manual and autofocus issues with d7100

I've now shot about 3000 images with my d7100 and I'm really, really disappointed with the focus -- auto AND manual. I expect super sharp, crisp imaging from Nikon, but I have to say my iphone does a much better and more consistent job. Perhaps there's something wrong with my camera or lenses (new)?

I see from this forum I'm not the only person who suspects a focus problem but nowhere do I see any answers. If I can't get good crisp images on this camera, there's no reason to buy other nikkor lenses or nikon cameras. I know it's possible, but I'm not getting them and I can't understand why. I've shot professionally when I was younger so I know exactly what I'm doing. I've tried viewing them on my laptop (about 1400x800), my iphone6+, and my HD TV and the results are the same, the focus is crap.

1. I'd estimate only about 10%-20% of my images are acceptably focused (with my iphone that's about 80-90%). That alone suggests a problem with a camera or lens. I'm see the focus issues with both lenses that came with the camera kit (the 18-140 and the 50-300 nikkor lenses) but it seems more so with the 18-140.

2. Using "view nx2" software to show the focus points indicates that on autofocus, it just ain't focused. I'm not moving, the subject's not moving, the shutter speed is 1/250, VR is on, all the switches and settings are good.... it's just not focused. It's close, but it looks like I'm shooting through a film of vaseline. so frustrating. These images aren't good enough to publish on-line....

3. Trying manual focus, and refocusing after every shot, just gives unfocused results as well. Whatever looks dead-on in the viewfinder downloads as out of focus too. argh!

4. I used two real world tests: A) I shot blades of grass in the bright sunlight. Both lens, manual or autofocus, seem to pass until I start to increase magnification; even at 0.5 it's not acceptable. Again, the 50-300 is better, but still not acceptably sharp. Test B) shooting spiders in their webs --- I've yet to see an autofocus camera pass this test. Predictably, the D7100 failed miserably. Sadly it also failed miserably on manual too.

5. Can I get a 45-degree split prism viewfinder (like the old F2s used to have)? Then I could be absolutely sure the focus is dead on.

At this point, I'm seriously thinking about sending it in under warranty. Does anyone have any suggestions???

Hello lars - I haven't seen you around so welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your focusing issues and I can relate.
Have you tried fine-tuning the lenses which is recommended with the D7100?
Search on here for threads on the subject - [MENTION=6277]Don Kuykendall[/MENTION] is the expert at it.
Also check out youtube to see how it is done.
Hopefully that will sort out your problems and provide you with the amazingly sharp images the D7100 is capable of.

Yeah, what Lawrence said, good luck to you.

Howdy Lars and welcome to Nikonites.

It's a shame you're having so many problems with your new D7100. Mine has been a work horse for me.

My first suggestion was going to be to check the viewfinder diopter setting, if images appeared in focus through the viewfinder but not in-camera, but that would not affect the cameras ability to auto focus correctly.

My secret me concern, if View-NX2 is not showing you the focus points, then the camera is agreeing with you that it is taking shots it could not focus. That would be the first place I would check.

To that point, you might try first resetting all setting in the camera to default. It sounds as though the shutter release has been changed to allow for an out of focus capture. I'm not aware of a kit that included both the 18-140 and 55-300, so possibly the setting(s) got changed by whoever previously handled the body.

Outside of that, you might try attaching some sample images of the problem you're seeing and I'm sure others will be able to provide more points to troubleshoot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With the D7000 and up all the lenses must be fine tuned before they look good. First we need a couple of questions answered. Are you shooting in RAW or JPEG? If RAW then are you using sharpening in your post processing? And what Post Processing software are you using. If JPEG have you reset the Shooting setting in the camera? When they come from the factory they are set very low and it is mandatory the you set them higher. Makes a big difference. Also if shooting in JPEG make sure you are shooting in Fine Large

Are you using af-C or af-s. I noticed using af-c i had trouble getting locked focus in low light situations and it would still shoot

I used these guys when i needed a split prism for my D200
Nikon D7100 Focusing Screen

benjamin.ho.395017 said:

I used these guys when i needed a split prism for my D200
Nikon D7100 Focusing Screen

Click to expand...

Ummmm...
Not any more, it seems.

