D800E UP AF problem anyone?

D900E

They told me that the LT AF bug was fixed and that happened only in the first batch, so I got my D800E.
Indeed. Nikon did pretty well as on my tests the PDAF failed only one time out of 6 shots. However, and here comes the fun, now the Upper focus points don't work! One shot barely acceptable and 5 out of focus. So, Nikon didn't fix the problem but just moved it into another place.
Anyone tested the 3 UP focus points?
I would still be in time to return it to B&H but don't know if I want to do that as chances maybe that I get a camera that works even worse :-)

PB_PM

Never had any issues with the cross type focus points on my D800. I had the left focus issue though.

D900E

and what did you do to fix the LT focus, send it back to the store or to Nikon Service?

aquarian_light

I have a D800E
I only ever use the center focus point on d-9
Focus and recompose 4lyfe

PB_PM

and what did you do to fix the LT focus, send it back to the store or to Nikon Service?

Yes I had the camera serviced by Nikon. I bought the camera second hand, so no store to return it to.

TaoTeJared

Acronyms!!!!!!! WTH is PDAF? WTH is 4lyfe? What are you guys - former military?

Not every focus point is created equal and they do not perform equally. Center point is the fastest and most accurate, and works down to F8 (low light). The 11 point mode adds more AF points which I call secondary-primary. They are fast, very accurate but less so than the center point. I believe they top out at f5.6. All the rest of the points are supporting points and are not all that accurate if selected in the single point AF. Their real use it to fine tune the AF center and 10 secondary points.

John

Generally speaking the focus problems with the D800(E) have been fixed a long time ago (but defects are aways possible although rare).

If your top autofocus points always miss focus then you might want to do the following.
- Test with differen lenses
- Test the autofocus points vs live view autofocus
Al tests should be done on a tripod to minimise blur from user movement as well as moving closer/further away between focussing and shooting.
If you have that problem with different lenses and dont have the problem with live view then you might indeed have an issue with your camera body.
(But please use a good focus target and plenty of light as the edge sensors are less good then the central ones; check your manual for more info.)
If you indeed have an issue then you should contact Nikon and have the sensor recallibrated.
I know someone who had the D800 AF problem and Nikon fixed it for free.

Do note that what you describe is not the AF problem as it was reported and that I have never heared someone else have this issue. If you aren't doing something wrong then you have just had bad luck to receive a copy with a production issue or which was damaged during transport. In any case, Nikon should be able to analyse your problem and help to resolve it. It might be useful during the investigation if you send them your rew (nef) files of the tests that I mentioned above.

aquarian_light

4lyfe = for life
I was trying to be cool :P

PB_PM

Don't quit your day job... :P

John

I have a D800E
I only ever use the center focus point on d-9
Focus and recompose 4lyfe

Just a little tip:
Focus and recompose works wonderful in some situations such as landscape photography where you have lots of depth of field (DoF).
However, when you have very limited DoF (200mm lens at f2.8 with subjuct at 2m distance or 58mm lens at f1.4 with subject at 1m) the recomposing might cause a sufficient shift in sensor - subject distance to put the subject slightly out of focus.

D900E

Hi, the tests I have done were on a very solid tripod, lot of light, mirror up, ISO 100, shutter 1/500, lens 24 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.4 (haven't tried the 35 f/1.4 yet), full aperture, 120 and 425 cm from the target.
I repeated the test and no problems with LV (contrast detect) but still uncertainties with PDAF (phase detect). There is no consistency especially at the top: some shots are badly out of focus some are so so. Even at the center in one shot out of five the PDAF fails a bit with a slight out of focus, the other pictures are perfect.
I take it as that is the way it is, I will probably never use those lenses at full aperture, nor any focus point beside the center :-)

PB_PM

With my D800, liveview AF gets sharper shots no matter what AF point I use, even after Nikon worked on the AF. Contrast AF is known to be more consistent.

One thing I noticed with my D800 it that it will fire off shots even if the green dot is not on in AF-C. The setting in the menu don't seem to make any difference (I use focus priority setting). I really miss the trap focus of the previous generation bodies.

spraynpray

With my D800, liveview AF gets sharper shots no matter what AF point I use, even after Nikon worked on the AF. Contrast AF is known to be more consistent.

One thing I noticed with my D800 it that it will fire off shots even if the green dot is not on in AF-C. The setting in the menu don't seem to make any difference (I use focus priority setting). I really miss the trap focus of the previous generation bodies.

