Kinda bummed...

Horatio · Mar 23, 2021

A nice-looking Nikon 28-105 AF-D zoom arrived on my doorstep today. Alas the AF does not work, although the screw slot turns freely when changing the focus manually. All my other AF series lenses work just fine, so I know it’s not the cameras. Maybe something related to the -D functionality, or the contacts?

The seller has a 14-day return policy, and six month warranty for repair.

Merde.

WWPD*?

*What would Photrio do

Andrew O'Neill · Mar 23, 2021

Send it back.

shutterfinger · Mar 23, 2021

1. verify the lens is comparable with your camera.
2. contact the seller ASAP.

Horatio · Mar 23, 2021

shutterfinger said:
1. verify the lens is comparable with your camera.
2. contact the seller ASAP.

Both done already.

reddesert · Mar 23, 2021

Clearly, "return it" is the right answer here rather than trying to muck with it. The "D" likely has little to do with it. You can wipe the contacts with a microfiber cloth. If internal wiring is broken, then the AF won't work. For future reference, though, if you were interested in trying to debug such a lens problem, some questions would be:

- does the screw slot turn when you focus the lens manually (you answered that)
- does the camera's screw turn when trying to AF (hard to see when the lens is mounted, but you should hear it)
- is the screw making contact with the slot?

I had a lens once where the slot was a little too recessed - I really don't know why, it seemed like the part was wrong - and the camera's screw couldn't contact it enough to turn the lens.

Jim Hobson · Mar 23, 2021

Horatio said:
A nice-looking Nikon 28-105 AF-D zoom arrived on my doorstep today. Alas the AF does not work, although the screw slot turns freely when changing the focus manually. All my other AF series lenses work just fine, so I know it’s not the cameras. Maybe something related to the -D functionality, or the contacts?

The seller has a 14-day return policy, and six month warranty for repair.

Merde.

WWPD*?

*What would Photrio do

Do you have other "D" lenses and do they work on your camera?

Horatio · Mar 24, 2021

It's going back.

Huss · Mar 25, 2021

Horatio said:
It's going back.

Good call. That's an easy lens to find so I wouldn't waste a moment on a defective one.
Love it on my F4!

beemermark · Mar 25, 2021

I agree with sending it back. However I have a very expensive Tamron camera that AF with quite a few of my Nikon bodies but doesn't work with my F5. Go figure.

Horatio · Mar 25, 2021

Huss said:
Good call. That's an easy lens to find so I wouldn't waste a moment on a defective one.
Love it on my F4!

True enough. Why it’s not working is really bugging me. It must be the screw/slot coupling. The slot seems about the right depth, but it could be misaligned just enough to not engage. I’d blame the F4, but it doesn’t work with any of my Nikon AF mount bodies.

mawz · Mar 28, 2021

beemermark said:
I agree with sending it back. However I have a very expensive Tamron camera that AF with quite a few of my Nikon bodies but doesn't work with my F5. Go figure.

3rd party lenses are notorious for this and it's always an electronics/firmware issue.

A 1st party lens like the 28-105D is a different story and likely either a broken AF drive coupling or electronics failure.

Kinda bummed...

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