NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Camera Talk => Topic started by: chris dees on July 02, 2015, 21:42:54

Title: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 02, 2015, 21:42:54
I got myself a nice, low mileage Df (8 months old and less than 8000 clicks).
After testing it every lens needed a AF adjustment between -15 and -20
24G, 58G, 85G and 300PF and I didn't tried my F4 zooms yet.
Should I send it in for AF calibration now it's still under warranty?
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 02, 2015, 21:47:13
Strange. I have used a handful of Df units by now and never had any need for AF fine-tune with any lens (not counting the 105/2 DC which shouldn't have been launched as AF in the first place due to its DC feature).

I suggest you let a certified Nikon repair facility check the camera for any problems such as mount being warped, angle of main or secondary mirror out of alignment, etc.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 02, 2015, 22:18:52
It's strange, the guy I bought it from used it with a Sigma 35 art and that one was spot on.

I guess I'll have a ride to the service centre.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Erik Lund on July 02, 2015, 23:36:15
Chris, maybe you should take a step back and have a look at your focus test one more time...

Are you square and level on the target etc. you know there are many possibilities for small mistakes...

Have a little fun shooting it for normal targets

I have never had to adjust any of cameras for my AF lenses...

That his Sigma was dead on is sadly not a quality check though so you might have to let it go in...
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Akira on July 03, 2015, 04:17:22
To me, it's not all that surprising.  My AF-S 35/1.8 ED had to be fine-tuned to -20 on my D7000, but after I had my camera calibrated (either on the hardware or on the deeper level of firmware) at Nikon service, I don't need to use the fine-tuning function anymore.

I think it's worth having your camera checked at the proper authorized Nikon service.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 03, 2015, 09:36:16
Thanks, I'll have a closer look this weekend.
Those lenses need only a little adjustment on my D810
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Jan Anne on July 03, 2015, 14:16:25
Congrats on the Df Chris, didn't take long for you to get one after we talked about it during drink night :)
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 03, 2015, 15:21:45
Congrats on the Df Chris, didn't take long for you to get one after we talked about it during drink night :)

I started negotiations before I got sober. :D
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 05, 2015, 11:27:40
I did the focus tests again and with more or less the same results.
                         D810    Df
24/1.4G                  -   -20 (or more)
58/1.4G                  +5   -20 (or more)
85/1.4G                  +3   -17
300/4.0E              -   -12
70-200/4.0G         -   -
Tamron 150-600   -   -
The 24, 58 and 85 were not sharp at infinity, the other lenses are razor sharp
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on July 05, 2015, 12:11:21
Something is out of alignment on your Df. My hunch is the angle of the secondary mirror.

If you focus manually are the images in focus where they should be?
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 05, 2015, 14:31:35
Manual (although not my forte) as well as Live-view focussing is not a problem.

I'll contact the service center tomorrow and make an appointment for AF callibration.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: stenrasmussen on July 05, 2015, 22:52:53
I agree with Bjørn about the sub-mirror. I am collecting my almost new (1500 clicks - of which I've added 800 myself at an earlier occation when I met up with Bjørn las May). I hope my sample behave AF wise...although MF will be my preferrred operation.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Martin Zimelka on July 06, 2015, 09:06:52
I got myself a nice, low mileage Df (8 months old and less than 8000 clicks).
After testing it every lens needed a AF adjustment between -15 and -20
24G, 58G, 85G and 300PF and I didn't tried my F4 zooms yet.
Should I send it in for AF calibration now it's still under warranty?

Under what light source are you shooting your test targets?
Many cameras will tend to back focus under tungsten or warmer light sources when used in combination with fast lenses.

This was particularly prevalent with my D700 and lenses such as the AF-D 85/1.4. I have AF fine tune values for daylight (virtually zero) but by contrast rather large AF fine tune values set for shooting events. Manual focus and Live View were all good.

I always do my AF-calibrations outside in broad daylight.

