D7500 Focus issue

[Daveg66]

Hi All, I'm an amateur, I replaced a D7100 with a D7500 a few months ago, and tbh have struggled to get it to focus right, I've tried multiple things (af area, af modes, all the pasm and scene modes etc etc), I've back button focused and have tried af fine tune, I've got decent glass; not very high end but good stuff; Nikon 85mm F1.8, Nikon 35mm F1.8, Tamron 70-200 F4, Nikon 70-300 af-p, and Sigma 17-70 f2.8-f4. The quality of outputs is very frustrating; one minute a shot can be tack sharp but the next out of phase, like a foggy overlay or a very cheap filter being fitted. I find the Nikon's af fine tune to be VERY frustrating and totally erratic. I'm also doubting my move from the D7100 to the D7500.

My very first slr was a Pentax back in 1984, and I swiftly moved into Sony D-slrs when they replaced Minolta, I had many Sony dslr's before moving onto SLT's ending with the A77, it's ironic that many from the Nikon and Canon camps belittled my Sony's (another general camera forum- now deceased), only to see Sony up there, as I now use a Nikon . Why mention this ?, I'm used to settings including lens fine tuning, using full manual and back button focusing etc which is why I'm so frustrated, the D7500 is probably the best camera I've had BUT it's not producing the results I'm expecting by a long shot, and yes I've fully updated the firmware and carried out factory resets. I'm aware of lens sweet spots and the adverse effect of high iso. I do have lens adjustment aids, I might be wrong but i suspect that some or all of my lenses either back or forward focus however because Nikon's fine tune system is so weird and having spent ages to do one lens (which still isn't right), you can see my frustration.

I shoot a lot of Football / Soccer, and general photography (wildlife, portraits, landscapes etc).

The attached photo was taken today, it has been edited/sharpened but you'll notice the central figure is not sharp (look at the branding on the sleeve).

Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated, what am I doing wrong and is there a simpler way than using an aid or manually going thru the +20/-20 steps in fine tuning ?.

 

[BF Hammer]

The center player is out of focus, but further back in the image it looks like the right player's trailing leg is the focus plane.

Personally I have never needed to fine-tune autofocus. I know it is more of a micro-level fix for a consistent miss by the autofocus system. If you have been adjusting and are confounded by it all, I really recommend resetting all that back to factory default.

If I was evaluating, the camera needs to be on a tripod and set up a toy animal or similar out at working range as a test target. On grassy lawn you should be able to pick out the actual focus plane on image review. Try manual focus according to the focus indicators in viewfinder. But above all verify the problem with static targets on a stable base (tripod, not hands).

 

[Daveg66]

The center player is out of focus, but further back in the image it looks like the right player's trailing leg is the focus plane.

Personally I have never needed to fine-tune autofocus. I know it is more of a micro-level fix for a consistent miss by the autofocus system. If you have been adjusting and are confounded by it all, I really recommend resetting all that back to factory default.

If I was evaluating, the camera needs to be on a tripod and set up a toy animal or similar out at working range as a test target. On grassy lawn you should be able to pick out the actual focus plane on image review. Try manual focus according to the focus indicators in viewfinder. But above all verify the problem with static targets on a stable base (tripod, not hands).

Thanks for the reply, yes I do think the lens on this occasion is back focusing, it's not the only lens I have that back focusses, my 35mm which is widely regarded as sharp is worse than this lens, yes I do use a tripod and or stable surface not to counter hand movement but the press of the shutter, which as you know does have a dramatic effect on the outcome, I have used af micro adjust many times in the past, I do find the Nikon system of adjustment weird to say the least, as echoed in you tube videos e.g -3 maybe ok, 4,5,6 worse, 7 ok etc. I was kinda hoping that there was some sort of database etc on this forum relating to lens micro adjustment etc, which would flag any lens that seems to require correction and settings for the correction, and I would imagine different bodies have different results; sharp lens on a D7200 but slightly off on a D7500 ?.

