Nikon D90 Manual Focus Issue

BobB49 · 02-18-2009, 09:40 PM

Hello - Being relatively new to digital SLR's I have noticed an issue with my
Nikon D90. It would appear that the image I am seeing in my viewfinder is perfectly in focus.... however, the picture comes out just a tad off.

This issue manifests itself with Telephoto lenses at their maximum focul length -- (With the exception of the totally manual 650-1300mm monster).

I've attached a couple of samples. Closer subjects are perfect-- it just seems to be with the objects in the distance that I am trying to photograph.

Thanks - just wondering if anyone else has experienced this: Notice in the last photograph (of a CLOSE/Macro subject) that I had no issues. Seems to only be with the telephoto and manual focus.

See attached:

Bob

BobB49 · 02-19-2009, 01:02 PM

Getting closer to figuring it out.
Seems that with 100% manually focused lenses that the lens "tube" actually plays a part in the lens' ability to focus. It has to be exactly on the mark
in order to focus. *Phew* -- now need to make another trip out to Llano and test this hypothesis

Bob

Nancer · 05-31-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobB49

Hello - Being relatively new to digital SLR's I have noticed an issue with my
Nikon D90. It would appear that the image I am seeing in my viewfinder is perfectly in focus.... however, the picture comes out just a tad off.

This issue manifests itself with Telephoto lenses at their maximum focul length -- (With the exception of the totally manual 650-1300mm monster).

I've attached a couple of samples. Closer subjects are perfect-- it just seems to be with the objects in the distance that I am trying to photograph.

Thanks - just wondering if anyone else has experienced this: Notice in the last photograph (of a CLOSE/Macro subject) that I had no issues. Seems to only be with the telephoto and manual focus.

See attached:

Bob

I'm having the same problem with a new D90 & the Nikkor AFS 70-200 telephoto lens. Nikon customer assistance tries to sound helpful, but says they have never heard of a D90 manual focus problem....mine would be the first.

If you don't mind my asking, did you find a workaround? Or how did you resolve the focus problem with your D90?
Thanks, N

BobB49 · 05-31-2009, 11:00 PM

The problem appears to have gone away. I'm not sure what I did. I reset it a couple of times (holding the two buttons on the top right hand side of the camera down -- of course this resets all of the settings back to default) I'm thinking that my issue may be that my subject (the Eagles and the nest) had alot of Black and Grey in it. The camera had a time focusing on and metering it. I'll just have to keep tinkering. I thought that it may be a calibration issue of somekind. I'll keep you posted. Could have also been that with the 1600mm lens the slightest breeze would subtly move the lens. (But I had a very high shutter speed on a tripod so - well.. I'm still working on it.)

ejingram · 06-01-2009, 04:27 PM

Bob,

Great shots!

May I ask why you are using manual focus.

When I was using my Pentax (35mm - film), with zoom lens, manual focus, I was told not to turn it all the way to the end, it makes it out of focus.

Also, on my Nikon D50, I use my "flower" setting for something like that even though it's far away. The "flower" setting hones it better. I don't trust my eyes/glasses, so I use auto focus. But that's my opinion/experience.

Hope that helps a little.

Ellen

**Cricket** · 06-01-2009, 04:33 PM

Ellen, do you shoot with your glasses on? For a variety of reasons, I never wear my contacts or glasses when shooting. I adjust the diopter on my camera.

ejingram · 06-01-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cricket

Ellen, do you shoot with your glasses on? For a variety of reasons, I never wear my contacts or glasses when shooting. I adjust the diopter on my camera.

Yes. If I don't, I can't see anything. As I get older, my eyes get worse. I have to wear "progressive" lenses. I can't see far - blurry and I definately can't see near - really blurry. I never thought about adjusting the diopter on the camera. I have to find out how to do that. Thanks.

Ellen

BobB49 · 06-02-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejingram

Bob,

Great shots!

May I ask why you are using manual focus.

When I was using my Pentax (35mm - film), with zoom lens, manual focus, I was told not to turn it all the way to the end, it makes it out of focus.

Also, on my Nikon D50, I use my "flower" setting for something like that even though it's far away. The "flower" setting hones it better. I don't trust my eyes/glasses, so I use auto focus. But that's my opinion/experience.

Hope that helps a little.

Ellen

Hi Ellen,

On the Eagle shots the camera would focus on parts of the tree and not the birds which were a few feet beyond that (With my auto focus 300mm). Plus the auto focus kept trying to correct it after i changed it. haha.

Well- I purchased a "huge" lens (800-1600) that was manual focus only and went back to try and catch the Eagles again. -- Even on a tripod and being very careful focusing - and using a remote trigger...the eagles would be sharp as tacks in the viewfinder.. but the images, once unloaded appeared a little off in the focus department. I'm still working on it - and I guess it could be any number of things.. I mean, at 1600mm I figure any sort of breeze at all could cause the image to blur.

I'll keep trying and when i get the answer I'll definitly post it here

.

ejingram · 06-03-2009, 08:29 PM

Bob,

Good luck. I would love to see them when you get them. I finally found the eagles in RI yesterday. Unfortunately, they are on an island but I did get a few pictures of one eagle, not with a white head tho.

I used my 55 - 200mm zoom. The first pic is of how far I was away. The second one is the same pic cropped. I added the arrow so you can see the eagle.

Ellen

ejingram · 06-03-2009, 08:30 PM

Woops! I forgot to attach the pics...

Ellen

kellogg9 · 06-03-2009, 09:00 PM

Nice pix!

sterday · 06-08-2009, 05:14 AM

Such a nice pictures dude, i have digicam with me now, But i would like to go for manual all the time. .

Manual operated are really cool i guess. .

I personally liked NIKON. . when we go for manual operation cams

ejingram · 06-17-2009, 04:36 PM

Bob,

Did you ever find out whats wrong with the focus?

Ellen

BobB49 · 06-17-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejingram

Bob,

Did you ever find out whats wrong with the focus?

Ellen

I'm still experimenting with different settings/lenses. It could be me??= or the fact that I'm really taking ALOT of pictures with this camera. Some days it surprises me - other days its totally frustrating. I'll nail it down one of these days.

ejingram · 06-17-2009, 07:46 PM

Good luck!!!

Let us know when you figure it out.

I went on google and found this website: http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon_d...7610884343066/
maybe that will help you.

Ellen

Shelley Kendal · 07-29-2009, 04:46 AM

Even on a tripod and being very careful focusing and using a remote trigger. The eagles would be sharp as tacks in the viewfinder.. but the images, once unloaded appeared a little off in the focus department.