fee error (Checked the obvious)

[NikonUser]

Hi there,

I have a little (big) problem with one of my lenses...

My Nikkor 500mm f4 AFS-I lens has just stopped working on my D70. I still have 2.5 months to return this lens (I bought it used).

When I attach the lens I get the blinking Fee error in the viewfinder/top LCD. This normally happens when the lens appature ring isn't stopped down to f22. I've made sure that it is and the error still is there.

I've checked the little lever on the back of the lens and it moves the appature with no problems. It is worn and there is a little play in the lever.

Now for the strange bit... When I attach the lens to the camera via my Sigma 1.4x TC there are no problems.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? What do I do about it? Any suggestions?

I really would like to get this lens fixed and not take it back as these things don't come on the second hand market very often.

Thanks very much

Paul

P.S. Sorry if you read this on other forums on the net as I'm posting it in a few places to get maximum responces.

[edneeves]

I was under the impression that the Aperture ring had to be locked at f22 for operation. Aperture adjustments are then made via the camera.

Ed.

[birddog114]

Nikonuser,
Try to clean the contact pins on both side (lens and body).
It could be the mismactch contact in between the lens and lens mount on body

[birddog114]

If you've seen the Fee error, another issue with the appeture level didn't catch the level inside of the D70 mount.
I got the Fee error on my Nikkor 28/1.4 with my D2h/x and D70 while ago at one of the mini meet. I cleaned both the contact pins with Pec*Pad and methanol, and never seen it again.

[NikonUser]

Yes the appature ring has to be locked at f22. Tried that.

I will try and clean the contacts. Any suggestions as to what to use?

My other 'G' lenses work on the D70 so much more likely to be the lens than the body correct?

Thanks

Paul

[Matt. K]

Paul
Use metho and a cotton bud.

[birddog114]

Yes the appature ring has to be locked at f22. Tried that.

I will try and clean the contacts. Any suggestions as to what to use?

My other 'G' lenses work on the D70 so much more likely to be the lens than the body correct?

Thanks

Paul

Nikonuser,
You have to know the 500 AF-S is quite heavy in comparison with the D70 body, if you have the lens on the D70 and for some movements or mis-handling, may caused the mis-alignment with the contact pins.
Mostly it's the lens issues, or the lens may have intermittent problems previously, especially with the AF-S range.
Try to clean the contact pins with a clean rag or piece of Pec*Pad and Eclipse Fluid (methanol), it may help.
Otherwise send it back for warranty repair.

[ipv6ready]

I had a similar problem with my 24mm f2.8D recently. It might be the same - hope not as this cost me $120 to fix by whiltons in Sydney.

I have f90x and D100.
On my f90x it was fine on my D100  FEE in all settings

Something I did not know before but I do know now is I "twisted" off a little tab on the bottom of the Aperture Ring.

If you look at the lens from the back and have the f2.8 marking on the aperture ring in three oclock position you should see a small tab on the at 11pm postion.

My little tab sheared off somehow. Apparently my D100 needed this to tell my camera that the lens is at largest aperture, the F90x did not need it.

Hope this helps

[NikonUser]

Thanks for the help so far.

Cleaning it didn't seem to work. If things were dirty or mis-aligned then it probably wouldn't work when connected to the teleconverter would it?

So where would the best place in Melbourne be to get this problem fixed? The only place I've heard of is Camera Clinic. Somewhere further south would be good though as I'm from the penninsula.

Paul

[birddog114]

Thanks for the help so far.

Cleaning it didn't seem to work. If things were dirty or mis-aligned then it probably wouldn't work when connected to the teleconverter would it?

So where would the best place in Melbourne be to get this problem fixed? The only place I've heard of is Camera Clinic. Somewhere further south would be good though as I'm from the penninsula.

Paul

Paul,
It's definitely the lens itself, worth a trip to the clinic for treatment, hope and wish you get it back soon.

[NikonUser]

If you look at the lens from the back and have the f2.8 marking on the aperture ring in three oclock position you should see a small tab on the at 11pm postion.

I can't see the tab you mention but I'm not sure I'm looking in the right place.

I don't suppose you could take a photo of what you're talking about could you?

Thanks

Paul

[birddog114]

If you look at the lens from the back and have the f2.8 marking on the aperture ring in three oclock position you should see a small tab on the at 11pm postion.

I can't see the tab you mention but I'm not sure I'm looking in the right place.

I don't suppose you could take a photo of what you're talking about could you?

