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Nikon D300 + Nikon 18-200mm VR focusing issue? Help please.
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This is going to be fun for you (if you have a masochist sense of humor). I've been avoiding it with a couple of my lenses, but sooner or later I'm going to have to take the plunge.
From my limited knowledge, you have a problem known as Back Focusing; where the lens/camera actually focuses behind where you would expect it to. Sometimes a lens/camera can have a Front Focusing problem. There are adjustments you can make on the D300 that will correct the problem.
Do some searches on back focusing, focus fine tuning, focus calibration here on Flickr and Nikonians.org for a myriad of discussions and advice on how to fix it and why lots of experts disagree with lots of other experts on the best ways to identify and correct the problem.
I think the adjustments are made with Auto focus fine tuning (Page 327); you might just try shotgunning it.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Here's a link to focus problems I found and how to correct them.
It's a start anyway.
focustestchart.com/chart.html
Posted 52 months ago.
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Not to worry...this is a common problem with the 18-200mm lens...the good news is..you can fix it within the camera, which has the ability to fix back focusing issues like this one..remember, if you are going to adjust, do the tests that are provided on this page; don't just use a standard number. Every lens is a bit different.
This problem should be most obvious wide open. If it's a problem at f/8 or that range, than send the lens back to Nikon to get calibrated. As it says in the manual, you should only use the adjustments if you really need it. However, looking at your text example, it doesn't seem to be that far off; some softening is expected at 200MM.
Also, most importantly, remember that your focus points on the d300 (or any camera) are not necessarily symmetrical or lined up precisely with what's on your viewfinder. They often times extend beyond that, which, with those closely lined items in the first photo, might have cause the focus area to lock on the object behind it.
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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TomNappoPhotography edited this topic 52 months ago.
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Yes, you need to fine tune the AF on this lens/camera combo. The first step is you need a focus chart and instructions on how to use it. Her is alink to the best chart I have found.
regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart/
Posted 52 months ago.
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Mahoney60, Thanks for the focus page.
I must be lucky because my focus is absolutely spot on. Could be a touch front focus but really hard to tell.
I love this frigg'n camera. I just need to improve the artistic ability of the photographer.
Posted 52 months ago.
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Hi again.
I'd like to thank DLMorris, fshane1, TominRealLife and b.mahoney60 for your brilliant links and great advice.
I've taken about 50 or so test shots and my D300 + 18-200mm is performing so much better now. I've settled on a AF Fine Tune value of -4 for a decent compromise for clear photos for the entire range. I'm sure there may be a bit of fine tuning but I'm so much happier now that there's a fix.
Thank you all for your super fast response. I hope to be able to post some better/clearer photos on here now. :o)
Posted 52 months ago.
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Hi there,i got a problem here.my nikon d300 focusing has no sound,and the small focusing light has not working????
Posted 15 months ago.
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Sounds like the focus-lock beep and the AF-assist light are disabled.
Check your manual for directions re activating them.
Posted 15 months ago.
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james
Or Focusing Mode Selector set to M [ item 14 page 4 in the Manual]
if your camera/lens is Autofocusing this won't apply of course
Small Focusing Light? do you mean the AF assist Illuminator
[ item 1 page 5] or the Focus Indicator in the Viewfinder [ item 5 page 10] ?
Posted 15 months ago.
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the AF assist light doesn't function in Continuous focus mode, nor does it function when using the outer AF points...
If it is enabled in the menu (as suggested by mausgabe), and you are in Single focus mode using the centre AF point, it should work...
Posted 15 months ago.
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