Autofocus Problem with Nikon D7000?

[psetel]

Was so excited to put my new D7000 to use with the new 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens at my daughter's championship soccer game. Bummer. I had terrible problems autofocusing. I tried every mode, every combination of AF area patterns and modes (AFS, AFC) and it was completely erratic - especially with any moving subject. Even with quite stationary subjects it often either hunted or didn't bother to do more than give the two flickering triangles >< in the bottom left of the viewfinder. There are some threads out there with similar complaints about the D7000, but is there any joy?

[mrchile]

Have you tried contacting Nikon tech support?

[Skipper]

Do u have it set to 'S' rather than 'C' or the third option for AF on the dial to lower right of lens as u face camera front? (At least that's where it is in d700). It sounds a little like u have it set to 'C'. C for continuous. Just in case u haven't tried this, set to S.

[anton_reno]

Good camera, excellent lens, too much reliance on technology. What you have encountered are both the virtues and vices of modern camera technology, not a flaw in your particular camera. They are capable of making life much simpler for us, but the price is that if we rely too heavily on the technology, we run the very real risk of missing the shot.

Try using manual focus with shutter or aperture preferred auto-exposure depending on whether depth of field or stop-action is your preference. Set the focus at infinity for the f/stop you want to use (if aperture preferred auto) or for about 1/2 the greatest distance from the camera that your subject, i.e., your daughter, will be from the camera (shutter priority). Look for a depth of field scale on your lens or a depth of field chart in the instruction sheet that came with your lens for guidance. With my cameras and lenses (film and digital) I can make one setting and let the cameras make only the exposure decisions. For instance, if I want acceptable sharpness from 25 feet to infinity using my Sigma 70-300 zoom set to 200 mm, I set the camera/lens for f/11, aperture preferred exposure, and manual focus at about 50 feet. This gives me a zone of acceptable sharpness (depth of field) of roughly 25 feet to infinity with no hunting and no completely missed shots. With shutter preferred auto I would set the shutter speed to 1/125 or 1/250 sec. This forces me to make a different but related set of choices depending on the ambient light and ISO setting. As long as the light doesn't change, you can still make one setting and not have to change it again.

Anton

[Nikon_D80]

Hi psetel,

As one could write several pages about the Nikon D7000... Skipper has pointed you in a good direction.

Please to read the following: http://www.bythom.com/nikond7000review.htm
as this is covered in his review.
This is a great camera, but with a few changes that one needs to go over before using.


Regards,
Gary

[Yarddog]

I still prefer the single large cross type sensor in the Nikon N90s or N70. They are fast even by today's standards and I am sure could be made a lot faster with current technology.

The best thing is it never hunts for an AF point and I don't have to worry with setting which AF point to use. I simply point the camera right at what I want to focus on, slightly press the shutter button and then if necessary, recompose.

Simple and elegant. The multiple AF points are a brilliant solution to a non-exestant problem and a cause of a real problem.

[BobF]

I'm sorry, Anton but abandoning technology isn't really the answer. Learning how to use the technology is the answer.

I haven't read any discussions elsewhere about focus problems with a D7000. Perhaps, psetel, you could link a couple for reference?

That aside, my suspicion is the same as others - user error. In the end - RTFM always applies. Then RTFM again. And again. And again. And.....

[anton_reno]

Bob,

You're absolutely right. Reading the manual is a necessary and mandatory obligation on the part of the user, no matter what the equipment. However, psetel's complaint is that he tried every focus mode and focus area setting and still had trouble. I assumed that when he said that he tried every focus mode that he had read the manual and used the predictive focus setting as well as the continuous focus setting. I proposed a work around for his predicament until he figures out how to make the technology work.

Anton

[BobF]

That's fair, Anton.

Trying all the modes of a particular feature or function doesn't mean those modes are understood. No argument there.

As I noted, I haven't seen any widespread condemnation of the AF system in the D7000 (but haven't looked for any either). That said, it is, as far as I understand, a new system for this camera. There could be some issues with it that need to be sorted. There could be a batch of serial numbers that have problems. There could be a flaw in the AF system itself generally. Look at the AF problems Canon has had. I think those possibilities are less likely than user error/misunderstanding; however.

The camera's newly on the market. It's got a new and sophisticated AF system that a lot of users probably aren't used to. This camera, due to its price, is a terrific jumping off point for users to move up from 'lesser' bodies to a 'prosumer', more full featured, more sophisticated model. There's a learning curve. When I moved from Canon to Nikon earlier last year, I had to relearn a new focusing system. I'm still learning it.

There's another issue here as well that no one has brought up. New camera. But also a brand, spanking new lens with VR. Now, I haven't used a Nikon VR lens yet (probably won't unless I rent/borrow one) but with Canon IS lenses, you could hear the servos working away when IS was activated. I'm wondering if what psetel is experiencing is the sound of the VR (assuming it's audible like with Canon) working and mistaking that for the AF hunting.

[lbozka]

I've been shooting Nikon Digitals since the D1000; then D80, 100, 200, 300, and now, the D7000. I love this camera, except for one thing. I want to be able to touch the shutter, get a single illumiated focal point, work the round button on the back until it is placed precisely where I want it, and shoot. I shoot and sell a lot of wildlife photos, and just bought an obscenely expensive Nikon AFS-VR f/4 200-400mm zoom to shoot with the D7000. I had a mockingbird at good range yesterday, in beautiful light, and tried to get a focus based entirely on the eye of the bird (the same thing goes for all wild creatures, from hummingbirds to bull elk). With my other bodies, I could move the focal point to the creature's eye and get the shot. With the D7000 I get a quick glimpse of numerous "boxes" in the focal area, they disappear, and that's it. I got about 2 shots focused on the bird's eye out of a rough total of 30. Can anyone tell me how to get single-point focusing, or if it is even possible. Strangely, with the focus set to manual, the D7000 does exactly what I just described wanting ... but, of course, it won't autofocus in the manual focus mode, so it's a moot point? My deep appreciation to anyone who can help with this ... it is costing me money and has shot my field confidence.