mike_helminger Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 <p>@jeff: after you did the reset of your custom setup, were you able to then readjust your settings to your liking without losing the improved focusing ability?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_k1 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 <p>This may be one of the "other forums" Jeff referred to:</p> <p>http://www.flickr.com/groups/d7000-club/discuss/72157626259996570/</p> <p>Note that some reported the reset worked for them, but not everyone.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodhisattvah Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 <p>...I'm having this same issue with my D7000 and 17-55mm. Seems to work ok with a -20 correction, but that makes me concerned, lest something change and I need more adjusment. Also, I'm concerned about the longevity of a marginal component that might fail. If it's an electronic issue, this is possible. If mechanical, it's even more likely.</p> <p>I plan to send it in, and I'll report back here with results.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_p4 Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 <p>I purchased my d7000 right before Christmas, used it on several occasions and found that I was really having trouble getting a sharp image. Further testing showed that it was focusing just behind where it should be on all of my images. I shot some test chart pictures and sent them to Nikon. Their online, written response was :<br> "We have evaluated the images that you sent us, and base on the settings that you were using, the images should have come out better. There is certainly a back focus issue. The best option would be to let us evaluate your camera. "<br> It had been more than 30 days since purchase. I wish I would have acted sooner and just returned to Amazon and bought a new one. Would have been a piece of cake return.<br> I ended up calling Nikon to discuss, and explained to them that I do not want them to "fix" my camera, but that it should be replaced because I was sold a defective camera. I also mentioned that I should not have to pay for shipping to get an exchange for a defective camera. They would not budge on the shipping charge, and said that they will probably repair the camera instead of replacing it. Needless to say, I am pissed.<br> I sent the camera in, saw that it was received on Friday by Nikon. It is now Monday and they have not logged receipt of it yet.<br> I spoke to a customer service rep, and then asked to talk to a supervisor. Both were ineffective and kept citing policy and their canned responses. When I asked to have my issue taken care of by the supervisor's supervisor, they said "We can have her check into it, but she doesn't deal with problems like this."<br> I was surprised that the tech reviewing my test photos actually admitted an obvious back-focus problem at all... and especially in writing. It's extremely upsetting that, though they acknowledge the problem, they won't just replace the camera (and cover shipping) like a normal company would do (well, a normal company that wants make their customers happy.)<br> Grrrrr. Will let you know what ends up happening with it...</p> <p> </p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_lozinski Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 <p>I would much rather have a D7000 tuned by Nikon's service department than a new random off the shelf D7000. They will make extra sure that the one sent in for repair is focusing correctly and not just "within specs." If their turn around time is unacceptable you could always just go buy a replacement and then return it when your D7000 comes back. Wait a few days and I think you'll be happy with Nikon's response / repair. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 <p>Jeff P., I think your request is quite demanding. If you want an exchange, you should have done so in the first few days when you received your camera. Now after over a month, it is up to Nikon to decide whether they want to repair or replace.</p> <p>I bought my D7000 in November, 2010, almost as soon as it was available. Until recently I had no AF issue with any one of over 10 lenses I have tried on it. However, a couple of weeks ago I received a 85mm/f1.8 AF-S test sample from Nikon, and that particular lens has an obvious back focus issue, especially at f1.8 and f2.8. From f4 and down, perhaps the depth of field masks the issue.</p> <p>That same 85mm/f1.8 works prefectly fine on my D700, and over the weekend I also checked that lens on my D300. AF is perfect on those other bodies. So I thought maybe I have damaged my D7000. I tested my 50mm/f1.4 AF-S wide open @ 1.4 on the D7000 and AF is very accurate, so is my 24-120mm/f4 AF-S VR.</p> <p>Therefore, the issue is only on that particular coupling of my D7000 and that 85mm/f1.8 AF-S. Eventually I tested a bunch of AF fine tune at if I set it to -8, it is back to normal again.</p> <p>I think you are much better off having Nikon tune your D7000. The odds is that it will be better than another random D7000 from the factory.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodhisattvah Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 <p>I tested my camera some more after posting here and found that my D7000 was doing very strange things when adjusted via the AF fine tune. Positive and negative settings were giving similar results! Both positive and negative settings were improvements over a correction of 0. I'd call that broken.