D7200 - AF problems with 50/1.4 AF-D & 50/1.4 G, nothing else

Here's a strange problem that I don't know the solution to (other than returning the camera / trying again or living with the problem).

Bought a new D7200 recently, a 'gray market' version to save a few bucks. Yes, I know about the risk involved and that Nikon will not service the camera here in the USA, etc. etc.. I bought a 'Square Trade' warranty but am thinking about cancelling that within the 30 day window as I'm not sure how they would (or could) handle a complex AF problem like this one:

The camera (and packaging) appeared brand new and the shutter count was zero. I've been testing it with a variety of lenses, from older AF (without the BIM) to AF-S and they have all worked well enough, no complaints. I got around to trying the 50/1.4G and something wasn't right. So I got it out later and it turns out it's back-focusing, by a good amount. I tried the wonderful 'AF Fine Tune' feature (which I've never needed on a properly operating lens on a D750) and a -20 value helps, but isn't quite enough. At further distances that wonderful -20 setting is now creating front-focus (imagine that).

So I thought it might be a problem with just that lens and the D7200 body until I tried a 50/1.4 AF-D that I still have, and it has the exact same problem. I have tried multiple primes (f/1.8 G and zooms of various max aperture and eras) with this D7200 (including a Nikon 50/1.8G, oddly enough) and could not replicate the problem. The only two lenses with the problem are both 50mm and f1.4, but one is AF-D (no BIM) and the other is a G lens.

Has anyone had a similar problem with D7200 and f1.4 lenses? I don't have any other f1.4 lenses to test but I suppose I could go to a local camera shop and ask to borrow one.

Could it be that the AF module is defective or slightly out of alignment? It seems strange to me that the 50/1.8G is working OK but the 50/1.4G is not.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. I'm still within the return window for the D7200 and could live with the problem (no immediate plans for additional f1.4 lenses) but I'm wondering if it's worth a try at another camera. What would you do?

Thanks again.

Son Of Waldo said:

I got around to trying the 50/1.4G and something wasn't right. So I got it out later and it turns out it's back-focusing, by a good amount. I tried the wonderful 'AF Fine Tune' feature (which I've never needed on a properly operating lens on a D750) and a -20 value helps, but isn't quite enough. At further distances that wonderful -20 setting is now creating front-focus (imagine that).

So I thought it might be a problem with just that lens and the D7200 body until I tried a 50/1.4 AF-D that I still have, and it has the exact same problem. I have tried multiple primes (f/1.8 G and zooms of various max aperture and eras) with this D7200 (including a Nikon 50/1.8G, oddly enough) and could not replicate the problem. The only two lenses with the problem are both 50mm and f1.4, but one is AF-D (no BIM) and the other is a G lens.

Click to expand...

My 50mm f/1.4G also severely back-focused on my D7000, D610 and D600. With my D750, it needs a -15 AF adjustment and I don't remember if I did any AF fine tuning with the D500 and that lens. My point is, it may be the lens at fault. If it's under warranty, maybe send the lens in for Nikon to look at.

Son Of Waldo said:

So I got it out later and it turns out it's back-focusing, by a good amount. I tried the wonderful 'AF Fine Tune' feature (which I've never needed on a properly operating lens on a D750) and a -20 value helps, but isn't quite enough. At further distances that wonderful -20 setting is now creating front-focus (imagine that).

So I thought it might be a problem with just that lens and the D7200 body until I tried a 50/1.4 AF-D that I still have, and it has the exact same problem. I have tried multiple primes (f/1.8 G and zooms of various max aperture and eras) with this D7200 (including a Nikon 50/1.8G, oddly enough) and could not replicate the problem. The only two lenses with the problem are both 50mm and f1.4, but one is AF-D (no BIM) and the other is a G lens.

Could it be that the AF module is defective or slightly out of alignment? It seems strange to me that the 50/1.8G is working OK but the 50/1.4G is not.

