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Focus Problem with New Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E
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Jan 1, 2017 21:04:41   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
Looking at your squirrel I would suggest that the only problem is the Depth of Field which is very narrow when shooting wide open at f5.6.

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Jan 1, 2017 21:37:35   #
davefales Loc: Virginia
 
Many to thanks to everyone who has commented. I was taking a break and came back to a lot of great info to digest. It will take me a while.

I have determined that the noise I was hearing was related to the VR. Turned it off as suggested and no noise. I'll be back.

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Jan 1, 2017 23:54:02   #
IowaDave Loc: North Iowa
 
I had the same problem when i got mine with a D7100. I found out my D7100 needed a firmware update and when i did that the lens focused for me. Hope that helps for you

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Jan 2, 2017 09:49:10   #
davefales Loc: Virginia
 
IowaDave wrote:
I had the same problem when i got mine with a D7100. I found out my D7100 needed a firmware update and when i did that the lens focused for me. Hope that helps for you



Thanks for the suggestion, Dave. I hoped that you had provided THE answer, but I checked my firmware and it is current.

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Jan 2, 2017 11:34:30   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
davefales wrote:
I'm trying to get used to my new Christmas present. In this link I posted my very first shot with the new lens: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-431349-1.html

I believe the eye of the squirrel is in decent focus.

Every shot I have taken with that lens since (birds, individual leaves) seems out of focus. I use back button focus with the AF-L button on my D7000 set to AF-On and the A1 and A2 priority both set to release, not focus. When I BBF with my favorite 17-55mm f/2.8 lens I hear nothing other than the actual shutter movement when I hit the release button. And
I think my focus with the 17-55 is good.

However, when I BBF the long lens, I hear motor movement when I depress the shutter release button. And my images are not in focus.

I am investigating back focus and have run a test on a distinctive leaf about 25' away. I have used increments of 5 from -20 to +20 with no discernible improvement in the focus.

I know there are lots of long lens users here. Are focus problems common with long lenses? Appreciate any help/advice you can share.
I'm trying to get used to my new Christmas present... (show quote)


Hi,

I also recently purchased this lens and was able to use it quite a bit over the last 10 days. I've had no focus problems at all (at least I don't think so!). You've gotten quite a bit of advice here, much of it varied, so good luck with that. I did recently have an autofocus issue with my Tamron 150-600 and Tamron replaced the autofocus free, so it could be a lens mechanical problem; if not sure, I'd send it in anyway as it's under warranty. I've found this lens to be very sharp, even hand-held or from a car window. Shooting with long lenses, as others have said, can be difficult. Here is an egret I recently shot with the 200-500 hand-holding in the car using the window and window sill for support with the egret some distance away (actual image sharper than this 72ppi example). Good luck with your lens.



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Jan 7, 2017 10:06:55   #
davefales Loc: Virginia
 
Dr.Nikon wrote:
I shoot single spot .., auto tracking off .. A1... A2 focus release .. BBF ..mirror up .. electronic curtain mirror up AF .. VR on the 200-500 ...electronic release .. best carbon fiber tripod no center column and 75lb rated ball head RRS clone and or heavy duty carbon fiber gimbal ...using my D810 ... tack sharp ..

The 200-500 works well on my D7100 .., but can't get tack sharp as I can with the D810 .., your D7000 will never be as detailed sharp as a 36 meg FX using the 200-500 ... but it should get some great shots .. your first squirl shot with that lens wasn't bad at all .. the eye of the squirl is pretty sharp ...

As the D7000 is boosting that lens to a 750mm .. the slightest vibration will be noted in the shot ...

When I first got my 200-500 ...I slapped it on the D810 and away I went .., as I had a D7100 .., I ran it through its paces with that lens as well .., ., I loved the fact that it became a 750mm on that camera ... fun shooting ... , but when I compared the D810 with the 200-500 and cropped in post to equal the 750mm equivalent I was getting out of the D7100 .., wow no comparison ..., so I never put the 200-500 on the D7100 again unless I had both cameras on my shoulder and I had to do a quick lens switch .. and I took one of my FX lenses ( all my lenses are FX) off the 7100 and put it on the D810 and the 200-500 on the 7100 ..,

Do some more experimentation ... you can always return it to Nikon for a warranty focus check .. or give it to a camera store for eval .., or if you can do without it for a while ..just return the lens and order from another supplier a new one .. it is a wonderful lens that takes practice and it can be hand held all day long ...in fact .. I have more hours on that lens handheld than tripod ..

Good luck ..
I shoot single spot .., auto tracking off .. A1...... (show quote)



Been away and somehow missed your comments. Thanks for all the details, Dr. Nikon. I know I have a big learning curve to solve.

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