D2X autofocus issues

[MJ_Photo38]

TL;DR : Is there an AF fine tune menu in the Nikon D2X? If there is one I haven't been able to find it.

Hi ! long story short, I got a GASsed up, and bought a used Nikon D2X.

Camera is working fine, looking good pretty much everywhere, no issues there but one of the reason I bought it was the sensor that is supposedly sharper than the other APS-C 12MP sensors you can find in Nikon cameras, so I set up a test ring to compare my D2X and D300 but... the D2X files end up considerably softer than the D300 files. And when I say considerably I mean like the D300 actually looks like 12MP, the D2X looked like barely 5.

Upon further inspection it turns out that the autofocus system backfocuses slightly making everything in the plane of focus slightly blurry (not enough to be really visible in the viewfinder when taking a shot), but I was actually able to get the sharpest results possible using manual focus.

So I was wondering if there is a menu to fine tune the AF or is the only solution sending it back to Nikon (not an option sadly as it's 19 years old). I'd really love to be able to use my autofocused lenses on there, but if it's relegated to manual focus use only it's not the end of the world. I just want to make sure I'm deliberatly ignoring a optential solution to this problem.

Thanks for reading !

 

[GMann1]

I own both of these cameras. After extensive tests, I would not say that the acuity performance of the D2x is necessarily superior to the D300.

The D2x does however have the highest RAW resolution per pixel of any 12mpx camera.

Nearly all of the lenses I use on these cameras save one are manual focus (all primes), and I have not encountered any focussing discrepancies with my af lens.

You should test all of your lenses to see how many produce focussing issues.

Are you using the latest firmware?

 

[MJ_Photo38]

I own both of these cameras. After extensive tests, I would not say that the acuity performance of the D2x is necessarily superior to the D300.

The D2x does however have the highest RAW resolution per pixel of any 12mpx camera.

Nearly all of the lenses I use on these cameras save one are manual focus (all primes), and I have not encountered any focussing discrepancies with my af lens.

You should test all of your lenses to see how many produce focussing issues.

I have issues with all of my AF lenses without exception. The only one where I didn't see much issues was with my 12-24 f/2 but that les was used at 12mm stopped down to f/8 or so, so that was probably due to the enormous depth of field more than anything.

Are you using the latest firmware?

I have the latest v2.00 firmware.

--
(G.A.S. and collectionnite will get my skin one day)

 

[GeoffRG]

I own both of these cameras. After extensive tests, I would not say that the acuity performance of the D2x is necessarily superior to the D300.

The D2x does however have the highest RAW resolution per pixel of any 12mpx camera.

Nearly all of the lenses I use on these cameras save one are manual focus (all primes), and I have not encountered any focussing discrepancies with my af lens.

You should test all of your lenses to see how many produce focussing issues.

I have issues with all of my AF lenses without exception. The only one where I didn't see much issues was with my 12-24 f/2 but that les was used at 12mm stopped down to f/8 or so, so that was probably due to the enormous depth of field more than anything.

Are you using the latest firmware?

I have the latest v2.00 firmware.

I remember thinking that my D2X was “soft” and I spent some time trying to get it right. This was over 10 years ago so the details are hazy but I do remember remote and refitting the focusing screen. I never had any issues with the D2Xs. It’s worth making sure the various parts of the focusing system are clean and free from dust.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

I own both of these cameras. After extensive tests, I would not say that the acuity performance of the D2x is necessarily superior to the D300.

The D2x does however have the highest RAW resolution per pixel of any 12mpx camera.

Nearly all of the lenses I use on these cameras save one are manual focus (all primes), and I have not encountered any focussing discrepancies with my af lens.

You should test all of your lenses to see how many produce focussing issues.

I have issues with all of my AF lenses without exception. The only one where I didn't see much issues was with my 12-24 f/2 but that les was used at 12mm stopped down to f/8 or so, so that was probably due to the enormous depth of field more than anything.

Are you using the latest firmware?

I have the latest v2.00 firmware.

I remember thinking that my D2X was “soft” and I spent some time trying to get it right. This was over 10 years ago so the details are hazy but I do remember remote and refitting the focusing screen. I never had any issues with the D2Xs. It’s worth making sure the various parts of the focusing system are clean and free from dust.

I recently bought a Canon EOS 5D and this camera also had backfocusing issues (see here ), but this one I was focusing manually and there was a difference between what I saw in the OVF and what ended up on the picture. Focus screen was indeed at fault, but there was no isues with autofocus.

Opposite situation on the D2X here, manual focus works perfectly, AF is backfocusing. I'll try to stick the nozzle of a rocket blower above the AF sensor to clean dust if there is any, and I'll come back to y'all.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

Okay, so there is a way to fine tune the AF by turning a nut inside the mirror box. On that nut is a little off set post on which the AF mirror slides in place. By turning the nut you are able to change the angle of the AF mirror slightly which will allow for some adjustment to fix front or back focusing.

I haven't been able to find any 2mm nut driver, smallest I've seen was always 2.5mm. Other DSLR cameras I own have a little hex head screw that you can turn with an allen key, but the D2H/X seem to be the only body I own that have this offset post thing.

Does anyone know where I could find a 2mm nut driver? Seems almost impossible to find. Even for modeling kits or precision tools.

 

[Topi]

Would this https://www.ebay.de/itm/264740452981 do the trick? It's a bit expensive, though, in case you only need it once.

-Topi

 

[MJ_Photo38]

It would, in the mean time I found this one : (18€)





To be able to be inserted in the mirror box I'd need to cut it, then find a way to be able to rotate it, either with my figers, or I would need to pierce a hole to be able to stick a straigh bar perpendicular to the axis of the nut driver.

I guess that's an interesting DIY project

--
(G.A.S. and collectionnite will get my skin one day)