OFF Error - ????????

I just got a weird error on my D200. In the top LCD panel
it was blinking "OFF". This error message does not appear
in the user manual at all. Turning the camera on and off
did not get rid of the error. The only thing that waould fix
it was to un-seat and re-seat the lens. Then the error
went away. Does anyone know what causes this error or
what it means?

It means your lens contacts weren't making contact. Happens more often with 3rd party lenses.
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Steve Bingham
http://www.dustylens.com
http://www.ghost-town-photography.com

Not using a 3rd party lens - only the Nikon 17-55 DX
I thought the delta symbol error indicated communication
error?

I have the same combo of camera/lens I also get the same message at times, I think because it is a heavy lens combined with what I assume to be a tolerable amount of play in the camera mount allows the lens to move just that small amount to give the error, I find just turning the lens slightly as in mounting the lens cures the problem, more of an irritant than a problem, a lens of this weight must put a considerable strain on the camera mount.
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A selection of my images can be found at http://www.photo-genesis.net follow the galleries link then select the Jacks gallery

Is this a serious error?
Should the camera be sent in for repair?
Have you had this problem more than once?

Try cleaning the lens contacts and the contact points in the lens mount. I wouldn't worry about it.
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http://www.screamandfly.com/home