Folks, If you have a D200, you might want to consider acquiring a chart that is used for calibrating lenses and take some test shots.
I've spent months perusing articles and reading what folks have to say about the AF on a D200 and finally decided that the best solution was to contact Nikon.
I literally spent hours uploading images under various types of problems to the folks at Nikon and pretty much got back the same response; i.e., send it to Nikon.
So I hand carried it to the El Segundo Nikon center, and got it back yesterday.
They said the problem was back focusing. And I know from the reading I've done, that is adjusted with some screw under the mirror.
The technician tap-danced around the inconsistency problem and I never did get a straight answer. Now I need to shoot as much as possible to see what I get.
I may get one of charts to take some test images once I get back home.
In spite of being a touch handicapped from having had hand surgery a week ago, I went out to shoot yesterday evening.
The technician I spoke to at Nikon did say that the AF back focusing problem could occur if the camera were dropped (mine wasn't), tossed around in the back seat of a car (can't believe that) or it could have happened in shipment. Since I wasn't smart enough to contact them a long time ago, I get to pay the freight on this one.
The guy never did answer the question about the inconsistency problem I was having.
But between me, thee, and that proverbial lamppost, if you own this camera and have a warranty on it, I would send it into the Nikon center and get it squared away. I would not be surprised if ALL Nikon D200's were not afflicted with the back focus problem. And dependent on the type of shooting that you do, you might not notice it. I make this comment based on my experiences with the D200 as well as the fact that with the D3, D300, and D700, you are now able to calibrate each lens you use. Interesting ...
Looks like you've solved your problem. The photo is nice and sharp, and I know you've had some issues with sharpness in the past (and I KNOW it wasn't that 500mm lens ).
I did drop my D200. A few times actually. Hard on the concrete (the 18-200mm lens exploded, but the body was fine), in the dirt, in the mud.... I dropped it. I guess that I must have knocked it into submission, as after it passed the 100,000 click mark it was still taking very sharp photos as long as I did my part. But at least now I know if I ever DO have a problem like this.... just send it to Nikon.
Carol, glad your surgery went well, even better to see you can hold a camera. I'm not quite sure I am aware of the issues you were having, all you seem to post are pretty darn good. I appreciate the heads up, however my D200 will have to die before anything gets fixed as I got hosed on e-bay and purchased a grey market camera, unless someone out in NPN land knows a tech or store that works on a Nikon meant for Hong Kong. Bruce
Posted by Basil Greber on July 19, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Yup, backfocusing is a pain in the neck. It's an even bigger pain if your camera comes back decalibrated everytime it's been at Nikon for anything, as happened with my D100 (I did the rear mirror adjustments myself, and apparently, Nikon "recentered" the mirror whenever I sent it for service).
If the D200 indeed uses the screw below the mirror, the adjustment can be done yourself. However, according to some guy on dpreview, that design was abandoned with the D200 (the D50, D70, D100 had it) since this body uses prisms instead of mirrors. I haven't checked my D300, actually, to verify that this is claim is true, however (and I won't be home for another 5 months, so I can't quickly check it out ).
Thank you Carol. Great job on the Anticipation photo. Hopefully your problems are solved.
I appreciate this post. Although I will own a certain amount of softness in my photos, the inconsistencies have concerned me. I had no idea this was a problem, and perhaps fairly common. My camera is 2 years old + now and fortunately I bought an extended service plan through Ritz. They will send it in to Nikon and I will let you know happens.
Discussion
4 repliesI've spent months perusing articles and reading what folks have to say about the AF on a D200 and finally decided that the best solution was to contact Nikon.
I literally spent hours uploading images under various types of problems to the folks at Nikon and pretty much got back the same response; i.e., send it to Nikon.
So I hand carried it to the El Segundo Nikon center, and got it back yesterday.
They said the problem was back focusing. And I know from the reading I've done, that is adjusted with some screw under the mirror.
The technician tap-danced around the inconsistency problem and I never did get a straight answer. Now I need to shoot as much as possible to see what I get.
I may get one of charts to take some test images once I get back home.
In spite of being a touch handicapped from having had hand surgery a week ago, I went out to shoot yesterday evening.
See: Anticipation.
The technician I spoke to at Nikon did say that the AF back focusing problem could occur if the camera were dropped (mine wasn't), tossed around in the back seat of a car (can't believe that) or it could have happened in shipment. Since I wasn't smart enough to contact them a long time ago, I get to pay the freight on this one.
The guy never did answer the question about the inconsistency problem I was having.
But between me, thee, and that proverbial lamppost, if you own this camera and have a warranty on it, I would send it into the Nikon center and get it squared away. I would not be surprised if ALL Nikon D200's were not afflicted with the back focus problem. And dependent on the type of shooting that you do, you might not notice it. I make this comment based on my experiences with the D200 as well as the fact that with the D3, D300, and D700, you are now able to calibrate each lens you use. Interesting ...
Carol
Looks like you've solved your problem. The photo is nice and sharp, and I know you've had some issues with sharpness in the past (and I KNOW it wasn't that 500mm lens
I did drop my D200. A few times actually. Hard on the concrete (the 18-200mm lens exploded, but the body was fine), in the dirt, in the mud.... I dropped it. I guess that I must have knocked it into submission, as after it passed the 100,000 click mark it was still taking very sharp photos as long as I did my part.
If the D200 indeed uses the screw below the mirror, the adjustment can be done yourself. However, according to some guy on dpreview, that design was abandoned with the D200 (the D50, D70, D100 had it) since this body uses prisms instead of mirrors. I haven't checked my D300, actually, to verify that this is claim is true, however (and I won't be home for another 5 months, so I can't quickly check it out
BG
I appreciate this post. Although I will own a certain amount of softness in my photos, the inconsistencies have concerned me. I had no idea this was a problem, and perhaps fairly common. My camera is 2 years old + now and fortunately I bought an extended service plan through Ritz. They will send it in to Nikon and I will let you know happens.
Tony Norton
San Diego