Nikon D3000 Kit Lens vibrating when windy & autofocus

[bogdan5844]

Ok, the title is somewhat ambiguous, but I'll explain.

So, I took today my D3000 out for a shoot on the coastline. It was very windy. When I set my photo for a photo of the port, while autofocusing, the image was vibrating, as if wind moved the lenses. It only happened once.

The camera works okay, I ain't having a hard time focusing or zooming, and the photos come out normal.

When I shake the lens a faint rattling sound is coming out, like something having little space to move around. It sounds like plastic on plastic.

Should I buy another lens? I'm already planning for a 55-200mm telephoto, but this was good for portraits.

[Digidave]

You didn't mention which lens exactly. If you have the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR, then that sound you are hearing may be the Vibration Reduction mechanism. It would be a faint clicking noise while being used, but if you are shaking the lens & hearing a rattle, I would take it to a camera store & ask for their opinion.

PS. I wouldn't go around shaking my lenses too much. They're not built like a brick you know.

[OsmosisStudios]

Most lenses have a slight side-to-side click noise from the VR system and the focus helicoids. Nothing new there.

[bogdan5844]

Yes, it's the 18-55mm VR one. So it could be the VR. Thanks

[mickeyw3340]

I don't have the manual here with me but, I just bought a new Nikkor 70 - 300 zoom. In the booklet it mentioned that under some circunstances the VR mechanism will rattle. I believe it mentioned this might be caused by removing the lens with the camera live. It said turn the camera off, mount the lens, turn the camera, on and then off and remove the lens. Might be worth a try.

[bogdan5844]

I usually remove all the gear, clean them and arrange them nicely at their places when I get home. I haven't experienced this since then, so maybe that was the problem. Glad it ain't something worse.