My bad luck with latest D800E’s

[skmadapatu]

I am having unfortunate experience with latest D800E’s. I had left autofocus issue with the D800E I bought on late March 2013 from Amazon (30124xx). Thanks to Amazon I got the replacement yesterday (301279x). Sadly both left & right autofocus (24mm 2.8 & 50mm 1.8) worse than the one before. I am followed the test procedure - http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/07/0...-d800-d800e-d4-has-the-left-focusing-problem/

So I thought I will give a chance by updating the firmware (D800E_0102) following Nikon’s step-by step procedure. After the update I did the focus test again. @24MM 2.8 (On my 24-70 Tamron) left & right performed badly again. Then I tried the 50MM (AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.8G) autofocus (both live view & view finder) stopped responding – it was at least working yesterday. Then I switched to Tamron 24-70mm – no luck with any autofocus (except manual focus). Then I tried the Nikon 70-200mm VR2 – autofocus worked perfectly. Then I tested again with 24-70 (some time it works) & 50MM is not working at all. I reset (QUAL&+/-) the camera couple of times and even re-updated the firmware (D800E_0102) – no luck so far.

Early last month another D800E autofocus point got stuck (nonmoving on both live view & view finder – even after the camera re-set) when I used the IUSBPORTCAMERA. I am also one of the 1stperson ordered the D800E back in February 2012 the moment Amazon start taking the order – sadly that sensor had the oil spot issues. In my case autofocus worked fine on the earlier models - Ironically, I am having trouble with latest ones. I feel bad about returning the D800E’s.

D800E is the best & dream camera I ever owned (I am not a professional photographer, but reasonably educated and I invested on finest new lenses and other accessories) – but sadly those dreams are short-lived so far

I understand this is an utltra sensitive sensor and errors can happen in the automated production line. BUT I do sincerely still (even 1 year after launching) wish Nikon will do better job in automation of the testing too on the professional products like this before sending out to customer - that is the reason I am taking I star away.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

skmadapatu wrote:

I am followed the test procedure - http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/07/0...-d800-d800e-d4-has-the-left-focusing-problem/

The link does not appear to clarify that to test an outer autofocus point there has to be detail in the vertical direction. Does your test include good for autofocus testing vertical detail?

The link suggests a constant focus distance of about 6 feet. A 6 feet distant subject may work fine with a 105mm lens but can be too small in the viewfinder autofocus mark for autofocus to be reliable.

Sorry, if Nikon's guidance on how to get good results using autofocus is reliable, the guidance in the link is anything but reliable.

 

[Shotcents]

Please ignore any posts regarding inadaquate focus targets.

It is VERY easy to test.

Simple shoot a variety of subjects using the far left and right focus points. If you have the left AF issue it will be readily apparent.

My D800 back-focuses a bit using the left sensor. It's not huge, but easy to see using various lenses and always repeatable. After the firmware update my camera is otherwise focusing great and I suspect Nikon would claim the left AF point is within spec or worse, seriously muck up my camera. I'm not sending it back!

As for the latest D800 units, the left AF issue has not been resolved. Brand new cameras are still showing up with the problem.

Robert

 

[T O Shooter]

skmadapatu wrote:

I am having unfortunate experience with latest D800E’s. I had left autofocus issue with the D800E I bought on late March 2013 from Amazon (30124xx). Thanks to Amazon I got the replacement yesterday (301279x). Sadly both left & right autofocus (24mm 2.8 & 50mm 1.8) worse than the one before. I am followed the test procedure - http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/07/0...-d800-d800e-d4-has-the-left-focusing-problem/

So I thought I will give a chance by updating the firmware (D800E_0102) following Nikon’s step-by step procedure. After the update I did the focus test again. @24MM 2.8 (On my 24-70 Tamron) left & right performed badly again. Then I tried the 50MM (AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.8G) autofocus (both live view & view finder) stopped responding – it was at least working yesterday. Then I switched to Tamron 24-70mm – no luck with any autofocus (except manual focus). Then I tried the Nikon 70-200mm VR2 – autofocus worked perfectly. Then I tested again with 24-70 (some time it works) & 50MM is not working at all. I reset (QUAL&+/-) the camera couple of times and even re-updated the firmware (D800E_0102) – no luck so far.

Early last month another D800E autofocus point got stuck (nonmoving on both live view & view finder – even after the camera re-set) when I used the IUSBPORTCAMERA. I am also one of the 1stperson ordered the D800E back in February 2012 the moment Amazon start taking the order – sadly that sensor had the oil spot issues. In my case autofocus worked fine on the earlier models - Ironically, I am having trouble with latest ones. I feel bad about returning the D800E’s.

D800E is the best & dream camera I ever owned (I am not a professional photographer, but reasonably educated and I invested on finest new lenses and other accessories) – but sadly those dreams are short-lived so far

I understand this is an utltra sensitive sensor and errors can happen in the automated production line. BUT I do sincerely still (even 1 year after launching) wish Nikon will do better job in automation of the testing too on the professional products like this before sending out to customer - that is the reason I am taking I star away.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to a number of fellows on here, you just have bad "technique". You also need to read some books. Can't help you with what the good "techique" is as I, like you, were not worthy to be imparted with that knowledge. Best to not say anything and move to a point and shoot. :-D

 

[jdrpc]

As said before....

Use Manual Focus instead, that is what I do now 75% of times...

If you don't like your D800E, please offer it to me!!!! I'll be most happy.... Would love to test it against my D700...

 

[T O Shooter]

jdrpc wrote:

As said before....

Use Manual Focus instead, that is what I do now 75% of times...

