Camera focus problem (mf)

[tinEyegod]

i have a nikon d2x. when using the mf function to get clarity, there seems to be a problem. when the composition is clear in viewfinder, once i release the shutter, it comes out blurry.

i discovered that i have to slightly turn the lens grip (the band for turning and tweaking mf) slightly anticlockwise to get a sharp image. however, on viewfinder, it is blurry, but the image is crisp. i dont know what the heck is that.

i noticed that perhaps it's because i had dropped my camera before accidentally and it developed this problem. or perhaps it is a defect that occurred naturally.

the worst part is I have to take various shots while adjusting the lens anticlockwise in order to pick the sharpest image. slightly cumbersome and kills my space. btw it's those old memory disks limited to 300 images.

any possible remedy for me?

 

[lehill]

i have a nikon d2x. when using the mf function to get clarity, there seems to be a problem. when the composition is clear in viewfinder, once i release the shutter, it comes out blurry.

i discovered that i have to slightly turn the lens grip (the band for turning and tweaking mf) slightly anticlockwise to get a sharp image. however, on viewfinder, it is blurry, but the image is crisp. i dont know what the heck is that.

i noticed that perhaps it's because i had dropped my camera before accidentally and it developed this problem. or perhaps it is a defect that occurred naturally.

the worst part is I have to take various shots while adjusting the lens anticlockwise in order to pick the sharpest image. slightly cumbersome and kills my space. btw it's those old memory disks limited to 300 images.

any possible remedy for me?

The dropping likely caused your out-of-focus problem by knocking something out of alignment in the camera or the lens.

Contact Nikon support in your region and describe your symptoms. The D2X is now 21 years old. If anything broke because of the drop, getting replacement parts may be difficult.

 

[ZilverHaylide]

i have a nikon d2x. when using the mf function to get clarity, there seems to be a problem. when the composition is clear in viewfinder, once i release the shutter, it comes out blurry.

i discovered that i have to slightly turn the lens grip (the band for turning and tweaking mf) slightly anticlockwise to get a sharp image. however, on viewfinder, it is blurry, but the image is crisp. i dont know what the heck is that.

i noticed that perhaps it's because i had dropped my camera before accidentally and it developed this problem. or perhaps it is a defect that occurred naturally.

the worst part is I have to take various shots while adjusting the lens anticlockwise in order to pick the sharpest image. slightly cumbersome and kills my space. btw it's those old memory disks limited to 300 images.

any possible remedy for me?

Most high end cameras (as the D2x once was) have provisions for a service center to adjust focus discrepancies, such as between the AF system, what is recorded on the sensor, or the focus screen. (Newer higher-end cameras may also allow some adjustability by the user, via live view and AF Fine-Tune (on Nikon) and AF Micro-Adjust (on Canon), but I don't think the D2x permits any such user-adjustability).

It's possible that something on your camera is broken internally, but maybe the shock that your camera suffered has simply caused one of the adjustment points to "jump the track", and a knowledgeable repair person can put things right. I'm not sure Nikon is even still servicing cameras as old as the D2x, you may need to find an independent repair person, ideally old enough to be familiar with your old camera. Whether the cost of such service (adjustment or repair) makes economic sense is a different matter.

 

[CJAM]

If your photos are sharp in autofocus mode and it's only manual focus where you have an issue, the the drop will have moved something in the pentaprism or the focusing screen. I don't know how mechanical competent you are but you can start (if you have the confidence) by taking the lens off and looking into the mirror box. Looking upwards, check that the focusing screen (piece of glass) is located firmly in its frame - it may just require a gentle push upwards to clip it back into place. WARNING: Do not touch the mirror or focusing screen with your skin, wear gloves or use blunt tools to probe and check. If the screen appears to be located correctly, press it upwards gently and see if you can detect any movement. If you can, then the camera needs to go to a service center as the pentaprism has become loose inside the camera body