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D80 not focussing when shutter pressed half way.

Hi wondering if anyone can help?
I have a D80 which struggles badly focusing when the shutter button is pressed half way (both normal shutter and on battery grip)
I took the camera to a Nikon approved repair shop. They kept it for weeks then when I needed it back simply said "we cannot replicate the problem" ... "have it back" They guy looked totally uninterested dealing with the D80 :-(
Anyway, last night I was trying loads of different setting to see if it's something I inadvertently changed and have come up with something.
I selected the AE-L AF-L button on the back to focus. When I press this button to focus the camera works perfect focussing in an instant, compared to doing nothing when I press the release button half way.
Has anyone heard of this before or if they have a solution?
The main Nikon repair is 80miles from where I live and don't really want to go back after the last experience. I am trying to find a someplace closer to home (Dundee)
Thanks
I have a D80 which struggles badly focusing when the shutter button is pressed half way (both normal shutter and on battery grip)
I took the camera to a Nikon approved repair shop. They kept it for weeks then when I needed it back simply said "we cannot replicate the problem" ... "have it back" They guy looked totally uninterested dealing with the D80 :-(
Anyway, last night I was trying loads of different setting to see if it's something I inadvertently changed and have come up with something.
I selected the AE-L AF-L button on the back to focus. When I press this button to focus the camera works perfect focussing in an instant, compared to doing nothing when I press the release button half way.
Has anyone heard of this before or if they have a solution?
The main Nikon repair is 80miles from where I live and don't really want to go back after the last experience. I am trying to find a someplace closer to home (Dundee)
Thanks

Hi
Thanks for the reply. I have reset all settings and went through every AE-L AF-L setting too and am confident that I don't have it a custom setting overriding the main button.
When I press the button half way all it does is make a slight humming noise but no attempt to focus. When I set the AE-L AF-L to focus and press that, the focus locks straight away!
I've spent hours on Google looking for a solution. To be honest the man initially said the focus system needed to be recalibrated (at a cost of £150) but that doesn't explain why it focuses perfect using the AF button on the back. After that they said have the camera back as we couldn’t replicate the problem …. Erm the camera doesn’t focus using the shutter release button, it wasn’t really that difficult to replicate the problem. (It’s the same on 4 lens I own so assume it would be the same with any lens they tested it with)
Thanks for the reply. I have reset all settings and went through every AE-L AF-L setting too and am confident that I don't have it a custom setting overriding the main button.
When I press the button half way all it does is make a slight humming noise but no attempt to focus. When I set the AE-L AF-L to focus and press that, the focus locks straight away!
I've spent hours on Google looking for a solution. To be honest the man initially said the focus system needed to be recalibrated (at a cost of £150) but that doesn't explain why it focuses perfect using the AF button on the back. After that they said have the camera back as we couldn’t replicate the problem …. Erm the camera doesn’t focus using the shutter release button, it wasn’t really that difficult to replicate the problem. (It’s the same on 4 lens I own so assume it would be the same with any lens they tested it with)

My cameras are set up to operate AF from a seperate button, and it confuses everybody who ever tries to use them.
Setting custom option 18 in the pencil menu to "AF on" replicates your problem. It won't clear as long as this option is active. Make sure this is changed to "AE lock only". If this doesn't clear it, make sure that your firmware is up to date. If not, upgrade it and see if that helps.
Might also be worth repeating the process with the grip removed. My grip sometimes causes misfires. Cleaning the contacts and checking the threads sometimes helps. Hard to offer anything else without having a look.
Setting custom option 18 in the pencil menu to "AF on" replicates your problem. It won't clear as long as this option is active. Make sure this is changed to "AE lock only". If this doesn't clear it, make sure that your firmware is up to date. If not, upgrade it and see if that helps.
Might also be worth repeating the process with the grip removed. My grip sometimes causes misfires. Cleaning the contacts and checking the threads sometimes helps. Hard to offer anything else without having a look.

Sorry for the late reply.
Have been busy all week and not much time to play with the camera (Drain blocked and mouse from field at back of house managed to get in)
I have quickly reset 'option 18'. This has helped, it's still slow focussing though compared to another D80 I have been able to borrow. Hoping tomorrow to check the firmware and clean all connectors etc.
Anyway Nikon emailed me on Friday and as I've registered with them for a couple years now if I buy a D300s before end of January 2010 they will give me a free SB900! I'm currently trying to convince Santa that some money towards one is a good idea! On ebay it looks like I could get £500 for D80 & SB800 to go towards it!
Thanks for your help.
Have been busy all week and not much time to play with the camera (Drain blocked and mouse from field at back of house managed to get in)
I have quickly reset 'option 18'. This has helped, it's still slow focussing though compared to another D80 I have been able to borrow. Hoping tomorrow to check the firmware and clean all connectors etc.
Anyway Nikon emailed me on Friday and as I've registered with them for a couple years now if I buy a D300s before end of January 2010 they will give me a free SB900! I'm currently trying to convince Santa that some money towards one is a good idea! On ebay it looks like I could get £500 for D80 & SB800 to go towards it!
Thanks for your help.