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Category: Photographic Field Techniques

Photography Question 

Radha
 

Is My Nikon D70 Defective?


Hi all,
I posted a query a few days ago about shooting with Nikon D70, and I got very good responses from you all. But, I was also told to check if my Nikon d70 was not "back-focusing" due to a misaligned sensor (?), by taking two pictures in the Autofocus mode and in the Manual focus mode. So could you look at my gallery and find two pictures of a pumpkin and let me know what you think about them?
Thanks - I really appreciate it.


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February 05, 2006

 

Craig Paulsen
  if its a Nikon yes. The best way to fix it is to get a canon. {What a stinker}


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February 05, 2006

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  Real nice, Craig.


Radha,
I'm not sure what problem you posted about before, but I can't tell if you have a focus problem from these two pictures. They both look in focus to me. The pumpkin might not have been the best choice for this test, though. Shiny surfaces can cause problems for many Autofocus systems.

Chris


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February 05, 2006

 

Kerry L. Walker
  Yes, it's defective. There's no place to put the film.

Just kidding!


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February 06, 2006

 

Radha
  Thanks for your response, Chris. I shall try and put up more pics sometime soon. Could you clarify something for me though? Which is the best way to take a pic - using autofocus or manual focus? What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of both?

Thanks,
Radha


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February 06, 2006

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  Radha,
There's no simple answer to your question, other than to say that it depends on the situation. Most Autofocus camera and lens systems work very well under most "normal" shooting conditions. There are a few situations that can cause problems for Autofocus systems, such as:
- Low light conditions - especially if your lens does not have a large maximum aperture like f/2.8 or f/1.8.
- Shiny, reflective surfaces
- Low-contrast scenes, like a bare featureless wall or a very clear or very gray sky.
- Shooting through glass - sometimes a polarizing filter can help this, sometimes not.
- Shooting through bars at the zoo, or a chain-link fence, or branches of a tree.
- Macro (very close up) shots - many photographers will use manual focus for macro shots, since the depth of field is so shallow, it is critical that you focus on a precise spot.
- Many photographers will choose manual focus for portraits to be sure that the eyes are precisely in focus.
I'm sure there are some other situations that I have left out. And I'm sure that there are photographers who simply prefer to use Manual Focus because they are more confident with it.


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February 06, 2006

 

Radha
  Thanks a lot for your help, Chris. I really appreciate it. So, I guess my camera is fine, after all - touch wood :-)


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February 06, 2006

 

Lin Jackson
  Radha,

I'm wondering if you have had any trouble with the D70 freezing on you.

You can not get the camera to take a picture with out turning the dial to another setting like manual.

I have worked with 3-D70's that have this problem and have had to send them back to Nikon to be fixed.

Lin


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February 06, 2006

 

Pete H
  Radha;

I looked at both the photos, particularly at the shadow line..I do not see a problem or difference between Auto and manual..This is good..you do not have a back focus error.

As I mentioned earlier, try to stay away from "Dynamic Focus Continuous"
It is generally not needed and often causes problems..you don't know for sure what the camera might be focusing on.

"Single focus center" is the preferred way to go with the D-70.
I've tried the "Dynamic Focus" and don't like it...especially in the "continuous" mode.


Pete


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February 06, 2006

 

Radha
  Pete,Lin and Chris - Thanks for all your comments. I am kind of relieved now. So, I guess the fault lies within me ( well, we knew that all the time) :-)

I will try and check up on what Lin mentioned.

Radha


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February 07, 2006

 

Amy Anderson
  I was actually having the same problem with my D2X. I finally got so fed up, I decided to reset all of the controls and settings on the camera. Voila- problem fixed!


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February 07, 2006

 
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