therwol Loc: USA

I expect some to say that this is not necessary. This isn't about that debate. I bought this camera and wanted to try the automatic feature on some of my lenses, and I was very disappointed with the results.

I followed the directions carefully. The condensed version is that you focus in Live View and then press two buttons simultaneously for the camera to do the job for you without the usual trial and error. The camera "clicks", the mirror goes down, and it the camera comes up with a value anywhere from -20 to +20 for a given lens.

I spent an hour doing this with four lenses, two of them G lenses and two D (screw drive) lenses. The values returned were not consistent and were all over the place. I tried using 4 different high contrast targets that I printed out from the internet. Different targets produced different results, and they weren't even close to one another. I'd reposition the camera a bit and the results would change. I'd get results from -13 to +4 on one lens in particular. I put a 50mm f/1.4 AF-D on the camera, and the first result was -20. At that point, I decided to forget the whole thing and turn off the AF Fine Tune feature. I can't trust these results. I'm not even sure I needed to do this. I took pictures with all three lenses after getting the camera and didn't see any problems.

Did I do anything wrong? I don't think so. I followed the directions to the letter.

CO

I've done that with my D500. It has the same auto AF fine tuning feature. It seemed to set in reasonable values. There wasn't a lot of deviation. I printed out the instructions on how to do this from Nikon's website. It's been a while and I can't remember all of the steps.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Never heard of that.. When I fine tuned my lenses, I used a sloping yard stick and a cereal box. I only had to adjust one lens and everything has been fine since.
I will have to look that up about auto-tune.

phot0n0ob

Steve Perry in his excellent "Secrets of the Nikon AF system" talks about the perils of the built-in auto fine tune feature.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Are you seeing some irregularities with your lenses that you feel the need to adjust the camera for them?

therwol Loc: USA

On my previous camera, Nikon D810, yes. Two lenses were near focusing and I adjusted them. I haven't had this camera long enough to see if I might have the same problem, but I wanted to check out the feature of doing the adjustment automatically, and it seems very erratic and unreliable.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

IF you choose to calibrate (I do, but the calibrate/not calibrate discussion has already been had on UHH dozens of times, so no need to rehash it), then Riekan’s FoCal system actually works, is accurate AND repeatable and doesn’t require any subjective judgement. In addition to the correction, it will show you acuity vs aperture, AF repeatability and other metrics. Well worth the cost.

therwol Loc: USA

I agree that the discussion about calibrating or not calibrating lenses doesn't need to be repeated here. You've mentioned the FoCal system before. I'm going to look into it, but I may just leave thing alone unless I perceive there is a problem with my pictures. The point of this thread is that the automatic feature in my camera seems erratic and unreliable, and I won't be using it again. I was curious to know if anyone else has had the same experience with it.

John Kwas Loc: Eagle Bridge, NY

Hi, I think Steve Perry's video would be of great help. https://backcountrygallery.com/?s=AF+Fine+Tune

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Agreed. It works like a champ. Most of my high-end lenses did not require much of a push in adjustment at all.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have toyed with the Reikan system and I do like it, but I have come to the conclusion that I should leave well enough alone. There are too many variables such as camera body, aperture, distance and focal length. I had a noticeable back focusing problem with a 70 or 60 to 200 zoom once, and the best solution was to send it to Nikon for repair under warranty. I FIRMLY believe, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Best of luck.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

So simple, and cost you nothing! I'm sure you will find that "Most Lenses Don't Need Adjusting"... but if you wish to see how...just watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAiGyl5CKlQ&list=PLHQJ_UBi_slA4UEiA8E6bnb8yliwOgOX6&index=177

Thanks,
Boone.

therwol Loc: USA

I've used a variation of that method with a camera that didn't have the automatic adjustment feature. I would also simply take photos of test targets and make adjustments until the pictures were the sharpest. I do have a couple of lenses that needed some adjustment on my Nikon D810. Now that I have the D850 with the auto adjustment feature, I wanted to try it and found the results to be erratic with the same lens as I originally described. I didn't even get the same results with different test targets. I think that if they're going to promote a feature of a camera, it should work to the point of having confidence in it. I do agree that adjusting lenses shouldn't be necessary.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

It’s just a variation of the classic angled ruler method which is inaccurate because it requires a subjective judgement.

Without starting the entire lens calibration discussion AGAIN, the fact is that most lenses I’ve tested DO need adjustment for the AF to be spot on. The questions are: 1) can you see the difference? (Is the uncorrected AF acceptable)? And more importantly, are you better sending the lens (and camera) to the manufacturer for calibration? That is a valid argument.

For reference, here’s the calibration to bring my lenses to correct AF, and note, most of these are Canon L series lenses - professional quality glass.

jeff1234 Loc: Kirkland, WA

I found very inconsistent results when I tried it. I also asked the Nikon guy back when we had in person lectures and he said that out of his forty something lenses, he had to fine tune only one on either of his bodies and that he didn't recommend it unless there was a consistent problem with focus.