Thanks

Paul

Paul,
Bad luck, his D100 is in Maxwell's clinic now

[Heath Bennett]

isn't the lens' max aperture 4?

edit - sorry that sounds a little smart-ass.

[birddog114]

isn't the lens' max aperture 4?

Yes, it's.

[Heath Bennett]

sorry - wires crossed - mixed up the 500 f/4 with the 24 2.8

[ipv6ready]

If you look at the lens from the back and have the f2.8 marking on the aperture ring in three oclock position you should see a small tab on the at 11pm postion.

I can't see the tab you mention but I'm not sure I'm looking in the right place.

I don't suppose you could take a photo of what you're talking about could you?

Thanks

Paul

Give me 30 minutes,
I just bought a Coolpix 5700 for my GF, so I can try it out.
I even have the old parts.

Sorry F2.8 refers to my 24mm my mistake

Breaking a lot of things recently

[kipper]

I get the FEE error a bit with my 70-200VR with TC if it rotates a bit. Doesn't happen with other lenses.

[NikonUser]

I've read somewhere about the lens twisting making it work. However there is VERY little play with this lens on the body. Putting a little pressure on the lens either way still results in Fee.

Bet you're thinking yourself lucky I picked up this lens before you did kipper?

Paul

[kipper]

I'm sure it isn't anything major. I'd say it most likely is worn contacts being an ex-press lens. Do they look worn, instead of the ball like contacts is an edge of the ball flat where it's worn down?

[NikonUser]

Contacts don't look too worn.

I'm just waiting for Camera Exchange to get back to me on the best thing to do next.

I sure hope you're right about it not being serious. I really came to love the 500mm focal length.

Thanks for all the support so far everyone.

Paul

[ipv6ready]

I hope your problem is not this

[NikonUser]

There is no little tab on my lens. One fairly long one and that's it (like in your broken one).

I've never noticed that before.

If that's all it is I can deal with that.

... So long as they can get a replacement ring for my lens!!

Thanks very much for the pics.

Paul

[ipv6ready]

There is no little tab on my lens. One fairly long one and that's it (like in your broken one).

I've never noticed that before.

If that's all it is I can deal with that.

... So long as they can get a replacement ring for my lens!!

Thanks very much for the pics.

Paul

Quick update? I checked my recent purchase from Hlop a 17-70mm dx AFS it does not have a tab?

So I do not know it is a mystery to me?

I guess if you look around the rim and you see a broken tab than this is your problem. If the rim is smooth with no sign of breakage then I am stumped.

Whatever it is i hope this is not the same problem I had.

Does bad luck come in threes? I had three in the last year!

1. Left 35mm f2 in the garage for three month! now FUNGUS
2. I broke the 24mm AFD (now fixed)
3. My D100 shutter went kaput

[NikonUser]

Does the AFS lens that doesn't have a tab have an appature ring (obvious I know... just checking).

There is a little spot on the appature ring that looks like it may have had a tab on it. Also, when I attach the lens to the camera and then use a pin to slide the little button on the body that the tab normally slides..... it works.

Looks like it could be the tab.

When you say "I hope it's not the same problem I had" in regards to the tab... was it difficult to fix? Or just expensive?

How long could I expect Camera Clinic to take to fix this problem? This will mean two trips to the city for me. That's two weekends. GRRR.

Thanks again for your help

Paul.

P.S. If anyone has this lens could you check to see if it has the tab in question?

Thanks

[ipv6ready]

As i only have one AFS without aperture ring (the D70 kit) kit I cannot answer the question.

I sent it to whiltons and it took them a while to fix. But to be fair I did ask them to do it for as cheap as possble. So they somehow got a secondhand rim. From where I do not know.

$60 labour and $60 parts.

[NikonUser]

Thanks very much for everyones help.

I can't think how it would have got knocked off as I've been VERY careful with this lens and it hasn't been knocked about at all since I've had it. Hmm

I just REALLY hope I can get a replacement appature ring for this lens!! Otherwise I might have to resort to some superglue.... or a hollowed out teleconverter between the lens and body.

Thanks again
Paul

[birddog114]

I don't think it's only the matter of appeture ring. I hope It's right for you.
Perhaps the lens has mechanical problems before and previously owner want to get rid of it unannounced its faults.
Getting second hand Pro lens is little bit tricky and gambling, unless you know the ex-owner very well.
Especially with the AF-S range over 300mm. I've seen some of them with big damage bills and take long time to get replacement parts.
Hope your case is not among the other one I've seen. BTW, the appeture ring and design on the Sigma and Nikkor are totally difference same as non AF-S and AF-S lens.