D800e left focus issue

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

Re: Buying D800E tomorrow. Refurbished or New Grey Market Import?

It really shouldn't. The Live View, as you probably already know, is a contrast detection focus and works completely differently than does the phase detection focus. Don't take this personal but the scientist in me is wondering whether or not you're introducing a factor that is giving you this result. Are you 100% confident in your procedures? How many times have you repeated these tests? Do both cameras show this Live View focus issue?

I performed the test @ 50mm f2.8 6 feet from graph. Both cameras exhibit out of focus and blurred images from "live view" and "AF" mode. The center, and right have no issues. However on the first camera I received the center focus isnt as sharp as the right, but negligible.

However the new camera is overall slightly better, but it still has left side focus issues.

 

[Dave_W]

Re: Buying D800E tomorrow. Refurbished or New Grey Market Import?

That's just strange, the Live View doesn't have the option of having a left or right focus issue, it works solely from contrast and so it doesn't matter what direction the focus point is at. Live View really can't have good right hand focus and bad left hand focus, so it doesn't make any sense to me. And the fact that both cameras are displaying this problem is exponentially stranger. There's something in this equation that we're missing...

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

Re: Buying D800E tomorrow. Refurbished or New Grey Market Import?

That's just strange, the Live View doesn't have the option of having a left or right focus issue, it works solely from contrast and so it doesn't matter what direction the focus point is at. Live View really can't have good right hand focus and bad left hand focus, so it doesn't make any sense to me. And the fact that both cameras are displaying this problem is exponentially stranger. There's something in this equation that we're missing...

Maybe so, I just dont know what it is. what I do know is every single thing I focus on that is on the left side of the screen is soft and everything on the right is sharp. In live view its the same thing. I dont know why

 

[tangfj]

Re: Buying D800E tomorrow. Refurbished or New Grey Market Import?

well i just got my refurb from adorama today. serial is 3006xxx. i'm hoping i don't have the focus issues so i'll need to look up how to do those tests and give it a go. hopefully it goes well... so far i've checked the shutter actuations on the camera and only 64 actuations were taken with this camera and the camera itself looks to be in brand new shape.

the only problem i've had so far is that the charger that came with the camera doesn't work so i had to run out to best buy to get one. if the focus is ok then i'll have to send the charger to nikon to have them inspect it and then presumably replace it for me. it's really mind boggling that they don't have an advance replacement program for small items like chargers. i mentioned it to the customer service rep on the phone and he even said he thought it'd be a good idea to have a program like that but that nikon does not currently have any such service.

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

Re: Buying D800E tomorrow. Refurbished or New Grey Market Import?

well i just got my refurb from adorama today. serial is 3006xxx. i'm hoping i don't have the focus issues so i'll need to look up how to do those tests and give it a go. hopefully it goes well... so far i've checked the shutter actuations on the camera and only 64 actuations were taken with this camera and the camera itself looks to be in brand new shape.

the only problem i've had so far is that the charger that came with the camera doesn't work so i had to run out to best buy to get one. if the focus is ok then i'll have to send the charger to nikon to have them inspect it and then presumably replace it for me. it's really mind boggling that they don't have an advance replacement program for small items like chargers. i mentioned it to the customer service rep on the phone and he even said he thought it'd be a good idea to have a program like that but that nikon does not currently have any such service.

It may not be the approved method, however put your camera on a tripod and take a picture of something in live view on the right side of the screen, then take a picture with the viewfinder and the autofocus point on the right side. Try to stay above 1/200 shutter and below ISO 400. Do the same for the left side.

If you repeat this test 3 times, and the right is sharp and the left is blurry, you have focus issues. Its not technical but there is no reason for the left to vary from the right. From what I have read tonight says that if your right AND left autofocus points are both equally soft or blurry, that is OK. As long as they are EQUAL. Then you can bring back your AF micro adjust, and they will both equally respond.

However if the right is sharp and the left is soft you have an issue as well.

 

[jdeg]

Re: D800 left focus issue

I split and moved some posts here so others can more easily see your tests and what you are doing to resolve the issue.

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

Re: D800 left focus issue

I split and moved some posts here so others can more easily see your tests and what you are doing to resolve the issue.

I appreciate it. Makes it a bit easier indeed.

I just don't know why live view is not focusing on the left side properly. I am taking the D800E into Nikon on monday morning and show them the test charts and tell them to calibrate it on the machine and set the results in the firmware. I hope they don't try to play me like I don't know they are already fixing a ton of them that way.

 

[pistnbroke]

you need to contact/read thom Hogan on this one www.bythom.com for the full story

 

[BooBoos]

I would think this issue with the left focus should of been fixed a long time ago. From what I have been reading between the new nikons they seem to have various issues and nikon is doing as least as possible to keep customers happy. I may be wrong since I am a nikon guy but I have not heard any issues involving canon bodies. It sounds like nikon is just rolling the dice to see how many come back and how many they have to repair.This is not customer service in my mind.

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

Why does S single point AF beep when focus is aquired yet 9, 21, & 51 points in C mode dont beep and there seems to be a delay before I can press the shutter?

 

[Dave_W]

It's in your settings. Your camera has AF-C set at "focus" priority instead of "release" priority, which is good, IMO, because you don't want the camera to open the shutter until it has obtained focus. There is also an option that will delay your shutter at either 1 thru 3 sec after your mirror goes up, I doubt that is what you're talking about, thou. As for sound, that is also in your settings.

This camera can be very complicated so it's understandable that you might be confused in the beginning. With that in mind, I'm going to gift you something that will help you a great deal (see HERE).

