D750m back to Nikon?

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I've really been working the D750 I purchased earlier this year lately, and I have noticed a trend; I'm getting a lot of photos that are back-focused. And the less available light, the worse the problem seems to be.

I've calibrated my AF Fine tune and the camera consistently requires an AF Fine Tune setting of -18 or -19 according to FoCal, and that setting seems to improve my images. (Even then, the quality of focus isn't the best.) I just don't want to live with this setting, and I'm concerned that any wear over time will end up with AF Fine Tune requirements outside the limits of the menu settings. That would require me to send the camera to Nikon service for tuning, likely after the warranty is expired.

I'm likely also going to wait a few weeks to let the dealer I purchased the camera from look at it, as well as shooting a lot from a tripod with a cable release to see if the problem is the camera, me, or a combination of both.

So what would you do in this case? Should I live with it as it is, or send it in for service?

WM
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I've really been working the D750 I purchased earlier this year lately, and I have noticed a trend; I'm getting a lot of photos that are back-focused. And the less available light, the worse the problem seems to be.

I've calibrated my AF Fine tune and the camera consistently requires an AF Fine Tune setting of -18 or -19 according to FoCal, and that setting seems to improve my images. (Even then, the quality of focus isn't the best.) I just don't want to live with this setting, and I'm concerned that any wear over time will end up with AF Fine Tune requirements outside the limits of the menu settings. That would require me to send the camera to Nikon service for tuning, likely after the warranty is expired.

I'm likely also going to wait a few weeks to let the dealer I purchased the camera from look at it, as well as shooting a lot from a tripod with a cable release to see if the problem is the camera, me, or a combination of both.

So what would you do in this case? Should I live with it as it is, or send it in for service?

WM
You mean to say you're needing that sort of adjustment with more than one lens? I could see getting an off copy of a particular lens that would need that much adjustment but if ALL your lenses are needing similar adjustment I'd say it's time that D750 was looked at by a professional. I've fine-tuned the auto-focus for several lenses on my D750 and I've never come close to needing an adjustment in the teens; in fact I don't think I've even broken into double-digits.

Could you post up an example shot or two that illustrate the issue particularly well?
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
You mean to say you're needing that sort of adjustment with more than one lens? I could see getting an off copy of a particular lens that would need that much adjustment but if ALL your lenses are needing similar adjustment I'd say it's time that D750 was looked at by a professional. I've fine-tuned the auto-focus for several lenses on my D750 and I've never come close to needing an adjustment in the teens; in fact I don't think I've even broken into double-digits.

Could you post up an example shot or two that illustrate the issue particularly well?

Yes, HF, I've gone to -18 or -19 with the three lenses that I've bothered to run AF Fine Tune with the camera, and these lenses do not require that much AF Fine Tune input with my D700.

Unfortunately, as of right now, none of the images I have showing this issue can be published publicly, but I will try to get out a bit later today to see about getting a couple. I'll write a note to myself to reset the AF Fine Tune to 0 before I do this. :D

My concern with sending it to Nikon is that they might say that it fine tunes within limits, and send it back to me without adjusting anything. Right now, I'm leaning towards your view in that it really needs to be looked at. Thanks for responding and your input!!

WM
 
^^^^^^ What the fish said

I am a nut about Fine tuning my lenses and I have never gone into the teens with any of my present glass. I would be interested also to know if it is all lenses or just one.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
^^^^^^ What the fish said

I am a nut about Fine tuning my lenses and I have never gone into the teens with any of my present glass. I would be interested also to know if it is all lenses or just one.

Don, it's not just one. Of the three lens configurations I've calibrated, all three are set at -18 or -19.

WM
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Yes, HF, I've gone to -18 or -19 with the three lenses that I've bothered to run AF Fine Tune with the camera, and these lenses do not require that much AF Fine Tune input with my D700. ... My concern with sending it to Nikon is that they might say that it fine tunes within limits, and send it back to me without adjusting anything. Right now, I'm leaning towards your view in that it really needs to be looked at.
Damn, dude... That officially sucks. And I share your concern regarding sending the body to Nikon; I share it very much. I hate to say that, but it's no secret I don't hold Nikon's customer service in very high regard. Still, if it were me, I think I'd gird up the ol' loins, send it in and hope for the best.


