Anyone else have focusing issues with the D200 and the 24mm 1.4 AF-S?

[manny_salazar2]

<p>I just bought this lens this week and it works perfectly fine with the D700, amazingly well to be exact. However, the D200 is the exact opposite; it back focuses to the point where I have to stop it down significantly for the focusing issue to disappear. This completely negates the reason for buying such an expensive lens. I swap lenses between the two bodies often and never have focusing issues before.</p>

<p>My dilemma is this: I can exchange the lens, but will the next one have the same issue. I could get a refund and wait for the 35mm 1.4 to come out, which is my favorite lens (well the 35L was before I switched to Nikon) perspective for brides getting ready. However, I would miss having a fast wide lens for a minimum of 5 weddings waiting on the 35mm, also the 35mm on crop body would be equivalent to 52.5mm. I already have a 50mm 1.4 (use it on D700) and I am happy it. The 24mm was the perfect solution because I got an awesome creative tool with the 24mm perspective and as a bonus I got a fast 35mm perspective on the crop body, which with the D200 pathetic ISO performance, every bit helps.</p>

<p>My time is running out to RMA the lens. Anyone who has this lens and camera combo please reply with your observations. I have until Monday to make my decision. </p>

 

[walterh]

<p>Sounds like your D200 has a problem.<br>

Did you call Nikon to hear their suggestions?</p>

[elliot1]

<p>I agree with Walter. I had Nikon's 17-55mm lens back focus on one of my D200 bodies while it worked perfectly on my other two D200 bodies. It turned out the problem was in fact with the body and not the lens. Since your lens is working fine on your D700, the lens is likely fine. If you can find another body to try it out on, you may be able to better trouble shoot the problem. </p>

<p>Nikon Teach Support: 1-800-645-6678, available 8am EST to 2am EST 7 days a week.</p>

[pete_s.]

<p>Wide angles are more sensitive to register distance tolerances, mirror adjustments and AF sensor adjustments in the camera body. I think it's because the depth of focus is smaller on wide angles (not to be confused with depth of field).</p>

<p>Fortunately wide angles often have smaller apertures which will mask these errors. Not the case with the 24/1.4 though which is what you are experiencing.</p>

<p>If you have a Nikon authorized repair center within driving distance you could let them adjust your D200. Bring the 24/1.4 as well. It doesn't take long so they could most likely adjust it while you are waiting.</p>

<p>I wouldn't swap the lens when it's perfect on your D700.</p>

 

[manny_salazar2]

<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Pete, mentioned having the D200 adjusted with the 24mm/1.4 by a Nikon Service Center, would this adjustment not negatively affect my other lenses which all work fine on it? <br>

As Elliot suggested I should test it on other bodies and I plan to try it out today on my buddy's D300s. Thanks for the feedback,</p>

[pete_s.]

<p>Manny, I can't say for sure but I think the adjustments required to get the D200 and 24mm to be friends are so small that it will not affect longer lenses to any visible degree.</p>

<p>On the other hand, there are pro shooters that drops of their entire lens collection and all bodies and have Nikon make sure everything works with each other. To some degree that may be a good idea, depending on if they can do it fast enough for you.</p>

<p>Best thing is probably if you call them first and talk to a technician.</p>

<p> </p>

[manny_salazar2]

<p>I did some tests and the D300s front-focused instead of back-focus like the D200. I did not try micro adjusting the lens on the D300s because started preparing my true and tested gear for an event I have tomorrow.</p>

<p>I will call Nikon Monday and ask them for advice. I may just end up keeping it and using it exclusively on the D700. I could be wrong but it appears that with the exception of the D1, D2, etc, Nikon 1.5x sensors AF are optimized for 2.8 zooms and are only able to focus normal to telephoto fast primes.</p>

<p>NOTE: One fact I forgot to mention, using the tripod focus setting on liveview, the D300s focused perfectly.</p>

[ted_ron]

<p>I use this lense with my D300, it is fine even i shoot at f1.4.</p>

[manny_salazar2]

<p>Ted, here are the results of this test. The D700 is the one in focus. Because the incredibly large DOF maybe you have not noticed. It is only noticeable at close range. The photos below are taken with a 2 foot distance between the plane and sensor. It is also possible that my buddy's D300s may need servicing. To be honest his photos always look fuzzy to me, maybe there is something wrong with it. I told him to have Nikon check it out. </p>

<p><img src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maceved/5066518813/" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maceved/5067129878" alt="" /></p>

[manny_salazar2]

<p><br /> <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5066518813_e7815e3a6d_z.jpg" alt="D300s" /><br /> <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5067129878_ccb6d15bb9.jpg" alt="D700" /></p>

[joseph_wisniewski]

<blockquote>

<p>Pete, mentioned having the D200 adjusted with the 24mm/1.4 by a Nikon Service Center, would this adjustment not negatively affect my other lenses which all work fine on it?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As Pete S pointed out, the 24mm f1.4 will likely have the shallowest depth of focus of any lens you will ever use on the D200. So, the odds are that having the D200 brought into alignment with that lens will improve the performance of your D200 with all the other lenses you use. You've probably got focus issues with that camera that affect all your lenses, it just took the 24mm f1.4 to smack you in the face with them.</p>

<p>And Pete, nice to know there's someone on here, aside from me, who talks of depth of focus...</p>