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D200 and backfocus

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Csaba Ónody

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Hi!

I have just got my D200 and i have to realize that it also has backfocus problem with the 18-70 Nikor as my D70 had. It is unbelivable and i am very dissapointed. The focus with 50 1.8 and 17-55 are dead on.

Have anybody the same proble?

Csaba

ps: I am going to replace the 18-70 with 18-200 but I am disappointed.
 
If the 18-70 is bad on both bodies, and the other two lenses are good on both bodies, my guess is that the 18-70 may need adjustment. Also, you need to consider how much back focus is worth worrying about considering the fact that a new 18-70 can be obtained for near $US300. Good luck,
--
Dana Paul Franz
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http://dfranz.smugmug.com
'You are the master of the unspoken word;
once it is out of your mouth, you are the slave.'
 
Well seems more of a problem with your 18-70mm than one of the D200. My 18-70 focused perfectly though.
Csaba Ónody said:
Hi!

I have just got my D200 and i have to realize that it also has
backfocus problem with the 18-70 Nikor as my D70 had. It is
unbelivable and i am very dissapointed. The focus with 50 1.8 and
17-55 are dead on.

Have anybody the same proble?

Csaba

ps: I am going to replace the 18-70 with 18-200 but I am disappointed.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the answers. The D200 is perfect!! The problem is with the D200 and 18-70 combo. 18-70 works well on my D70 after it was calibrated it the machine 1.5year ago. Now I think I have to recalibrate it to fit to D200 but than it will not fit to D70 again :S Otherwise the D200 is perfect.
 
Hi Csaba,

It's been mentioned a couple of times on this forum: when there's backfocus, Nikon service usually does a dirty fix to calibrate the camera body, regardless whether the problem is the lens or the camera. It's because calibration the body is 10 times easier. (One thing you can even do it yourself at home!)

So, it's likely your 18-70 was mis-calibrated out of factory and your D70 was adjusted to work with that.

A suggestion is to send your 18-70 alone to Nikon for calibration.
--
John
Csaba Ónody said:
Thanks for the answers. The D200 is perfect!! The problem is with
the D200 and 18-70 combo. 18-70 works well on my D70 after it was
calibrated it the machine 1.5year ago. Now I think I have to
recalibrate it to fit to D200 but than it will not fit to D70 again
:S Otherwise the D200 is perfect.
Click to expand...
--
John
 
hi John

focus calibration - you wrote "...One thing you can even do it yourself at home..."

how ?

thx in advance, greenmarine
 
Some folks like the 18-70 but I wouldn't give you $10.00 for one. They are Back-focussing pieces of cr@p, that do nothing other than waste your time. You will save yourself a lot of heartache right now by just taking some shots of it with your 50mm and putting it on eBay where it will sell like hotcakes.

I sold mine shortly after I got it with my D70 kit because of it back-focusing and just like you all my other lenses were spot-on. I feel sorry for those that sent their D70 kit's into Nikon to get it calibrated with their 18-70's because most likely any other lens they mount will now front-focus.

Sometimes I wonder why Nikon just continues to turn a blind eye to these types of problems. I guess it would increase focus time if they were to reduce it's focus tolerance table to acceptable values.

Who knows, who cares, just get rid of that thing.

JP

--
John M. Polston
Atlanta, GA
 
I have tested the Nikor 17-50, 70-200 and 50 1.8 and all of them were spot on but the 18-70. I have tested the 18-70 on an other D200 and it had the same problem. I am going to sell and and waitng for my 18-200VR.
 
If it would've focused correctly it would've been ok because it's size and range is unique. Sigma's willing to bite the bullet and change out their chips on their lenses to fix the AF button issue on the D200 but Nikon just jolly's along their merry way. I don't understand this.

JP

--
John M. Polston
Atlanta, GA
 
You are doing the right thing. Let me know how your 18-200 compares as far as focus accuracy goes. I may sell my 24-120VR and pick one up once they get more available.

JP

--
John M. Polston
Atlanta, GA
 
Hi!

As long as we keep spending yes they will sell us anything. By a hasty mistake I mounted the 18-70 instead of 12-24 on a D2X! The result isnt even worth mentioning.
Worse a collegue got his D200 the other day, it was stone-dead!

all the best Fred
 
I have two 18-70s. One backfocuses with all cameras. Nikon was unable to fix it.

The 2nd focuses fine.

It isn't your camera. It is that lens.
 
Whomever had the idea the other day about taking the Banding issue to Nikon at PMA was a good idea. Any way we can get them to listen whether they have to be embarrassed to do so then so be it.

JP

--
John M. Polston
Atlanta, GA
 
John M. Polston said:
If it would've focused correctly it would've been ok because it's
size and range is unique. Sigma's willing to bite the bullet and
change out their chips on their lenses to fix the AF button issue
on the D200 but Nikon just jolly's along their merry way. I don't
understand this.

JP

--
John M. Polston
Atlanta, GA
Click to expand...
Nikon owners may be able to have their lens fixed by sending it to Sigma, because that kit lens may have been made by Sigma instead of Nikon.
 
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