Wanted and almost paid for a D800...

[Leong KM]

last Saturday at an authorized shop in Funan, but after further testing of the center, left and right focus points with their 50mm f/1.8 lens, I held back, even though I really like to get it. Note: test only done handheld.

I may not be doing proper test on the spot, but I tested few shots at the max aperture f1.8. Centre focus is good (spot on and sharp). But left is out of focus a bit (soft and not sharp) while right is even more out. 

To what I gather so far, the left focus issue should be in the past, and believe that new stock with serial number 803xxx and onwards should be issue free, at least..

I didn't check the FW ver though on the spot but I would think the latest firmware should have been loaded when new. This stock was reportedly brought in 3 days ago into the shop.

This shop is popular and good, so no doubt for that. In fact, I like the way they handle customer.

Is it lens with focal length of 50mm and below will have the left and right focus issues? Because I tested another D800 with a 85mm f/1.8G and 50mm f/1.8G (my friend's) on a following day. Handheld also. Results are that left, right and center focus are good with 85mm, while 50mm yielded the same result of left and right not sharp issue, hence I suspect 85mm and above should work fine with D800.

Please note again that my testing may not be 'professionally' or probably done, it may be due to user error also...

Would like to hear from D800 users or anyone that has experience in this camera to shed some lights before buying it.

Thanks

 

[brandonkbk]

Heard online that the way to test is to use a wide angle lens like 24mm. I tried mine, have left af issue, right and center is spot on, but the left is obviously off focus. In the end, send down to Nikon service center and they managed to fixed the issue within 5 working days. So I say, not to be too concerned over it.

 

[neoro]

The D800/E lcd isn't sufficiently sharp enough at 100% to tell you if you have nailed the focus or now, and further more at 50mm you have a pretty thin depth of field to determine focus.
Couple that with the shooting environment you're in, its not an easy feat.

The left focus issue is a known issue and not fixed in production. Some get it perfect from day 1 , some dont. Nikon has addressed this with a service at all Nikon Service Centres globally.

I suggest you go ahead with the Purchase with an expectation for a trip back to Nikon SG to get the left focus fixed, else you will test this until crazy...

Here are some consideration -

Are you sure the lens and camera is perfectly aligned in the Centre focus point ?
Calibrating focus is another tough tasks

 

[Leong KM]

Heard online that the way to test is to use a wide angle lens like 24mm. I tried mine, have left af issue, right and center is spot on, but the left is obviously off focus. In the end, send down to Nikon service center and they managed to fixed the issue within 5 working days. So I say, not to be too concerned over it.

Good to know your one can be resolved by the service centre:thumbsup:
I think I also read somewhere that Nikon is able to fix the issue now, but also come across whereby there are cases not able to iron out the issue.. Think I have to be more confident in them.. Haha

The D800/E lcd isn't sufficiently sharp enough at 100% to tell you if you have nailed the focus or now, and further more at 50mm you have a pretty thin depth of field to determine focus.
Couple that with the shooting environment you're in, its not an easy feat.

The left focus issue is a known issue and not fixed in production. Some get it perfect from day 1 , some dont. Nikon has addressed this with a service at all Nikon Service Centres globally.

I suggest you go ahead with the Purchase with an expectation for a trip back to Nikon SG to get the left focus fixed, else you will test this until crazy...

Here are some consideration -

Are you sure the lens and camera is perfectly aligned in the Centre focus point ?
Calibrating focus is another tough tasks

As the testing is done on the spot so can only rely on the camera LCD but I can see the center focus point is really spot on. Oh forget to mention, my friend was also with me that day and we have the same assessment. Also about the target I chose for the test shots were same throughout.
As long as Nikon svc centre can fix the left & right focus issues (without affecting the already spot-on centre focus), I seriously don't mind to buy it

 

[Andrew Ng]

Its a amazing camera. Just buy and USe

---

it. Its meant to be used. Not technically scrutinised.

 

[ortega]

Its a amazing camera. Just buy and USe

---

it. Its meant to be used. Not technically scrutinised.

I 2nd the above

the IQ itself will make you want to reshoot everything

 

[Andrew Ng]

I 2nd the above

the IQ itself will make you want to reshoot everything

Can't afford this camera now.... ahhahhahaha.

