My 1st Nikon and disappointed / need help

[mchong75]

I need some help with local Nikon DX body owners. (It would be great if you own a D7000 and the 35mm f/1.8G but certainly not requried)

I recently purchased my first Nikon above combo and for the life of me, I can’t get sharp pics at all. I’ve tried AF fine tuning from -20 to +20 values in the increments of -/+ 2 and still can’t get sharp pics anywhere in between.

Considering this is my first Nikon setup, I don’t have a second body nor another glass to test which is problem….However, under the same shooting condition with my Canon 5D II and the 7D with 35L, 85L, 70-200L II and the 17-40L with various combos and I get an accurate AF and the area which is focused is sharp to my standards.

My shot settings on the Nikon:

Aperture priority mode
f/1.8
AF-S mode
WB Auto
Self-timer mode
Controlled / constant stable lighted room
Focused through the view finder.
Focused with live view (zoomed) (The results are worst)

So, I’m really hoping someone locally can help out where we can test my gears with yours.

PLEASE HELP.....

[KenJulio]

A sample?

Angel(@PhotoByLeal) had focusing issues with his D7000's with different lenses. Can you go to a camera store and ask if you can try a lens, preferably one of the higher end lenses, ie Nikon 24-70 or 85 1.4.

[mchong75]

I'm currently at work so I'm going to post some samples later with 100% crop and the original view with AF points.

[crazeazn]

probably a bad copy of the lense or camera. mike knows how to take fantastic pictures, has nothing to do with the system.

[BrassPremier]

Ive got a D90 with the same 35mm lens and I've gotten plenty of great shots. I've only heard great things about the D7000, so it's either bad copy of the gear itself or user error

[TheFantasticG]

It's a less than $200 lens. Some of the copies have been great @ F1.8, but not all. Mine is decently sharp at F1.8, and pretty good at F2, and F2.8 it's freakin' great. And that remains true from my D90 to my D7000.

[KenJulio]

If shooting wide open, try shooting at f4 and f5.6 and see if there is a dramatic improvement.

For clarification, is the whole image soft or is it missing focus?

[mchong75]

Ok, here's the AF fine tune with -19 value. -19 or -20 was the best I can get.

Original here
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6...81dff857_o.jpg

[Nikonfan]

On my uncalibrated work monitor that looks pretty sharp. If so then it was just an autofocus issue that you have resolved. I suppose another way you can tell if it's the optics would be to switch to manual focus and use live view mode. Zoom in all the way and focus manually. Should be nice and sharp.

[mchong75]

I'll post D7000 AF related pics shortly.

I also wanted to compare noise level between D7000 and the 7D. Here are some shots from 1600, 3200 and 6400 and 6400 with noise removal. No post processing at all. From RAW to JPEG.

All focused on the right eye. Based on the noise level, I actually prefer the D7000 over the 7D.

Canon 7D with 35L f/1.4
D7000 with 35G f/1.8

ISO 1600

7D


D7000



ISO 3200

7D


D7000



ISO 6400

7D


D7000



ISO 6400 [Noise removal software used]

7D


D7000

[brewercm]

I have a 7000 also and that's an interesting comparison. Looks like the 7000 loses les s detail than the 7D.

[PhotoByLeal]

Originally Posted by KenJulio

A sample?

Angel(@PhotoByLeal) had focusing issues with his D7000's with different lenses. Can you go to a camera store and ask if you can try a lens, preferably one of the higher end lenses, ie Nikon 24-70 or 85 1.4.

I have had 3 of these D7000....

The first one was when they first came out in Oct 2010 and that one ROCKED and I should have kept that one!!!!

Then I ordered a D7000 from B&H in Oct. 2011 and I had BIG focus issues with that camera. I called B&H and they had me returned that D7000 and exchange it for another D7000. When I got that D7000 in, I should have done extensive focus test on it, but I only tried it with my Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 and it looked good. So, I didn't think nothing about it, until it was 55 day later and I figured out that this D7000 was having focus issues again.... Doh!

The second D7000 is having the same focus issue as yours and I also auto-fine tune it from +20 to -20 and nothing helped it!!!

Where did you buy it from and how long have you had it?
Can you exchange it?
When that camera works, it is AWESOME!!!!
I have no idea why this last batch of D7000 from last years quarter are having issue, unless Canon is building them for Nikon! J/K

Have you tried calling Nikon or just send it in and tell them what issues you are having with the D7000... go here and fill out step by step and send it in with the packing list you have to print out and send it insured.

I sent mine in last week and they just got it yesterday.....

Here is the link
Nikon Service and Repair

good luck,

[Rson]

Originally Posted by mchong75

I'll post D7000 AF related pics shortly.

I also wanted to compare noise level between D7000 and the 7D. Here are some shots from 1600, 3200 and 6400 and 6400 with noise removal. No post processing at all. From RAW to JPEG.

All focused on the right eye. Based on the noise level, I actually prefer the D7000 over the 7D.

Canon 7D with 35L f/1.4
D7000 with 35G f/1.8

I am going to throw a red flag, a 200 dollar lens vs. a Canon L 1300$ lens isn't a very good comparison. It is all about the glass, that has been proven time and time again.

[mchong75]

Originally Posted by Rson

I am going to throw a red flag, a 200 dollar lens vs. a Canon L 1300$ lens isn't a very good comparison. It is all about the glass, that has been proven time and time again.

Rich,

If you read the post where I did the ISO testing, I actually said Nikon D7000 with 35G f/1.8 was better in my opinion.

For the most part, better lens = better image quality but when a lens AF is locked on a subject, regardless of how great the image quality should be, the AF area / picture itself should be in focus no matter how cheap or expensive the lens is.

The concern I have is not whether or not Canon vs. Nikon. My concern is the inconsistent AF from the body or the lens or combo from the two....

With just have 1 Nikon body and a lens, I can't tell where the problem is....(most likely the body)

[mchong75]

Originally Posted by PhotoByLeal

I have had 3 of these D7000....

The first one was when they first came out in Oct 2010 and that one ROCKED and I should have kept that one!!!!

Then I ordered a D7000 from B&H in Oct. 2011 and I had BIG focus issues with that camera. I called B&H and they had me returned that D7000 and exchange it for another D7000. When I got that D7000 in, I should have done extensive focus test on it, but I only tried it with my Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 and it looked good. So, I didn't think nothing about it, until it was 55 day later and I figured out that this D7000 was having focus issues again.... Doh!

The second D7000 is having the same focus issue as yours and I also auto-fine tune it from +20 to -20 and nothing helped it!!!

Where did you buy it from and how long have you had it?
Can you exchange it?
When that camera works, it is AWESOME!!!!
I have no idea why this last batch of D7000 from last years quarter are having issue, unless Canon is building them for Nikon! J/K

Have you tried calling Nikon or just send it in and tell them what issues you are having with the D7000... go here and fill out step by step and send it in with the packing list you have to print out and send it insured.

I sent mine in last week and they just got it yesterday.....

Here is the link
Nikon Service and Repair

good luck,

Angel,

I bought the lens new from B&H considering the price but I bought the body / grip via eBay used with only 200 shutter count. (Based on the seller)

Prior to buying the body, I asked the seller if he noticed any AF issues and he stated "No" so I assumed it was fine. The seller has provided his original receipt.

Since Nikon warranty is non-transferable, I guess warranty will not covered even though the camera is only 3 months old with very little use.