</p> <p>I sent the camera off and got it back last week from Nikon USA's repair department. Focus is MUCH improved! All around focus is more reliable, and although my lenses still need fine tune adjustments to perform optimally, at least there are now settings that work!</p> <p>(as an aside, Nikon USA repair were confused and messy as usual, but I did get out of paying shipping by reminding them that they had taken 10 months to repair my D700)</p> <p>However, I think I may have uncovered a different but related issue. It appears that my sensor itself may be slightly out of line, with the side closest to the plug panel being slightly closer to the lens mount.</p> <p>I'm debating whether to send it back or not, since it's pretty subtle, and the part where faces are in portrait orientation is tack sharp. Also, I would like to test more and make sure that this is not a lens issue.</p> <p>Also, I've always noticed that at high ISO the bottom edge of the frame is more magenta with a higher noise floor. I wonder if this has to do with whatever sensor shimming issue this camera has.</p> <p>Anyway, AF is now optimal, while sharpness still has a flaw.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_lozinski Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 <p>Micah,<br> You're making some really unusual claims. Can you provide some sample images? If you do in fact have a tilted sensor that could be extremely useful. You could use it like having a tilt lens (would have to tilt the body for the same effect) but that could be perfect if you're mostly shooting landscape. I've thought about trying to do that to a sensor before but was too cautious to try.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_fischbach Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 <p>I'm having the same problems as everyone else and been thinking for the past year it was me.<br> After dealing with this and AFFT my lenses, I finally got so frustrated I called Nikon, sent them some images and the tech. guy said the camera should not act that way and the AF was off. He said AF Fine Tune is not "normal" and certainly not for all my camera lenses (50/1.8D, 18-200VR1, 70-200vr1 [and 80-200/2.8D which I recently sold]).<br> The tech guy said to include a CD of sample images from the last year (I had many out of focus images including test charts showing the back focus) and appeal to Nikon to cover the fix under warranty. I shipped it off today with my 70-200VR1. Hopefully it will be fixed.<br> I did try the "reset" trick but nothing changed. Very frustrated by all this. This is my THIRD NEW Nikon product that has been shipped back to them to be fixed (D50 flash broke, 18-200VR1 stopped AF, and now D7000).<br> NOTE: All those lenses focus perfectly fine on my D50, and still do. If this does not get fixed, I'm going to sell the D7000 and go back to my D50. Maybe even RMA the 70-200VR. This is my hobby and I'm spending a lot of money to go in circles. Very frustrating.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_k1 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 <blockquote> <p>Therefore, the issue is only on that particular coupling of my D7000 and that 85mm/f1.8 AF-S. Eventually I tested a bunch of AF fine tune at if I set it to -8, it is back to normal again.</p> </blockquote> <p>If Nikon asked you to test this lens, did you inform them about this back focus problem? Did you ask them if the need to AF fine tune this lens on your D7000 is "normal" and within spec?</p> <blockquote> <p>I think you are much better off having Nikon tune your D7000. The odds is that it will be better than another random D7000 from the factory.</p> </blockquote> <p>Since the back focus problem reported by you (and many others) is found on specific (but different) lenses, does Nikon need to identify these lenses for them to tune the D7000s for these lenses ONLY? Another way to ask the question: Can Nikon tune a D7000 without knowing which lens is having the back focus problem, and make it work correctly for ALL lenses?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodhisattvah Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 <p>When I first sent my camera in, Nikon neglected to log the appropriate warranty documentation (which in my experience is SOP for them) and sent me an estimate. The estimate was for a B2 (major) level repair for $148. This sounds to me like they needed to replace a component. Browsing through parts on ebay and guessing that Nikon gets a better deal, I suspect they fully replaced the AF module (although I can't be sure).</p> <p>So I think they did replace something, not just make a simple adjustment. I suspect that many people with the back-focus issue have a defective AF module, with some performing better than others. I feel like mine may have gotten worse over time too.