 

[Needa]

I was kinda hoping that there was some sort of database etc on this forum relating to lens micro adjustment etc, which would flag any lens that seems to require correction and settings for the correction, and I would imagine different bodies have different results; sharp lens on a D7200 but slightly off on a D7500 ?.

I would think this come down to tolerances for both the lens and and camera and is unlikely to be the same camera to camera even of the same model. With zoom lenses they can be one direction at one magnification and the other at another, so even if you micro adjust at one setting it may not be dead on at another. My 70-300 is adjusted at 280 because that seem to be the sharpest setting and looses sharpness at 300 and is generally used on the long end. My method with zooms, I sort of average them out testing at three magnifications. Preferred method is Dot Tune.

That said do you have the "focus point" turned on in the playback menu so you can review were the camera thinks the focus was? What about adjusting the aperture for a greater depth of field. Do you still have the D7100 to see if sensor resolution is playing a part in it? I wouldn't think so as the D500 also uses a 21MP sensor.

 

[Daveg66]

Ah interesting ; focus point in playback that would help a lot, no I got rid of the D7100, I originally intended to get the D7200 but MPB had a great deal on a D7500, I did look at the D500 but it was quite a lot more and I felt it was beyond my ability.

I am aware that different focal lengths can and do make the micro adjustments even more fun , usually taking an average from 3 readings at different lengths can help, I’ve since tuned my lenses and 3 of the 5 needed adjustments, my 35mm remains by far the worst, my 85 mm is the best. I will look into the focus point setting now, thank you.

 

[Dawg Pics]

Just for information that might ring a bell with somebody, do you have one of the fancy focus point features engaged? I have a helluva time with any of the floating focus points that try to follow action (3D tracking)) or a face or something like that, so I am wondering how you have the camera set up for action shots.
Another issue I am thinking about, and I am not sure if it affects the D7500 or you, but Focus Tracking on the D500 is designed to track a subject coming straight at the lens, where the older models tracked the subject going across the FOV and would pick it back up if it was lost behind something. They didn't bother even telling people they changed it, and it was confusing people and screwing up a lot of shots. So, you might want to look at how Focus Tracking is set in your camera.

Anyway, I am wondering if part of the issue is how the camera's AF system is acting rather than a lens issue since the D500 was designed for action, and the D7500 is kind of D500-light. I think it takes some fiddling with settings and getting used to it, especially since Nikon decided action shots are for animals running right at you (or soccer players .)
Hope this helps figure something out, rule something out or anything that might get you focused.

 

[Daveg66]

I've tried all the AF modes possible; group, 3 d, afa-af-c etc,etc, p,a,s,m etc, the one that seemed to actually make a positive effect was to use Sports scene mode, however your info may help in relation to face recog, which I'll turn off, it would make sense that the camera is trying to find a face in the frame thereby creating a focus delay ?.

Regarding Focus tracking, as you say the D7500 is essentially a D500 light so I'd imagine it handles pretty much like yours regarding tracking the subject,

 

[Dawg Pics]

I've tried all the AF modes possible; group, 3 d, afa-af-c etc,etc, p,a,s,m etc, the one that seemed to actually make a positive effect was to use Sports scene mode, however your info may help in relation to face recog, which I'll turn off, it would make sense that the camera is trying to find a face in the frame thereby creating a focus delay ?.

Regarding Focus tracking, as you say the D7500 is essentially a D500 light so I'd imagine it handles pretty much like yours regarding tracking the subject,

I was reading about some AF issues on Backcountry Gallery.
If "Lock On" is engaged with focus tracking, it will delay the focus. I am wondering if turning that off if you have it on might make a difference.

Good luck. Maybe a D7500 person that shoots sports can chime in with some moment.

 

[Woodyg3]

Fine tuning adjustment would not be enough to compensate for the kind of missed focus you show in your example. In that example shot, the camera looks to be focusing on the second player back. Why, of course, is the $64,000 question.

Have you tried single point focus on a stationary object to see what happens?