Weird Focusing issue

trolleytrolley Posts: 206Member
So I bought a Kood slimline clear filter to protect the front element of my 500 f5.6PF.
I had some issues with getting the lens to focus sharply, but Tom Hogan's method using auto fine tune was great.
I was still not convinced that the focus was sharp, but the weather's been really crap here recently & not good light. On Sunday I took some pictures of a Little Egret on a canal & even as I pressed & held the back focus button, I could see in the viewfinder of my D850 that it was way off focus. So I took the filter off & reshot from the same position. Lo & behold it was fine! Distance was about 30-40m
Why would a clear filter affect the ability to focus?
And in case you want to know, yes it was fitted correctly & screwed right in.
And no, it wasn't fitted when I did the AF fine-tune.
Anything to do with the PF element?

Comments

  • MrFotoFoolMrFotoFool Posts: 353Member
    I have had a B+W F-Pro clear filter on my 500PF since day one with absolutely zero focus issues. I have never heard of Kood until now. I assume this is an inexpensive brand, so maybe there is something in it that doesn't play well with the PF design? I am only speculating, but if I had to guess I would say that something (either slightly distorted filter material or lack of superior coatings) causes an issue with a PF lens that would likely not be an issue in a conventional lens. The reason I bought B+W is I figured there is no point skimping on the filter for a lens that cost me four thousand dollars (by the time tax was added).
  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,443Member
    I always found UV filters deteriorated the image ..maybe its a fake?
  • trolleytrolley Posts: 206Member
    @Pistnbroke I don't see it as image deterioration - just out of focus. But the camera is convinced it's in focus
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    trolley said:

    @Pistnbroke I don't see it as image deterioration - just out of focus. But the camera is convinced it's in focus

    In focus or in best available focus?
    Always learning.
  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,443Member
    Send it back ..dont waste your time just use a deep lens hood.
  • trolleytrolley Posts: 206Member

    trolley said:

    @Pistnbroke I don't see it as image deterioration - just out of focus. But the camera is convinced it's in focus

    In focus or in best available focus?
    I don't know - I haven't asked it :)
  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,443Member
    Its not weird at all its just a bad filter ..even a good one will deteriorate the image just send it back and relax ..chill ..thats life
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    trolley said:

    trolley said:

    @Pistnbroke I don't see it as image deterioration - just out of focus. But the camera is convinced it's in focus

    In focus or in best available focus?
    I don't know - I haven't asked it :)
    So if you zoom in on the back of the camera and focus it manually, can you get it focussed?
    Always learning.
  • trolleytrolley Posts: 206Member
    @spraynpray - no.
    I tried it over the weekend (still lousy light), and when I look at the images at 100% on ViewNX they still look 'unclear'. Maybe rather than a focussing problem, the filter softens the image?
    Also, the lens seems to hunt with the filter in place - it focuses when I hit the AF-button, then jumps off & then back on again
  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,443Member
    edited January 2022
    I would have thought you would have smashed it to bits by now or sent it back. Its alwasys been my experience that they degrade the image on close examination.
    Post edited by Pistnbroke on
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    trolley said:

    @spraynpray - no.
    I tried it over the weekend (still lousy light), and when I look at the images at 100% on ViewNX they still look 'unclear'. Maybe rather than a focussing problem, the filter softens the image?
    Also, the lens seems to hunt with the filter in place - it focuses when I hit the AF-button, then jumps off & then back on again

    Must be a bad copy. Bin it.
    Always learning.
  • PistnbrokePistnbroke Posts: 2,443Member
    Its nice to see that the moderator and myself are in tune ...long may it continue ..ha ha
  • PaliswePaliswe Posts: 2Member
    edited January 2022
    What about focus when you take the filter off? Are you satisfied with the speed? Hunting? No "unclear" picture?
    Once I had a D7000 with a 24-200mm with a clear filter. It focused in front of the object. I had the camera and lens controlled by Nikon but they found no fault. I removed the filter and the problem disappeared. From that day I have never had any filter on my lenses.
    The front glass on Nikon lenses are extremely durable. Have never had any issue with not "protecting" the lens other than using the lens hood.
    Post edited by Paliswe on
  • trolleytrolley Posts: 206Member
    Everything's fine without the filter. I just traded a lens in & the front element had a lot of fine scratches - which reduced the value a bit. So I thought I'd try & protect this one and make a bit more if/when I sell it
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    Sounds like your cleaning routine could be the problem. My philosophy is every time I clean the lens I reduce its quality so exercise extreme care and gentleness. Start with blowing then using a clean cloth flick gently , blow again and then use a little lens cleaning solution from a pump finally another clean, dry cloth. I discard the cloths and don't re-use them.
    Always learning.
  • trolleytrolley Posts: 206Member
    A few weeks ago I was in a hide with windows when a Marsh Harrier drifted across in front of me. Try as I might I couldn't get anything in focus properly (AF).
    And on a birding holiday recently I found a similar thing when trying to shoot AF through a car windscreen.
    It seems that my 500PF doesn't like anything in front of it!
  • PaliswePaliswe Posts: 2Member
    edited July 2022
    {deleted}
    Post edited by Paliswe on
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