</p> <p>I still have some fine tuning taking place, but that doesn't surprise me. I suspect CA wide open can influence the phase detection, and the level of aberration is different on different models of lens. (although this really ought to be pre-programmed in, since Nikon have access to their own lenses to test and adjust)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kashif_manan Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I returned my Nikon D7000 2 months ago as it was severely suffering from backfocus problems, though the problem was only mainly occuring when close to the 18mm focal length. Nikon eventually said there was a problem with the sensor as well as the lens, which they can fix. They offered to fix it which would take a bit of time, but I asked for a refund. Now after a couple of months I've again purchased the D7000, as it has excellent features in this price bracket. I was hoping that I was unlucky with the last camera. A couple of days into testing this new D7000, I am again experiencing similar issues with backfocus, only not as extreme as before. I've been trying the AF fine tune feature and even when I put it to -20 it still seems to backfocus, in fact it makes very little difference. I had a d3100 before this and it was magic for sharpness, especially compared to the photos i'm getting at present. I'm so confused, as naturally I'm questioning my technique. I've done some test with the camera on a Tripod which shows the backfocus problem using one of the test charts. You can see these pictures on my blog at http://www.kashifmanan.co.uk/?p=326. Not sure what to do now as D300s is running low stock everywhere and Currys say it is end of line product. Wait for a new Nikon or Canon 7D maybe??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 <p>Kashif, I don't understand why you don't want Nikon to fix your camera. Soemthing that is specificially adjusted by a technician should be better than some random sample from the factory. Or you can ask for another exchange. I only have experience with a few D7000 samples, but I am always luckly as whatever Nikon camera I touch is always fine.</p> <p>The D300S is clearly at the very end of its production cycle. It is 4+ year old technology and is already discontinued in Japan due to its battery not meeting current safety standards. To me, the D7000 is a superior camera; I have a D300, non S, and I don't use it any more. I assume an updated version will appear in months after the current craziness with the D4 and D800 dies down. Keep in mind that Nikon has yet to ship the D800E, so they will be busy for a little longer.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 <p>If you'd just had them service it at the time you'd have a perfect D7000 right now. Why not get it serviced now, so that in another two months you won't still be looking for a camera in perfect tune?</p> <p>Also, two other comments:</p> <p>Is this the same lens you were using on the last D7000? It's possible you have a misaligned lens, not a misaligned camera.<br> I can't even be sure from the focus chart photo that there is a backfocus. The chart isn't even flat. And anyway it's just a chart. How does the camera work in the field? (Have you used it in the field a lot?) From the shot of the guy I can't tell where it's focused. What's the light like? I see it's a flash shot. The kit lens isn't a fast lens and it's not good at AF in lower light.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_lozinski Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 <p>Testing for backfocus with a 18mm lens is like looking for the lunar rover on the moon with binoculars. You're just not going to see it. Test with something that has small depth of field. Try using a 400mm 2.8, 500mmf4 or at the very least a 70-200 2.8. You're always going to have more in focus behind the focus distance than in front of it (approximately twice) due to the physics of it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodhisattvah Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 <p>Having dealt with Nikon USA's repair service for the past ten years, I completely understand the desire to avoid them if they've failed to perform a repair correctly once--sending something back to them more than once is usually a prelude to an awful and drawn out ordeal (see my personal blog for my D700 story).</p> <p>I'll do some testing to show the issues I'm now having after the repair. I posted some images in my personal blog with some images of the issues before I sent it in. I'm just blown away that AFTER an AF module replacement (I think?) that I still need a -20 correction for my 17-55 to work correctly. It's a beat old lens, but it focuses flawlessly on every other body I put it on. I do notice that the issue it much worse under warm light and florescents.</p> <p>And as an aside to @Thomas Lozinsky about testing a lens at 18mm: it depends on the lens! My 20mm 1.8 has extremely shallow DOF and focusses very closely. Close enough to test it with an 8.5x11 chart. Not that I'd rely on that alone. I just thought I'd put a hole in your 18mm being a poor choice for testing. A camera needs to be able to function with many focal lengths, and 18mm isn't even the widest you're likely to encounter with a crop sensor. It's not like AF just becomes unnecessary at wider than 18mm. Less important? Perhaps. But a camera shouldn't just completely fail to AF with wide lenses, and should certainly stand up to testing.