Nikon D90 lens vibrating

[asdex]

Hi, I am hoping someone can help with this problem. We have had a Nikon D50 for a couple of years. It came with the two standard lens. The longer lens when zoomed out developed a problem where the lens would vibrate like the focus was not able to set. Turning the camera and lens AF to manual would not correct it and I would have to turn the camera off. The pictures taken when this was happening were all blurry. I sold the two lens and bought a Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC OS lens but this also started to vibrate at longer distances. Recently thinking the problem was with the camera I bought a Nikon D90 body but we still get the same problem. I'm pretty sure it's the focus motor as the previous lens didn't have the optical stability.
Has anyone come a across this problem?
Thanks.

[Andy Haruk]

I believe a tripod might help. When you shoot at longer focal length place your camera on a tripod and use self-timer mode.

There is also a rule - shutter speed should be shorter than 1/focal length. I.e. if you use 200 mm on your Sigma set shutter speed to 1/200 and faster. That might prevent blur on your photos. But a tripod is better

[JED]

First question. What were the 2 standard lenses you used with the D50? My first guess would be the standard kit lens pair which were most likely AFS and therefore do not use the in camera focus motor. What lenses were they?
What exactly do you mean by vibrate? Is it like a stutter?
Is this while attempting focus? Are you using continuous or single AF?
You mention that it only happens at the longer end - on close or distant subjects? Does it happen reliably? consistently?

[Ben]

I would also suggest a tripod to try.

When I was using manual focus 300mm on my D200, hand held, focusing at very far away object, it will shake like driving on the gravel road with sports car. It makes very difficult to focus.

As you mentioned swicth from AF to MF does not change then it's not the AF mortor.

[asdex]

Hi thanks for your replies. I think Jed is on the right track. It seems to be some sort of fault but with the same problem on two different cameras and two different lens it has me stumped. I will take note of when it happens over the next few days while on holiday and report back. It seems random. The previous D50 lens were the standard kit lens pair. AF but no OS. The lens sort of buzzes and the picture is vibrating extremely fast so causing it to blur. You can hear the lens buzzing from a few meters away.
I'm wondering if the lens is trying to focus but can't for some reason.
I will also check the continuous or single AF but I think it is on single.
Will report back after New Year.
Thanks

[Andy Haruk]

Hi thanks for your replies. I think Jed is on the right track. It seems to be some sort of fault but with the same problem on two different cameras and two different lens it has me stumped. ....

I guess if you have the same problem on two different lenses and two different bodies you have specific anti-photo-hardware-karma. Otherwise I still believe a tripod will solve your problem on both lenses and both bodies

[Ben]

I'm with Andy as tripod suggestion. Also, you may want to double check the lens is mounted correctly all the way until click in place. Maybe try to clean the lens-body connector?

[asdex]

I think I may know the problem. The only thing common to both camera's and both lenses is the old Vivitar 215 flash I am using. I have been told the high contact voltage can fry the electronic's of DSLR cameras. I'm guessing this has caused the same fault with the electronics of the D50 and now the D90. Looks like I'll have to live with it and toss the flash.
Cheers,
asdex

[Adam]

Well that might do it! Hope its not too serious, but yes, old flashes can be destructive. Do't toss the flash though, you could still fire it remotely with some cheap triggers

[John Read]

i also accept the same and i have tried it by my self tripod and auto timer is good