70-200 F2.8 strange focus.

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Noticed this when looking at the shots and someone pointed it out. The focus seems strange. The head is I and the feet are out. Any ideas? A LOT of today's shots are the same. I'd appreciate the advice.

GNM_2061.jpg
 
No, no knocks at all. I'm very careful with all my gear. I have other shots from this lens previous that are fine. Just today's are all like this!
 
were you down low and shooting upward? That would put his face and his feet different distances from the camera. Also, it looks like some of the things at his foot level are in focus while his feet aren't. That would tell me that the focus distance is further away than his feet.

thanks
rick
 
I haven't seen, or more accurately heard these guys in a while, are they still in Manchester ?

You say other days you've had no issues and today all of them are like this - did you take any photos of 'stationary' objects ? Did you take any photos in this batch with the camera in a different orientation - Landscape / Portraite and did you have the same results ?

The exif data says F2.8 and 1/640. I tend to agree with Rick, the equipment behind his feet are more in focus than his feet. The top of his right leg seems more in focus, as does the drummers blue jeans around his left knee, wonder if it is the focal plane ??

Sorry I can't be more help...
 
Thanks for your replies. Yes the chaps were in Manchester. It's not simply a case of his feet were moving unfortunately. I just shot a completely flat object and the centre of the frame is in focus as it should be but the top and bottom of the frame (portrait orientation) or well out. Same in landscape orientation. Centre I in focus, edges are out. Even if using an outer focus point.
 
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What lens is it? Can you post both those test shots, with centre and outer AF points?

Edit: Your pic above does look a bit strange, though hard to tell where the plane of best sharpness is. If it's a cheap lens, it's possible it could be either just edge softness at f/2.8, or perhaps field curvature, or a bit of both - but either way, it's unusually severe.
 
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Well, the exif info says your subject was 15m away from you. Assuming he's 2m tall, his feet will be 13cm further from you than his head. Shoving the figures into DoFmaster gives a DoF of 0.7m either side of focal for a D700. How much of the field of view does the original image fill? It would be interesting to see where the focal plane lies along the cobbles....
 
Hoppy, It's not a cheap lens. It's a Nikon 70-200 F2.8 VRII.

In my reply above, I said that if I am shooting something completely flat and square on to it, the centre is in focus and the top and bottom are out. If I use the outer focus points, the same result. Middle in focus, top and bottom (including the focus point I have selected) are out of focus. So it isn't even focussing correctly on the outer focus points. I did notice it when out shooting yesterday and a lot of photos have gone in the bin as a result of being out of focus.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Hoppy, It's not a cheap lens. It's a Nikon 70-200 F2.8 VRII.

In my reply above, I said that if I am shooting something completely flat and square on to it, the centre is in focus and the top and bottom are out. If I use the outer focus points, the same result. Middle in focus, top and bottom (including the focus point I have selected) are out of focus. So it isn't even focussing correctly on the outer focus points. I did notice it when out shooting yesterday and a lot of photos have gone in the bin as a result of being out of focus.
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In which case, summat's wrong :( TBH, nothing looks very sharp, even for a screen image. Does the lens feel right, everything working smoothly inside? If you've not dropped it, that's strange.
 
Nope, haven't dropped it and yes, everything is smooth. Focuses quickly and quietly, zooms smoothly and quietly. It is a really mint lens, apart from this issue. With the outer focal points, they are not in focus at seemingly any aperture. So, for example, lets say you were shooting a portrait at full length/three quarters. Focus on the eyes and they would be out, regardless of DOF. Very unhappy.

Now, who would we recommend for the repair? Nikon UK? Fixation? Lehmanns?
 
Nope, no wife, no kids. I live alone. This particular gear has been in the bag since I got the new bag at Christmas. To be honest, I would have thought, being pro gear it would take a fair knock to cause a problem. Not just a little bump from carrying about.
 
It looks as if the plane of focus is not vertical. If you look at that strange instrument behind him to the right, that appears to be more in focus than his feet.
 
Scarecrow said:
It looks as if the plane of focus is not vertical. If you look at that strange instrument behind him to the right, that appears to be more in focus than his feet.
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That's how I would describe it and tend to agree. Just tried my other lenses to rule out a fault with the body and it seems to be lens related.
 
casts_by_fly said:
were you down low and shooting upward? That would put his face and his feet different distances from the camera. Also, it looks like some of the things at his foot level are in focus while his feet aren't. That would tell me that the focus distance is further away than his feet.

thanks
rick
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Would be my call as well, very narrow DOF tilted due to shooting upward.
 
gpa said:
Would be my call as well, very narrow DOF tilted due to shooting upward.
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I don't think you are right I'm afraid. As I said in the thread, when I focus using the outer focus points, it is well out. Even up to F8. So this doesn't back up what you suggest unfortunately. :(
 
gazmorton2000 said:
I don't think you are right I'm afraid. As I said in the thread, when I focus using the outer focus points, it is well out. Even up to F8. So this doesn't back up what you suggest unfortunately. :(
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Well I can only comment on the picture you posted which would imho exhibit the issue you have raised, by shooting upward you push the focal plane behind his feet and this is also showing a tilt of the focal plane to the right (see drum on right) which considering the angle you shot at I would also expect to see. If you are having problems with straight ahead shot at F8 It would be worth posting one.
 