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu_dek_lawoe Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 <p>I finally was able to Fine Tuned the camera. I am using the older D and ED lenses. All three of them have different number in AF Fine Tuning. Everything seems to be fine but yesterday I have notice one out of about 40 frames has a strange focus effect. The subject was my little nephew playing with the water hose. I set my focus to Center and shutter to Single. I fixed my position on his face, focus and shoot simultaneously on every second. From this series, there are about 20 frames. There it is, one of the frame was reverse in focus. The subject was totally out of focus and the background trees are sharp. Either something went wrong or the camera has an incredible focus speed where I was just out of his face without noticing for a fraction of a second. I though it was odd. How could I have missed the face. So I'm keeping an eye on it. Other wise thing seems to be working well. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_fischbach Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 <p>Just to follow up from my March 21 post. I send my D7000 and 70-200/2.8 to Nikon.<br> B2 Repair was $146 (hoping AMEX will cover under extended warranty).<br> Repair SC201117<br> ADJ Mirror Angle<br> ADJ Auto Focus Operation<br> CKD Body Flange Back<br> CKD Bayonet Mount<br> CKD FLash Operation<br> CKD Exposure<br> CKD Image Test<br> CLN Image Sensor<br> Firmware Upgrade<br> General Clean and Check<br> So far the images seem better. Did the "battery test" and focus was spot on at 200mm, slightly off at 70 (but loads better then before I sent it off ). The kids played BB in the driveway and I shot 50-images with the lens and my 18-200 and they looked good (the "bad" ones were my fault or focus point was off, etc.). Hoping this solves some of the issue's I'd been having for so long.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 <blockquote> <p>If Nikon asked you to test this lens, did you inform them about this back focus problem? Did you ask them if the need to AF fine tune this lens on your D7000 is "normal" and within spec?</p> </blockquote> <p>I sure did. My contact at Nikon actually seems a little concerned about the fine tune issue, but I told him that Nikon puts AF fine tune on the D3, D4, D300, D700, D800 and D7000 for a reason. Plenty of people fine tune their lenses on their cameras; in fact, you are expected to do so. I also said that I would mention it in the up-coming photo.net review.</p> <p>Now that I have returned the 85mm test sample back to Nikon, I just bought one from my local camera store. My own 85mm/f1.8 AF-S has perfect AF on the same D7000 I have so that now I need to cancel the AF fine tune setting on the camera. The AF fine tune is per lens type; there is only one setting for 85mm/f1.8 AF-S; therefore, the previous -8 setting would mess up my new lens.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_mclaren Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 <p>Back focus is a real issue for many of us with Nikon D7000. Mine has be back for service 3 times already and is back there again. I drive the 2 hours from my home in Peterborough Ontario, Canada to Nikon service in Mississauga Ontario. The first time after conversations on the phone I sent it in because it was back focusing on all my lenses. I picked it up from service and took it home and tested it. There was no change. I talked to service on the phone again. They asked me to do more tests including AF-Fine tune, adjust sharpening to 6 instead of default 3 and with all my lenses. I did this and was unable to get it to focus accurately. It was still back focusing. Nikon Service asked me to bring it in again with sample photos and one of the lenses. I did this and picked it up when they called. Again I took it home and tested it again. It was still back focusing with all the lenses. After much discussion and many more test as suggested by them including samples sent in by me for them to review. Nikon service asled me to bring in 3 of my lenses and the camera for service. This is the 3rd time for this issue. I took all of this equipment in and met a Customer Relations Specialist whom would personally oversee this. One week later I recieved a call to say all was ready to pick up. At the counter I was told all were work properly, adjustments were made to all and I should be pleased with the results. I take the equipment home and test it. I am now completely discouraged. The best photo was back-focusing by more than 2 inches. I took the best samples and emailed them to the Specialist that was helping me. He could not believe this was still happening. I was asked to do many more tests and send the samples in. I did and the Specialist believes there is a problem with the camera and I need to bring it in again. It is now at service again, this is the 4th time for the same issue. While dropping it off I had a long conversation to try and under stand this. I was promised this problem would be solved this time. <br> Do try and understand that the area that is back focused is extremely clear.<br> The specialist did show me a D800 and how well it focused and suggested that perhaps this is what I and looking for. He may be right as to the camera being what I want to go with the lenses I have. <br> To add to this sinking feeling I have invested over 8 thousand dollars in senses for this camera that are sitting idle. Without a camera what are they worth.<br> Here's to hoping it all works out. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 <p>Alan, if Nikon Canada cannot fix your D7000 after several attempts, I suggest you request them to replace your D7000 with a brand new one. Hopefully that will save everybody a lot of time and trouble. In the US, for cars, there is some "lemon law" that if it has a lot of defects, you are entitled to a replacement car rather than keep on getting it fixed over and over.