 

[Luminare]

The D800 is a very capable camera while the left focus issue is known to be random and as far as I know, NSC will calibrate each focus point for you when you bring it to them

Yes, some people will complain about the D800 being a pro camera and it should not have such issues etc etc but guess what ....... even with all these complains, it had not stopped anyone from making monumental photos out of the D800.

I would say, see the product as a whole and not part of or and only if its flaw are vital and cannot be fixed that it becomes concerning. But this is not the case for the D800, the focus point can be calibrated and Nikon does it for free under warranty. NSC is moving closer to funan at Church street after the 10th of June (if I remember correctly). I dare say, if you like the D800, buy it, cross over to church street and have NSC fix it then start making monumental photos with it.

Shot with a D800 and 14-24 f/2.8G

last Saturday at an authorized shop in Funan, but after further testing of the center, left and right focus points with their 50mm f/1.8 lens, I held back, even though I really like to get it. Note: test only done handheld.

I may not be doing proper test on the spot, but I tested few shots at the max aperture f1.8. Centre focus is good (spot on and sharp). But left is out of focus a bit (soft and not sharp) while right is even more out. 

To what I gather so far, the left focus issue should be in the past, and believe that new stock with serial number 803xxx and onwards should be issue free, at least..

I didn't check the FW ver though on the spot but I would think the latest firmware should have been loaded when new. This stock was reportedly brought in 3 days ago into the shop.

This shop is popular and good, so no doubt for that. In fact, I like the way they handle customer.

Is it lens with focal length of 50mm and below will have the left and right focus issues? Because I tested another D800 with a 85mm f/1.8G and 50mm f/1.8G (my friend's) on a following day. Handheld also. Results are that left, right and center focus are good with 85mm, while 50mm yielded the same result of left and right not sharp issue, hence I suspect 85mm and above should work fine with D800.

Please note again that my testing may not be 'professionally' or probably done, it may be due to user error also...

Would like to hear from D800 users or anyone that has experience in this camera to shed some lights before buying it.

Thanks

 

[Peterleenc]

My experience with D800. When I brought it (consider first or 2nd batch) the centre focusing pt to some of lenses was off. So I sent to NSC and got it calibrated after a few days. But I only test both left and right focus issue after I read it on line. So my was off, so I sent in 2nd time to NSC and got it fixed the next day. When I purchase a sigma 35 f1.4 ( all my lenses biggest were F2.8) and I tested the left and right focus were off. Therefore I sent it to NSC the 3rd time and got it fixed after 2days.

 

[Leong KM]

There's no doubt about the IQ of this camera, that's why I'm planning to go for it
It's just that I do use left and right focus points at times so it can be a concern to me if Nikon unable to fix it..
But after hearing from you all, it's assuring to know Nikon Sin has the capability to do it and actual users are attesting to it. Cool!

 

[akuma]

Hi Leong,
may i know which shop allow testing and don't buy i wonder what they do to that piece of D800 after that.
Anyway, i heard similar thing as Brandon. It affects wide angle. 24mm?
Getting the D800 in focus at 85mm f1.8 is not easy even at the centre AF. so a bit hard to confirm unless u using tripod.
I have tested a 85mm @ 1.4...the CA was pretty bad that even if in focus, you will see purple fringing. Not satisfied, I went to NSC to test their demo set. Surprisingly it was ok. So I went to Funan to test another piece...gave up buying liao and nearly want to switch camp to Canon 85 1.2.
you do have to do a bit of estimated AFMA at shop though..agar agar just whack -10 or +10 to see the effect.

Hi Neoro,
I was also about to say the same thing, but if you notice his post, Leong did manage to get the 85mm in focus...comparing the 50mm 1.8 to 85mm 1.8, the 50mm dof should be thicker?

