Focus problem with my new Nikon D810

Ok, I can't vouche for anyone else, but after two days of testing, I can definitely confirm that MY D810 is displaying focus problems.

The left and centre points lock on but are out of focus. What is a bit strange is that one point always focusses too close and the other always too far.

The issue is this: The far left sensor, in the middle horizontally, does not find focus. It does not hunt, it locks on, but it locks on too far without fail. After locking the focus in single point mode and moving the camera back, a few inches further at a focusing distance of 1.5m, the subject comes in focus.

The exact same thing happens with the central point, only this time, it focusses too close, and I have to move the camera nearer the subject after focus lock is achieved to get a sharp image.

In terms of camera settings, I was shooting in manual exposure, with an initial reading taken off a grey card. f1.4, 1/60, 64ISO, 50mm lens. As the images show, for the test shots proper, I was using a tripod and a continuous lighting source (as well as ambient light through large bay windows).

The camera is in AF-S with priority selection on focus rather than release. Focus tracking with lock-on is set to the highest value. AF activation is on. AF point illumination and focus point illunation are both on.

For most of the test, I was in 11-point mode. But it is interesting to note that if I switch to 51 point mode, some of the focus points directly adjacent to the affected sensors also display the exact same problems. In all, about 6 out of the 51 points are affected.

Built-in AF-assist illuminator was on, and all the boxed in the AF-area mode selection sub-menu are ticked.

Autofocus mode restrictions are off. No shots were done in live view mode.

No AF fine tuning.

I have replicated the issues with a variety of lenses and under a range of conditions. The centre point will occassionally find focus, but the left point never.

I've attached a couple of test shots, but for more info, but the raw files are available via my "Left and centre focus point problem with my new Nikon D810" blog - where I've also posted further info.

I'm hoping someone here points out I am dumb and that I missed a setting.










This image also has a bit of camera shake, but the depth of field is greater (smaller aperture, greater distance) and the focus was clearly also off in the viewfinder.

First, check AF tune. Line up a row of AA batteries if nothing else. Seems like your problem might be more than that but you have to eliminate some of the possibles

On the off chance, see if someone put a 1 over a 0 after the 8. :-D Doesn't seem like an 810 issue.

First thing to check is that you can get a sharp image right across the frame, do this by making sure you are perfectly square to your wall target and focus with live view. Do this with a couple of lenses, if you can't get reasonable focus across the frame then you most likely have a camera problem.

Assuming you can achieve an evenly focused image then the obvious question to ask is why no AF fine tune? It's there to help in exactly these circumstances. On my D810 I am finding most lenses require between +5 and +15 to be really sharp.

Try setting the AF fine tune to the center point on AF-S mode and see what that does to the outer points. If they are not even then once again there maybe a problem with your camera.

To do your fine tuning you need something flat, like match boxes or cigarette boxes. I made those blocks some years ago.





My lenses were giving me some back focus on the D810, I used those blocks to do the test and fine tuning. Then I was thinking, why bother struggling doing fine tuning, the camera is on warranty, why not let the calibration done by Nikon with proper equipment and proper software. I dropped my D810 at the Nikon repairer, he did not take my lenses, he took the camera only and after two days, I got the camera back, and the job description says: "Performed focus shift adjustments". So now all seem spot on. So if I were you, I would let a Nikon repairer look at it and let them do the appropriate calibration.

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your input.

I certainly can achieve sharp focus - both manually and via AF. My problem is that these two individual focus points never deliver sharp focus.

And they always miss by about the same amount to the same side.

You are on to something with the suggestion of fine tuning - except for one thing, namely that it will also affect all the other focus points which do not have a problem. Unless I seriously misunderstand the fine tuning mechanism.

Cheers,

Ed

Do you know, that was my very first thought, am I looking at an old D800 disguised as a D810?

Anyway, I checked, and I have the little "i" button on the back. So that at least is off my mind.

lanefAU said:

To do your fine tuning you need something flat, like match boxes or cigarette boxes. I made those blocks some years ago.



My lenses were giving me some back focus on the D810, I used those blocks to do the test and fine tuning. Then I was thinking, why bother struggling doing fine tuning, the camera is on warranty, why not let the calibration done by Nikon with proper equipment and proper software. I dropped my D810 at the Nikon repairer, he did not take my lenses, he took the camera only and after two days, I got the camera back, and the job description says: "Performed focus shift adjustments". So now all seem spot on. So if I were you, I would let a Nikon repairer look at it and let them do the appropriate calibration.

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Thank you, I am glad to hear someone else had this and that it is not a major issue.

What you are suggesting is exactly what I intend to do.

Can I just ask this, did you have issues with individual focus points, and did it vary from one focus point to another?

Eddie van der Walt said:

Do you know, that was my very first thought, am I looking at an old D800 disguised as a D810?

Anyway, I checked, and I have the little "i" button on the back. So that at least is off my mind.

Click to expand...

The fact that it's just two focal points is a cause for concern. I'm thinking that it'll need to go back to the store for replacement or to Nikon for service. AF fine tuning is an overall fine tune, not a focus point by focus point fine tune

I recommend taking a different approach: Get another D810 body and see if you get the same results. (I know, it might not be that easy to get another body, but maybe your local shop could loan one to you for a few hours.)

My gut tells me that you may simply have a defective unit. And if so, keep all the photographic evidence between the two bodies and submit them to Nikon for evaluation and repair.

This may save you all the heartache of fine tuning, test, fine tuning, testing etc. I went through the D800 mess and went through at least 4000 clicks before I finally gave up and got rid of the camera.

You are shooting faint lines at f1.4? There is no contrast where you put the tower bridge point? Vic

I had a D810 with a forward focus problem which I returned for a new body... Tlak to your area Nikon rep and ask for a new body... if the camera is brand new they will usually do an exchange.

Hi Vic,

The lines are a lot less faint than they appear in the out of focus examples. They're pretty dark and contrasty.

What is more, no matter what I throw at the camera, I can't make those two points (or the ones immidiately adjacent) focus. They always miss and always to the same side. One misses short, the other misses long.

Oh, also, I have tried f2.8 and f3.5-4.5 lenses. I just posted these images as the focus problems are obviously most visible at f1.4.

Yeah, I don't think fine tuning is going to work here. There is a difference between different focus points. Some work, some miss.

I'll send it back for repair or replace.

You are not dumb nor incorrect at all. I was told once by a person who worked directly with Nikon that Nikon knew the D800 series had problems but released them anyway in order to make profit. I had 6 Nikon D800E cameras and they all had the same focusing issue that you experienced. For this reason I sold all of my Nikon gear and purchased Canon lenses and Cameras. Canon may have inferior sensors but the cameras actually work. I was looking to purchase a Nikon D810 in hopes that the focusing issue was corrected with the D810 update. However your post confirms that Nikon was too lazy and cheap to actually fix all of the problems the Nikon D800/E have, including the focusing system that does not fit in the compact camera body so they installed it at a slight angle. This is why your Nikon D810 has front and back focusing at the same time on different areas of the image. You probably sold your D810 by now. Hopefully you left Nikon for a more reliable camera brand.

CEEMDEE said:

You probably sold your D810 by now.

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That post is from 2014... OP hasn't posted since.

I liked the thread despite posting it in 2014. ;-)

I recommend Chipclean in Heumen.

Does the D850 have the same focus issues?