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I have a Nikon D5200 with the 18-105 kit lens. I cannot focus the objects which are 15-20 cm away from the lens. Can anyone tell me how to manipulate the settings so that i can focus those objects? Also doesn't clicks the images which are out of focus or the objects which are totally out of focus..

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    \$\begingroup\$ I honestly can't work out what you're trying to say in the second half of your question (the bit which starts "also doesn't clicks"). \$\endgroup\$
    – Philip Kendall ♦
    Jan 16, 2014 at 21:13
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    \$\begingroup\$ Related: How close can a lens focus? \$\endgroup\$
    – Philip Kendall ♦
    Jan 16, 2014 at 21:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ If you want to avoid having to get a different lens, the easiest solution would be to focus as close as the lens can handle, ie around 45cm, then when editing the photo crop it to get the composition you need. It won't be ideal because you will lose resolution in the end result image, but as a 20-something Megapixel camera this may not affect you too much. \$\endgroup\$
    – laurencemadill
    Jan 20, 2014 at 13:47
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    \$\begingroup\$ Why can't my DSLR with kit lens focus on objects close to the lens? Because it wasn't designed to do that, as I am sure the specs clearly say. RTFM. \$\endgroup\$
    – Olin Lathrop
    Jan 20, 2014 at 14:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ If you want to take an out-of-focus photo you could always switch to manual focus, then the Camera will not stop you for taking the photo \$\endgroup\$
    – Yao Bo Lu
    Jan 21, 2014 at 7:06

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According to the specifications, the 18-105 has a minimum focus distance of 45cm. This is measured from the focal plane of the camera, so is probably further away than 15-20cm from the lens. If you want to focus on things closer than that, you will need a macro lens, known as a micro lens in the Nikon world, or alternatively some extension tubes.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Good point about the distance being from the focal plane. \$\endgroup\$
    – Marco Mp
    Jan 16, 2014 at 21:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ Wide angle lenses also tend to have pretty short focus distances. \$\endgroup\$
    – Robin
    Jan 20, 2014 at 21:07
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Each lens has a minimum focus distance, which is 45cm for your lens, likely at 18mm, which is not bad for a superzoom.

If you want to focus closer you would have to use a macro lens (which is a lens dedicated to close focusing) or use other means to allow your own lens to focus closer. Those are diopter filters and extension tubes. The three solutions can be easily found in other questions about macro photography so I won't detail them here any further and there are advantages and disadvantages to them all, with dedicated lenses of course giving the best quality and ease of use but at a disadvantage of weight, volume and price.

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With just that lens you won't be able to focus on anything closer than 1.48 feet = 45 cm as per the lens specs. You might consider investing in a 100mm macro lens.

Edit: To answer the second part of your question, it won't click the shutter because the camera knows that it's not focused. If you set the lens to manually focus the shutter button will take a picture even if it is out of focus.

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Each lens has a minimum focus distance. When you want to focus closer than the minimum focus distance, you need an extension tube, but I don't know if your lens is compatible with one.

Alternatively, if you need high quality and close zoom photos, the best option is to buy a macro lens.

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