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Any direct Nikon response to focus issues?
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michaeladawson
Forum Pro
Has there been an "official" Nikon response to any of the user reported issues? I know some service centers have given users some comments on the screen tint issue, but I don't consider that an "official" response.
Mike Dawson
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Mike Dawson
ShootDuringTwilight
Active member
A lot of photographer posting AF woes are good photographers that probably have more knowledge than you and I. See Ming's thread that is now closed due to it reaching 150 posts. Here is a response that I typed to this 'Leonard'. I provide a couple of links to tests done. Like I said in that thread, if Nikon/ Canon provide outer AF points, then I should be able to use that point, acquire a target and shoot and expect to get sharp photos. Else there is no use in giving us these outer AF points.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=41171332
I know what you mean but if you start focusing with an outer AF point it will always be less accurate than the central point, especially with fast wide angle lenses which are not flat and lenses up to 50mm or so. On telephoto lenses that is not a problem. On the other hand when you use the central focus point to start with but track a subject and use other points by tracking than that is not a problem. I have not come across any DSLR which is able to focus perfectly more than 30-40% directly with outer AF points. Not on any of my two D700, not on my (now sold) D3S. Try with a 105mm macro lens and I am sure the AF will work just fine.
Dominique Dierick
Senior Member
Leonard is right to state that care should be taken to AF tuning/testing. A bit like the D7000 craze where lots of less experienced photographers blamed bad technique on the camera. Of course there will be cameras with problems, this has always been the case, with any new model.
Fwiw, the dreaded error of tilt in the focus point plane (what is probably causing what Ming observed) is likely easily fixed by recalibrating the tilt of the AF sensors. As a matter of fact, if you are brave enough, most cameras can be tweaked if you have the right tool. I have done it on several Canons. There are setscrews that you can turn to tilt the plane. I don't take responsability if you mess up
Just google if you want to know more.
D.
My equipment: Nikon D3s, D800, EOS 450D
The ladies equipment: Panasonic LX5 and GH2 for video
Fwiw, the dreaded error of tilt in the focus point plane (what is probably causing what Ming observed) is likely easily fixed by recalibrating the tilt of the AF sensors. As a matter of fact, if you are brave enough, most cameras can be tweaked if you have the right tool. I have done it on several Canons. There are setscrews that you can turn to tilt the plane. I don't take responsability if you mess up
Just google if you want to know more.D.
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My equipment: Nikon D3s, D800, EOS 450D
The ladies equipment: Panasonic LX5 and GH2 for video
Astrophotographer 10
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So most likely then the autofocus sensor is not orthogonal, is that what you are saying?
That seems like a bad defect.
I wonder if 5D mark iii owners are having any trouble with outer AF points. I suspect not, based on the DigitalRev review where Kai loved the new AF system.
I have preordered a D800 but this is making me concerned if maybe the camera is going to be a problem with that plus the tinted LCD. Perhaps better to wait and let Nikon sort out the problems.
Greg.
That seems like a bad defect.
I wonder if 5D mark iii owners are having any trouble with outer AF points. I suspect not, based on the DigitalRev review where Kai loved the new AF system.
I have preordered a D800 but this is making me concerned if maybe the camera is going to be a problem with that plus the tinted LCD. Perhaps better to wait and let Nikon sort out the problems.
Greg.
It is not because there are 2-3 people on this forum who say they have faulty cameras that there is a general problem. It is not even reported on Nikon Rumours that there is such a problem. For what is worth, there are also discussions in Canon forum with 5D3.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1032&thread=40987729
Leonard Shepherd
Forum Pro
I cannot reply to a closed thread
That aside AF des not work quite the way you want it to.
I find outer AF points used sensibly within their limitations provide sharp AF.
If you seriously expect outer single direction f5.6 sensors (according to Nikon) to perform as reliably as inner D800 cross type f8 sensors perhaps you should think about abandoning photography and taking up noughts and crosses.
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Leonard Shepherd
Photography could be easier - if cameras and lenses came with an increase in skill button.
Dominique Dierick
Senior Member
I wouldn't call it a bad defect, rather a stupid defect if this indeed is the root cause.
As you know, I am also into astrophotography. The modified Canon bodies, using clear glass, needed AF tuning after the modification (20D, 350D, 400D had no AF tuning function in software). Canon (and also Nikon) has two setscrews to tilt the plane. Both should be turned to get the right spacing. If one of these screws is turned too much, or not enough, you may get good results in the center, but not at the edges, understandably. Wide angles, by nature having a more curved field, would just stress the error more, as would fast optics.
