AF Fune Tune - Still Out of Focus

J

JCNelson

New member
Hey all,

I recently upgraded from a D3000 to a D7000. While I am very excited about all of the awesome features of the D7000, those features all seem moot if my photographs come out back focused.

I've read about 5-6 different tutorials and followed them all to a finite degree, but, my camera still back focuses. Even with my AF Fine Tune set at -20, it still focuses behind my subject or target area. The lens I am using and cannot get to focus correctly is my brand spanking new Nikon 50mm 1.8 D. I also have a Nikon 35m 1.8, which also has the same issues.

What am I to do?

I go this through Amazing, via Adorama, as a refurbished item.

I appreciate any help you all can offer.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
This item should still hold some warranty. I'd contact the seller ASAP and explain your problem. Adorama are usually very fair and shouldn't let you hang to dry. Helen Olster was on this list for a while and usually is very fast and fair to take care of this kind of problems. It sometimes happen that a unit gets out without the proper quality control tests. I'm not saying it should, but it sometimes does.

I hope you get a great working unit, because it's a great camera when it works properly.
 
J

JCNelson

New member
Camera Fun said:
Just wondering but what process/methods/charts did you use when trying to adjust the backfocus?
Click to expand...

I used several different methods, ranging from a print out sheet to the moire test. In Live View the auto focus was impeccable - but using the viewfinder (which I prefer) it constantly back focused. In all, I believe I tried 6 different methods, charts, etc. No avail. I mailed it back to Adorama today and asked for a refund.
 
Panu Kuuluvainen

Panu Kuuluvainen

New member
This post is partially about the auto focus problem but also partially about the Nikon d7000 in general. If you have used the camera a lot or are experiencing problems with it might be worth a read. In the former case probably because you get to brag and show an amateur his place, in the latter case because this might confirm some of your worries (depending on what the people who know something about photography say :)).

So, I might have a similar problem as the OP but I've had difficulties to determine if that is actually the case due to low image quality in general.

Here are some samples that I shot with my d7000 and the Nikon 50mm 1.4G.

http://pjk-survey.com/f28noAFFINETUNE.jpg
http://pjk-survey.com/f14noAFFINETUNE.jpg


The first two images were shot at first 1.4 and then 2.8. Shutter speed 1/160, ISO 100. AF-S, and centre focus point. I think it is obvious that there is some back focus there.

The next images were shot with the same settings (save for shutter speed, this time it was 1/250, but that should not make a difference?). This time though I had AF fine tuning set at -20.

http://www.pjk-survey.com/f28AFFINETUNE-20.jpg
http://www.pjk-survey.com/f14AFFINETUNE-20.jpg


I think that the last two images are a lot better in terms of focus. Its a lot closer to the 0 and you can almost read the text, yay.

However, what I find a bit terrible is the over all quality of these images. The result is a lot better with 2.8 than with 1.4, with 1.4 its so blurry even where it is supposed to be in focus that you can barely read the text.

The fifth image attached highlights this problem in a real situation, same camera and same lens. I snapped a picture in a park. The light conditions are by far not ideal, no even light and the persons face is in the shadow. However, shot at 3.5 1/1000 and ISO 100 I would have expected better results.

Probably due to the back focus problem, the object in focus seems to be the statue on the left, not the models face. The models face is, in my opinion, blurry. Even the statue in focus seems a bit blurry to me and the image quality just isn't that good. The distance might have not been ideal for the 50mm lens though.

http://www.pjk-survey.com/DSC_5361.jpg

With this combination in general, but especially when shooting with 1.4 or 1.8 I just feel like I have serious difficulties in getting my object in focus and over all image quality. The lens seems to fare pretty well when my object is close enough (a full body shot outside in good light conditions with a pretty tight crop usually looks okay).

To finish this off, two pictures of flowers. The other one is shot at 1.4. I cant honestly tell if anything is in focus, the quality is quite awful. The other one at 2.8 is a lot better but still very so-so.

http://pjk-survey.com/DSC_6970.jpg
http://pjk-survey.com/DSC_6974.jpg

Thank you for reading this far. Now, to the conclusions and the part where I ask for help.

