D7100 focusing issues - Fine tunning does not work propperly.

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guillermo_arp

Senior Member
I have a D7100 and I'm working on a portrait project that demands sharp focusing. For this test I'm using a Nikon 35mm 1.8 DX that I bought with a used D90 and never game a problem.



Now I have a D7100 and I'm seeing that my photos are slightly out of focus and fine tunning does not seem to work properly. So I made a few tests:



- D7100 + 35mm 1.8DX set to F 1.8, ISO 100.

- AF-S Center point selected

- Target at 3 feet away. Set of high contrast lines at 45° angle.

- Camera on sturdy tripod, with timer selected in order to avoid motion blur (Speed was already at 1/320 but better safe than sorry)



1. Focus Fine tunning set to off

1.1 After 5 shots I noticed that the camera was focusing approx half an inch towards the camera (closer).



2 Focus fine Tunning set to ON

2.2 +5 Nothing changes, still focusing on same spot.

2.3 +10 nothing changes

2.4 +17 A little bit better but still off.

2.5 +20 No noticeable difference from last test +17.

2.6 - 5 noticeable change, it is focusing closer as expected under this value.

2.7 -20 way way worst.

2.8 Just for the kicks, I set the Default value at a random number, -17, and the saved value to +20 and it gets better, still not spot on. Closer lines still look sharper than those that I'm focusing on.



I can't move the focus point forward (away from the camera) as much as needed, and the changes are barely noticeable, but I can move it backwards (closer to the camera) with no problems.



On maybe related issue: On normal basis, with all my lenses, and selecting AF-A AUTO, the camera seems to prefer left sensors, if I force it to select a right sensor, for example shooting a blank wall with detail at the right, it has no problem. It just seems to have a tendency to "the left".



I'll really appreciate any help on this issue.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
How old is the D7100? Does it have trouble focusing with other lenses, or just this one?

If you can take it back to where you purchased it, let them look at it. If you need to, take a laptop with you to view the photos in the store. If not, there are other options.

It is entirely possible that the camera's focus fine tuning cannot bring this combination of camera and lens into focus, and the combination needs to be returned to Nikon Service or a Nikon Repair Center to have the camera checked and adjusted to calibrate the focus.

Good luck.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
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guillermo_arp

Senior Member
I bought the camera overseas so its a problem. As for the lens its a 35mm DX 1.8, which has ben around for some time now. I'll update the lens profiles on my D7100 just to be sure.
 
G

guillermo_arp

Senior Member
mikew said:
Welcome to the forum,i wonder if trying live view would give you more of a indication as to where the problem is.
Click to expand...

Nope, I did not try with liveview but I'll give it a shot.

Don Kuykendall said:
Y0u are trying to Fine Tune it in a random way. You need to use one of the correct procedures in fine tuning. It has to be a systematic and carefully coordinated method to get good results. If you want the best results you really need to purchase this piece of software. It takes all the guess work out of the equation

FoCal Pro - Reikan FoCal Automatic Lens Calibration SoftwareReikan FoCal Automatic Lens Calibration Software

The best money I ever spent for my D7000 and D7100
Click to expand...

To be honest... that seems to be the option. But it's quite expensive.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
guillermo_arp said:
Nope, I did not try with liveview but I'll give it a shot.



To be honest... that seems to be the option. But it's quite expensive.
Click to expand...

I tried several different ways first and I could get it close and finally decided that after all the money I have spent on Cameras and lenses I really wanted to get the most I could from them. This computer program does it.

If you do try to do it without the program then there are several good ways but with all of them be very methodical and go step by step. this is not the time to try shortcuts.

Start by checking this out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpiJ9qX_-Ds
 
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