snapsy wrote:
All we know is what NPS told Ming Thein (the original evaluator who discovered the problem), which is that Nikon has developed and deployed a software+hardware calibration mechanism to correct the Left AF issue for owners sending their cameras in. There has been no official statement directly from Nikon on this issue in any regard.
James R wrote:
Does anybody know for certain that Nikon is not working on a fix? I read somewhere that they were working on a firmware fix, but, that is most likely just speculation.
My D800E is sharp left, center, and right; however, the front/back focus varies from left to right. I'm not finding this troubling enough to either return or have Nikon fix the camera.
I'd be extremely surprised if they aren't well along the line. But these kinds of things can be a little tricky - sometimes fiddling with one piece of code interferes with something else. Lots of testing...
snapsy wrote:
All we know is what NPS told Ming Thein (the original evaluator who discovered the problem), which is that Nikon has developed and deployed a software+hardware calibration mechanism to correct the Left AF issue for owners sending their cameras in. There has been no official statement directly from Nikon on this issue in any regard.
That's the problem... if they can admit to some that there is a problem, AND have a proper solution to fix it, why not openly admit it? OK, even if you want to keep it hush-hush, why make people who have the defected cameras jump through hoops? Why make it difficult for loyal customers (people who keep your business alive) to fix a known issue? Nikon is just making it harder and harder for us to trust them, and I hate that. I always loved their products, and I want to love them as a company - but I don't. At least not any more.
I still have my D800E... I just bought it. I use it. I have the left-AF issue. I want it fixed.
Ho1972 wrote:
I understand and share Thom's irritation with the Japanese culture of denial re mistakes (i.e., manufacturing defects). I experienced it firsthand with a well-known automobile manufacturer. Seems they just can't grasp the notion that stepping up to the plate and dealing with the issues is a much better strategy than claiming that no problems exist or, worse, blaming the user / customer.
I worked at both American and foreign car dealerships and saw that first hand. During the time I was working, the American companies would stand up and fix things that weren't even a problem because of public opinion. The foreign companies would deny and fail to act until the CPSC and DOT would make them recall cars. It wasn't always like that, but the American manufacturers probaby learned a lesson from early mistakes. Japanese companies need to understand that this is the era of the internet.News travels fast and public opinion can be an ugly thing if not managed well.
Then make sure you test the far left, center and far right focus points. Start the test in live view as suggested and compare with tests done through the viewfinder.
By now I suspect Nikon's top management knew the scope and scale of the AF inaccuracy issue in the first place . As the result, they issued some warning messages to fend off possible complaints. They perhaps believe if you can keep silence more than 12 months, the problem will largely go away because the warranty expires in 12 months worldwide for all their camera bodies, unless there will be some widespread class actions against Nikon.
mshi wrote:
By now I suspect Nikon's top management knew the scope and scale of the AF inaccuracy issue in the first place . As the result, they issued some warning messages to fend off possible complaints. They perhaps believe if you can keep silence more than 12 months, the problem will largely go away because the warranty expires in 12 months worldwide for all their camera bodies, unless there will be some widespread class actions against Nikon.
Most of EU has 24 months. So it wont just go away.. but I agree it makes a lot of sense to use this tactic. I guess its partly cause of their culture that doesnt look nicely on "fails".
Personally, I don't care if Nikon makes a public statement about the issue, ie comes clean on it. I understand that they have a cultural issue about those kinds of things and can respect that.
But, I do care that they're apparently still sending out defective bodies and they aren't paying the tab for shipment to the service center for those afflicted with the problem. When someone fills out a repair ticket on the issue, they should give the user the option to print a return label and pay for shipping. When someone else sends in a d800 or d4 for some other reason, they should automatically check the camera for the issue and fix it if it's found. Lastly, the issue should be a free fix forever, which covers the poor sap that buys a used camera that hasn't been fixed. That seems fair to me.
Steve Beck wrote:
HAHA i will rescind purchasing his products till he rescinds his rescind. haha j/k
I hate some people are having issues with the d800, i am positive nikon will make right for those affected. I was one of the poor saps caught in the Canon 1DMKIII fiasco sending two bodies back several times. That is why i am now a Nikonian.
My 1DMKIII made several trips to Jamesburg, but it took the 5DMKII with the same crappy focus system of the 5D that drove me to the Nikon camp.
Chestnut wrote:
Fails or not, I believe admitting to an issue is a win while denying and ignoring what's wrong is super fail.
Own up to it and deal with it. Ignoring the problem doesn't make the problem go away - it only compounds the problem.
+1
I think same. Reminded me very old issues that Minolta had with KM-7D. Due small part made in slightly different dimensions than it should been, some cams failed at first photo (it was simply black exposure), every photo after that was fine. Some of these cams died and didnt work at all, some worked with that issue even until today.
Tho what Minolta did was that they admitted this issue and every 7D could have this fixed free of charge. When Sony took over Minolta, they guranteed same free of charge fix until 2011. Kinda nice eh?
And Minolta was Japanese company too. So I guess its probably more about company than culture, I think I was wrong about this.
im an NPS member and i sent mine in and they indeed acknowledged the fact something is wrong, its classified as a B2 service issue. Major Parts replaced.
why confound the issue with a public statement that would kill sales and upset owners? The problem was contained, and no longer exists. And it was quickly fixed and contained. Someone forgot to tell Thom. Am impressed Ken Rockwell remained calm.
jamach wrote:
why confound the issue with a public statement that would kill sales and upset owners? The problem was contained, and no longer exists. And it was quickly fixed and contained.
Joe
I don't know why they make it this complicated. It will only damage the Nikon brand. They could either do a recall, if they know the serial numbers that are affected, or publish a test procedure and offer anybody (those who found a problem and those who don't want to do the procedure and just want Nikon to check the camera) a prepaid shipping label. It would eat up the D800 profit margin for the last couple months, but folks would be happy and the brand be strong.
OK buddy. You are the one posting that this issue has been taken care of, with no supporting documentation. If you mean that Nikon says to send it in for a fix, you clearly haven't been following the stories of cameras coming back the same, or worse, but not better. Is there newer info you can provide with a link?
haha j/k