Auto-focus with a Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8 and a D7200?

February 2, 2024 3:00 PM

I recently purchased a used Japanese-made Nikkor AF 85mm 1:1.8 lens under the impression that it would auto-focus, but it doesn't. Is my research wrong? I'm new to the D7200.

A few additional details: It works fine manually, but when I switch to AF I get a flashing 'F--'. Re-seating it does not help. I am aware that I have to manually switch between manual and AF. Other lenses work correctly on this body, but they are AF-S.

I really like the lens, but if it's malfunctioning I need to initiate a return.

(If you're on the Nikonians forum, you may have seen this question, but that forum appears to be pretty low traffic and the return window is closing, so I'm also asking here.)

posted by donpardo to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

My vague recollection is that AF-S lenses have an internal motor to run the focusing mechanism, while the older AF lenses are mechanically driven and are thus not compatible with bodies that don't have a focus motor in the body.

That said, it's been 15 years, so my memory of this stuff is super hazy.
posted by wierdo at 4:20 PM on February 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

As wierdo said: AF and AF-D lenses have screwdrive autofocus powered by a motor in the body, while AF-S lenses have their own autofocus motors electronically controlled by the body. Most Nikon bodies these days do not include the motor to drive AF/AF-D lenses. If you look at the lens’ mount, you’ll see something that looks like a screw head, which is where the focus drive would engage on a camera that supports it. So no autofocus with this lens/body combo, I’m afraid.
posted by McCoy Pauley at 5:02 PM on February 2, 2024

The D7200 is advertised to have a focus motor in the body, and a screw drive for older AF lenses. Seems like this should work fine.
Do you have a local camera shop you can walk into? Have them check your settings, maybe try on another old-school screw-drive lens if they have one around?
posted by agentofselection at 5:06 PM on February 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

Does your D7200 have this bit here?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nikon/comments/14hby6n/what_is_this_piece/
That's the screw drive. It needs to be sticking out to autofocus the AF lens. Maybe check the AF switch position against that driver retracting?
posted by agentofselection at 5:08 PM on February 2, 2024

Best answer: All of the D7000 series cameras have the AF drive screw. They should work with every Nikon AF lens from 1986 to present. It's one of the major selling points of that series. I used to have one.

There's either a fault with the lens, or a fault with the body.
posted by automatronic at 7:52 PM on February 2, 2024 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: The body definitely has the screw drive and it extends/retracts when the AF/M switch is flipped.

Unless there's a way to test the AF motor at home I think there's a trip to KEH in my future. I just purchased the body from them, so they should be willing to help me.
posted by donpardo at 8:59 AM on February 3, 2024

Response by poster: BREAKING NEWS: there's a little crack in the lens coupling near one of the contacts. If I massage that into place, the lens works as expected. So I guess I'll be sending an email to the guy I bought it from.

Thanks, everyone!
posted by donpardo at 9:02 AM on February 3, 2024 [2 favorites]