Dear Fellow Photographer,

After over a decade of making focusing screens, it is time for us to move on to different ventures. So it is with great sorrow that we must announce the closing of KatzEye[SUP]™[/SUP] Optics. We had hoped to negotiate the sale of KatzEye[SUP]™[/SUP], so that production of our products could continue; but unfortunately, those plans have not come to fruition and it appears we will simply have to close. It has been our great pleasure and honor to meet and support so many wonderful photographers over the years and we will miss you all greatly.

Our customer support will be continue to be available - we still stand behind every product we shipped. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us

Thank you for your patronage and your many shared photos and kudos over the years - your support made KatzEye[SUP]™[/SUP] happen! Best wishes in all that you do, and may the universe favor you with abundant and beautiful photo opportunities!
Warmest Regards,
The KatzEye[SUP]™[/SUP] Optics Team

RocketCowboy said:

Howdy Lars and welcome to Nikonites.

It's a shame you're having so many problems with your new D7100. Mine has been a work horse for me.

My first suggestion was going to be to check the viewfinder diopter setting, if images appeared in focus through the viewfinder but not in-camera, but that would not affect the cameras ability to auto focus correctly.

My secret me concern, if View-NX2 is not showing you the focus points, then the camera is agreeing with you that it is taking shots it could not focus. That would be the first place I would check.

To that point, you might try first resetting all setting in the camera to default. It sounds as though the shutter release has been changed to allow for an out of focus capture. I'm not aware of a kit that included both the 18-140 and 55-300, so possibly the setting(s) got changed by whoever previously handled the body.

Outside of that, you might try attaching some sample images of the problem you're seeing and I'm sure others will be able to provide more points to troubleshoot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I got the 18-140 and 55-300 in my kit from Cameta. Glad I did too. I also set the sharpness to max when shooting in vivid or mono.and the fine tune program is a big +.Oh and listen to Don!!

Welcome to the forum,if you want a quick free way of checking your focus,then this will give you an idea of its state.

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/51633/~/how-to-use-the-af-fine-tune-function

Sorry you are having problems.
I would recommend the following, some of which were mentioned by the guys above:
- Reset the camera to factory settings
- Check the diopter setting next to the viewfinder
- Go to AF Fine Tune Menu and make sure it is not ON, perhaps it was turned on by mistake and a value was entered, you need to turn it off.
- Go to the settings and change shutter priority to FOCUS in both AF-S and AF-C.
- Make sure you are in AF-S mode and choose the middle AF Sensor and when shooting wait for the "Beep" before pressing the shutter in order to be sure the camera focused.
- Make Sure the camera is in AF Mode and the lenses too.
Hope this helps.

Seems my post from last week never made So let's try again.

1) Thanks to everyone for your replies and advice. I haven't replied because I've been going back and forth to Nikon---but with no resolution... Yes, quality settings are set to maximum, .jpg quality set to maximum; VR on. For the most part, I'm looking at the best quality .jpg files on Nikonview2 software on a laptop with screen resolution as previously stated; I've compared resolution on my HD tv (1080) and my Iphone6+

