Mongo thought he would start a new thread to get the attention of all those who have been waiting for the result - at least for now.

Mongo had a brief chance today to have a quick check of the D800 AF repairs.


Mongo’s lenses are mainly manual so limited in what he could test with. The 200-400 is also with Nikon at present getting calibrated so not available for these tests.


Mongo is going to do more extensive testing over the next few weeks. However, has posted a few quick comparisons for now.


Most importantly, the first time Mongo took the D800 in , it had :
1. software update which is now available unless your camera already has it installed
2. had been calibrated using charts only i.e manually. Yes, you read it - manually. Very strange for such a sophisticated computer function. As you know, that was not satisfactory.
3. this time round, Mongo was told they had received new software program from Japan for correcting this problem and that Mongo’s D800 had been run through the program. Mongo asked the logical question, “did the program show the AF was still out and if so, what was the degree of change made by the program to get the AF correct ?” Mongo was told that the program corrects any such problems but does not report the changes made. Sorry to say but Mongo is a little sceptical about that answer. Nonetheless, as long as the results are right, they will speak for themselves.


Please ignore the variation of contrast and tone etc on the sets of 3 images - the sharpness of focus is the primary issue Mongo was interested in when taking these test images.


First set of 3 images (being left sensor focus, middle sensor focus and right sensor focus) was taken outside Nikon’s premises at Lidcombe before Mongo would take back delivery of the camera. He used the original 70-200 VR Mongo used to test the camera. This lens too had some calibration done to it by Nikon. The image is of part of a sigh in the industrial complex where Nikon is located. The sign was at least 70 feet away, the speed was between 1/2500th and 1/3200th at f2.8 resting on a retaining wall - so very steady.
70-200-LMR.jpg

The second set of 3 was taken at Mongo’s cave with an old lens AF correction chart he had . Note, this time he used his old Nikkor AF 180mm f2.8 (“new”) model lens which is quite sharp and reliable. This was done to eliminate any potential edge sharpness issues which may or may not be in the 70-200 VR on a full frame. Shot at f2.8, 1/200th with flash while camera and lens were resting on the back of a tall chair - again quite steady.
180-LMR.jpg




Lastly, just for completeness, Mongo used a 24-135 zoom at 35mm wide open. 1/60th , flash, resting on the back of a tall chair and reasonably steady. Of course, the chart was so small at 35mm Mongo just aimed for where the "o" should be
35-LMR.jpg


The test images indicate to Mongo that the 3 AF points tested are performing reasonably uniformly now. However, Mongo will be testing consciously and subconsciously for some time over the coming weeks/months to be certain and with a wider variety of lenses he will no doubt pilfer from various friends he shoots with from time to time.


Mongo hopes this is some help to some of you who feel they may also be affected by this issue. If Mongo is to believe that Nikon has now received a new program form Japan that it uses to analyze and rectify the issue, then , from now on, there should be some confidence Nikon know how to fix this problem quickly and effectively. We shall see.