D7000 focus off - your opinion?

[Lane123]

While taking pictures last weekend, images seemed a bit out of focus on LCD. Do not depend on that much but when I got them on the computer, eyes were definitely not sharp. It was very cold so I thought maybe camera shake. Today I tried a couple of test shots with my sharpest lens nikon 85 1.8. I am seeing an obvious difference but would like a some other opinions. Both were shot in manual with 85 mm, ISO 100, F2.8, AF-S mode. The only difference is the shutter speed. Shooting in manual, (according to camera)for exposure the shutter speed for the D7000 was 1/1000 and the shutter speed on the D80 was 1/750.
The first image is shot with the D80
The 2nd image is shot with the D7000.
Your opinions/advice is greatly appreciated!
Sharon

[Lane123]

Meant to add that my focal point was set on the #16 on the ruler.

[KenJulio]

Sharon - since you have a yardstick avail, you can tilt it at a 45 degree angle and determine if it is front/back focusing, if that is the case, you should be able to use the microadjustment

[digidawg87]

I took the time to fine tune all of my Nikon lenes. It really made a difference for me.

[Lane123]

Thanks Ken! I tried that and it does not appear to be front or back focusing. Maybe it is just my eyes, but it still seems really soft to me. Attaching a comparison again. The first is the d7000 & the 2nd is the d80

[KenJulio]

It does appear soft. (that's what she said)

For grins, how does it look at f4-f5.6

[Lane123]

LOL Ken. I have tried it at f4 and it is still really soft. I guess I need to dig out the warranty papers. I bought it in August, you think it will still be covered for focus issues?

[TheFantasticG]

Send it in for warranty. Mine had focus issues, but I used the micro adjust and fixed them.

[Lane123]

When you say the micro adjust, are you talking about the AF fine tuning?

[Photogdude]

the focus seems to be fine, might be a pp issue, just play around with the sharpen and contrast.

[Lane123]

Thank you guys! I have adjusted the AF fine tune & there is an obvious difference. Still thinking something is not right though. To get a sharp image I have to bump it all of the way down to the -20 value. Have tried it with several different lenses with the same results. Up until last weekend, I had really sharp focus without adjusting that. Thank you again for your suggestions and help though! It will get me thru what I am doing this week, with my d80 as backup and I can have it checked out next week.

[Lane123]

Thanks Marshall. You do not see the difference in the images shot with the d7000 & the d80? Maybe it is me and it isn't that big of a difference. I have been looking at this for 2 days...lol I was able to save some of the images from last weekend with pp but others were so soft that it wasn't even worth trying. I guess my thing is I do not want to have to depend pp to save an image. With decent lenses and a d7000, I really want to have pretty sharp images straight ooc and be able to use pp to enhance them. I guess my biggest thing is I just hate to lose what could have been a great shot because of soft focus. Had several of those last weekend - luckily it was my daughter and I can reshoot them. I don't even want to put a soft image out there for a client to see, as my luck would be, they would want a large print and I would have to tell them Oh sorry, that one is just not quite focused correctly and will be blurry at that size. I am just curious if others have had the same issue with having to make major adjustments to the AF fine tune to get a sharp image???

[Photogdude]

By pp, i meant your conversion settings whether you are shooting jpeg, or your raw conversion. yes the d80 shot is sharper looking then the d7000, but the focus on both of them is clearly the 16. if you are shooting jpgs change the settings in the camera, if you are shooting raw change those settings.

[Lane123]

Thank you Marshall. I am shooting jpeg fine - optimal quality. Is this what you are referring to? If not would you mind pointing me in the direction?
Or since you have the 7000, can you direct me to the section in the manual?
I would really like to find out that this is user error and be able to correct it without having to send my camera back to Nikon. Am quite attached..lol Thank you again!

[Photogdude]

read the chapter on Image enhancement, I believe that will help.