Nikon D40 - problem taking photos

[At The Gates]

Hi,

I just got a D40 and i'm having a lot of fun getting used to it, apart from one annoying niggle i just cant seem to find anything in the manual on. This is that sometimes the camera refuses to let me take a picture (in any mode). I hold the shutter button down and the lense just moves in and out focusing and won't take a picture. Is this some sort of feature to try and prevent blurred shots because the camera can't focus (poor lighting i guess?).

Also occasionally "r08" appears on the left of the viewfinder. Is this an error code?

Thanks!

[simonmac]

I get the same on mine, I assumed it was that it won't let me take a photo that is not in focus when on Auto?!?!

[Radiohead]

The lens can't acquire focus - I don't know about the D40 but some Nikon bodies have a setting to stop a shot if focus is not acquired.

The r08 refers to 8 shots being left before the buffer is filled.

[pkr]

You can override that for a test by going in to the menus and selecting AF-C ( continuous ). This allows you to release the shutter irrespective of focus lock.

The mode it is currently in will be AF-Auto - this determines if the subject is moving or not and selects AF-C or AF-S mode as appropriate. If your subject is stationary, AF-Auto will be using AF-S.

That should at least allow you to determine if that is the problem.

To help acquire focus, try ensuring there is a high contrast edge in the focus area.

[DeadKenny]

Interesting. My old D70 doesn't have the AF-Auto like that as far as I know. Could be kind of handy if it can flick between AF-S and AF-C automatically. Then again I suspect it would be annoying when it gets it wrong. Worst thing about the D70 though is having to go through the menu to change AF mode.

Anyway, as said it sounds like it's just not locking focus in probably AF-S mode. On the D70 by default there's a beep when it's focused. If there's something similar on the D40 that can be useful. You could stick it in AF-C but then you might get blurred shots if the problem is focus.

There should be a little dot in the viewfinder that indicates it's focused also.

p.s. what's the lens?

[ChrisBlack]

TBH, I've had this issue whilst using the standard 18-55 kit lens. Not tried pkr's work around yet, but if it resolves the issue, I'll be eternally grateful. Been really happy with my D40 thus far, but this has been a minor gripe. My ignorance amuses me :lol: