D2x Focus Issues Question

richfavinger

Leading Member
Messages
970
Reaction score
1
Location
Pottstown, PA, US
Some time ago, I thought I seen a thread here or on another site about serial numbers of affected D2x cameras, does any one remember the site or list, or thread?

Has any one sent there D2x in for the fix? If so do you send Nikon a lens as well or body only?

I seen on a few sites that mention this is that if you send a lens in, they fix the focus point to that lens, and there for it messes up focus points for other lenses. They really don't do any thing to the camera.
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
What, no comments on this or what??? A little help here folks! Please!
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
Firmware 1.01 A / 1.01 B

I just re-upped it with 2 different flash cards, and will try some different settings for my shooting situation. I as mentioned, if I do send to Nikon, do I really (Should I really) send them a lens, I feel I use most all my glass, you know it's hard to pick one or 2. :-)
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
...shot over 600 photos of a soccer game with no focus issues that were not caused by operator error (perhaps 10-15 shots that I missed). I do have the latest firmware upgrade that came out many months ago.
--
Tom
 
Rich,

I have an early D2x and after working with it for awhile I decided that my main focus issues could be whittled down to two of my lenses. So I sent the D2x to Melville with the 70-200 and the 17-35. As it turns out the 70-200 (which was relatively new) needed some serious adjustment.

Things are much better now.

Also, have you checked out any of the D2x articles on the Nikonians site? They are stellar and I now follow several of Darryl's technique suggestions.

Good luck,

JT
 
Heres a sample of the shooting situation...



28-70 2.8 AF-S , SB800, AF-C, High Speed Shooting (not crop), Dynamic Groups, Closest Subject

In that day I got many OOF, slightly OOF, and back focus to the wall... So I ask you what did I do wrong? Or did I misunderstand something. AF with Lock-On (ON) was used this time, I was going to try OFF next time...

I was also going to stick with One focus point, and not Group Dynamic...
Closest Subject? Yes / No?
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
Any other comments on this?
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
Event is Saturday
Any last comments would be helpful...
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
I bought my D2x in July 2005 and initially had sone problems that the updated firware sorted. However, every now and then I just can't seem to get a sharp image.

I've been shooting fast moving motorcycles using CAF with no problems and then last week I shoot static 'big cats' and get soft images. In fact some are so soft they are unusable. Both situations using the same 80-200 f2.8 Nikon lens. Wierd, only difference is that I switched to SAF. I hope I don't have a problem again.
--
cheers

Ian

http://www.iantunnicliffe.co.uk
 
There are a number of things to check in the custom settings as to whether the camera biases focus of frame rate etc. These will affect focus. Also open the image in Capture and you can see which of the sensors was used for the focus. Its amazing how many times the sensor just misses what you were trying/hoping to focus on. Even with some of the multi-sensor modes there is an awful lot of the image that will fall outside of the focussing areas. Check the soft images this way and then you might get a better idea as to what is happening.
Good luck,
Steve

http://www.stevedavey.com
 
Event is Saturday
Any last comments would be helpful...
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
Even with a "good" D2X, you'l have oof now and then. The white suits for example scream for problems, since there is not much contrast for the AF to grab onto. I suggest you do an AF at first, and if you feel that's in focus, shoot the rest on manual if you are staying at the same distance all the time. AF-C focus priority (new firmware) has always given me more keepers than AF-S.
--
kind regards,
bart
 
I only use the single centre focusing point (occassionally a single outer) and recompose. In the OOF shots, nothing is sharp at all so it's not the camera mis-focusing on the wrong thing. When I have time I will check things properly. Just suprised that I had so few sharp images. With my motorsport I am getting better than 90/95% sharp, with the big cats it was nearer 10 sharp - a huge difference.
--
cheers

Ian

http://www.iantunnicliffe.co.uk
 
Rich,

The first thing I would do is go to my CS Menu and set CSM A-4 to OFF. This will make your camera lock on much more positively in the dark enviornment. The only time the camera might work better with this setting at the default "ON" is if you have lots of subjects moving in front of your main subject but even then I question the utility of this setting being "ON".

Next, I would have all of the focus points on (Dynamic Area) but I would only use one focus point...either the center point or just above center.

--
Anne Geoplast
Nikon digital and film
 
Ok, so heres what I'm using or going to try...
a1 : FPS + AF
a3 : P1 - Closest Subject
a4 : OFF
Mode C-AF / CH / Matrix or Center Weight
Focus Mode, 1 AF Point (Default)
Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8 Lens / SB800
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
Ok, so heres what I'm using or going to try...
a1 : FPS + AF
a3 : P1 - Closest Subject
a4 : OFF
Mode C-AF / CH / Matrix or Center Weight
Focus Mode, 1 AF Point (Default)
Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8 Lens / SB800
Rich,

The other thing which will stand you well would be to learn to use the camera with CSM A-5 set to OFF or to make the camera only focus with the AF-ON button and not the shutter button. If you aren't already doing this, I would not start trying at a paying job because it takes some getting used to. However, when you get used to it it will help you get more keepers because you can achieve focus with the AF-ON button and then take your finger off and essentially lock focus (focus will not change with a press of the shutter button.

Good Luck.

--
Anne Geoplast
Nikon digital and film
 
Ok folks, I thank you all for your help. I seem to have gotten more in focus shots with function a4 OFF (AF with Lock-On), and I had setup Closest Subject, I also used Dynamic Focus with 1 Point (point selector switch click-2). I must say it seems better then before, but I did get a few back focus.

Back focus seemed to show up if the AF point (seen in Nikon Capture) missed totally (no surprise) or that the AF bracket was only 1/2 on the subject...(seemed strange, since subject was closer then the wall). But again, things seem better then before, so thanks. I just need more action practice.

Because I was also fighting that day I could not get many big air adult shots. So nothing really spectacular to show, sorry guys... Just the same...



Hold Down on the Edge



Portrait of Andre Watson, USA Paralympic Team, Blind Judo Hopeful

He will be going to the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) Judo World Championships to be held June 29 to July-3 in Brommat, France!
Press : http://www.usoc.org/paralympics/news_45839.htm

Andre visits our club almost every week to work out, as well as visiting other local clubs. So lets wish him and the rest of the US Paralympic Team, good luck!
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 
Hey, you are fishing for replies but you did not respond to my
message...
Didn't know I was fishing, just posting a reply to people who helped me... It seemed to work for me. You sent your camera to Nikon I did not (yet). Your dealing with Nikon, there for you have more information on the subject then I do.
--
Rich
Nikon D2x
 

Keyboard shortcuts

Back
Top