My D700 and D800 both behaved the same under different light sources, however, my D810 does so to a lesser degree.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: stenrasmussen on July 06, 2015, 09:38:14
What hmzimelka said.
Additionally it can be useful to do two sets of AF tunings, one for daylight and one for incandescent light. A little note taped on the side of the battery or SD card can help one's memory of what to dial in.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Erik Lund on July 06, 2015, 09:40:58
That's right, we have seen that before, thanks for the heads up!
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 06, 2015, 14:21:19
I got myself a nice, low mileage Df (8 months old and less than 8000 clicks).
After testing it every lens needed a AF adjustment between -15 and -20
24G, 58G, 85G and 300PF and I didn't tried my F4 zooms yet.
Should I send it in for AF calibration now it's still under warranty?

Under what light source are you shooting your test targets?
Many cameras will tend to back focus under tungsten or warmer light sources when used in combination with fast lenses.

This was particularly prevalent with my D700 and lenses such as the AF-D 85/1.4. I have AF fine tune values for daylight (virtually zero) but by contrast rather large AF fine tune values set for shooting events. Manual focus and Live View were all good.

I always do my AF-calibrations outside in broad daylight.

My D700 and D800 both behaved the same under different light sources, however, my D810 does so to a lesser degree.

I did not now this. I fine tuned in daylight and indeed in tungsten light the problem is much severe than in daylight.

I called the service center and made an appointment to bring the camera together with one of the most affected lenses (in this case the 58G). It's only a 20min drive.
It will take them a few days.
Although I'm not the original owner, there are no problems with warranty (it's a product warranty).
I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Jakov Minić on July 06, 2015, 14:40:48
Chris, I am really curious what they are going to say and do at Beverwijk.
I spoke with them on the same topic, as I am not satisfied the way my 24/1.4 focuses in low light on the Df.
That's what the lens is made for in the 1st place, to shoot in low light.
They told me the story of how the autofocus module works with reds and greens and how under artificial light it may have difficulties.
I don't buy that story because the D4 focuses just fine indoors...
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Erik Lund on July 06, 2015, 14:52:31
The D4 and Df doesn't share the same AF module at all! They are completely different.

My 24mm AFS 1.4 also has no issues on D3X...
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 06, 2015, 14:54:39
My 24G is spot-on on the D810 and way off on the Df.

I'll take both lenses with me.
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 08, 2015, 10:31:33
Already got my Df back (kudos to NSP/NPS).

The repair note says:
Mirrors and AF adjusted
24G and 58G checked and OK (as expected).

Everything seems fine (zero fine-tune) and I will do real testing/adjustment this weekend.

@Jakov: no problems with 24G in low light but I only did some quick checks
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Erik Lund on July 08, 2015, 10:49:49
Super. That is how it should be ;)
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Jan Anne on July 08, 2015, 14:36:05
Good news you didn't buy a lemon Chris :)
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Jakov Minić on July 08, 2015, 16:14:06
I did not say that I expected something wrong with 24G, but it is true that the Df needed tweaking. I will have to take mine for adjustments then...
Thanks for the update Chris!
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 08, 2015, 21:20:10
I did not say that I expected something wrong with 24G, but it is true that the Df needed tweaking. I will have to take mine for adjustments then...
Thanks for the update Chris!

Perhaps we should meet and do some tests with both our camera's and lenses.  :)
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: Jakov Minić on July 08, 2015, 23:34:35
How about tomorrow evening at 20:00 on the main square in Cres, Croatia  ;D
Of course, as soon as I get back let's meet up. Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Df calibration?
Post by: chris dees on July 09, 2015, 08:23:46
How about tomorrow evening at 20:00 on the main square in Cres, Croatia  ;D
Of course, as soon as I get back let's meet up. Thanks!!!

Sorry, but I'm not going to make it. It's an 16 hour drive. ;D

Enjoy your holiday.