Nikon 35mm f/1.4G severe focus error with Nikon D3x
Related: Nikon, Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.4G, Nikon APS_C, Nikon D3X, Nikon DSLR, Nikon Lenses
Update! I’ve published the first few pages of my in-progress review, including examples. Much more is coming, but I can do only so much in 12 hours.
Image after image blurred— the new 35/1.4G has the worst autofocus I’ve ever seen in a Nikon lens. And yet the Nikon 35/1.4G might be the finest 35mm focal length lens I’ve yet seen, optically. But outstanding optics that can't focus are not outstanding.
Let me see... an $8000 camera with an $1800 lens can’t focus? Worse than any crappy point and shoot? As a working pro with a job to shoot, I’d be ##$*$*#$* pissed. Wait, I do have a job to shoot! [insert your own expletive]
Below are two examples, but I have more examples in my report at various distances. The problem starts at about 20-30 feet (6-10 meters) focusing distance, and worsens with distance. At close range, focus seems to be good, but I haven’t explored close range in detail yet. Research in progress.
Update! I have confirmed that the same problem exists with my 12MP Nikon D3s. I have also documented that it occurs at distance, and at 100/60/50/40/30/20/10 feet. And that it doesn’t always occur at closer range, but on my D3x, never accurate at distance. The D3s is a little better, but I have a number of what should be no-brainer challenges it failed. More examples to follow in my review.
Fine focus adjustment is one avenue, but if one adjusts for this coarse error, what happens at closer range where it seems to be OK? Worth a try, but dubious.
This example is only about 30 feet away. Focus sensor was squarely on the tree trunk.