2) I'm still having problems and am getting increasingly frustrated with Nikon. Here's what I've done:
A) Ran the prescribed focus tests (tripod, well-lighted, remote release) and made the AF fine-tune adjustment. Result: even when fine tuned---when the focus points match the target and the fine-tune is correct---the images are still NOT sharp.
B) Because the problem was consistent across two lenses, I sent only the body in for warranty repair. Nikon adjusted it with a 55mm lens and sent it back
C) Shot 1000 images. Result: the problem remained in both auto focus and manual!! I can run the images through 1-2 apps (e.g. Enlight) on my iphone6+, overdrive the sharpness, fine detail, structure, contrast etc. and I can produce something that's still weak by Instagram standards and the overdriven corrections just don't look natural. I can't even print these photos, much less enter a contest or sell them.
D) So I ran the focus tests again, the AF fine-tune adjustment was OK. The sharpness problem remained.
E) Then I called Nikon USA support. After looking at some uploaded sample images and meta data, they recommended sending it back to Nikon repair. This time I sent both lenses and the body. Told them not to return it until they could produced razor-sharp images with this camera and both lenses. Paperwork indicates some adjustments were made.
F) On return, I shot a few hundred more images. Result: the auto and manual focus problems remain, although the issue seems slightly improved---but it's still nowhere near the quality I expect from Nikon. I feel like I've purchased an off-brand digital instamatic at a dollar discount store.
G) Ran the focus tests yet again. (Primarily I used my AF-S Nikkor 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 GED at 300mm and near minimum focus; exposure was about f/5.6 at 1/250) AF shows mixed results. Best AF results show AF focus points and focal point (target) match but are still significantly unsharp (I'll try to upload some images, this will be DSC 4069--these are only 1280x853 files but I'm discussing the original 6000x4000 files). Best manual focus results (AF fine tune both off and on--I know it should be irrelevant) show the focus point is consistently about .5 Cm short of the target focal point, but even then the images are significantly unsharp.
H) I ran the tests again with my old Nikkor-AI 300mm f/4.5 (same exposure, aperture priority--see image DSC 4083). The result shows I can hit the focus target dead on, that this old glass is significantly sharper then the new stuff, but that I'm still having focus issues. That again points to the body or to bigger problems.
I) sent sample 8x10 prints to walgreens; prints show sharpness problem remains
J) I've ordered a split prism viewfinder but it hasn't yet arrived

I) Here's what I'm going to do next:
1) hope someone on this forum can help me out and/or point me in the right direction. I see many other people complaining of focus problems. I hope their issues aren't a serious as this. I can't believe Nikon lets this go, how many thousands of people just give up in quiet resentment of Nikon? I'm actually contemplating making a switch to another brand (keep in mind I've used Nikon since 1978)
2) Monday, I'll hit the local camera store with a memory card---they offered to let me try out their cameras and I'll compare the results live on my laptop.
3) Get on the phone with Nikon and stay on the phone until I have a genuine resolution.

All of this raises bigger issues for me---something I hope you experts can address:
1) is this really the max quality of which digital cameras (the d7100 in particular) are capable? (see my sample images). I can't accept that this is true. I expect to be able to shoot and export crystal clear, razor sharp images. I expect images that with minimal manipulation I can blow up to 16x20. This is what I was able to do with 35mm film. And from everything I'm lead to believe, the 25.1 mp resolution on the d7100 surpasses that "ancient" film technology.
2) to get acceptably sharp images, do I need to process them on expensive software? I hope not, that seems ridiculous.
3) I find the 10mp resolution of my gopro hero 3+ far surpasses the quality I'm getting on this d7100---even with the 18-140mm lens; I also find the 10mp resolution of my iphone 6+ far surpasses the quality I'm getting on this d7100--and I don't think anyone will argue that it has is a relatively weak lens and small sensor.

I shoot with the D7100. Go and look at some of my photos http://nikonites.com/gallery/browseimages.php?catid=member&imageuser=6277#axzz2vKoRvBz4
Just the ones in the main Gallery the other albums are from different cameras. This should give you an idea of what the camera can do.

Now go outside and shoot a normal scenery shot in daylight of an area that has some nice detail. No rulers or anything like that. Shoot it in Jpeg Large fine and also in RAW. Do not processing at all and put them both in a Dropbox folder at full size and send me the link to the shared files via PM here and I will look at them and see if I can figure out if there is a problem and what that problem might be.

You also say you have quality set at max but not sure what you meant by that. There is a sharpness setting that is hidden away that I would like for you to go back and double check. Even if you set it once when Nikon got a hold of it they would have reset it and also if you reset the camera it will need to be set again. Here is the way to set those setting.



If you are shooting JPG I would suggest that you use the Fine>>Large setting and also set your camera for better sharpness.



Go into your Menus and highlight the "Shooting" menu (the camera icon)

Drop down to "Picture Controls" and click right one time.

From here, highlight "Standard" and then click right one time.

From this settings menu, increase the "Sharpness" setting to "7".

Drop down and increase the "Saturation" setting +1 notch on the slider.

Press "OK" to exit the menus and you're done.

Thanks Don. I really appreciate your help. I will follow your instructions and send you the link

One thing I suggest is to turn VR off when using high shutter speeds, you don't need it. Also AF fine tuning is not going to do anything if he is using manual focus and still gets bad images.