Click to expand...

Likely it's a lens issue and not a camera issue. To confirm exactly where the focus plane is with all lenses...use the link below and the same exact method they use to tell.


Good Luck

Dyun27 said:

Son Of Waldo said:

I got around to trying the 50/1.4G and something wasn't right. So I got it out later and it turns out it's back-focusing, by a good amount. I tried the wonderful 'AF Fine Tune' feature (which I've never needed on a properly operating lens on a D750) and a -20 value helps, but isn't quite enough. At further distances that wonderful -20 setting is now creating front-focus (imagine that).

So I thought it might be a problem with just that lens and the D7200 body until I tried a 50/1.4 AF-D that I still have, and it has the exact same problem. I have tried multiple primes (f/1.8 G and zooms of various max aperture and eras) with this D7200 (including a Nikon 50/1.8G, oddly enough) and could not replicate the problem. The only two lenses with the problem are both 50mm and f1.4, but one is AF-D (no BIM) and the other is a G lens.

Click to expand...

My 50mm f/1.4G also severely back-focused on my D7000, D610 and D600. With my D750, it needs a -15 AF adjustment and I don't remember if I did any AF fine tuning with the D500 and that lens. My point is, it may be the lens at fault. If it's under warranty, maybe send the lens in for Nikon to look at.

Click to expand...

Thanks Jana, I do appreciate that. Here's what I don't understand; both the 50/1.4D and G focus great on my D750, no AF fine tuning needed. I suppose I've been pretty fortunate with AF considering the number and variety of lenses I've owned but I do test (fairly extensively) for AF before keeping a lens. My daughter has my old D90 and I might bring out the D700 for further testing before making a decision.

As far as having Nikon adjust the lens, I'll have to admit that the 50/1.4G is also an international version (oopsie). I normally try to buy the US version with more expensive, complex lenses but the 50/1.4G tested out fine when I purchased it several years ago.

All the best to you and I always enjoy your colorful photography!

Mako2011 said:

Son Of Waldo said:

So I got it out later and it turns out it's back-focusing, by a good amount. I tried the wonderful 'AF Fine Tune' feature (which I've never needed on a properly operating lens on a D750) and a -20 value helps, but isn't quite enough. At further distances that wonderful -20 setting is now creating front-focus (imagine that).

So I thought it might be a problem with just that lens and the D7200 body until I tried a 50/1.4 AF-D that I still have, and it has the exact same problem. I have tried multiple primes (f/1.8 G and zooms of various max aperture and eras) with this D7200 (including a Nikon 50/1.8G, oddly enough) and could not replicate the problem. The only two lenses with the problem are both 50mm and f1.4, but one is AF-D (no BIM) and the other is a G lens.

Could it be that the AF module is defective or slightly out of alignment? It seems strange to me that the 50/1.8G is working OK but the 50/1.4G is not.

Click to expand...

Likely it's a lens issue and not a camera issue. To confirm exactly where the focus plane is with all lenses...use the link below and the same exact method they use to tell.

http://camerafocustest.blogspot.com/

Good Luck

Click to expand...

Thanks Mako! I do have one of the Lens Align kits and think it does a pretty good job with isolating AF problems. But I will say that I've had the 50/1.4D since my D50 days and it's been solid (AF-wise) with D50, D90, D700 and D750. In fact, it's one of the reasons I like to keep it around, to test the AF motors on Nikon DSLRs.

BTW, do you remember how active this particular forum was, years ago? I always thought it was one of the better forums on DPReview, less arguing and more helping...

Thanks again.

Son Of Waldo said:

Thanks Mako! I do have one of the Lens Align kits and think it does a pretty good job with isolating AF problems. But I will say that I've had the 50/1.4D since my D50 days and it's been solid (AF-wise) with D50, D90, D700 and D750. In fact, it's one of the reasons I like to keep it around, to test the AF motors on Nikon DSLRs.

Click to expand...