I know what you mean. I wasn't really shooting upwards though. Been playing again and if I use the outer focal points, the subject is definitely way OOF. Not right for a £1650 lens surely? I have used this and the previous VRI version, always shot at F2.8 and never really had a problem so don't think it's down to shooting technique?

Here is another example from shooting yesterday when I noticed the problem a lot.

GNM_2100.jpg



And now here is an example from when I first bought the lens and the problem wasn't evident....

GNM_8953.jpg
 
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Where was the lens purchased from? I'd exchange it, as you say, it's not good for a nearly £1700 lens.

The fact you still get this symptom at f/8 and on a flat plane of focus would be enough for me to get rid!
 
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I bought it from a member here with a load of other stuff but obviously, as you can see from the photo I just posted, there were no problems when I bought it. :(
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Nope, haven't dropped it and yes, everything is smooth. Focuses quickly and quietly, zooms smoothly and quietly. It is a really mint lens, apart from this issue. With the outer focal points, they are not in focus at seemingly any aperture. So, for example, lets say you were shooting a portrait at full length/three quarters. Focus on the eyes and they would be out, regardless of DOF. Very unhappy.

Now, who would we recommend for the repair? Nikon UK? Fixation? Lehmanns?
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A guess, but if the VR elements are skewed maybe with just a failed component, the lens would function normally, but could give this result. Does the VR appear to work? Either way, it looks like a repair job.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
I bought it from a member here with a load of other stuff but obviously, as you can see from the photo I just posted, there were no problems when I bought it. :(
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Ah I see. I'd take it to a service centre and get them to give it a once over. It'll be worth paying to fix.

Hoppy may have a good point with the VR. Does the VR sound ok when it activates and I take it you've tried it with VR on and off?
 
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If you look on MPB's site they are selling a 2nd hand 70-200 VR2 described as performing very much like this, sold as spares/repair for £799...
 
I can't see that one at all. Only one I can see is light signs of use for £1399. It was indeed with VR on as I was shooting in shade. Will try with it off when I get home and see how it is. Just hope it's worth repairing?!!
 
gazmorton2000 said:
I can't see that one at all. Only one I can see is light signs of use for £1399. It was indeed with VR on as I was shooting in shade. Will try with it off when I get home and see how it is. Just hope it's worth repairing?!!
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Ah yes, it was there a couple of days ago, I assumed it would still be there. It said it was sharp in the centre but blurred around the edges, sounds like an expensive repair anyway, £799 vs £1399...
 
As you can recreate the issue, I would do the following to rule things out:

First, before anything else - remove any filters you have attached to the lens.

1) Try another lens on your camera (if you havent already) - maybe it's the body and not the lens.
2) Try the lens on another body if you have one, or see if a local member would be willing to meet up and let you try the lens on their body.
3) take more test shots - with VR on and off.

Did you use a tripod for the above shots? Was VR turned off - it should be if you're using a tripod.
 
Thanks for your input. There were no others attached. I don't have or use any. No tripod was used. I have took lots of 'street' photos in the past with no problems. I have also tried the 14-24 and 24-70 and they are both perfect so I think that rules a problem with the body out.
 
if its a VRII isn't it still under warranty, it's a new model, get the member to setup a returns note for you and get it sorted through Nikon
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Thanks for your input. There were no others attached. I don't have or use any. No tripod was used. I have took lots of 'street' photos in the past with no problems. I have also tried the 14-24 and 24-70 and they are both perfect so I think that rules a problem with the body out.
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Yeah I guess it seems that the body is ok then... Have you tried it with and without VR to see if that's causing the problem?

cannockwolf said:
if its a VRII isn't it still under warranty, it's a new model, get the member to setup a returns note for you and get it sorted through Nikon
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Good shout.
 
Not yet without the VR. Will try that tomorrow now. Surely the VRII's can be over 12 months old now? How long have they been out?
 
You get 2 years don't you?
 
I thought that was only on bodies? Either way, I registered the lens when I got it so I'm guessing the original buyer didn't. It needs sorting though, whatever's up with it. Just hope it doesn't cost a fortune!!
 
I'd still try the guarantee route regardless
 
So should I ring Nikon direct or try fixation or another recommended repairer?
 
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