1) I am not a very good photographer. I do not understand my equipment well enough to judge my lens nor my camera. This is probably obvious from what I've written thus far. However, I never shoot with an ISO higher than 200 and I do use shutter speeds that should be fine with a 50mm lens (always above 1/80, usually around 1/150-1/1000 as I shoot outside/daytime a lot). I try not to use f1.4-2.5 as it seems that most lenses perform better when they are not wide open, this one is no exception. In any case I guess I just need to learn how to use my gear better. If anyone could point me to the right direction, I would much appreciate it.

2) My lens might need some fine tuning. As we can perhaps conclude from the images above, it did probably perform better with AF fine tune set to -20. Do you agree or am I off the mark?

Now onwards to the less likely explanations on why my pictures are terribly fuzzy, blurry and awful.

3) I just should apply some sharpness and noise reduction in Lightroom and be happy.
4) There is something wrong with my camera or lens that simple calibration wont fix
5) I need a better lens or a better camera (as if).

So to sum it up, I believe I have a back focus problem but on top of that I have a general image quality problem. Based on what I've written, I would very much appreciate it if someone could give me advice on how to take better, clearer, sharper pictures.

Do you feel like you + your mad skills + d7000 give much sharper and cleaner results than my examples? Or do you feel like the quality of this lens/camera combo isn't perhaps that much better even when used correctly?

Thanks for reading. Hope this isn't an awful first post at the Nikonites forum, although Im sure it is a very typical one :).


edit: someone will probably ask if Im shooting in RAW or JPEG. I shoot in raw and do post processing with Lightroom, usually sharpness 50 and some noise reduction, which does bring better results. The above examples are RAW with no processing.
 
Last edited:
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Two things...

1. I'd prefer it if you'd post some actual image files as opposed to screen captures. In particular the test photos taken with the 50mm f/1.4 without any fine tuning adjustment done to them, and then the one shot you took with the model.

2. I'm pretty convinced you have a back-focus issue.

......
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
Panu Kuuluvainen said:
This post is partially about the auto focus problem but also partially about the Nikon d7000 in general. If you have used the camera a lot or are experiencing problems with it might be worth a read. In the former case probably because you get to brag and show an amateur his place, in the latter case because this might confirm some of your worries (depending on what the people who know something about photography say :)).

So, I might have a similar problem as the OP but I've had difficulties to determine if that is actually the case due to low image quality in general.

Here are some samples that I shot with my d7000 and the Nikon 50mm 1.4G.

http://pjk-survey.com/f28noAFFINETUNE.jpg
http://pjk-survey.com/f14noAFFINETUNE.jpg


The first two images were shot at first 1.4 and then 2.8. Shutter speed 1/160, ISO 100. AF-S, and centre focus point. I think it is obvious that there is some back focus there.

The next images were shot with the same settings (save for shutter speed, this time it was 1/250, but that should not make a difference?). This time though I had AF fine tuning set at -20.

http://www.pjk-survey.com/f28AFFINETUNE-20.jpg
http://www.pjk-survey.com/f14AFFINETUNE-20.jpg


I think that the last two images are a lot better in terms of focus. Its a lot closer to the 0 and you can almost read the text, yay.

However, what I find a bit terrible is the over all quality of these images. The result is a lot better with 2.8 than with 1.4, with 1.4 its so blurry even where it is supposed to be in focus that you can barely read the text.

The fifth image attached highlights this problem in a real situation, same camera and same lens. I snapped a picture in a park. The light conditions are by far not ideal, no even light and the persons face is in the shadow. However, shot at 3.5 1/1000 and ISO 100 I would have expected better results.

Probably due to the back focus problem, the object in focus seems to be the statue on the left, not the models face. The models face is, in my opinion, blurry. Even the statue in focus seems a bit blurry to me and the image quality just isn't that good. The distance might have not been ideal for the 50mm lens though.

http://www.pjk-survey.com/DSC_5361.jpg

With this combination in general, but especially when shooting with 1.4 or 1.8 I just feel like I have serious difficulties in getting my object in focus and over all image quality. The lens seems to fare pretty well when my object is close enough (a full body shot outside in good light conditions with a pretty tight crop usually looks okay).

To finish this off, two pictures of flowers. The other one is shot at 1.4. I cant honestly tell if anything is in focus, the quality is quite awful. The other one at 2.8 is a lot better but still very so-so.

http://pjk-survey.com/DSC_6970.jpg
http://pjk-survey.com/DSC_6974.jpg

Thank you for reading this far. Now, to the conclusions and the part where I ask for help.

