Nikon Z7 II image not centered?

Shooting a group like that I would have probably put the focus box right in the center by pushing the OK button. Occasionally I move it around. Often unintentionally, usually to provide some leading or trailing space for a moving subject.

The joystick or wheel can be bumped around since I hang my camera by my side. This can move the box.

When I put the camera to my eye for the next picture I automatically put the box on the subject regardless of it's position in the finder. If I am so concentrated on getting a particular subject I may neglect looking at the entire image.

If you can bring up the focus point in your software see where it is located.

JulieJule said:

We recently got a Nikon Z7 II and my husband kept telling me that he did not feel like the image her was seeing on review was the same as they image he thought he took. I thought he was crazy until I took it out yesterday and took some photos of a group of people I was sure I centered in the frame came back way off-center! Is this something common with this camera? Is it something we can fix or do we need to send it in? I am sure we are approaching the end of our warranty period so I want to take action as soon as possible. I have a Z8 and that took a little getting used to as far as framing because the info covers up part of the image, but this Z7 II is completely different. It's the vertical that is off, not the horizontal, if that makes sense.

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Best way to test to be sure is to use a test target like the one B&H has for testing lenses. Aim the camera (on a tripod) to the center of the chart, use single point AF and make sure it's in the exact center of the target and the viewfinder and take a test shot, and then compare in a RAW processor. If you do this correctly, the image should be centered within the frame as it normally is. If not, then there may be an issue.

If the camera was dropped or subjected to some sort of impact it's possible the sensor shifted slightly (especially if it was on and IBIS was perhaps on, then that could jam the IBIS mechanism or something), or the EVF got knocked out of alignment (I've heard of that a few times from people who have dropped their cameras) possibly giving the impression that the sensor is not aligned, but it may just be an EVF issue.

Either way, if you still have warranty, it may make sense to just send it in. Just make something up, like the picture isn't sharp or there's a focusing issue and they'll go through the camera (I used to do this with lenses right before the warranty ran out just to make sure things were aligned and normal). You'd have to pay for shipping obviously. But that would be the only sure-fire way of knowing if there is an issue or not as they will test, and adjust the camera if needed. If there is damage (like the result of a dropped camera) then they'll quote you on a repair (they usually can tell what is a mfg defect and what is caused by damage/accidents).

Unfrotunately with the sample image, it's hard to tell if the people were intentionally put off center or not. But I would probably do the test I mentioned above as a quick check to be sure. And to be honest, I've droped now my Z7 II and a Z6 II I had (and the Z7 II was a hard drop about 2 ft onto cement) and neither of those times caused the sensor to shift around, so IF there is a sensor issue it likely would have been a manufacturing defect.

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sirhawkeye64 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

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If the camera was dropped or subjected to some sort of impact it's possible the sensor shifted slightly (especially if it was on and IBIS was perhaps on, then that could jam the IBIS mechanism or something), or the EVF got knocked out of alignment (I've heard of that a few times from people who have dropped their cameras) possibly giving the impression that the sensor is not aligned, but it may just be an EVF issue.

Click to expand...

If the sensor were out of alignment, the image seen through the EVF would be misalgined as well. I said this once before in this thread, but if the optics in front of the EVF, or the EVF itself as you have suggested, where knocked out of alignment, then that could explain how what the photographer is seeing is aligned differently from what is on the sensor. Just my opinion of course. But I don't see how otherwise one ends up with an image on the sensor aligned differently from that seen in the EVF. Or, maybe I'm just being dense. That happens sometimes.

j_photo said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

j_photo said:

Click to expand...

If the camera was dropped or subjected to some sort of impact it's possible the sensor shifted slightly (especially if it was on and IBIS was perhaps on, then that could jam the IBIS mechanism or something), or the EVF got knocked out of alignment (I've heard of that a few times from people who have dropped their cameras) possibly giving the impression that the sensor is not aligned, but it may just be an EVF issue.

Click to expand...

