Image in the mirror does not mach image in the file

mvmramos

New member
_DSC3087.jpg_DSC3116.jpgHi,

I was using my new D850 for the second time today and noticed that, in some shots, what I framed does not match exactly what I see in the corresponding file (both in the camera monitor and the desktop computer). In some cases, lines were curved instead of being straight. In others, the horizon line was inclined left of right, instead of being in the horizontal. The general feeling is that the camera is distorting what I see in the mirror. The lens is an old 70-200mm f2.8 VR and I never noticed any problem with my previous D300s and my older D70. I also have a feeling that a similar, but less pronounced problem is also happening with my 17-35mm f2.8 (also old). Has anybody seen this before? Looks like a camera or a lens problem? How can I be sure? Any suggestion of further tests?

Thanks,
Marcus.

P.S. In the samples above, all lines should be straight. They were straight in the viewfinder and they appear inclined or curved in the LCD screen and also in the desktop computer's monitor.
 
Last edited:

Chucktin

Senior Member
I think you mean the images on the Camera LCD screen don't match what you see on another monitor???
Your PC, a Laptop it a tablet?
First the camera does some internal processing on an image to display it on the LCD screen. So you may notice a difference between the viewfinder image and the live view of the same scene. This can be minimized thru the camera menus, _minimized_.
Secondly if there's a BIG difference between what you saw in-camera and on your PC/Tablet/etc screen then perhaps your PC/Tablet/etc screen is not adjusted to match the camera or to have accurate color/brightness rendering. Hint: most aren't. Fact of life I'm afraid.
 

mvmramos

New member
I will try to explain better: I see straight lines in the viewfinder before shooting, and then (after shooting) I see curved or inclined lines in the camera LCD screen (and also in the monitor of the desktop computer when I open the corresponding file). The samples in the initial post show this. Shouldn´t these images look the same? They always did with other cameras (D300s and D70). It is not about colors or lights, it is about lines being distorted.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
What type of post processing software are you using? If you use either Lightroom or Adobe Camera RAW to open NEF's, there is a box where you should put a check mark to indicate you want the lens profile applied. That should straighten lines and help correct distortion. There is also an area where you can manually correct distortion. But you definitely should be applying a lens profile when post processing.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
If you are shooting jpg be sure your in camera correction file is up to date and auto correction is on. The latest version is Ver.2.017.
 

mvmramos

New member
I use ACR/PS, but the problem shows up even before that. When I check the images in the camera LCD screen, right after shooting from the viewfinder, lines that should be straight appear curved and/or inclined. Of course I can correct that afterwards, but straight lines should appear straight, right?
 

Chucktin

Senior Member
Hark is right about Post (Processing). Spacial distortions in your images when viewed on your LCD? Hmm. I'll have to try and see if I see the same. I seldom chimp images, either I've gottem or not, so I pay little attention to such. Don't recall any commenting about that before this.
Question: what lens?
 

mvmramos

New member
If you are shooting jpg be sure your in camera correction file is up to date and auto correction is on. The latest version is Ver.2.017.

I shoot RAW. Does it also apply? Where is this camera correction file located at? And this auto correction option? Thanks you.
 

mvmramos

New member
Hark is right about Post (Processing). Spacial distortions in your images when viewed on your LCD? Hmm. I'll have to try and see if I see the same. I seldom chimp images, either I've gottem or not, so I pay little attention to such. Don't recall any commenting about that before this.
Question: what lens?

Yes, that is it. I always check the LCD screen after shooting, and I started noticing the difference (viewfinder x LCD screen) only now that I am using the D850. The samples in the original post were produced with a 17-35mm f2.8 and a 70-200m f2.8.
 

mvmramos

New member
I see you said older 70-200/2.8 VR from a D300. Is, maybe, your lens made for the smaller sensor?

No. It is an FX lens that I used with my previous D300s (with a crop factor). Nevertheless, I never noticed any spatial distortion in this combination (70-200mm f2.8 + D300s). I only notice it now (70-200mm + D850).
 

mvmramos

New member
An example of what I saw in the viewfinder (before shooting) and then what I saw in the camera's LCD screen (after shooting). The curb line is clearly inclined. Many other situations like this happened. This first image is, of course, a correction of the second one. The point is: I shouldn´t have to do this correction after shooting if I am sure (as I am) that the curb line was leveled in the first place in the viewfinder.

_DSC3087_1.jpg_DSC3087.jpg
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Maybe there is something that is misaligned with your camera. I have a friend that had a D500 and he was convinced that his camera had something like this. He was very meticulous about aligning things in the viewfinder and then when the shots came out, they were crooked. He then had an accidental fall with his camera and his insurances bought him a new one. Since then he says the problem stopped.

I would suggest you contact Nikon service with your shots and explain your situation. Mistakes can happen on a production line...

One way to find out would be to set your camera on a tripod, carefully check the framing in the viewfinder and then switch to LiveView to see if there is such a major difference. If there is, then contact Nikon.

Keep us informed on how you end up resolving this situation. It maybe could help others in the future.
 

Chucktin

Senior Member
Dumb question maybe but what does your exif I data show? Does it ID _that_ lens, focal length, still number, etc.? Or some other one? All that should be automatic and applied but if it gets wonked in camera ...
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Hand-held always, no tripod. When using the 70-200mm f2.8, VR is set to NORMAL (not ACTIVE).
Ah, Bingo, I think I know where your problem comes from, VR. When VR is activated, it tries to keep things at the same place to stabilize the image. But, and this is where it does complicate things, when you depress the shutter, the camera might have moved and you will get a different (slightly) image than what you were just seeing.

I get the exact same result with my 200-500 when VR is on. I depress the shutter half way to engage VR, wait for the bird to be framed properly, and when I click, the whole frame shifts and the crop changes.

Please do try with and without VR to make certain this isn't the problem before contacting Nikon. I'm pretty certain you won't get the different crop when VR is not ON.

Let us know, please.
 
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