Back focus test

Chris Lim · 28th October 2006

Hi guys, just wondering, is there a good way to test for back focus on d200? I'm kinda experiencing some problems. When i focus on the eyes in afs mode, the focus seems to shift back to somewhere ard the ears. But this is inconsistently happening. Anyone can help me diagnose the problem?

lsisaxon · 28th October 2006

Originally Posted by Chris Lim

Hi guys, just wondering, is there a good way to test for back focus on d200? I'm kinda experiencing some problems. When i focus on the eyes in afs mode, the focus seems to shift back to somewhere ard the ears. But this is inconsistently happening. Anyone can help me diagnose the problem?

Use a ruler and shoot it at 45 degree angle. Say, if you focus at the 10cm mark, then see where it is sharpest marking on the ruler in the image.

SilentWave · 30th October 2006

Yeah. Just shoot a ruler at 45 degrees angle. Make sure you mount your camera on a tripod to eliminate softness caused by hand shakes, use the spot focus mode and a large aperture (f1.8 or f1.4 would be ideal). Don't forget to note which marking on the ruler you aim the active focus sensor at.

I'm quite intrigued about this misfocus/shifting-focus phenomenon too. My D200 exhibited slight focus shift. It was inconsistent. I always use spot AF mode and even made sure I was focusing on the right spot since I noticed the problem for the first time. Somehow though, occassionally the focus still shifted. I finally took in my camera to Nikon for AF calibration. There was an improvement in autofocus accuracy after that, so you might want to take your D200 to NSC.

Strangely, this problem has never happened in the 11 years or so I've used my film cameras. A friend of mine who has been using Canon for many years said he experiences the same thing too, so it is not exclusive to Nikon or the D200.

jumbocrab · 30th October 2006

Another way is to put 5 batteries on a foolscap paper, lining them side-by-side, but progressively slightly further (guided by the lines on the paper). Focus on the middle battery and take a picture. Check and see if the middle battery is the one most in-focus.

princej · 30th October 2006

Originally Posted by SilentWave

Yeah. Just shoot a ruler at 45 degrees angle. Make sure you mount your camera on a tripod to eliminate softness caused by hand shakes, use the spot focus mode and a large aperture (f1.8 or f1.4 would be ideal). Don't forget to note which marking on the ruler you aim the active focus sensor at.

I'm quite intrigued about this misfocus/shifting-focus phenomenon too. My D200 exhibited slight focus shift. It was inconsistent. I always use spot AF mode and even made sure I was focusing on the right spot since I noticed the problem for the first time. Somehow though, occassionally the focus still shifted. I finally took in my camera to Nikon for AF calibration. There was an improvement in autofocus accuracy after that, so you might want to take your D200 to NSC.

Strangely, this problem has never happened in the 11 years or so I've used my film cameras. A friend of mine who has been using Canon for many years said he experiences the same thing too, so it is not exclusive to Nikon or the D200.

Thanks for the info.

Will definitely try this out because mine too(D200), intermittently, exhibit this phenomena.

Cheers.

Tualatin · 31st October 2006

Just to check, are inconsistent misfocus issues commonly occurring in D200 models? My set is exhibiting this undesirable phenomenon as well. Looks like got to send it to NSC for check.

lsisaxon · 1st November 2006

Originally Posted by Tualatin

Just to check, are inconsistent misfocus issues commonly occurring in D200 models? My set is exhibiting this undesirable phenomenon as well. Looks like got to send it to NSC for check.

I am not too sure but it seems that he new firmware seems to correct this a little bit.

Tualatin · 1st November 2006

Originally Posted by lsisaxon

I am not too sure but it seems that he new firmware seems to correct this a little bit.

Thanks for the reply. The misfocus is still quite erratic, especially in mixed lighting conditions and happens more often than not, unfortunately. It's not so bad under outdoor daylight conditions, although there are occasions whereby the focus went off. Now getting accurate focus is more like a lottery. Strangely I never get to experience this behaviour using the D100 or D2x.

lsisaxon · 1st November 2006

Originally Posted by Tualatin

Thanks for the reply. The misfocus is still quite erratic, especially in mixed lighting conditions and happens more often than not, unfortunately. It's not so bad under outdoor daylight conditions, although there are occasions whereby the focus went off. Now getting accurate focus is more like a lottery. Strangely I never get to experience this behaviour using the D100 or D2x.

Yes, I never get this with D70s also, or maybe it did but it seems to be les picky on the subject you focus on. It seems like the D200 requires a more distinct subject to focus on before it locks.

Tualatin · 2nd November 2006

Originally Posted by lsisaxon

Yes, I never get this with D70s also, or maybe it did but it seems to be les picky on the subject you focus on. It seems like the D200 requires a more distinct subject to focus on before it locks.

