My new dSLR's shutter button doesn't work when the camera's too close to an object. Is this normal?

I just got a new Nikon D60 and am playing with it, but I've found a weird 'glitch' when I'm trying to focus on an object that's too near for the lens (18-55mm VR AF-S) - the shutter button doesn't work. I press it and sometimes the focus readjusts but no picture is taken.





Is this normal? Is it because I have it on autofocus?My new dSLR's shutter button doesn't work when the camera's too close to an object. Is this normal?
It is because of one of the automatic settings, auto-focus is most likely. It could also be too dark. You can override any but you may not be able to get a sharp or bright picture.





Try switching to manual focus and see what you can get by yourself. If it is blurry, you are too close.My new dSLR's shutter button doesn't work when the camera's too close to an object. Is this normal?
A poor workman always blames his poor work on his tools.





There is nothing wrong with your camera. The shutter won't work because you are trying to focus too close and Nikon built that fail-safe into the camera so you won't take a bad picture and blame the camera.





For decades camera manufacturers have built their cameras to be as fool-proof as possible. Their goal is, was - and always will be - to insure that the casual user gets as many good pictures as possible to make the user happy and build brand loyalty.








The 18-55mm lens is designed to close focus to 11 inches. Get any closer and you will have nothing but a blurry mess.





You have to know the limitations of your equipment. This is best learned by taking time to READ %26amp; STUDY the Owner's Manual for your camera and lens.





If macro photography is one of your interests then invest in a macro lens like the AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm f2.8G IF-ED.
you may want to also try a macro lense.
the camera can't focus on the subject when the subject is too close and if it can't focus it doesn't let you take the picture. you could either use the manual focus or use a macro lens. even if you use the manual focus, the picture comes out may be blurry coz it just can't focus but it lets you take the picture
This is normal. The camera's default setting is to not make a picture until the subject is in focus.





All lenses have a minimum focus distance - the closest to the subject that the lens can get and still get focus. If you're too close, the lens can't get focus and the camera won't make a picture.





Look at the focusing ring of your 18-55mm. You'll see distance measurements on it. Point your camera at a subject 1 or 2 meters away and let the lens autofocus on it. Then look at the focusing ring. You'll see that it has focused to the distance that the subject is from the camera.





Note that your 18-55mm lens can focus as far away as infinity but has a minimum focus distance on the other end of the scale. That's as close to a subject as you can get with that lens.





On my old Nikon D100, the no-picture-without-focus feature can be turned off so the camera will make a picture whether the subject is in focus or not. I don't know about the D60, but if you really, really need a close-up blurry photo of something, look in the manual to learn how to turn the feature off.





Or just back up until you're within the minimum focus distance of your lens!





Disclosure: I am the owner of http://www.lenslenders.com/ in Canada.
If you switch it to MF mode it will take the picture. Also, if its like Canon, switching it to continuous AF mode (AI SERVO on canon) will allow you to take the picture.





However, why would you want to do this? Taking a picture closer than the MFD will just result in a blurry mess.





When taking close up pictures, make sure you are zoomed in all the way, to maximize the magnification of the lens. That way you can step back a little to get to the minimum focus distance.





Adding close focus lenses, extension tubes, or teleconverters to your lens will also increase the magnification, allowing you to focus closer than normal. However, there is no substitute for a true macro lens for close up work, if you can afford one.