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D610/Nikkor AF 35-70 1:2.8D - accurate AF in LV only


Xícara de Café

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Hi,

 

I've not used autofocus on my D610 very much before and have noticed a problem. The Nikkor AF 35-70 1:2.8D I have is focusing behind the desired focal point. I've tried fine adjustment of the autofocus but none of the values work (yes it is switched on). Strangely, autofocus works perfectly well if live view is selected. Does anyone know what might be happening here?

 

Unfortunately I have no other autofocus lens to test.

 

Thanks,

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Live view and "viewfinder AF" use different AF modes and modules. Live view relies on contrast detection using the image sensor itself, "viewfinder AF" uses an AF module that is located inside the viewfinder housing and employs phase detection - only when the latter module is perfectly calibrated do the two results coincide. If none of the AF fine tune parameters (range -20 to +20; since your camera is backfocusing, only the positive values should be relevant) gives the desired result, then the tolerances of your lens and the in-viewfinder AF module can't be compensated for. Pretty much the only thing you can do is send the lens and camera to Nikon to have them do the adjustment.

 

yes it is switched on

Is the default value set to 0? Otherwise, that value adds/substracts from the one you select.

 

When you manually focus the lens using the viewfinder screen - does the result match with the live view AF result? When the image appears in focus on the viewfinder screen - does the green focus confirmation dot light up?

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Thanks Dieter.

 

Is the default value set to 0? Otherwise, that value adds/substracts from the one you select.

 

Yes the default fine adjustment is set to zero.

 

When you manually focus the lens using the viewfinder screen - does the result match with the live view AF result? When the image appears in focus on the viewfinder screen - does the green focus confirmation dot light up?

 

If in manual mode I focus through the viewfinder, it is also in focus in live view and vice versa, of course. The green dot however does not show. I have to turn the lens a little further (and this put the image out of focus) towards infinity.

Edited by Xícara de Café
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I wonder if this means I can get values beyond +20. Will try this later.

Give it a try. Keep in mind that default will be used for all lenses that don't have a saved value (in other words, saved value overwrites default). Also, I believe the increment for default is larger (a +/-1 increment for default is 2.5x the +/-1 increment for saved value) - so the range might well be increased. Default and saved value don't add (my earlier statement of add/substract is not correct) - it's an either/or. Here's some more info: AF fine-tune (Saved Value VS Default): Nikon FX SLR (DF, D1-D5, D600-D850) Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (that hopefully applies to the D610 as well).

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Thanks again. Thought of testing the focusing aid with a manual lens and it behaves the same way, so I think the problem is with the camera. Will test the default fine adjustment next. I actually only have one CPU and autofocus lens, the rest are all oldies, so if it works it shouldn't be a problem and the problem may be with the camera anyway. Edited by Xícara de Café
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