AF Fine Tune: I was wondering if it is common to have to fine tune lenses to one's camera? I have a D600 and have had to fine tune all my lenses

acomanda

I was wondering if it is common to have to fine tune lenses to one's camera? I have a D600 and have had to fine tune all my lenses - from +20 to -10. I would appreciate any and all answers.

Thanks, Andy

infocus Loc: Australia

acomanda wrote:

I was wondering if it is common to have to fine tune lenses to one's camera? I have a D600 and have had to fine tune all my lenses - from +20 to -10. I would appreciate any and all answers.

Thanks, Andy

I have never "fine tuned" any lens but have heard a lot of people do. I don't know how to do it so will watch this thread with interest - thanks for starting it. :thumbup:

acomanda

Here is an article on how Nikon advises to do it.

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/51633

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

acomanda wrote:

I was wondering if it is common to have to fine tune lenses to one's camera? I have a D600 and have had to fine tune all my lenses - from +20 to -10. I would appreciate any and all answers.

Thanks, Andy

How did you fine tune them? I've read pros and cons about attempting to do this. There seems to be many ways to accomplish this. Did you notice any poor quality in your images or did you just do it because you read about it? Any feedback appreciated.
Bob

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I just tweaked my D800 yesterday.
The 70-200 VRII was front-focusing a little bit.
Never noticed a need until I got a D7000.
I'd be curious to know why this issue has come up in the last few years but it's an easy fix.

I used this site to learn how to do mine:
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart
Attached is the chart they provide- I mounted mine on foam-core.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

acomanda wrote:

I was wondering if it is common to have to fine tune lenses to one's camera? I have a D600 and have had to fine tune all my lenses - from +20 to -10. I would appreciate any and all answers.

Thanks, Andy

Wish my camera bodies had that capability!
Be glad that yours does.

Lenses and camera bodies all have manufacturing tolerances. If they all fall the right way, then the lens auto-focuses perfectly WITH YOUR BODY. Put that same lens on another body of the same model, and it may be way off.
Some people used to send their camera/body combination back to the factory repair depot to have one calibrated to the other. Then another lens wouldn't work the same.

acomanda

I never seemed to have issues with my D700, but since getting my D600 I have noticed that my images were not so sharp. I first attributed it all to camera shake, but also noticed it on tripod images. I did do some research before fine tuning my lenses(they are all Nikon lenses).

I mounted the camera on a tripod and shot using an auto shutter release cord. I went into my menu and shot first at -5 then 0 then +5. Put them up on my computer and saw which looked the sharpest. After determining if it was better at + or - I then shot 3 more at -5, -10, -15 or +5, +10, +15. It is a little bit of a tedious job but my images look much better. Of course you have to save the value for each lens and then the camera will recognize the lens when mounted and automatically auto focus to that value.

acomanda

Very cool chart.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

acomanda wrote:

Here is an article on how Nikon advises to do it.

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/51633

AF tuning is not recommended in most situations and may interfere with normal focus; use only when required.
copied and pasted from above link .

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

GoofyNewfie wrote:

I just tweaked my D800 yesterday.
The 70-200 VRII was front-focusing a little bit.
Never noticed a need until I got a D7000.
I'd be curious to know why this issue has come up in the last few years but it's an easy fix.

I used this site to learn how to do mine:
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart
Attached is the chart they provide- I mounted mine on foam-core.

I read somewhere that sensors over 12 MP were more sensitive to focus issues. Maybe I read it on UHH but don't really remember. Sorry, confirmation would help my reply.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

acomanda wrote:

Very cool chart.

I assume you're referring to my post.
It works great.
(Tip- click "Quote reply" so we know which post you're addressing)

acomanda

Is the chart placed flat on a table or at an angle?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

acomanda wrote:

I was wondering if it is common to have to fine tune lenses to one's camera? I have a D600 and have had to fine tune all my lenses - from +20 to -10. I would appreciate any and all answers.

Thanks, Andy

I'm skeptical about fine tuning, particularly zoom lenses. I not convinced that you get uniform results across the entire FL and focusing range. Suspect that an improvement at one point may deteriorate another point.

I tried it several times with a Sigma 300 f2.8 and D7100. Never seen any result better than where is was originally.

There must be a reason manufacturers don't recommend it.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

joer wrote:

I'm skeptical about fine tuning, particularly zoom lenses. I not convinced that you get uniform results across the entire FL and focusing range. Suspect that an improvement at one point may deteriorate another point.

I tried it several times with a Sigma 300 f2.8 and D7100. Never seen any result better than where is was originally.

There must be a reason manufacturers don't recommend it.

acomanda

What was the angle of the chart to the lens?

GoofyNewfie wrote:

I just tweaked my D800 yesterday.
The 70-200 VRII was front-focusing a little bit.
Never noticed a need until I got a D7000.
I'd be curious to know why this issue has come up in the last few years but it's an easy fix.

I used this site to learn how to do mine:
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart
Attached is the chart they provide- I mounted mine on foam-core.