If the sensor were out of alignment, the image seen through the EVF would be misalgined as well. I said this once before in this thread, but if the optics in front of the EVF, or the EVF itself as you have suggested, where knocked out of alignment, then that could explain how what the photographer is seeing is aligned differently from what is on the sensor. Just my opinion of course. But I don't see how otherwise one ends up with an image on the sensor aligned differently from that seen in the EVF. Or, maybe I'm just being dense. That happens sometimes.

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Just eyeballing it that looks like it would be off by about 6-10mm on a 36mm sensor. I don't believe IBIS could move it that much and since the EVF and monitor both get their image from the sensor they really aren't a part of the problem. Those screens can only show what the sensor presents to them.

I am still of the mind that the user simply did not have the focus box in the horizontal center of the screen and automatically put it on the center of the group.

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BGD300V1 said:

j_photo said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

BGD300V1 said:

Click to expand...

If the camera was dropped or subjected to some sort of impact it's possible the sensor shifted slightly (especially if it was on and IBIS was perhaps on, then that could jam the IBIS mechanism or something), or the EVF got knocked out of alignment (I've heard of that a few times from people who have dropped their cameras) possibly giving the impression that the sensor is not aligned, but it may just be an EVF issue.

Click to expand...

If the sensor were out of alignment, the image seen through the EVF would be misalgined as well. I said this once before in this thread, but if the optics in front of the EVF, or the EVF itself as you have suggested, where knocked out of alignment, then that could explain how what the photographer is seeing is aligned differently from what is on the sensor. Just my opinion of course. But I don't see how otherwise one ends up with an image on the sensor aligned differently from that seen in the EVF. Or, maybe I'm just being dense. That happens sometimes.

Click to expand...

Just eyeballing it that looks like it would be off by about 6-10mm on a 36mm sensor. I don't believe IBIS could move it that much and since the EVF and monitor both get their image from the sensor they really aren't a part of the problem. Those screens can only show what the sensor presents to them.

I am still of the mind that the user simply did not have the focus box in the horizontal center of the screen and automatically put it on the center of the group.

Click to expand...

Regardless, I think the OP may want to send it in if they still have warranty and are sure it's not related to damage or whatever (or even if it is). Because if there is an issue, it will have to go back to NIkon for repair anyway, so might as well do it while it's under warranty and possibly have the issue (if there is one) taken care of for free, potentially, rather than waiting for warranty to run out and then send it in.

--
NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread/article..

sirhawkeye64 said:

BGD300V1 said:

j_photo said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Click to expand...

If the camera was dropped or subjected to some sort of impact it's possible the sensor shifted slightly (especially if it was on and IBIS was perhaps on, then that could jam the IBIS mechanism or something), or the EVF got knocked out of alignment (I've heard of that a few times from people who have dropped their cameras) possibly giving the impression that the sensor is not aligned, but it may just be an EVF issue.

Click to expand...

If the sensor were out of alignment, the image seen through the EVF would be misalgined as well. I said this once before in this thread, but if the optics in front of the EVF, or the EVF itself as you have suggested, where knocked out of alignment, then that could explain how what the photographer is seeing is aligned differently from what is on the sensor. Just my opinion of course. But I don't see how otherwise one ends up with an image on the sensor aligned differently from that seen in the EVF. Or, maybe I'm just being dense. That happens sometimes.

Click to expand...

Just eyeballing it that looks like it would be off by about 6-10mm on a 36mm sensor. I don't believe IBIS could move it that much and since the EVF and monitor both get their image from the sensor they really aren't a part of the problem. Those screens can only show what the sensor presents to them.

I am still of the mind that the user simply did not have the focus box in the horizontal center of the screen and automatically put it on the center of the group.

Click to expand...

Regardless, I think the OP may want to send it in if they still have warranty and are sure it's not related to damage or whatever (or even if it is). Because if there is an issue, it will have to go back to NIkon for repair anyway, so might as well do it while it's under warranty and possibly have the issue (if there is one) taken care of for free, potentially, rather than waiting for warranty to run out and then send it in.

--
NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread/article..

Click to expand...

Easier solution, have someone that isn't her or her husband check it real quick as a sanity check.

ghostfox_1 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

BGD300V1 said:

j_photo said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

ghostfox_1 said:

Click to expand...