1) I am not a very good photographer. I do not understand my equipment well enough to judge my lens nor my camera. This is probably obvious from what I've written thus far. However, I never shoot with an ISO higher than 200 and I do use shutter speeds that should be fine with a 50mm lens (always above 1/80, usually around 1/150-1/1000 as I shoot outside/daytime a lot). I try not to use f1.4-2.5 as it seems that most lenses perform better when they are not wide open, this one is no exception. In any case I guess I just need to learn how to use my gear better. If anyone could point me to the right direction, I would much appreciate it.

2) My lens might need some fine tuning. As we can perhaps conclude from the images above, it did probably perform better with AF fine tune set to -20. Do you agree or am I off the mark?

Now onwards to the less likely explanations on why my pictures are terribly fuzzy, blurry and awful.

3) I just should apply some sharpness and noise reduction in Lightroom and be happy.
4) There is something wrong with my camera or lens that simple calibration wont fix
5) I need a better lens or a better camera (as if).

So to sum it up, I believe I have a back focus problem but on top of that I have a general image quality problem. Based on what I've written, I would very much appreciate it if someone could give me advice on how to take better, clearer, sharper pictures.

Do you feel like you + your mad skills + d7000 give much sharper and cleaner results than my examples? Or do you feel like the quality of this lens/camera combo isn't perhaps that much better even when used correctly?

Thanks for reading. Hope this isn't an awful first post at the Nikonites forum, although Im sure it is a very typical one :).


edit: someone will probably ask if Im shooting in RAW or JPEG. I shoot in raw and do post processing with Lightroom, usually sharpness 50 and some noise reduction, which does bring better results. The above examples are RAW with no processing.
Click to expand...

Did you use a tripod for the tests?
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
Do you get sharper images manually focusing? Auto focus systems struggle with very wide apertures. How is it above f2 on a tripod?

I went through similar issues with my 35mm 1.4
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Panu Kuuluvainen said:
Hello,

thank you for the replies. Horoscope Fish, NEF files as requested:

6957 / 1.4 no AF Tuning
6959 / 2.8 no AF tuning
6964 / 2.8 with AF tuning
6967 / 1.4 with AF tuning
5361 model, 3.5 no AF tuning




I need to redo this test with a tripod, try both live view and view finder AF and them manual focus as suggested by Rick M and then get back to you, I suppose.
Click to expand...
Guidelines to adding a photo to your post.

1. Resize photo to 1000px on the long side.
2. Resolution set to 72ppi (Pixels Per Inch)

These guidelines will be good for viewing on a computer but will not be good for printing. This will help safeguard your copyright.







 
E

eurotrash

Senior Member
At 1.4, your dof will be absolutely on a razor's edge. It's no surprise this is happening. It happens with my 50mm 1.4, it happened with my buddies 85 1.4, and 35 f1.4 as well. That is kind of the nature of very wide apertures. Also softness is common and can be perceived as the lens being out of focus as well. The areas that are supposed to be sharp become a bit blurry, leading your eye to search even harder for the 'sharp' portions.

Also, test charts aren't really the best thing to judge if you have focus issues. Go shoot some real world objects and see if it happens. IMHO, test charts are a waste of patience, something ALWAYS looks out of place somehow.

​Do your dof tests display this behaviour when shooting with other lenses, perhaps slower lenses?
 
Last edited:
D

dramtastic

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
Two things...

1. I'd prefer it if you'd post some actual image files as opposed to screen captures. In particular the test photos taken with the 50mm f/1.4 without any fine tuning adjustment done to them, and then the one shot you took with the model.

2. I'm pretty convinced you have a back-focus issue.

......
Click to expand...
+1 to upload file images

Personally not yet convinced of BF issues.
Might be, but I am also convinced with all the BF chatter over the years for D7000's, a lot of people have talked themselves into it. Not saying this is you, but having bought a D7000 recently myself I think Nikon for the most has fixed this problem. So many variables, including lens used, aperture, shutter speed. I remember taking test shots of nails equally spaced in my front deck and going cross eyed trying to find possible BF problems.
My 50mm 1.8D smashes out wonderful images on this body without nary a thought.
Finally, don't give up on this body even if you have to replace or have Nikon recalibrate(or whatever they do). A good one represents incredible value. A semi-pro for under 700 bucks.
One last thing, but have you adjusted the focus dial next to the viewfinder?
 
Last edited:
Top