Lost infinity focus. Body or lens?

Lare

Hi, gang, just came back from a week in SE Utah giving my money to the towns and National Parks. On my last day of shooting, my D7000 stopped auto focusing beyond 10 ft with my Nikon 18-300 lens.

My 12-28 Tokina continued working so I thought I had a lens problem to send to Nikon.

When I came home, though, I tested with a Nikon 18-200 lens and it exhibited the same issue. Auto focus works fine to about 10 feet but the distance scale won't ever go to infinity. Nikon 50mm prime works fine. (I can manually turn the focus ring with no problems, it's only an auto focus issue.)

I'm confused. I don't think it's the lens but two zooms have the same problem. But if it's the body, why do the Tokina and 50 prime work right?

Any thoughts as to what needs to go in?

I've tried a fully-charged battery, cleaning the lens contacts (body and lenses) and the two button reset. It does this in all PSAM and U modes.

I need more knowledge than I possess.

Paperman

Are you sure it is distance related ( 10 ft as you say ) and not related to the focal length you are at ? ( Are you having the focus issue beyond 10ft @ 18-25mm ? ).

That is the only thing I can relate to . Tokina ends at 28mm and does not really require much focusing due to the short & wide angle range it covers but the other 2 zooms have a lot more to cover.

Ironheart

Are you sure nothing is obstructing the mirror? I would MUP and take a look-see.

Lare

@Paperman: At all focal lengths. I test on a building (lots of contrast) about 100 ft. away and the focal scale never goes beyond the 10' mark.

@Ironheart: Hmmm. I will fully charge my battery and check that.

Lare

I meant "focusing scale..."

spraynpray

As the problem showed itself with the 18-300 and D7000, send them both in. Which it is that is causing the problem is for them to determine, not us to guess. Ask them to micro-adjust them once fixed too. Essential on a long zoom like that.

Lare

Sigh. Lens under warranty, bodynit. But I guess that's where I'm headed. I was hoping that someone would say "oh that, just do this..."

spraynpray

Argh - stuff happens. Gotta be fixed though. I'd say the problem is still there with the short lens too but is masked by the hyperfocal effect.