Does anyone else hate...

David Magallanes · Dec 29, 2006

...the focus mode selector for the D200? I flip it accidently way too much. I'm going through some shots from a wedding I recently shot and I have some out of focus shots from doing it. Thank god it was only 2-3 shots out of all of them and they were repeats anyways. Most of the time I caught it and was able to switch it back, but it could have been way worse. Has anyone found a way of making it a little harder to accidently switch it to an unwanted setting? I wish it was more like my F5. Oh well.
--
-DavEEd

goodpics · Dec 29, 2006

This is one of the big flaws in the D200. And it can really get you in trouble if you are not careful. I hate that switch so much that I almost cut it off,

I shot a wedding and was affraid i'd hit that switch and put it in manual without knowing it. So I taped it a couple of times. Nikon should have a recall, but they won't, of course.

You have to always be aware of what position it is in.

emax · Dec 29, 2006

My playful yet recalcitrant proboscis frequently changes the focus point for me when I least expect it.

I'm trying to train myself not to snuggle so tightly against my beloved D200, to minimize the problem.

I've tried locking the focus point, but that can also be problematic.

My other pet peeve with the focus-point selector is the necessity of pressing the shutter button part-way (following an exposure) before the point can be changed.

BruceEvans · Dec 29, 2006

Actually, being in manual mode isn't as bad as being in S or C when you're not expecting it. If it slips into manual, you very quickly realize your lens isn't focusing. The first time that happened was shortly after I got my 18-200 VR and I thought my lens was a lemon.

Bruce

David Magallanes · Dec 29, 2006

Yea the would be nice if Nikon made a replacement for it (Though I dont know how simple something like that could be to install) or even if a 3rd party created something like that. But then again if it were the same thing only smaller it wouldnt really affect how easy it is just to flip it. Once again thats one thing I do love about the F5. Is this a problem with the D2X(s) and the D2H(s)? Ive never really handled either one enough to take a look at that.
--
-DavEEd

Peter Mueller · Dec 29, 2006

Yep, the AF-mode selector is a design flaw and one that cannot be fixed by means of a firmware update. There are not many such flaws, however. Altogether the D200 is a pretty awesome camera.

Tom899 · Dec 29, 2006

David Magallanes said:
...the focus mode selector for the D200? I flip it accidently way
too much. I'm going through some shots from a wedding I recently
shot and I have some out of focus shots from doing it. Thank god it
was only 2-3 shots out of all of them and they were repeats
anyways. Most of the time I caught it and was able to switch it
back, but it could have been way worse. Has anyone found a way of
making it a little harder to accidently switch it to an unwanted
setting? I wish it was more like my F5. Oh well.
--
-DavEEd

I just bought a D200 a week ago. The Focus mode selector switch is very stiff and almost hard to move. Is mine unusual or will it loosen up quite a bit?
Tom

Bill Karadimos · Dec 29, 2006

I must be lucky, I haven't has any trouble with mine, I shoot in C mode most of the time, I think if it did get mover I would notice it when focusing the camera.
--

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - ' Wow! What a ride!'

Pieter Jordaan · Dec 30, 2006

In 9 months of owning my D200, I haven't had one occasion where I accidentally moved this switch. Perhaps I just hold the camera differently to most people.
--
Regards,
Pieter.

South Africa

'Sometimes things aren't what you imagined – They are even better'

Toermalijn · Dec 30, 2006

No problem here either

Kaj E · Dec 30, 2006

...it just bothers me when I try to move focus and realize that the camera has fallen asleep and i need to lightly press the shutter to make it work.
--
Kind regards
Kaj
http://www.pbase.com/kaj_e
WSSA member

Grzzl · Dec 30, 2006

But i've changed to a B&W outdoor case and it doesn't happen with these.

--
http://www.bobreurink.nl

azguy · Dec 30, 2006

Yea, a bit of gaffer's tape over the switch solved the problem for me. I think that it has to do with how a person holds it, but it is also a weak design. Perhaps the Japanese engineers have smaller fingers and they don't bump the switch, ha-ha.
--
JohnE
Equipment list in profile

lanef · Dec 30, 2006

I have just checked mine right now, and you are right, the switch is quite stiff, and not possible to move accidentally. Mine is over a week old, may be the new ones have stiff switch.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38519080@N00/sets/72157594443652688/

Tom899 said:
Tom B. wrote:
I just bought a D200 a week ago. The Focus mode selector switch is
very stiff and almost hard to move. Is mine unusual or will it
loosen up quite a bit?
Tom

lanef · Dec 30, 2006

You are right. The way I hold my camera: The palm of my left hand acts as a cradle under the lens and my right hand holds the right part of the camera. My left hand does not hold the camera at all.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38519080@N00/sets/72157594443652688/

Pieter Jordaan said:
In 9 months of owning my D200, I haven't had one occasion where I
accidentally moved this switch. Perhaps I just hold the camera
differently to most people.
--
Regards,
Pieter.

South Africa

'Sometimes things aren't what you imagined – They are even better'

Sinnerman · Dec 31, 2006

I hate it as well....

I always shoot on "S" and it happens very often that I hit the switch to "C" by accident. I won't notice it until I've shot a few frames.

I can tell right away when I'm shooting with the Sb800 flash AF assist...the assist won't go off because the switch has been accidently hit down to "C".

I'm thinking of using a file and grinding the little handle down! Down with the little handle!!!!!!

El Guapo
http://www.padillaphoto.com

David Magallanes · Dec 31, 2006

Yea my fingers hit it. But I believe its more when I previewing my pictures. I wonder if the newer ones are stiffer because mine is quite easy to flip it has always been that way. Oh well. I guess I will be using some gaffer tape on something important from the suggestion up above.
--
-DavEEd

David Magallanes · Dec 31, 2006

Haha I feel the same way
--
-DavEEd

CraigRWC · Dec 31, 2006

It's not a problem for me either, but then again, I don't ever have my left hand pressed up against the body.

If what people are saying is true and the newest D200s have a stiffer switch, I guess that means Nikon has been listening.

Sascha Gast · Dec 31, 2006

have D200, D2Xs and D2Hs and never had a problem once.

If you feel you hit it all the time, why not hold the camera a tiny bit different
--
Sascha
http://www.pbase.com/saschagast

'I really don't care if you think your gear is better than mine', my fiance is really hot...........

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