 

[AC016]

I really hope you get this sorted out. It seems to be a big headache just to take pictures though. I would not have the patience to do what you are doing. In my mind, if i have read the manual front to back and have set up the camera the right way, it should take pictures that are in focus. If it does not, there is an obvious problem with the camera. People should not have to go through this to take pictures with today's DSLRs, pro bodies or otherwise. We should not have to become camera "testers" and use all these fangled methods of testing focus. It's ridiculous. It's like if bought a new car and i had to fine tune the steering for toe-in or toe-out. Excuse me, but [car manufacturer] made the damn car, you fix it! Don't expect me to become an overnight mechanic! Anyhow, more power to you guys who go through this. Though, this really is an item for the ridiculist.

 

[Dave_W]

Well, AC016, this is why we pay so much for a dSLR, they're built with many many options that allow the astute photographer to finely tune their camera into an instrument. I would expect no less for the crazy amount of money I'm paying for a dSLR. But they do produce cameras that you only need to push a button, they're called "Point and Shoots" and they're very popular with the "don't wanna think about it" crowd.

 

[AC016]

Sorry, but i will politely disagree with you there. As far as i know, there is no other pro DSLR (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic, etc.) that has had the issue that the D800 has. If there has been, please tell me. To say that you except the fact that you have to jump through hoops to get the camera "finely" tuned because you are an "astute" photographer, is a bit of an excuse if you ask me. I do agree that it is a high-end camera and that it would take more learning to know how to use it. However, just as all the cameras i have owned, it came with a manual that explains how to set it up and use it. If following the manual does not enable you to get the camera to focus properly, then i would imagine there is an issue with the camera and there is. Therefore, tell me how so very different the D800 is in regards to taking focused pictures than any other DSLR in the world?? I would imagine it is just like any other Nikon camera where you half press the shutter button, focus, then press all the way to take the picture. No? Does the D800 mirror box, shutter and sensor work in such a spectaculary different way than other Nikons? NO. My point was, albeit being a high-end camera that has far more bells and whistles than my D5100, no one should have to resort to doing focus tests in order to fix the camera. It's unacceptable, wastes time, wastes money and should just not happen. It is Nikons responsibility to fix a problem that is theirs. Do you think that Japan Airlines is fixing their 787 problems all by themselves? Hell No! Boeing is kowtowing to them all the way! It's called being responsible for the product you make and not leaving it to the customer to fix, no matter how "astute" they are.

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

You both make valid points! I have pointed this out to nikon. The D800 is like a a time traveling Ferrari that has a fuel injector misfiring, people dont want to give on up on this package that is so perfect for a small mistake, we are making nikon realize it.

Also, after nikon has received so many returns for a focus issue, they will contact nikon japan with all the results and fixes and they will find the problem and correct it. Its been going on for almost a year, in the next few months all should be resolved.

 

[Dave_W]

I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about, the OP said he noticed a delay between pressing the button and shutter release which is presumably a setting in the camera. In fact, I've never heard anyone state that the D800's will not focus. All I've heard is that some small percentage of these cameras are not dialed in properly in the left focus and require an adjustment. Is that what you're talking about?

As for the complexity of the modern dSLR's, this is what we pay for and this is what we expect when buying a professional level camera. If all the dSLR's had the exact same settings then everyone's images would look the same, just like a point and shoot camera. I don't want my images to look just like everyone with a D800 and I do not believe anyone else paying so much for a camera would either. If someone is finding the dSLR's to be too complex a camera then perhaps they should reconsider their choice of cameras. The bottom line is that dSLR's are not meant for the average person to use like a cell phone camera. dSLR's are meant for people who want total control of their photos and that's exactly what these professional level cameras deliver and that's exactly what we pay for.

 

[AC016]

You both make valid points! I have pointed this out to nikon. The D800 is like a a time traveling Ferrari that has a fuel injector misfiring, people dont want to give on up on this package that is so perfect for a small mistake, we are making nikon realize it.

Also, after nikon has received so many returns for a focus issue, they will contact nikon japan with all the results and fixes and they will find the problem and correct it. Its been going on for almost a year, in the next few months all should be resolved.

Please read this, if you have not already: Update on the Nikon D800 left focusing issue | Nikon Rumors

I know i sound like i am ranting - i am a bit -, but i can't accept people banging their head against the wall to try and fix something that Nikon should. I hope it all works out for you and i am looking forward to seeing the first photographs from your new camera.

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

Please read this, if you have not already: Update on the Nikon D800 left focusing issue | Nikon Rumors

I know i sound like i am ranting - i am a bit -, but i can't accept people banging their head against the wall to try and fix something that Nikon should. I hope it all works out for you and i am looking forward to seeing the first photographs from your new camera.

Currently I am shooting on the D800E that crutchfield first sent, and the repair is on the brand new one. Once i get it back, i will ship this one to crutchfield. Its working ok, just left side focus issue.

 

[TedG954]

Please read this, if you have not already: Update on the Nikon D800 left focusing issue | Nikon Rumors

I know i sound like i am ranting - i am a bit -, but i can't accept people banging their head against the wall to try and fix something that Nikon should. I hope it all works out for you and i am looking forward to seeing the first photographs from your new camera.

I don't think you are ranting. This whole focus problem is another reason I'm glad my D800 was "refurbished".

 

[Corey @ Faymus Media]

I don't think you are ranting. This whole focus problem is another reason I'm glad my D800 was "refurbished".

My camera works great except the left focus points. Once they fix it all should be ok.


UPDATE: Under nikon warranty service online it lists my repair as "B1 Minor parts replacement" why? there is an option for "repair/adjustment" and yet it says parts. Are they installing a brand new muti-cam 3500 in my d800E?