D80 problem, maybe I'm just an idiot though.

[MrEastSide]

This might not really be a malfunction with my camera. I just might not know what the hell I'm doing. Sometimes when I go to take a picture with the camera I click down the button so it can focus and it won't give me the beep to tell me I can take my picture. And if I try to take a picture it won't take. And sometimes I can kind of hear the lens making noises. I can't figure out if it's cause it's trying to focus and can't focus correctly or what the deal is. It never seemed to do this when I had it all set to manual focus. Doesn't seem to do it when I'm in good light either. So I'm just wondering if there is something wrong with the camera or the lens or if it just can't focus in the low light or won't take the picture cause it can't focus correctly on whatever object I am shooting at. I looked through my manual and I couldn't figure anything out. I also did a quick search here and came up with nothing. Maybe it's just when I am trying to auto focus in low light, idk. Just thought maybe someone could tell me what my problem is. I guess I just wanted to know if something was wrong with the camera.

[jeffp]

how low is the light? the camera is set to not take a picture (with AF on) unless it is in focus (the green dot in the bottom left of the viewfinder lights up) and the camera wont be able to autofocus if the contrast is too low for the autofocus sensor to work properly. this can be caused by the light being too low, too high (way too high), or trying to focus on a blank area with no contrast.

[MrEastSide]

Well, I never usually shoot in really low light. But, I notice it every now and then when I try and take photo's around the house inside. Usually it has happened during night or dusk shooting. I wouldn't say it was in low, low light. But, the conditions were certainly less than ideal. And I was just wondering if that was my problem. Cause it shoots fine in manual. I was guessing that maybe it was just having a problem focusing and thus wouldn't take the picture.

[mikeh]

in anything other than manual the camera is allways trying to give you the best so if the light is low or sceen blank it will battle manual will gust focus but if the iso,f number and speed are out of range it wil not take a pic i only use p or manual mode spot metering and lowest iso.
a slow lens f5.6 will battle to focus in low light you should use a 2.8 in low light to get the best
but do not give up gust keep trying and you will find what works

[MrEastSide]

Thanks for the replies. You guys said pretty much what I was guessing. I was just concerned that something was wrong with the camera. I was going to die if something was broken. Since the damn thing is brand new.

[Frog]

I have the D80 and yes you will get this when the light is too low or also when you are too close to subject. You'll need a faster lens, higher iso setting, or flash.

[Mule]

I have wondered that when I have my D80 set for center focus only and it happens that my center focus is in an area where there is no contrast, the camera fails to lock on and refuses to let me trigger the release. So it may be worth trying to change the focus setting.

[another view]

AF needs both edge contrast and a decent amount of light to work. How much of either depends on the camera; and the amount of light the AF sees is determined by the ambient light level but also the lens's maximum f-stop since you compose with it wide open. IOW, an f2.8 lens gives the AF system twice as much as an f4 lens, etc.

There are four focus modes on a D80. If you're in "S", it won't let you take a shot unless it thinks you're in focus. This will happen a lot more often in low light, and inside a house is a pretty low light level so I'd expect that. If you're in "C" which is meant for action, it will take a shot even if the AF sensor doesn't think it's in focus. I'm not familiar with "A" mode, and the other is "M" manual.