So I've got this Nikon 85 1.4G on a D800. Using manual focusing, I can get results that look right.
But to get autofocus to stop front focusing, I have to add +20 in the fine tuning,
I'm new to Nikon. Is that a reasonable amount? I actually think that +21 might be a little better.
Is it common that Nikon lenses would need that much? My 70-200 VRII doesn't seem to need any.
I just ordered the 85 1.4G for my D800. I also have the 70-200 VRII that requires zero AF fine tune. If you can wait, I'll let you know how my copy is. If it takes you past the return period, you may want to return it now.
What does it matter really? Does it do it on *all* lenses? If so, then yes, send it in. If it does it on a couple of lenses in your kit but not all, and a +20 addresses it, there is nothing to worry about.
I'm starting to think there is something really bad happening.
Here is a 100% crop of a focus test with the D800 + 85 1.4G @ f/1.4.
Is this right?
And it took me +20 to get to this.
I've been shooting with a Canon 85L 1.2 for years, so I'm not expecting miracles. But this looks particularly bad.
To me, within +-15 is reasonable.
On my D7000, 24-70 and 70-200 doesn't need any fine tuning. But my 50/1.4G needs -10, 105VR needs +16, 85/1.4d needs -7, 135DC needs -5.
I would have to send the body in for a checkup if at +20.
If I'm doing something wrong here, please let me know.
Those are both front focused a touch, but you also need to make sure the paper is square with the camera, which it is not.
To test to see if there is a decentering, take a photo of something flat and perpendicular in both axis to the camera (brick wall test). Use LV to focus for this test.
As for the LoCA on the 85mm 1.4. It does not look completely unreasonable.
SloPhoto wrote:
Those are both front focused a touch, but you also need to make sure the paper is square with the camera, which it is not.
Thanks for the tips in your message above. I agree these are still front focused a touch. Problem is that I'm already at +20 on both of these lenses, so I can't move it back any further.
I assume at this point it must be the camera.
Edit: I called the retailer and got an RMA for the body. Looks like needing >+20 on 3 lenses to overcome the front focusing is not normal
The rep on the phone said that another customer had RMAed a D800 for front focusing as well.
Only good news is that since all 3 lenses needed almost exactly the same +20 adjustment, when I get them on a good body they should all be close to zero.
There have been reported focus issues with the D800. Most of these reports have been back focusing issues and soft left side. I would send it to Nikon.
I just returned my second Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, the first one needed +20 and the second needed +15. The second one was blindingly sharp at +15 and I'm kind of sorry to see it go. That said, I would rather return it, get my body (D700) and 50 1.8G calibrated at Nikon so I'm armed with the knowledge that there's nothing wrong with my AF system before I go in for another attempt with the 24-70.
The salesman isnsits that there's nothing wrong with both lenses and says it's the body that needs calibrating & to be honest I'm inclined to think he's right. This despite the fact that he's a salesman & would prefer to not take the return.
That said, as above, I'd rather know that the camera isn't out of tolerance range before buying again. Even then, I may have to get a new lens calibrated because of Nikon's tolerance for fault.
Question concerning calibration at a Nikon service centre:
Do you get your body back simply with AF Fine tuning adjusted to appropriate settings per lens, or do they actually do something internally & the AF Fine tune is left at default?
The salesman told me that when he bought his 24-70, one of his two D700's had to be calibrated and no AF tuning was changed, it simply worked when he got it back.
On a personal note, this was my first expensive pro zoom & I'm a little disappointed in Nikon's fault tolerances regardless of the body, lens or both being at fault. According to a Lensrentals Blog post I read, Leica and Zeiss make their fault tolerances public whereas Nikon and Canon don't, which to me speaks volumes.
To the OP, good luck in getting your gear sorted, I'd highly recommend taking your gear into Nikon and getting your lenses calibrated with your body. I realise this is on top of the initial price of the gear but if it's still under warranty, I think it should be free.
elbeasto wrote:
I just returned my second Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, the first one needed +20 and the second needed +15. The second one was blindingly sharp at +15 and I'm kind of sorry to see it go. That said, I would rather return it, get my body (D700) and 50 1.8G calibrated at Nikon so I'm armed with the knowledge that there's nothing wrong with my AF system before I go in for another attempt with the 24-70.
"calibration" is for both your D700 & 50/1.8g, you definitely cannot be sure "I'm armed with the knowledge that there's nothing wrong with my AF system". Why? If you 50/1.8g needs +15, and your D700 was "calibrated" -15 to compensate it. Then on every perfect lens, your D700 will have to be fine tuned +15.
If your D700 has problems with TWO 24-70s, most likely your D700 is at fault, not 24-70s. I somehow agree with the sales person.
When you send a body in they calibrate the AF sensor to the main imaging sensor, which is entirely different that AF adjusting a lens. It's a quick and accurate adjustment for them the vast majority of the time and almost certainly worth the trip when all (or most) of your lenses are requiring AF microadjustment of a large amount in the same direction.
NathanHamler wrote:
To the original poster, how does the lens perform shooting ACTUAL subjects, at ACTUAL distances?? You dont shoot everything at 2ft distances do you??
I stopped shooting rulers and test charts a long time ago, when i realized it was pointless...
Over the weekend I shot a bunch of portraits using the D800 + Nikon 1.4G. I thought all of my shots were really soft looking, I've been shooting with a Canon 5D2 + 85L for years, and those Canon results just absolutely embarrass this Nikon combo. So I thought that something might be wrong with the gear.
So yes, this Nikon kit sucks at both people, and rulers.
CMOS wrote:
So yes, this Nikon kit sucks at both people, and rulers.
HA! well i guess that since you said EVERY lens was off by the same amount, then prob best to send it in....i know the only lens i have that is TERRIBLY off is my tokina 11-16 2.8...it needs -20 only on my d7000....all my other lenses are fine on both the D7000 and D300...including the 11-16 on the d300.....since it's really random with my kit, i dont bother sending anything in...
CMOS wrote:
Over the weekend I shot a bunch of portraits using the D800 + Nikon 1.4G. I thought all of my shots were really soft looking, I've been shooting with a Canon 5D2 + 85L for years, and those Canon results just absolutely embarrass this Nikon combo. So I thought that something might be wrong with the gear.
So yes, this Nikon kit sucks at both people, and rulers.
The wrath of Canon is upon you.... Just kidding, just kidding. Seriously, I really hate seeing something like that at any brand. I hope you get a replacement that performs better soon .
. Just kidding, just kidding. Seriously, I really hate seeing something like that at any brand. I hope you get a replacement that performs better soon 
.