TransWikia.com

Why does my Nikon D3100 no longer auto-focus via the viewfinder?

Photography Asked by Qaz on August 29, 2021

My Nikon D3100 out of the blue cannot focus correctly.

It seem the that the focus motor always stops at the end of the run (Infinity) and cannot lock on the target, thus cannot release the shutter. I tried with two other AF-S lens but still the same.

This only happen when I use the viewfinder. The AF motor works fine and can focus on the target if I use the live view (LCD).

I tried the single point auto-focus, Reset to Factory Setting, and I tried cleaning the contacts but still cannot get the AF to focus on the target through the viewfinder.

What could be wrong and what can I do about it?

5 Answers

If it won't focus in OVF mode with several lens, especially after checking all focus options and switches, switching in/out of manual focus, re-seating the lens, cleaning the contacts AND verifying that the live-view CDAF works in the very same situations, I would contact the vendor and/or Nikon and possibly send in for repairs.

Best of luck.

Answered by Instantkamera on August 29, 2021

In case it matters, a few sources I've seen say to check the AF sensor under the mirror for dust obscuring the AF sensor from getting a focus lock and keeping the camera from actuating the shutter.

Answered by Peter on August 29, 2021

I have Nikon D5200 and had similar issue where it would auto-focus in 'live view mode' when shutter release button was pressed half-way but not in 'view finder mode'. Later found that I had assigned function key (Fn) to AF-C and it would only auto-focus by pressing function key (Fn) in 'viewfinder mode'.

Answered by dileepmani on August 29, 2021

I have a Nikon D5300 and for some time have been really frustrated that my camera would only auto-focus in 'live view' mode. As the above answer said, I went int my menu and found that auto-focus was set to AF-C. I opened the menu, went to auto-focus and found it was set to 'focus' rather than 'release' and changing this sorted out my problem. I realise that this will be different from settings in different models but it solved a problem that had been driving me crazy for months!

Answered by Alison Watson on August 29, 2021

I just looked at this thread because I have a problem with my D3100. As I was going through the menus looking for the factory reset I saw that for some reason the Rangefinder was set to off. I set it to on and it seems to be fine now. How the heck that happened I don't know!

Answered by Paul Foster on August 29, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP