D3 focussing issues (across all lenses)

EdinburghGary

EdinburghGary

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Gary
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For a wee while now, my D3 has really struggled to accurately focus in anything other than perfect light.

Example:
f1.4 in the studio, modelling lamp on and lowest power setting, 100% hit rate over 20 shots.

Turn off the modelling lamp and have your subject lit from the ambient room light, over 80% failure rate. It looks like it's SEVERELY out of focus, not sure how to tell if front or back focussing.

Is this normal?

I can perhaps do some accurate settings tests next week, measure ambient light etc...

Any ideas?

G.
 
My D3 isn't brilliant in low light either to be honest, and neither was my other D3 body. In fact, I haven't had a Nikon yet that has worked well in low light.
 
are you using the center focus point?
my D3 always focuses in really low light... i can always get focus in light such as iso 6400 at 1/20 at f2.8. just make sure you use the center focus point.
 
Circuit Hero said:
My D3 isn't brilliant in low light either to be honest, and neither was my other D3 body. In fact, I haven't had a Nikon yet that has worked well in low light.
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I'm reluctant to call it low light though, I literally mean anything other than perfect light. If I lit your face with a 40 watt bulb, from say 4ft, it woulfd fail 9 times out of 10 to nail focus. With my modelling lamp on full powerk it's ace.

Even natural outdoor light and it's totally fubarred now.

G.
 
sparkoss said:
are you using the center focus point?
my D3 always focuses in really low light... i can always get focus in light such as iso 6400 at 1/20 at f2.8. just make sure you use the center focus point.
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I remember it being that good. It has literally stopped working...just wondering if it's common. I have a few backup bodies in the studio, but I really rely on the D3.

G.
 
thats weird, it sounds like it's broken.

does it just keep hunting? or tell you it's focussed correctly when it actually has missed it by miles?
 
If Nikon has speedlites with AF assist light, you could try using one, if only for that function.

And well, should have bought a Canon - no such issues here with a single 20W halogen bulb in the whole room.
 
Can't say that I've noticed any similar problems, though mine is fairly new so won't have had the use yours has had - what firmware does it have?
 
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No - that definitely sounds dodgy - get it serviced ASAP - especially if you do have the firmware update applied... If not, try that first.

Mine both work fine in very low light - If I can see, then so can the cameras...
 
Centre 15 points work in near enough any condition - other points won't be as good. Have you accidently switched on AF adjust or anything like that?
 
EdinburghGary said:
Cheers guys...

Firmware 2.01

149,000 Shutter Hits.

Even in good light, f1.4 to f2.8 is completely back focused when used at a distance of over 3 or 4 ft....recent development :)

G.
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Definitely a recent development?
The same lens/camera combination produced good results in the past and has got progressively worse, or worse all of a sudden?

And it's the same with other lenses as well, you say?

In that case it sounds like a body-AF failure rather than a lens problem. I assume you've tried cleaning the contacts in the camera etc...

If so it needs to go back ASAP...
 
EdinburghGary said:
Yes it's disgusting.
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Static brushes like the Arctic Butterfly do a good job of cleaning the screen as long as it's on the mirror box side and it's dry loose dust -not welded. It's possible there's dust on the other side of the screen in the prism housing but it's less likely.

I'd definitely try to clean the screen in situ first, then if necessary pop out the screen and clean it properly. Shouldn't be too much of a drama to do as long as you handle it carefully.

How to remove the screen.
 
Sounds like a good excuse to see just how much of a discount Calumet will give you on a couple of new D3Ss.......
 
A dirty viewfinder isn't going to make any difference to AF accuracy :thinking:

The AF sensors are in the base of the camera, under the mirror. A bit of crud could easily fall down there though.
 
I bought a D3 about 3yrs ago and the first thing I noticed was how in low-light the focusing was far inferior to the D2X I had before. I've used D3S's and now I have a D3X, The D3 series struggle to focus in low-light - FACT. They're still amazing cameras though, so let's hope they sort it on the D4.

SJ
 
simonjessop said:
I bought a D3 about 3yrs ago and the first thing I noticed was how in low-light the focusing was far inferior to the D2X I had before. I've used D3S's and now I have a D3X, The D3 series struggle to focus in low-light - FACT. They're still amazing cameras though, so let's hope they sort it on the D4.

SJ
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That was true when the D3 came out. There were times when I just grabbed a D2X and it nailed a shot the D3 couldn't. But a number of firmware updates (not all of which mention autofocus) have dramatically improved it. I don't notice an AF difference between a fully updated D3 and my D3S.

Hmm, 150K frames and it's filthy - send it to Nikon for a clean and service. Dirt on the focus screen or mirror can dramatically affect focus ability. Current NPS turnaround is being quoted at 2.4 days so you can easily have it there, done and back in a week.
 
What's the latest Gary. Interested to know what the diagnosis is/was ?
 
Gary,
Do I remember a while back that you posted that you dropped it in the studio while doing a shoot (70-200 was on it iirc) possible that it has knocked something out of alignment.:shrug:
 
Davec223 said:
Gary,
Do I remember a while back that you posted that you dropped it in the studio while doing a shoot (70-200 was on it iirc) possible that it has knocked something out of alignment.:shrug:
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Yeah....

It's only low light situations OR when at a distance and trying to focus on a really small area (smaller than the focus point indicator).

G.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Yeah....

It's only low light situations OR when at a distance and trying to focus on a really small area (smaller than the focus point indicator).

G.
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Still possible that it has misaligned something which only shows up when in difficult lighting situation:thinking:
 
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