</p> <p>And there are a lot of discussion about AF issues on the D800 as well. How much of that is real and how much is internet hear say I don't know. I am fortunate that all D7000 and D800 (only one so far) I have used have no AF problems.</p> <p>BTW, the AF fine tune issue I ran into is thorougly described in photo.net's lens review: <a href="../equipment/nikon/lenses/85mm-f1.8-g-af-s/review/">http://www.photo.net/equipment/nikon/lenses/85mm-f1.8-g-af-s/review/</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_mclaren Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 <p>Shun, Thank you for this input. I read the 85mm article. I to believe this camera should be replaced. In my case there has been more to it than Back Focus issues. I will list them bellow. But first I would like to let you know some good that has come from this. Because I was trying to figure out if it was me or the camera, I now know how to test the camera properly. I have gone out and practiced, practiced, practiced. I have spent a week on flying birds alone. Using the flash now more than ever, day , night and indoors. Making a check list before going out and following it. What I am saying is this experience has taught me some of the things I needed to learn. Although I did not like the way it happened.<br> List of other happenings with the camera.<br> 1. I had a card reading error with all 6 memory cards I used with this camera. A firmware upgrade and this does not happen anymore.<br> 2. 4 times the top screen has flashed with "error", this happened awhile after the firmware update. The only way I was able to get back to using the camera was to remove the battery and put it back in, turn it on, error starts flashing, now press the shutter half way.<br> 3. After the third service while going around town to take shots in various locations, Buildings, Traffic, People, Trees and so on. I noticed the photos were coming out in a pattern. Normal, light, bark. I checked to see if Bracketing was turned on and it was set to "0F"(Zero-F). I called Nikon to help with this. Reset the camera with the 2 green buttons and 2 other places in the menu. This cleared up what was happening, no explanation, it just worked.<br> 4. The late afternoon before taking the camera in again another thing happened. Running around town again take photos of all kinds of things. When loading things in the car I put the camera on the passenger seat then finished packing the rest of the gear and noticed the camera on and went to turn it off, but it was already turned off. I paused for a few seconds, then turned the switch to the on position then off again and it turned off. Don't know what to make of this.<br> Nikon is aware of all of this.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 <p>It looks like Nikon Canada finally fixed Alan McLaren's D7000, after some 5 repairs. Apparently there are some lens issues as well as one of his lenses is also adjusted: <a href="00aT6J">http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00aT6J</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_sharkey Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 <p>NIKON D7000 has trashed so many of my photos with backfocusing it is unbelievable, useless in tungsten light... incredibly disappointed with this cameras performance here.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkut_berkut Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 <p>I can confirm in my case too, I have a severe back focus problem already confirmed by the technical support after send it back to Nikon. I was forced to use -15 settings for the 35mm, and around -10 to use the 16-85 at high focal lenght values, and -5 at low focal lenght values<br> After getting it back from the support, i have still the problem but in a bit reduced form. Now with the 35mm i have to set -7, while with the 16-85 at high focal lenght values i have to put -7, and 0 with short focal lenght, especially 16mm<br> Furthermore, I have still not tried with the cold light so i can't confirm to be still affected or not by the light problem<br> What to say.........i am completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely completely disappointed<br> Dear Nikon, if you can read this message, this is going to be my last Nikon camera. I will never recommend anymore your products to my friend because today i feel damned ashamed to have done it with 5 of them....they bought d700, d3100, and d5000 models and so on, as per my suggestion.....<br> I can't believe Nikon are not doing an official press or news release where they invite people to check their product due to a very high percentage of possibility that they have a defective camera<br> I have trashed almost all of my Budapest pictures after my trip......i'm going to visit iceland in few months....you can imagine my mindstate, imaging to go there, taking some northern lights pictures, just to realize once back home that they have to be trashed all<br> If this is the way you treat people after all the money they give you......at least for me, this is a game over..........</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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