If the camera was dropped or subjected to some sort of impact it's possible the sensor shifted slightly (especially if it was on and IBIS was perhaps on, then that could jam the IBIS mechanism or something), or the EVF got knocked out of alignment (I've heard of that a few times from people who have dropped their cameras) possibly giving the impression that the sensor is not aligned, but it may just be an EVF issue.

Click to expand...

If the sensor were out of alignment, the image seen through the EVF would be misalgined as well. I said this once before in this thread, but if the optics in front of the EVF, or the EVF itself as you have suggested, where knocked out of alignment, then that could explain how what the photographer is seeing is aligned differently from what is on the sensor. Just my opinion of course. But I don't see how otherwise one ends up with an image on the sensor aligned differently from that seen in the EVF. Or, maybe I'm just being dense. That happens sometimes.

Click to expand...

Just eyeballing it that looks like it would be off by about 6-10mm on a 36mm sensor. I don't believe IBIS could move it that much and since the EVF and monitor both get their image from the sensor they really aren't a part of the problem. Those screens can only show what the sensor presents to them.

I am still of the mind that the user simply did not have the focus box in the horizontal center of the screen and automatically put it on the center of the group.

Click to expand...

Regardless, I think the OP may want to send it in if they still have warranty and are sure it's not related to damage or whatever (or even if it is). Because if there is an issue, it will have to go back to NIkon for repair anyway, so might as well do it while it's under warranty and possibly have the issue (if there is one) taken care of for free, potentially, rather than waiting for warranty to run out and then send it in.

Click to expand...

Easier solution, have someone that isn't her or her husband check it real quick as a sanity check.

Click to expand...

That works too and would be faster/cheaper. From the picture, it's hard/impossible for me to tell just based on what she posted.

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NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread/article..

sirhawkeye64 said:

ghostfox_1 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Regardless, I think the OP may want to send it in if they still have warranty and are sure it's not related to damage or whatever (or even if it is). Because if there is an issue, it will have to go back to NIkon for repair anyway, so might as well do it while it's under warranty and possibly have the issue (if there is one) taken care of for free, potentially, rather than waiting for warranty to run out and then send it in.

Click to expand...

Easier solution, have someone that isn't her or her husband check it real quick as a sanity check.

Click to expand...

That works too and would be faster/cheaper. From the picture, it's hard/impossible for me to tell just based on what she posted.

Click to expand...

I just can't for the life of me figure out how this would be a mechanical problem, because it's still 3:2. The evf can't show something that isn't from the sensor. So.. Who knows. If op comes back maybe we can get answers

ghostfox_1 said:

I just can't for the life of me figure out how this would be a mechanical problem, because it's still 3:2. The evf can't show something that isn't from the sensor. So.. Who knows. If op comes back maybe we can get answers

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The fact that the OP did not respond a single time suggests to me that they figured it out and that the problem was not particularly, well, intricate.

BasilG said:

ghostfox_1 said:

I just can't for the life of me figure out how this would be a mechanical problem, because it's still 3:2. The evf can't show something that isn't from the sensor. So.. Who knows. If op comes back maybe we can get answers

Click to expand...

The fact that the OP did not respond a single time suggests to me that they figured it out and that the problem was not particularly, well, intricate.

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Could very well be. Just annoying to not get an update to close the topic out, as it was. That way anyone looking later can also go "oh, I'm probably doing (x) as well".

But yeah, I'm guessing not looking dead on into the evf was the core cause.

ghostfox_1 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

ghostfox_1 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Regardless, I think the OP may want to send it in if they still have warranty and are sure it's not related to damage or whatever (or even if it is). Because if there is an issue, it will have to go back to NIkon for repair anyway, so might as well do it while it's under warranty and possibly have the issue (if there is one) taken care of for free, potentially, rather than waiting for warranty to run out and then send it in.

Click to expand...

Easier solution, have someone that isn't her or her husband check it real quick as a sanity check.

Click to expand...

