Buying a used D810 based on shutter count

I absolutely rely on the digital rangefinder AF confirmation for manual lenses (split screens don't do it for me). There is a known issue that Nikon make the AF confirmation less accurate for manual lenses than AF, presumably to make it "easier to focus" - putting a dandelion chip on the lens works around this, IIRC. I wish Nikon would allow area AF and do the old Canon A-Dep trick of lighting up the viewfinder AF points that are in focus during manual focus (like area mode AF does).

 

I don't doubt that Leica are better optimised for manual focus lenses than Nikon, though.

Well, I did some more testing and what looks like correct focus to me visually through the viewfinder seems to match up with what the >o< array indicates. Focus wide open at f/2 is still back further from what I'm targeting, and it's apparent well before 25% full resolution. For the most part my testing has been with the target 5-12 feet away. What's surprising is that I did some shots at f/5.6 and f/8, and the focus error is still visible. Granted these are in a 5-8 foot range, but it's egregious in one shot I took at the lens closest focus point.

This has been with a 40mm Voigtlander lens with CPU connection to the D810. I have a Nikkor 35mm AIS lens I'll test with now, and take a look at the results later tonight and see if they're any different.

I've never tried this for a manual lens, but is it possible to apply "AF fine tuning" in this case? It might make the digital rangefinder reliable even if the view in the finder isn't. But if it's visibly out, I wonder if something in the mirror system is more than usually misaligned.

I've got to run out for a little while but I took one shot with the UV filter off and it's in focus. Going to take the camera with me and do some more, report back later.

Andrew, yes it does help. I've fine tuned all of my lens+body combinations with FoCal and most combo's are improved. This significantly helped by old 50 f/1.2 on the D800 it spends time on.

 

BTW, the only lens it didn't help is my 85 f/1.4 which it indicated needed +34 on my D5 which only goes to +20. Sent the lens to Nikon who said it is good and just doesn't work with the D5. Ummm???

Thanks for the info, WAngell.

 

Sounds like Nikon REALLY want you to buy the Sigma 85mm...