AF Fine Tune = A Band-Aid?

I've had my D7000 for about 2 months, and I have always had a little trouble getting it to focus where I want it. I chalked it up to camera shake, subject moving, user error, lack of knowledge about how the AF system works compared to my old D40, etc.

I'm starting to become very frustrated with the focus errors which I'm starting to think aren't entirely my fault. I'm having the most issues with my 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4. Even with a tripod and a stationary subject, settings at AF-S and single center point, I'm consistently getting back focus. I hate to even jump on the "AHH My D7000 backfocuses!" train, and I'm wondering if it's an issue with the body of the camera or with the way it works with the lenses.

I've played around with the AF Fine Tune, and have to set it at -20 for both of those lenses in order to pull the focus to where I want it. Considering that's the limits of the Fine Tune system, I'm thinking there's a bigger issue than just a little needed calibration.

Am I being too nitpicky? I paid a lot of money for this camera, and I'd like it to at least focus correctly! I feel like just fine tuning the lenses to -20 is a band-aid for what could be a real problem. But maybe I'm overthinking it.

(And yes, I called Nikon, and they just said to send it in for repair, but when things are broken, I like to know why!)

I'd say if you have to set the "fine tuning" for -20 for both lenses, just send it in. Turn around time is about 10 work days and you'll then start enjoying your excellent camera without the worry.
I've had mine for over a year and didn't have that problem.

what apertures are you using when you fine tune the focus? people have trouble when they set fine tune wide open.

evan said:

what apertures are you using when you fine tune the focus? people have trouble when they set fine tune wide open.

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I use the lens wide open. Why would they have more trouble wide open I wonder?

Why would (should) you need to fine tune? It does sound like a band-aide. I have the D5100 with the same sensor and all of my shots have been razon sharp since day1.

evan said:

what apertures are you using when you fine tune the focus? people have trouble when they set fine tune wide open.

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Wide open - I know that images are sharper when stopped down, but I do use my lenses wide open. I shouldn't have a focus problem when shooting wide open. (Right?)

You should not be having this problem, especially since you stated it does it even when on a tripod, do as Marcel said and get it sent in. The 50 mm at 1.4 has a super narrow DOF but if it is a consistent problem something is wrong.

Nikon is having me send in photos first so that they can say whether or not it's a back focus issue. Hopefully this is the first step toward getting this corrected.

try googling the d7000 club flickr ,,,, fine tuning af 1.4 is driving me nuts.

I'm curious about this AF Fine tune I keep reading about. Is this feature available only on the D7000? I don't seem to have anything like this on my D200. Just curious.

just went through this, got my camera back and its better. but not perfect. My 35mm is the main culprit though, as it is for most people with this lens. I suggest sending lens in with camera

fotojack said:

I'm curious about this AF Fine tune I keep reading about. Is this feature available only on the D7000? I don't seem to have anything like this on my D200. Just curious.

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AF Fine Tune is just a feature on the d7000 that allows you to "move" the focal point front or back from where the camera "thinks" the focus should be.

Like doing Lasik eye surgery on your camera it seems

Here's a test shot I took last night and sent to Nikon (with others).

This is on a tripod, remote release, mirror up, stationary object (obviously) and AF fine tune set to 0. I focused square on the red nail polish. (Confirmed in Nikon View - don't have that screenshot right now!) As you can see, the blue one, set farther back, is in focus! This is with my 35mm lens, but I repeated the test with the 50mm and it's the same problem. Setting the AF fine tune to -20 only makes all of the bottles unfocused, so it's not even a true workaround.



As always, I'm nervous that sending the camera in for repair will make things worse (it's happened!) but I suppose I have nothing to lose seeing as it's clearly not acceptable now!

So bummed, I just want to be out shooting, and not worrying about this.

RickSawThat said:

Like doing Lasik eye surgery on your camera it seems

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My camera is far-sighted!

Jessabelle
Im so sorry you are going through this too. I too am kinda bummed. Because im still making payments on the camera, and its just not always sharp. Though.... After nikons repair.. It is doing MUCH better. I mean noticeably. Ive found that most of the issues I have had since have been my own error. So Im going to give it some more time and see how it goes.

But i do suggest sending it in. It helped mine and they were very quick about it

I adjusted mine in increments of 5 while fine tuning and settled at -20 for my 35mm 1.8. That seemed to me to be the best setting. I finally broke down and sent it to Nikon and just got it back yesterday. It took them 8 working days to get it back to me. I have not had the chance to play with it yet, but I'm dying to

Orlando, I cant wait to see how yours is doing with that 35 mm..... Also, Do you mind to give me some tips on the best way to fine tune a lens... im not sure as I need to know, but the 35mm seems like it may be a smidgen off..

Also,
When I stuck my 50mm 1.8 on after i got it back from service it was FRONT FOCUSING.. lol. then i remembered I had fine tuned that lens before service.... once i turned off fine tune it was tack on and razor sharp... as it should be.

I did not make an elaborate setup, but just made sure I had the camera on a tripod, lens wide open and a good subject with good contrast that is very well lit. Also used the fastest shutter speed possible that allowed good exposure with iso200. I took several shots by first focusing the lens manually to both ends (infinity and close-up) and having the camera auto-focus from there. There was a slight difference on the degree of "back-focus" between the shots taken starting from infinity and close-up. It was actually very easy to see when looking at the shots at 100% that the focus was just behind the intended point.
I only did this for my 35mm. I've read that zoom lenses are a whole different ballgame so I've left my 18-105 alone for now.

ive read its better to sent the 18-105 and zooms in because of the different focal lengths and that mainly the fine tune is for Primes.

But Maybe, Orlando, your camera is fixed. Im anxious to hear how it goes for you. I hated being without my camera.


I had a shoot saturday, and I did feel better about the results. When I got home and looked at the photos I noticed that anything back focused had a focal point somewhere behind the subjects that i didnt really realize at the moment, and that shows me just how sensitive this focusing system is, and how Its not just the camera that needs to be spot on, but me as well.

Im still weary of it but only time will tell, Im not gonna let up until its perfect, I know its not the most expensive camera out there, but for me its a TON... and I feel that i should be happy with it.