D7000 Back Focusing?

[Destin]

Hey all, I'm pretty sure I'm having problems with my D7000 back focusing. I know this is a common issue with them, but I'd been writing it off as bad technique up to this point. It's happening on the three lenses I currently have (50 1.8g, Tamron 17-50 2.8, Nikon 55-200) so I don't think that it's just one lens.

Before I contact Nikon and see about getting it fixed/calibrated, I just wanted to make sure you guys agree with my diagnoses. I've posed an image below with exif data for you to look at. This was just a test shot, but the focus point was either placed over her face or else I used the center point, locked focus in AF-S mode, and recomposed. Either method should not have resulted in the focus shifting that far behind the subject, and it's a recurring issue in multiple shots, over multiple dates, in multiple conditions. It does not happen when using AF in live view, which I understand uses a different method to obtain focus.

Efix: ISO 100, f/2.2, 1/250th, taken with 50mm 1.8g.

 

[Designer]

Back or fore, I can't remember which is which.

So yeah, I see that the flowers are in better focus than your model.

And all your lenses do this? Yeah, I think it needs some adjustment.

 

[DarkShadow]

It looks like it back focused,are you certain your focus point was where you said.I probably would tripod it and double check it,then if the results are the same maybe fine tune it your self with some printed charts or focal if its not crazy out. I had the same issue with The D7000 in 2013 but had other issues a well. I just picked up another recently but refurbished this time and its been great.

 

[Destin]

It looks like it back focused,are you certain your focus point was where you said.I probably would tripod it and double check it,then if the results are the same maybe fine tune it your self with some printed charts or focal if its not crazy out. I had the same issue with The D7000 in 2013 but had other issues a well. I just picked up another recently but refurbished this time and its been great.

Tripod ad focus tested last night. All 3 lenses required -20 (max) focus adjustment, but in testing that seems to have fixed my problem.

I was worried that it still wasnt perfectly sharp, but I'm unable to get sharper images manual focusing so I think I'm where I need to be.

Now just need to see if that fixes my problem in real world shooting.

 

[DarkShadow]

Wow thats extreme -20 but hopefully you got it sorted out.

 

[astroNikon]

-20? that's a lot of correction.
I never had to do anything to my d7000 (or d600, d750)

to do focus tests you need to have a fixed subject that can be recreated time and time again (ie, not a person).
A ruler that you focus on a mid point in AF-S / Single, on a tripod with remote release.

I was always curious of using the adjustment if focus gets skewed at various focal lengths?

 

[Destin]

Used a focus chart on a tripod with repeatable results. I'm thinking it's the body being out of adjustment as it's -20 on multiple lenses.

That being said, it's my only body so I'm gonna make it work for now. Planning to buy a D610 or D750 soon, at which point I'll send this out for repair or replace it.

 

[Msteelio91]

I have the same issue with my D7k, it's just old at this point and needs tweaking like a beat up car. At least that's how I see it.

 

[Destin]

I have the same issue with my D7k, it's just old at this point and needs tweaking like a beat up car. At least that's how I see it.

Kind of my thinking at this point.

 

[table1349]

Try this: Jeffrey's Autofocus Test Chart

 

[Destin]

Try this: Jeffrey's Autofocus Test Chart

That's exactly the chart I already used! It worked great!

 

[Braineack]

you need -20 on all lens, I'd send the body into Nikon for adjusting, the focusing module/mirror is probably completely out of calibration.


that shot you posted, however, looks like you simply grabbed the wrong focus. Focal plane is a good 5' behind the subject. Sucks, looks like a great shot otherwise.

 

[goodguy]

Just want to share my own experience with my late D7000 which was my first Nikon.
Had back focusing issues from the moment I got it, tried to fine tune it to all my lenses but it didn't help so eventually I sent it to Nikon.
After I got it back I saw some improvement but not good enough so I gave up on it and get my Nikon D7100.
First picture I took with the D7100 I know all my back focusing issues were resolved.
So I don't really have warm fussy feeling for my old D7000, I was glad to get rid of it.