    I have the same problem with the 18-135mm Lens on my D40x camera -
    the auto-focus stopped working all of a sudden.

    To make sure it is not related to the camera, I've switched lenses with a D80 18-200mm VR lens - my D40x worked fine with the other lens, but my lens failed on the D80 as well.

    Anything I can do except going to Nikon?

    Thanks


  • azeez06 Apr 17, 2009

    I have the same problem with my 18-135mm AF lens and D80 camera within 9 months of using it. Unfortuately I didnot register the warranty. I think it is not the problem with the camera body as my other AF DX lens 50mm 1.4 is focussing fine. I tried to get it repaired in the local Nikin dealer. Says it is a common problem with plastic mount lenses. It can only be repaired by sending it to Nikon, Japan which will cost about $250!! I was advised to go for a new same lens (cheeky) as it will cost almost the same. Nikon should make a 'recall' of such lenses and repair them free. It speaks very bad of Nikon.

    Azeez

  • Anonymous May 23, 2009

    won't auto focus and makes a grinding noise

  • Anonymous Mar 24, 2013

    This is a second Nikon lens with the similar autofocus problem. Suddenly one can hear the motor churning but not able to focus. This lens is barely used a gift to my son who did not use and returned it back to me.I ah e used it 4 times and on the photography outing I after few pictures it started acting up.It seems like a motor in the lens not able to focus.This is my 2nd Nikon with the same problem.My instructor who uses Nikon had the same problems.I may have second thoughts buying Nikon

  • Anonymous Jul 08, 2013

    Same problem here, after aprox 2 years, the auto focus stopped working :(

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9 Answers

Anonymous

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  • Posted on Jan 01, 2010
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I had this problem and just realised it today. I found out that it was a a settings problem. What I had done without realising was I had my "AE-lock" button functioning as "AF-ON" which meant that my autofocus would only turn on when I held the shutter half-way and pressed that button. Once I turned this function back to its original state of "AF-Lock" as opposed to "AF-ON", it worked fine.
My symptoms were: • soft mechanical noise when holding the shutter (i thought it was trying to focus but couldn't. I thought the mechanics for the AF were faulty) • Couldn't take photos unless they were in the set conditions (which makes sense because it was locked on a certain setting until I pressed the AF-ON button).
My camera is only a few months old so I wasn't convinced it was faulty/broken. Make sure you test all of your settings and go through each of them before you chalk it down to equipment error.
Hope this helps.

Sachin Gharat

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  • Posted on May 06, 2009
Sachin Gharat
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Hi i am camera repairer from mumbai,i think 18-135 or 18-55 or 18-200or 18-70 any of these lenses from nikon are using the same magnetic sensor based technology to recognise the focusing distance.but these sensor fails due to its physical contact & ware & tare nikon has to make them stronger or locally distribute them to repairers at 1(lens):5(sensors) free of cost & for that you end users has to put pressure on company.or abondon their product straightway. warm regards fromSAGHA

  • Anonymous Dec 18, 2012

    my lence nikon 18-135 not autofocucing when i tally the lence but in wide its working properly i check lence in another body but same issue.can u please help me out ...THANKS

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  • Posted on Dec 03, 2007
 Larry
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Make sure that the auto / manual focus switch is still in Auto focus mode.

If it is in Auto focus mode then look at how (menu) your camera is seeking the focus elements. Some people choose center focus, but you have multiple choices. Try all settings and just aim camera at the same two items one close (5ft) one farther (10ft), while changing the style of focus. You should get the lens to adjust as you select different diatance. If not then camera has internal problem.

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  • Posted on Nov 22, 2009
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Hi from Maine. My kit lens seems to have suddenly disabled this morning. My wife bought the kit for me, and I still have the box, in July so that's 4 months ago. I like the product, but my D-60 has no live view, and the lens is plastic outside rather than heavier material. I did a wedding yesterday and took 250 pictures with the nikon. I just noticed the lens problem this morning. The night before was a tv show at I took 85 pictures adn they focused very well.

  • Anonymous Nov 22, 2009

    Mine seems disabled or broken, my kit lens, but unbelievably mine came to life only if I pressed that external AE-L, AF-L button just the right of the viewfinder. It still may be partially broken, the sensor inside the lens, but I can get it to focus now if I cannot afford to repair or replace it. Why the lens is locking out focus commands or broken with the regular autofocus task, I do not yet fully know.

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  • Posted on Dec 12, 2009
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You will probably need to send it to Nikon for reapair -
the problem is either with the Auto-Focus servo motor or with the Auto-Focus sensor.

  • Make sure the battary is charged
  • Make sure Auto-Focus on the lens in set to 'A'
  • Make sure Auto-Focus on the camera is set to 'AF'
  • Try switching lenses with another Nikon, to make sure it is not the Camera's fault (your lens should fail on the other body, but the other lens should work OK on yours)
Good luck!

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  • Posted on May 07, 2010
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Yea i think this is the problem with all of us i know of a few othe ppl who have went out and bought the same camera i have and they are haveinng the same problems that we are all haveing this is the way for nikon and other name brands to empty our pockets

A

Anonymous

I have the same problem, the Autofocus stopped working yesterday. I'm looking for a solution, otherwise I have to send it back for repair.

A

Anonymous

Hello guys..i am a camera technician, and i know that every one who has 18-135 ...suffering from af problems..actually this problem accurs du to fialure of "af encoding sensor" it self in side lens..so there is no solution from out side.I think that nikon r&d labs invents new experiments on our pocket....&....this is a proof.so it is adviced to not to buy any nikon lens based on "SWM" TECHNOLOGY....for peace of mind...
Thanks...

  • Howie55 Sep 10, 2011

    My lens 18-135 lens stopped auto focusing yesterday. After reading all the comments I decided to buy a new 18-200 lens and send my old one for repair. I was messing about with it last night and dropped it onto the carpet by accident from about a height of 10 inches. I put it back on my camera and it is now working again!!

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  • Posted on Jan 20, 2008
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My D80 had the same problem. Between shots the lens stopped autofocusing. It would refuse to autofocus at focal lengths between about 60 and 135 while making a grinding/squeeking noise. A quick search of the internet shows that this is not an uncommon problem with the 18-135 kit lens. I contacted Nikon CS about to problem and they promptly told me to return the camera/lens for service/repair.
Hope that helps =)

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That's odd that Shutterbug camera shop couldn't tell you everything you needed to know about that camera. I looked it up in a PDF manual because the new "small frame" cameras require different lenses as is the case here Autofocus with this camera is only supported by AF-S and AF-I lenses the lens is equipped with the autofocus motor other types of lenses will not autofocus.

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