As I said, this could explain the issues some people are seeing. But I can't be sure of that, so take this as a possible cause.
D.
My equipment: Nikon D3s, D800, EOS 450D
The ladies equipment: Panasonic LX5 and GH2 for video
As you know, I am also into astrophotography. The modified Canon bodies, using clear glass, needed AF tuning after the modification (20D, 350D, 400D had no AF tuning function in software). Canon (and also Nikon) has two setscrews to tilt the plane. Both should be turned to get the right spacing. If one of these screws is turned too much, or not enough, you may get good results in the center, but not at the edges, understandably. Wide angles, by nature having a more curved field, would just stress the error more, as would fast optics.
As I said, this could explain the issues some people are seeing. But I can't be sure of that, so take this as a possible cause.
D.
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My equipment: Nikon D3s, D800, EOS 450D
The ladies equipment: Panasonic LX5 and GH2 for video
ShootDuringTwilight
Active member
Nah I will stick with photography. And it's funny to see you contradict yourself. On the one hand you say that you shouldn't expect the outer AF points to perform as reliably as the inner ones and on the other you say that if 'used sensibly... provide sharp AF'. I think you don't see the irony of your statement. The outer AF point is not providing sharp focus - so why have it there then? If every time you use it, it will provide OOF images, then what's the point of having it?
I guess you guys are okay with mediocrity.
reginalddwight
Senior Member
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with the left bank of your AF module. If you have not already, I would alert Nikon of your findings.
CaptainObvious
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Because my leftward focus point is WAY off with the 105 Micro VR lens.
CaptainObvious
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Seriously man, you saw what I was shooting at. There's a lot of contrast between the white nylon, the black eye, and the white string/twine at the point of the "eye". If you can't focus on that, you can't focus on anything... PERIOD. The focus isn't struggling, it is QUICKLY locking focus, but it's consistently wrong. I can NEVER get an in focus shot with the leftward sensors, pointed at anything.
I wouldn't be surprised if this problem isn't even more widespread. I think a lot of old school photographers focus and recompose. They won't realize they've got a problem until they try using the outer points. And others who just use the auto area AF may not ever figure out why some shots are out of focus and some are in focus.
I wouldn't be surprised if this problem isn't even more widespread. I think a lot of old school photographers focus and recompose. They won't realize they've got a problem until they try using the outer points. And others who just use the auto area AF may not ever figure out why some shots are out of focus and some are in focus.
KenEis
Senior Member
Interesting people talking through each other. Pizon IS THE NIKON REP RESPONDING. But he says the Nikon staff is unaware of problems but he says this in the middle of a thread discussing the problem. So I presume unless you send a message directly to Nikon their officially unaware. Even numerous dpreview discussions the the Nikon staff is reading don't count. We live in a strange world.
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Ken Eis
http://keneis.zenfolio.com
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Ken Eis
http://keneis.zenfolio.com
You must be really unlucky to get not one but two defective D700 and a defective D3s on top of that. Either that, or I'm incredibly lucky to own two super D700's since I have nowhere near as many duds as you using those points, even in poor light.
CaryTheLabelGuy
Well-known member
While the D7000 AF issue was mostly user error, the D800 AF issues seem to be legitimate. My D800 has a serious back-focus issue with the left AF sensors, and it gets worse as you move further outward, which points to a misaligned AF module. Likewise, the right AF sensors are perfect until you get to the outermost sensors, then it begins to slightly front-focus.
I should be getting our D800E and D4 soon, so I will be sure to check for this in those bodies.
I can tell you that my D3s and D7000s do not do this, as long as focus can be acquired, using the outer points. If focus can't be acquired, the AF hunts and may or may not lock. When the D3s does lock, it's perfect just about every time, left or right AF points.
I'm going to contact Nikon's East Coast Service Manager right away to discuss this with her.
I should be getting our D800E and D4 soon, so I will be sure to check for this in those bodies.
I can tell you that my D3s and D7000s do not do this, as long as focus can be acquired, using the outer points. If focus can't be acquired, the AF hunts and may or may not lock. When the D3s does lock, it's perfect just about every time, left or right AF points.
I'm going to contact Nikon's East Coast Service Manager right away to discuss this with her.
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