I have a D3s and bought D7k. The D7k is a beautiful camera. I have three 1.4 lenses and two f/4 lenses and in all cases, the AF of the D7000 is bang on. It helps to have good light, but this is true of all cameras. I tend to set up my cameras the same way with regards to AF though. 1. I always shoot on AF-C.... especially with 1.4 lenses, I want AF micro focusing right up to the point of me pressing the trigger. On AF-S, breathing is enough to put a shot out of focus. 2. In the menu system I program 0 delay in reacquiring focus. (on a scale of 1-5, you can program how quickly the camera refocuses if, for example, something crosses your path of where you are focused on). Again, this is so AF changes instantly. I was chasing my kids around our backyard with the D7K and a 24 f/1.4 and a large majority were keepers, the same I would have expected from any camera.
Here is what I've learned from using a higher resolution camera... When reviewing images on the back of the camera, pressing the zoom button 2, maybe 3 times will show you how sharp/in focus the lens/shot is. Beyond that you're looking at pixels bs overall image.
I don't discount that perhaps the initial batches of D7K's had sone bugs, but it's amazing that a DX camera using a (long end) f/5.6 lens, would show the severity of AF issues. There is pretty generous DOF beyond portrait distance, and any OOF shots attained between 1.4 and 2.8 I've passed off as user error.
My point here is that negative reviews don't always represent the majority of user experiences, just the vocal ones.
The way I see it , there is absolutely no reason why I should spend over 1 grand on a camera that has to be sent to be adjusted or repaired being brand new.
On top of it I'm not garranteed if the camera will come back funtioning adequately, as by what I have read many of the cameras have had to be sent back two or even three times to get the problem fix. This is totally unacceptable .
The fact of the matter is that ( I might be wrong as I don't now exactly how many cameras there are out there that have been sent back) it seems that Nikons QC is slipping. I have D90 . Have had it for 2 1/2 years and it has performed great always . No problem what so ever . Nothing , nada ! . D300 or D300s ? The Same . Now all of a sudden not only the D7000 have had at least by what I have read on this forum a little to many complaints but now complaints are starting to come out on the new D5100 too !
Having said this I do know that those who are happy with their cameras don't write here indicating that they are happy with their purchase . So I don't have a really reliable way of knowing what percentage of cameras are lemons in need of adjustments. My guess is that having seen the numbers of cameras that have been sold at adorama and B&H including amazon to name a few by purchaser reviews , the number of defective cameras are small . But I must again say that it is unacceptable to spend over 1000 dollars on a camera and having to send it back for readjustments . Right now I'm just chilling it out waiting for these complaints to go down or totally dissapear in order to feel safe to buy one. I was starting to feel this way when all of a sudden there have been a resurgence of negative post on the D7000.
PS...as many here already know I live in Puerto Rico. I would have to buy the camera over the internet and not getting a good copy for me means having to spend extra money sending it to Nikon to be fixed or buying it down here at best buy that compared with prices over at the states or over the internet charge outrageous prices .
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"You're guaranteed to miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