You don't buy a motorcycle and settle on pushing it - why would you buy a D800 and settle for MF? I don't see what's wrong when someone buys an AF camera and expects the AF to work? You saying "offer it to me" is basically saying you should suck it up and be happy with it. Unless you have major shares in Nikon that makes no sense.

 

[rdhphoto1]

A PRO friend of mine uses his D800E in MF and has no problems with it. He is a Wildlife & Nature Photographer and uses the D800E in his landscape/scenic work.

He just returned from the Everglades and says the D800E was junk on BIF as the AF is not reliable. What's new!!!

Hey, it is a great MF camera, with killer IQ.......what more could you want?

Good luck with your photography.

 

[DenWil]

rdhphoto1 wrote:

A PRO friend of mine uses his D800E in MF and has no problems with it. He is a Wildlife & Nature Photographer and uses the D800E in his landscape/scenic work.

He just returned from the Everglades and says the D800E was junk on BIF as the AF is not reliable. What's new!!!

Hey, it is a great MF camera, with killer IQ.......what more could you want?

Good luck with your photography.

Wow a 36MP FF with slower frame rate, not great for BIF - what a plot twist. Next I'll hear that IQ80 backs on RZ Pro ll Ds aren't good for basketball.

 

[T O Shooter]

DenWil wrote:

rdhphoto1 wrote:

A PRO friend of mine uses his D800E in MF and has no problems with it. He is a Wildlife & Nature Photographer and uses the D800E in his landscape/scenic work.

He just returned from the Everglades and says the D800E was junk on BIF as the AF is not reliable. What's new!!!

Hey, it is a great MF camera, with killer IQ.......what more could you want?

Good luck with your photography.

Wow a 36MP FF with slower frame rate, not great for BIF - what a plot twist. Next I'll hear that IQ80 backs on RZ Pro ll Ds aren't good for basketball.

The issue with BIF with the D800 has nothing to do with the 36MP or the frame rate. Sure you're only getting half the shots in a burst. 36MP or 4 frames per sec has nothing to do with everything out of focus. It's still only a DSLR body and if you're quick enough manual focusing or get lucky with the AF then you can nail the focus. Fellows like you and comments like your's does nothing to keep this issue at the forefront where it should be. I'm surprised you didn't throw "bad technique" in there as well.

With that said, however the new FW and this weekend will go hand in hand, and hopefully confirm that the issue of inconsistent focus is resolved.

 

[Brandon birder]

T O Shooter wrote:

DenWil wrote:

rdhphoto1 wrote:

A PRO friend of mine uses his D800E in MF and has no problems with it. He is a Wildlife & Nature Photographer and uses the D800E in his landscape/scenic work.

He just returned from the Everglades and says the D800E was junk on BIF as the AF is not reliable. What's new!!!

Hey, it is a great MF camera, with killer IQ.......what more could you want?

Good luck with your photography.

Wow a 36MP FF with slower frame rate, not great for BIF - what a plot twist. Next I'll hear that IQ80 backs on RZ Pro ll Ds aren't good for basketball.

The issue with BIF with the D800 has nothing to do with the 36MP or the frame rate. Sure you're only getting half the shots in a burst. 36MP or 4 frames per sec has nothing to do with everything out of focus. It's still only a DSLR body and if you're quick enough manual focusing or get lucky with the AF then you can nail the focus. Fellows like you and comments like your's does nothing to keep this issue at the forefront where it should be. I'm surprised you didn't throw "bad technique" in there as well.

With that said, however the new FW and this weekend will go hand in hand, and hopefully confirm that the issue of inconsistent focus is resolved.

My D800 is great for birds in flight so it is not a generic problem, just one withhours camera.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

Shotcents wrote:

Please ignore any posts regarding inadaquate focus targets.

Why?

When I posted we did not know what the target was.

Nikon rightly say some targets can result in poor results.

The link does not in my opinion give sufficiently clear guidance as to how to select a target good enough for reliable testing

Simple shoot a variety of subjects using the far left and right focus points. If you have the left AF issue it will be readily apparent.

I agree.

Trouble is I now make it 132 on this forum who claim they have a D800 issue having seemed to ignore Nikon's guidance with the target they posted, instead of testing with a variety of subjects.

It is difficult to explain why, if complainers are following your advice and testing with a variety of subject, there seem to be no images taking reasonable account of Nikons guidance,

--
Leonard Shepherd
Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

T O Shooter wrote:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but according to a number of fellows on here, you just have bad "technique".

If you mean mean me - I merely raised the question that as the link quoted as the basis of the test gives less than 100% good advice and no image had not been posted, was the actual test technique OK.

 

[Daniel Lauring]

Leonard Shepherd wrote:

Trouble is I now make it 132 on this forum who claim they have a D800 issue having seemed to ignore Nikon's guidance with the target they posted, instead of testing with a variety of subjects.

Absurd. Prove that.

Looks like a duck. Swims like a duck. Quacks like a duck.....

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

T O Shooter wrote

You don't buy a motorcycle and settle on pushing it - why would you buy a D800 and settle for MF?

Maybe because Nikon have made it clear throughout the 14 years I have been using their autofocus SLR's and DSLR's in a few situations manual focus is likely to be more accurate than phase detect autofocus.

Some prefer to use manual focus some of the time (including me) because they prefer to be in control of where sharpness within the depth of field available starts and ends. People who work this way may work from a tripod to aid getting the end result they want.

It is a bit of an insult to someone who maybe prefers to work in a slower more methodical way than you to say that that he/she should not have bought the 35mm format camera with the current highest resolution available.

It can help avoid disappointment to find out what the limitations of any product are, including phase detect autofocus in any camera which has it, before parting with a lot of money.