Can anyone comment on the AF performance of the Df?
I ask, because I just throw my two D600 in the corner - yes, angry.
After having some AF inconsistency in the past with the D600 I tried to give it another shot. I tested at home, I calibrated the AF to be spot on at different distances.
But as I culled a wedding from the weekend two weeks ago, I saw that most of my church ceremony images were slightly out of focus, back-focus about 10 cm. (Not moving subjects)In normal light the focus was spot on. Damn!
After I read a bit on the internet I found that back-focus with the D600 in warm light is known. I sent the cameras to Nikon, they checked it and said "The AF is perfectly calibrated - as good as it gets" Pity, that is not good enough.
I hope for another solution then buying a Nikon flagship camera (heavy and expensive).
The Df is known to have the same AF module as the D600: So owners, what is your experienc?
My cross type points are bang on the money. My outer points I'm struggling with. Take my statements with a grain of salt as I'm used to D700's and D300's, it may just be growing pains of a new body. The outer points seem "fat" in a sense. They seem to jump to the high contrast area automatically, even when in single point AF. This really becomes obvious at greater distances, but at the same time it's being obscured by the greater DOF coming into play.
The other night I was sitting in my chair screwing around with the camera. There were two shiny silver anniversary balloons hanging near the kitchen, fairly well lit, and good contrast on them with the writing. The AF tried going to the balloons and then said "Oh hey, look at that dark counter behind them against the light wall!!! Let's focus on it!!" The counter was two feet behind the balloons. When I switched to one of the central AF points it was bang on every time.
The first DF I tried was an open box return. Its AF was obviously hosed. Crap happens; no harm no foul. I'm nearing 1k shots on my DF after a week and I'm still learning/adapting to what the AF likes and doesn't like. Until I get more accustomed to its quirks, I'm not writing off the AF as subpar.
Edit - I'd like to add that my D700 damn near has telepathy with me when it comes to AF and that's what I'm comparing the DF to. The DF's AF is by no means poor, there just seems to be a bit of growing pains.
i've had no trouble with the center point. i'm coming from a d7000 that i think has the same autofocus system, but the DF works better for some reason.
the outer points suck in low light, but i'm not sure if that's specific to the DF or not
Jason_Brook wrote:
The first DF I tried favored heavy back focusing, but at times would front focus really bad. It was inconsistent. It was also on any AF point.
Maybe you're dealing with the same fault?
Maybe, just annoying Nikon says everything is fine!
It happens with both of my D600, but never with one of my D700 (different AF module)
To OP: if you don't like the AF on the D600, the DF does NOT make it any better. Yes I have used them all. I can make do with DF's AF, but obviously it's not the best Nikon has to offer on the market.
c4change wrote:
To OP: if you don't like the AF on the D600, the DF does NOT make it any better. Yes I have used them all. I can make do with DF's AF, but obviously it's not the best Nikon has to offer on the market.
I was afraid someone would say that. You are probably very right.
I dont know how many clicks I have on the DF but its way up there. I am not having any issues other than self created ones. I shoot all types of events including fast moving sports with it. My initial impressions were here http://fotoset.zenfolio.com/blog/2014/2/nikon-df---no-regrets if you care to read.
I am usually in AF-C and focus on shutter release for best results. Be sure its not a shutter speed issue/blur vs. missed focus issue. Something that can present itself shooting in low light situations.
What was the aperture and lens used? It might be my eyes today, but I'm having a hard time finding the point of focus. Luckily, this type of shot doesn't need critical focus to still be successful, though it is a tad too warm on my monitor.
c4change wrote:
To OP: if you don't like the AF on the D600, the DF does NOT make it any better. Yes I have used them all. I can make do with DF's AF, but obviously it's not the best Nikon has to offer on the market.
agree..... my D800 has way better AF than the Df... do I let this spoil my fun? hell no.
What was the aperture and lens used? It might be my eyes today, but I'm having a hard time finding the point of focus. Luckily, this type of shot doesn't need critical focus to still be successful, though it is a tad too warm on my monitor.
50 mm 1.4 D (like the old small lenses, use it for free-lensing, too) at 1.4
I agree with the warm skin-tones. As you see, the back is very blue. In the wideangle shots the blue background takes a lot more of the image. This is the compromise I choosed for the overall set.
