Best/safest method for cleaning camera/lens contact points?

[BeachnCruz]

My D2x camera and lens contact points affecting AF are intermittent.

What are best and safest methods for cleaning camera and lens contact points so I can regain reliable AF activation and not have to jiggle the lens half of the time to get AF to activate when appropriate? Camera settings are not the issue....Contact points are simply making intermittent connection.....I assume and hope the problem is related to a needed contact cleaning....

Jim....

 

[Pradipta Dutta]

I don't know whether this is the best method or not but I use surgical Q-tips to clean the contacts. It has been working for me without any hitch.

--
Speed is significant and interesting but accuracy is downright fascinating
http://www.pbase.com/pradipta

 

[BeachnCruz]

I notice you didn't mention the old pencil eraser method...Eraser debri particles?

 

[Pradipta Dutta]

I notice you didn't mention the old pencil eraser method...Eraser
debri particles?

Does it mean that you have been using old pencil eraser? Good for you but that does not work for me.

--
Speed is significant and interesting but accuracy is downright fascinating
http://www.pbase.com/pradipta

 

[BeachnCruz]

I wanted to poll the forum before attempting any method.

Did you use Q-tips dry or with a cleaner solution?

 

[Pradipta Dutta]

Did you use Q-tips dry or with a cleaner solution?

I primarily use the dry Q-tips but once in a year or so very lightly dip the Q-tip in denatured alcohol - the one that can be had from any pharmacy.

--
Speed is significant and interesting but accuracy is downright fascinating
http://www.pbase.com/pradipta

 

[BeachnCruz]

I hope my connection problem is not due to wear on the contacts. The intermittent connection issue occurs with more than one lens.....and I am probably overdue for cleaning the connection points.....

 

[Mark53]

The only time I have problems that you're describing is when I stack a couple of my Kenko tubes. If you have semi-consistent issues with AF and other lens-to-body communication, it could be an alignment issue of the contact block itself. Does it happen with more than 1 lens? I would think it is more likely that a specific lens has an issue than the body, but it could be either. I've never had a need to clean lens or body contact points in over 12 years of using Nikon AF equipment.

 

[andrewthomasdesigns]

I notice you didn't mention the old pencil eraser method...Eraser
debri particles?

you're just cleaning the contacts not rubbing them down to use half the eraser...

Dj's do this to contacts all the time on needles and stuff, works great, we also lick them and that does the trick.

or else I'd try to polish them with a cloth or something.

everyone on this site seems way too careful about their camera... I'm amazed some even use them at all!

--
let me know what YOU think!
http://www.andrewthomasdesigns.com

 

[BeachnCruz]

I will try the contact cleaning approach first.

Any estimate of cost for contact alignment servicing?

 

[Mark53]

I will try the contact cleaning approach first.

Any estimate of cost for contact alignment servicing?

I don't have any experience with such a repair, but I would think it's simply a matter of loosening a couple of screws, using some alignment "jig" and re-tightening. If you call Nikon, I'll bet they'll give you a ball-park estimate.

 

[BeachnCruz]

A quick cleaning and maybe a phone call to Nikon will hopefully resolve the issue for me....

 

[BeachnCruz]

We use um baby.....

 

[TheCurryEffect]

The autofocus of my brand new d850 with a brand new 60 mm f1.8 was not working at all. I cleaned the camera contact block and it started working. But why for a brand new camera and lens is my question?

 

[DAVID MANZE]

One must remember that the outer lens contacts are just one thing and remain easy to clean.........

behind the contacts are springs (normally gold plated) which add up to two further connections!

Just saying!