I think my camera needs AF fine tune. Should I send it in?

[jdong217]

I recently got two new very nice lenses and upgraded my camera body (Nikon d7k). I figured that any OoF shots were more or less my fault since I'm still an amateur.

I don't have the focus sheets and gear to test focus and DoF in depth, but I just mounted my camera to a tripod and aimed it at a stationary object. I have shutter speed, aperture, and ISO constant throughout. Autofocus is obviously on, but I am selecting the focus point manually and not using Auto or 3D to ensure that the focus point is the same throughout.

Anyway, first lens I noticed performed much much better after a +15 to +20 adjustment. Blown up to 100% the difference is drastic, but even on the small LCD I can notice the difference.

On the second lens, I noticed an improvement at +10.

Do I just deal with this or send it into Nikon for more precise fine tuning? For those of you who have sent in, how long does it take to fix this problem? Not long I hope? I'm abroad in Asia till the end of the year and it's really crucial that I have my camera with me

 

[MTVision]

If you google "focus test for dslr" you should be able to get some printable focus sheets. A ruler might work too.

Do you have examples you can post?

 

[gsgary]

In all the years i have been shooting i have never sent a lens or body in for calibration, just go out and shoot. How long have you had the lens ? some lenses take a bit of getting used to. I used to have a Canon 300mmF4L which was pin sharp but changed it for a 300mmf2.8L after first shoot i thought i had made a big mistake non where as sharp as the F4 but after a few week they were 100% better
But i shoot Canon and only buy Canon lenses

 

[KmH]

If you do send anything in, you will need to send the body and the lenses.

You don't show in your profile where you are, which would determine which Nikon service facility you would send the gear to as a warranty issue.

 

[joealcantar]

If you do send anything in, you will need to send the body and the lenses.

You don't show in your profile where you are, which would determine which Nikon service facitity you would send the gear to as a warranty issue.

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If you send lenses in do so only if they are NIKON lenses.
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Shoot well, Joe