As a new owner of a 200mm VR, I like to shoot and enjoy, instead of pixel-peep. But I noticed I didn't have a lot of keepers.
Part of it, can be a learning curve, but I wanted to find out if I had to finetune the AF on my D800 for this lens.
What I noticed is that there is a lot "shot-to-shot" variation. So I set up a testchart, put the 200 on a sturdy tripod.
First I took a shot using live view. As contrast detection is better than phase detection.
That shot turned out sharp.
After that I took several shots, each time I turned the focussing ring before focussing for the next shot. I took a shot when the green focussing light was on.
There was not a lot consistency.
Therefore I am not able to calibrate this lens...
(AF-S, 1/400, tripod)
Do you notice the same inconsistency with this lens?
As a new owner of a 200mm VR, I like to shoot and enjoy, instead of pixel-peep. But I noticed I didn't have a lot of keepers.
Part of it, can be a learning curve, but I wanted to find out if I had to finetune the AF on my D800 for this lens.
What I noticed is that there is a lot "shot-to-shot" variation. So I set up a testchart, put the 200 on a sturdy tripod.
First I took a shot using live view. As contrast detection is better than phase detection.
That shot turned out sharp.
After that I took several shots, each time I turned the focussing ring before focussing for the next shot. I took a shot when the green focussing light was on.
There was not a lot consistency.
Therefore I am not able to calibrate this lens...
Used it last weekend...Now that the weather is getting better in our part of the world, she should get a good work out. I've missed her during the winter months.
Ridiculous test if you ask me. Get outside and set up 3 staggered targets
~6 meters away. Shoot center point AF-S @f2 1/1000th and focus on the
middle one. Determine front/rear focusing. Adjust fine tune in increments
of 2 remembering to AF to infinity between shots. Rinse repeat. As for any
"misses" I see less than 1% with my 200 f2, regardless of body used.
@ trenchmonkey:
Thanks for your reply.
I disagree that the test is ridiculous. It proves that, when I focus on the same target, under the same conditions, I get different results.
I wanted to finetune, I did try to determine front/back focus, but the outcome varies too much. Thats why I tried to get consistent focus, but I did not succeed.
Whatever, never shot a test target indoors with crap light.
Shoot it where you'll use it, unless of course...you plan on
selling OOF test targets for a living.
@ trenchmonkey:
Thanks for your reply.
I disagree that the test is ridiculous. It proves that, when I focus on the same target, under the same conditions, I get different results.
I wanted to finetune, I did try to determine front/back focus, but the outcome varies too much. Thats why I tried to get consistent focus, but I did not succeed.
You may need to fine-tune your AF for your lens. It could be your D800 body. I have had the problem with my D800 body but not with my 200/2 VR lens, and it has always been spot on and required no fine-tune for different bodies that I have used.
Regarding the calibration method, I do agree with Will (trenchmonkey) that you should go outdoor and setup the targets as suggested to determine the amount of adjustment that you may need. Your setup may confuse your camera and add additional complication.