But...all your other lens are fine with the D7200. Make sure you don't have a global AF fine tune setting enabled. Also...go back and re-check you older bodies. You might be surprised.

Son Of Waldo said:

BTW, do you remember how active this particular forum was, years ago? I always thought it was one of the better forums on DPReview, less arguing and more helping...

Thanks again.

Click to expand...

DSLR's and stand alone cameras...are naturally on the decline as smart phones take over. The forums just reflect that. Good Luck!!!!

Mako2011 said:

Son Of Waldo said:

Thanks Mako! I do have one of the Lens Align kits and think it does a pretty good job with isolating AF problems. But I will say that I've had the 50/1.4D since my D50 days and it's been solid (AF-wise) with D50, D90, D700 and D750. In fact, it's one of the reasons I like to keep it around, to test the AF motors on Nikon DSLRs.

Click to expand...

But...all your other lens are fine with the D7200. Make sure you don't have a global AF fine tune setting enabled. Also...go back and re-check you older bodies. You might be surprised.

Click to expand...

I'll likely check them both on a D90 and/or preferably on another D7200 or a D7500 somewhere. They're both fine on the D750 but obviously not on the the D7200.

I've actually been rather impressed by the AF on the D7200 (and the camera overall) other than this odd problem. I don't need the improved AF-C tracking of the D500 or D7500, so I'll take the savings and be happy with it.

Mako2011 said:

Mako2011 said:

BTW, do you remember how active this particular forum was, years ago? I always thought it was one of the better forums on DPReview, less arguing and more helping...

Thanks again.

Click to expand...

DSLR's and stand alone cameras...are naturally on the decline as smart phones take over. The forums just reflect that. Good Luck!!!!

Click to expand...

I can't imagine smart phones ever being that great with highly selective focus (and computational 'out of focus rendering') or telephoto use in general, but we'll see.

Mako2011 said:

DSLR's and stand alone cameras...are naturally on the decline as smart phones take over. The forums just reflect that.

Click to expand...

Not impressed. I don't approve this message.
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Bringing to light, Exposing what is
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Son Of Waldo said:

I can't imagine smart phones ever being that great with highly selective focus (and computational 'out of focus rendering') or telephoto use in general, but we'll see.

Click to expand...

That's more like it! I feel better now
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Bringing to light, Exposing what is
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Mr. Bargain-priced D7200, just not close enough...

tried the 50/1.4's on a new, display model D7500 (in a camera shop) and the back-focus problems (unsurprisingly) disappeared (!).

I suppose I could spend (many) hours testing and retesting at various distances, some Fine Tune here and some Fine tune there (perhaps I could carry a notebook and tape measure around with me everywhere) or I could just return the camera. I took the camera out last night with some very easy targets at further distances in good light and same problem with both lenses - substantial back-focus. Perhaps I could bring out 8-10 other lenses (again) and make sure there are no other 'surprises' awaiting me. No, thanks anyway.

Sorry Nikon, but I'm going to give you a thumbs down on my one and only shot at a closeout, 'grey market' D7200. The 50/1.4s are way too mainstream of a lens (IMO) to be having to screw around with large 'AF fine tune' values on a 'new' camera. I'm sure there are many happy D7200 owners out there without this problem - I would have liked to have been one of them...

D7500 seemed nice enough but I don't like the 'missing' AI indexing tab and the Fn button is in a very odd location - in the middle of the grip at the base of the inner body.

Is the D500 worth twice(+) the price for those that can afford it and might even prefer the (slightly) larger camera in the first place? I'm starting to think so, and it sure feels nice and solid in my hands. Too rich for my blood at the current prices but I know which will be my first choice going forward.

AF with the same 50/1.4G, plenty good for my uses, w/o any AF tune. Sometimes having a variety of lenses to test on a new camera pays off...

BTW, the D7200 at these closeout prices is a very nice deal, IMO. Highly Recommended!