That works too and would be faster/cheaper. From the picture, it's hard/impossible for me to tell just based on what she posted.

Click to expand...

I just can't for the life of me figure out how this would be a mechanical problem, because it's still 3:2. The evf can't show something that isn't from the sensor. So.. Who knows. If op comes back maybe we can get answers

Click to expand...

Yes, there are some other questions I'd probably need to / want to ask as I've never personally run across any situations either through reading forums online or personally where the image sensor may have shifted in this matter, again, unless the cameara was dropped and something (the IBIS) is jammed for some reason, but I would think even such issues would be minimal and probably not even noticeable except upon close inspection. The OP makes it sound as if this is rather extreme.

Too bad the OP didn't reply to any of the comments. I'm still not sure exactly which direction was off center.

I'm unsubscribing.

jthomas39 said:

Too bad the OP didn't reply to any of the comments. I'm still not sure exactly which direction was off center.

I'm unsubscribing.

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I'll leave it as it is (subscribed). The only thing I can think of is it turned out to be "user error" in some regard.

Unrelated, or not? User joined April 1st..

The only way this makes any sense to me is if you are using a magnified view and an off-center focus point... when you enlarge the view it centers around the current focus point; not the center of the image (except DX mode).

I don't think it's possible or likely that the image is actually shifting or misaligned. I'd rule that out. But there are some ways the EVF or rear LCD can look like it's framed in a different manner than actual framing.

There are a number of Display options that contain anywhere from no information at all to things like limited camera settings, all camera settings, histogram, etc. The displays that show camera settings cover part of the image area. It's slightly translucent, but if you are not used to the display it may look like framing is different than the actual image.

Another difference depends on how far your eye is from the Viewfinder. If you wear glasses or don't have your eye close enough to the viewfinder, the display you see may not be the entire display. It's not actually cut off - but the viewfinder contains optical elements and you may not be seeing frame edges.

Related to the above, it's possible your viewfinder is loose or not properly attached. While unlikely, this would have the same affect and place your eye too far from the image throwing off your framing.

It's also you can be editing and applying a crop unintentionally. You can apply a preset that includes a crop. That's uncommon, but it is possible.

Finally - there is lens distortion correction in your camera. Lens distortion is automatically applied and may mean cropping your image. With a wide lens, it's likely to be cropping off the edges of the frame. Depending on your settings and framing, you could lose enough to cut off edges of your frame or place elements too close to frame edges.

For testing, try changing your display so no camera settings are shown. Compare the image using the EVF and using the rear LCD. You should see exactly the same images.

Before I send the camera for service, you might give it to an experienced user to see if they notice an issue. If you are going to send it in, consider having it inspected and cleaned at the same time. There is a charge, but it's a comprehensive service and they can check framing and focus.

Edj-nl said:

Unrelated, or not? User joined April 1st..

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Don't really look that far into their profile, and frankly, not everything posted on 4/1 is a joke either (not to mention you did post a reply with a possible solution, so my guess is that even you took this as a serious post too.. as did many others).

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JulieJule said:

We recently got a Nikon Z7 II and my husband kept telling me that he did not feel like the image her was seeing on review was the same as they image he thought he took.

Click to expand...

Any of suggestions / advice been helpful?

Have you found problem? (If yes, what was it?)

SKersting66 said:

The only way this makes any sense to me is if you are using a magnified view and an off-center focus point... when you enlarge the view it centers around the current focus point; not the center of the image (except DX mode).

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Doesn't the magnified view reset itself after each shot? Plus, they'd have even more problems. They'd be looking at a magnified view in the viewfinder and when they took the shot their actual image would be a much, much wider view.

astirusty said:

JulieJule said:

We recently got a Nikon Z7 II and my husband kept telling me that he did not feel like the image her was seeing on review was the same as they image he thought he took.

Click to expand...

Any of suggestions / advice been helpful?

Have you found problem? (If yes, what was it?)

Click to expand...

I'd be surprised if we heard from her again. Joined on April 1. A single post.

I would bet that it was simply user error and there is no problem. They a) figured it out and don't care to report back or b) they're too embarrassed to report back.