Unfortunately, as of right now, none of the images I have showing this issue can be published publicly, but I will try to get out a bit later today to see about getting a couple. I'll write a note to myself to reset the AF Fine Tune to 0 before I do this.
Don't sweat posting anything based on my comment; I was asking out of curiosity more than anything really.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Why?? get it looked at now seems to be the camera if all 3 lenses are the same

Kevin, the dealer I purchased it from used to be a authorized Nikon service center, and they still employ those people. I'm hoping that they may be able to work with it and adjust the AF on the camera. I have been in their store before when a customer came in with an issue that they were able to fix if it didn't require parts.

My big fear in sending it to Nikon USA is that it will be out of hand and Nikon service will do nothing since it fine tunes within the in-camera range. Another reason is that I will likely have to send one of my tested lenses in with the camera so that they can replicate the issue. I don't have the greatest confidence in their service department, and I really need the lens in the next three weeks. Then again, I'll need the lens for the next five months, as well.

I'm going to attempt to call Nikon USA Service sometime this week to get their take on what I should do. In the meantime, I'm going to shoot some more to see if the AF Fine Tuning I've done really solves the problem.

I have this gut feeling that I should just pack it up and send it to the service center immediately, but I'm in denial! :(

Wayne
 

Kevin H

Senior Member
Kevin, the dealer I purchased it from used to be a authorized Nikon service center, and they still employ those people. I'm hoping that they may be able to work with it and adjust the AF on the camera. I have been in their store before when a customer came in with an issue that they were able to fix if it didn't require parts.

My big fear in sending it to Nikon USA is that it will be out of hand and Nikon service will do nothing since it fine tunes within the in-camera range. Another reason is that I will likely have to send one of my tested lenses in with the camera so that they can replicate the issue. I don't have the greatest confidence in their service department, and I really need the lens in the next three weeks. Then again, I'll need the lens for the next five months, as well.

I'm going to attempt to call Nikon USA Service sometime this week to get their take on what I should do. In the meantime, I'm going to shoot some more to see if the AF Fine Tuning I've done really solves the problem.

I have this gut feeling that I should just pack it up and send it to the service center immediately, but I'm in denial! :(

Wayne

I'm not saying send it in just why wait to take it the dealer??
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I'm not saying send it in just why wait to take it the dealer??

Very good point, Kevin. The dealer is about six hours away, by car. I usually go by when I'm in town to visit my parents, and it's going to be a 2-4 weeks before I get back to visit them.

Now that you bring it up, I'll try to call them one day this week before I call Nikon. Work has been crazy busy from the time I show up until I go home, so that may be a crap shoot.

Wayne
 

Kevin H

Senior Member
Very good point, Kevin. The dealer is about six hours away, by car. I usually go by when I'm in town to visit my parents, and it's going to be a 2-4 weeks before I get back to visit them.

Now that you bring it up, I'll try to call them one day this week before I call Nikon. Work has been crazy busy from the time I show up until I go home, so that may be a crap shoot.

Wayne


Got it now Wayne yep I'd call ASAP and good luck see you in Feb :D
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Don't sweat posting anything based on my comment; I was asking out of curiosity more than anything really.

No worries! It won't cost me anything, and it may help, but it is going to have to wait until later. The grill is firing up!! Horseradish-dijon burgers are on the menu tonight!

WM
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Back when I had the oil spot issue with my D600, I also had an AF problem. Most likely what they will do is to have you take a photo with single point focus then upload it (I forget the exact dimensions whether it was full size or not) to their site. Based on that, they will determine whether or not the AF needs to be calibrated.

Although they never fixed the oil spot issue to my satisfaction, the AF was spot on. ;)

If I remember correctly, when Glenn damaged his D8xx body, he had a private company do the repairs--I think Nikon said they wouldn't do it. Anyway, he had to wait for the focus calibration equipment to get sent to his repair place because many of the private companies don't keep that on hand. I believe Nikon owns their own although I'm not 100% sure. What I can say is it didn't require any additional time for Nikon to calibrate the AF.
 
No worries! It won't cost me anything, and it may help, but it is going to have to wait until later. The grill is firing up!! Horseradish-dijon burgers are on the menu tonight!

WM

Going to be shooting somewhere on the Alabama/Florida coast all day tomorrow. We have not decided exactly where yet. Want something interesting especially for the sunset.
 
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