Viewfinder out of focus?

tcole1983

Well this might sound silly but I shot a wedding yesterday with my new d5200 and no matter how I adjust the diopter it doesn't make the images clear in the viewfinder. At first I thought maybe it was me because the images that are coming out of the camera look fine, but I was using my d5000 along with my d5200 and it was clearly night and day between the two. Any idea what it could be? I think it is still under the 90 day refurbished warranty so I can send it in if necessary.

tcole1983

Will add I only used the camera yesterday because in prior use there didn't seem to be any issues outside of the viewfinder. I didn't have time to send it in and risk not getting it back in time.

Photobug

I had some out of focus pictures and thought the AF system in the camera or the lens was not focusing property so I sent both back to the Nikon Service Center. The camera was in warranty and the lens was not. Turns out the mirror in the D7100 needed adjustment and there were multiple issues with the lens.

It could be that the mirror is out of alignment like mine was. My suggestion send it back for examination. If you only bought the body they probably will only work on the body but if you got a lens with that body be sure to send both.

Pistnbroke

Stand about 6 ft from a door frame and focus using auto focus on its edge ( contrasty) then whilst looking through adjust the diopter adjuster.. if you get to one end and its not in focus then it may not have enough range for you.The range of adjustment varies from camera to camera. If you find its good make a mark with tippex (white paint) so if it gets knocked you can re set it.

In the old days I would take a pair of glasses and cut a square out the centre (its only plastic) and put that in the viewfinder but them Hassleblads were not adjustable

spraynpray

If the camera was OK before, and it hasn't taken a significant knock, it's hard to say what this could be but just a thought - have you cleaned the viewfinder glass/eye-piece?

tcole1983

It wasn't ever ok really. I thought maybe I was imagining it but then during the wedding it became very obvious it wasn't right when switching between my d5000. I don't use any correction....ie no glasses so on my d5000 it is at 0 or low as it will go.

I will try the doorframe. I tried just things around the room last night and couldn't ever get it sharp. It was funny because the viewfinder was sharp on my d5000 but the back screen stinks and then the viewfinder was blurry on the d5200 but the screen looks so much better.

tcole1983

The camera autofocus is spot on though. The wedding photographs from what I can tell so far are all spot on. Sounds like it might be a mirror problem.

haroldp

or focusing screen

kenadams

Uhm, if it was a mirror problem, wouldn't the autofocus be affected as well since that measures off the mirror reflection?

tcole1983

Could be an issue with the diopter/viewfinder at the eye piece. I am not totally sure how everything works but the pictures that it is producing look just fine. I am going to send it in under warranty.

PB_PM

Uhm, if it was a mirror problem, wouldn't the autofocus be affected as well since that measures off the mirror reflection?

There is a separate sub-mirror at the bottom of the mirror box that is used by the auto focus system, but yes I think you are correct. Sounds like the focusing screen is out of alignment to me.

Pistnbroke

sub mirror at the bottom of the mirror box?? never seen that are you sure ??? The auto focus bits are above hte screen in the prisim area ..???...Its not clear if the OP wears glasses (I do but not when shooting) but it sounds like the adjuster is hard at one end of its range ....

tcole1983

@pistnbroke...see 6th post in thread by me above. No glasses. I tried some different focusing tests and it seemed better. So not sure what the deal is. I have wedding pictures to get edited and sent out, but after that I plan to do some more testing. I still have ~50 days or so to get it into Nikon.

tcole1983

Sending out Monday to Nikon.

Pistnbroke

If it comes back and you still cannot get it right ..ie adjuster at one end of the scale ..try some cheap reading glasses at what we call a pound shop ( everyting is £1) and when you have a pair that lets you have a clear view cut a square out the centre of the lens ( hacksaw) and push it in the viewfinder eyepiece or otherwise fix it in place

You can spend money with nikon if you want !!!

tcole1983

@pistnbroke...it is under warranty at this point so hopefully they can fix whatever is wrong. If not I will have to try something else...possibly that. I do think they make some of the other diopters for the camera, but I haven't looked to see how much they are. Looks like they are only $16...however I don't wear glasses and the neutral 0 correction piece on the camera should be working just fine and isn't.

tcole1983

Camera came back today. Notes say:
Repaired mirror angle and prism box
Firmware upgrade
Adjust auto focus operation
Adjust AE operation
General check and clean
Clean sensor

Haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

Photobug

Not surprised that they adjusted the mirror angle and AF operation. They did the same on my D7100 when I sent it back under warranty and complained about soft focus.