 

[eleveninth]

Hi Leong,
may i know which shop allow testing and don't buy i wonder what they do to that piece of D800 after that.
Anyway, i heard similar thing as Brandon. It affects wide angle. 24mm?
Getting the D800 in focus at 85mm f1.8 is not easy even at the centre AF. so a bit hard to confirm unless u using tripod.
I have tested a 85mm @ 1.4...the CA was pretty bad that even if in focus, you will see purple fringing. Not satisfied, I went to NSC to test their demo set. Surprisingly it was ok. So I went to Funan to test another piece...gave up buying liao and nearly want to switch camp to Canon 85 1.2.
you do have to do a bit of estimated AFMA at shop though..agar agar just whack -10 or +10 to see the effect.

Hi Neoro,
I was also about to say the same thing, but if you notice his post, Leong did manage to get the 85mm in focus...comparing the 50mm 1.8 to 85mm 1.8, the 50mm dof should be thicker?

sounds like click.

 

[neoro]

Hi Neoro,
I was also about to say the same thing, but if you notice his post, Leong did manage to get the 85mm in focus...comparing the 50mm 1.8 to 85mm 1.8, the 50mm dof should be thicker?

The 50mm will have more depth of field, however if you're testing it at 1-3m distance I guess everything is thin wide open.
I never successfully peep 100% sharpness from the LCD, I guess I have been staring too long at the LCD once when I try to calibrate all my lenses, that after a while, I can't tell whats in focus and whats slightly off hahah...

 

[Leong KM]

Hi Leong,
may i know which shop allow testing and don't buy i wonder what they do to that piece of D800 after that.
Anyway, i heard similar thing as Brandon. It affects wide angle. 24mm?
Getting the D800 in focus at 85mm f1.8 is not easy even at the centre AF. so a bit hard to confirm unless u using tripod.
I have tested a 85mm @ 1.4...the CA was pretty bad that even if in focus, you will see purple fringing. Not satisfied, I went to NSC to test their demo set. Surprisingly it was ok. So I went to Funan to test another piece...gave up buying liao and nearly want to switch camp to Canon 85 1.2.
you do have to do a bit of estimated AFMA at shop though..agar agar just whack -10 or +10 to see the effect.

Hi Neoro,
I was also about to say the same thing, but if you notice his post, Leong did manage to get the 85mm in focus...comparing them 50mm 1.8 to 85mm 1.8, the 50mm dof should be thicker?

Hi akuma,
I'm sorry that I can't disclose the shop name la.. I think most of the shops may allow for testing if you're genuinely buying, but they may limit the number of sets, etc.. Anyway this is not the topic of this thread le..
For the focusing on 85mm f1.8, it's pretty fast and easy to focus for all center, left and right using handheld in my trial, and the left and right are good as the center. I didn't try the 85mm f1.4 though, so can't comment about CA. May not be too important to me cause I hardly use f1.4 for my shoot.
Oh what is AFMA?

 

[erictan8888]

Just to share a couple of points on the D800:
1. Some lenses need fine tuning to get pin sharp focus, after fine tuning, left and right and centre should be consistent.
2. By consistently sharp, I do not mean equal sharpness, as most lens are sharpest at center and weaker at the corner. So if left and right focus
is sufficiently sharp,then it is not a camera focusing issue.
3. The out of focus on the left focus point is very obvious and easy to spot... If it is a slight focus shift, it could be due to hand shake or thin DOF and not camera focussing issue.
4. If subject distant is far, do not expect it to yield the same details as when it was shot at minimum focussing distant... It's normal as less mp for same spot now...

In short, this is a very capable camera that Nikon has come up with.... I never stop being amazed at what details and dynamic range it can deliver...
If I were the buyer, I would definitely prefer to get one working, albeit with fine tuning, when it is out of the box rather than relying on Nikon to calibrate it...
Get one, you won't regret it...

 

[Luminare]

All lens are softer past mid center. It is good to know if it is softness or out if focus at f/1.4 or f/1.8. However, just send it to NSC before using should solve most issues.

I used to AF fine tune my 24mm f/1.4 and 14-24mm f/2.8 and when I sent in for servicing, I told NSC to calibrate the points and after that, I don't have to AF fine tune in camera anymore.

Look forward to your photos

 

[akuma]

Hi Neoro,

The LCD is not as sharp as 5dm3, but I feel the brightness is pretty accurate.

Hi Leong,
Afma= af micro adjustment. It's in one of the d800 menu