Strange indeed. I have sent my set to NSC for check, hopefully will resolve the issue.

princej · 2nd November 2006

Originally Posted by lsisaxon

I am not too sure but it seems that he new firmware seems to correct this a little bit.

Yes, it 'seems' like the new firmware helps but I am keeping my eyes peeled for the mis-focus issue.

lsisaxon · 2nd November 2006

Originally Posted by princej

Yes, it 'seems' like the new firmware helps but I am keeping my eyes peeled for the mis-focus issue.

OK, so since you felt it too, then I'm not hallucinating.

grumpy · 2nd November 2006

My colleague had the same problem. Send to NSC to let them check and settle it since it is still under warranty. 7 to 10 days.

Robin · 4th November 2006

got this problem with the d200 too..... especially in mixed lighting conditions.....tend to have this problem with spot focus....switched to dynamic focus......improved slightly......but outdoor conditions its pretty much ok......looks like a trip to NSC too.......

Robin · 4th November 2006

whats the latest firmware for d200 btw.....? can we do the update ourselves......?

lsisaxon · 4th November 2006

Originally Posted by Robin

whats the latest firmware for d200 btw.....? can we do the update ourselves......?

Windows - http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/cgi...p?p_faqid=5049
Mac - http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/cgi...p?p_faqid=5050

Robin · 6th November 2006

Originally Posted by lsisaxon

Windows - http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/cgi...p?p_faqid=5049
Mac - http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/cgi...p?p_faqid=5050

Thanks.......

Chris Lim · 6th November 2006

Will the upgrade change anything???

zac08 · 6th November 2006

Originally Posted by Chris Lim

Will the upgrade change anything???

Added functionability....

Never noticed any added advantage in terms of AF speed or anything else though...

28th October 2006	#1
Chris Lim Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,021	Back focus test Hi guys, just wondering, is there a good way to test for back focus on d200? I'm kinda experiencing some problems. When i focus on the eyes in afs mode, the focus seems to shift back to somewhere ard the ears. But this is inconsistently happening. Anyone can help me diagnose the problem? __________________ email: Chris@CoffeestainsPhotography.com Website: CoffeestainsPhotography

30th October 2006	#3
SilentWave Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 257	Re: Back focus test Yeah. Just shoot a ruler at 45 degrees angle. Make sure you mount your camera on a tripod to eliminate softness caused by hand shakes, use the spot focus mode and a large aperture (f1.8 or f1.4 would be ideal). Don't forget to note which marking on the ruler you aim the active focus sensor at. I'm quite intrigued about this misfocus/shifting-focus phenomenon too. My D200 exhibited slight focus shift. It was inconsistent. I always use spot AF mode and even made sure I was focusing on the right spot since I noticed the problem for the first time. Somehow though, occassionally the focus still shifted. I finally took in my camera to Nikon for AF calibration. There was an improvement in autofocus accuracy after that, so you might want to take your D200 to NSC. Strangely, this problem has never happened in the 11 years or so I've used my film cameras. A friend of mine who has been using Canon for many years said he experiences the same thing too, so it is not exclusive to Nikon or the D200. Last edited by SilentWave; 30th October 2006 at 04:19 AM.

30th October 2006	#4
jumbocrab Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 410	Re: Back focus test Another way is to put 5 batteries on a foolscap paper, lining them side-by-side, but progressively slightly further (guided by the lines on the paper). Focus on the middle battery and take a picture. Check and see if the middle battery is the one most in-focus.

31st October 2006	#6
Tualatin Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bukit Panjang Posts: 381	Re: Back focus test Just to check, are inconsistent misfocus issues commonly occurring in D200 models? My set is exhibiting this undesirable phenomenon as well. Looks like got to send it to NSC for check.

2nd November 2006	#13
grumpy Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,506	Re: Back focus test My colleague had the same problem. Send to NSC to let them check and settle it since it is still under warranty. 7 to 10 days.

4th November 2006	#14
Robin Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tanah Merah Posts: 646	Re: Back focus test got this problem with the d200 too..... especially in mixed lighting conditions.....tend to have this problem with spot focus....switched to dynamic focus......improved slightly......but outdoor conditions its pretty much ok......looks like a trip to NSC too.......

4th November 2006	#15
Robin Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tanah Merah Posts: 646	Re: Back focus test whats the latest firmware for d200 btw.....? can we do the update ourselves......?

6th November 2006	#18
Chris Lim Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,021	Re: Back focus test Will the upgrade change anything??? __________________ email: Chris@CoffeestainsPhotography.com Website: CoffeestainsPhotography