What did your local service centre say about your two points above - sharper shots in live view no matter what and releasing on pressing the shutter release when set to only release when focused? Those sound like faults to me - I wouldn't leave it alone until they fixed them.

TaoTeJared

Hi, the tests I have done were on a very solid tripod, lot of light, mirror up, ISO 100, shutter 1/500, lens 24 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.4 (haven't tried the 35 f/1.4 yet), full aperture, 120 and 425 cm from the target.
I repeated the test and no problems with LV (contrast detect) but still uncertainties with PDAF (phase detect). There is no consistency especially at the top: some shots are badly out of focus some are so so. Even at the center in one shot out of five the PDAF fails a bit with a slight out of focus, the other pictures are perfect.
I take it as that is the way it is, I will probably never use those lenses at full aperture, nor any focus point beside the center :-)

"full aperture" = wide open = 1.4?
Testing subject against a wall or a 3d object?
Phase detect stinks - misses focus constantly - I never use it - never liked it. My personal take on it.

Those lenses (85mm less so) actually fall off in sharpness from the center quite quickly at 1.4. The 24mm actually has a bit of a curvature sharpness field to it. A better test would be at f2. You might make sure to be on the 11-point focusing "AF-S" as well. Other than that, your setup sounds about as good as you can get.

If you want to post some images maybe we can tell. You may have just got the one of the 1% QC miss rate camera's. It happens

PB_PM

With my D800, liveview AF gets sharper shots no matter what AF point I use, even after Nikon worked on the AF. Contrast AF is known to be more consistent.

One thing I noticed with my D800 it that it will fire off shots even if the green dot is not on in AF-C. The setting in the menu don't seem to make any difference (I use focus priority setting). I really miss the trap focus of the previous generation bodies.

What did your local service centre say about your two points above - sharper shots in live view no matter what and releasing on pressing the shutter release when set to only release when focused? Those sound like faults to me - I wouldn't leave it alone until they fixed them.

From what I've read, the AF-C issue is normal for the newer Nikon bodies, they just simply ignore focus priority.

As for the AF points, I'm not saying they are way off. I'm talking off by a mm or two compared to contrast AF. Contrast AF is always tack sharp, while phase detect is off just a tiny bit. If I wanted to I'm sure I could mess around with focus fine tune to fix it.

TaoTeJared

With my D800, liveview AF gets sharper shots no matter what AF point I use, even after Nikon worked on the AF. Contrast AF is known to be more consistent.

One thing I noticed with my D800 it that it will fire off shots even if the green dot is not on in AF-C. The setting in the menu don't seem to make any difference (I use focus priority setting). I really miss the trap focus of the previous generation bodies.

...
From what I've read, the AF-C issue is normal for the newer Nikon bodies, they just simply ignore focus priority.

I have seen this as well - I play with it, can't get stuff to repeat - set it down. See it again, play with it again, and then never figure it out. It is different than my D300. It's the delay that always frustrates me.

Have you noticed anything where having the AF focus assist on or off?

Msmoto

Let's keep this thing on simply our opinions and not so much cross talk, please.

PB_PM

With my D800, liveview AF gets sharper shots no matter what AF point I use, even after Nikon worked on the AF. Contrast AF is known to be more consistent.

One thing I noticed with my D800 it that it will fire off shots even if the green dot is not on in AF-C. The setting in the menu don't seem to make any difference (I use focus priority setting). I really miss the trap focus of the previous generation bodies.

...
From what I've read, the AF-C issue is normal for the newer Nikon bodies, they just simply ignore focus priority.

I have seen this as well - I play with it, can't get stuff to repeat - set it down. See it again, play with it again, and then never figure it out. It is different than my D300. It's the delay that always frustrates me.

Have you noticed anything where having the AF focus assist on or off?

I always have the AF assist beam off, unless I have a flash mounted, so I have limited experience with that.

adamz

@TTJ, @Ade - The LT AF problem on D800 has been explained here at NRF many times, so please don't bring it up once again. The problem is the misalignment of the AF module

@TTJ - the AF assist will work only with the center point not with the side ones.

@D900E - IIWY, I wouldn't send the camera back. Just send it to Nikon for repair. Once you get the camera back you should be more than happy with the results.

PS: I've cleared the topic a little bit