Nikon F100 not focusing properly

deja · Apr 4, 2010

I have just found an old F100 with a 28-200mm lens and it doesn't want to focus 100%. And when i develop the film it comes out a bit blurry as well, objects comes out but not sharp at all. When i look through the viewfinder the sharpness isn't that good either, i've played with the diopter which improved it to about 90%.

Any ideas on whats going on other than to take it in for a service?

BTW, i can't seem to get the lens to use multi AF, i can slide the switch to it but the AF points doesn't show up and neither can i manually pick the AF point i want can only use it in centre AF. Is this supposed to be like this?

Cheers.

keithwms · Apr 4, 2010

Have you tested it with another lens? Or, when you manually focus, can you get a satisfactorily sharp image in the viewfinder?

By the way, the lens you mention is one I haven't even heard of.

tkamiya · Apr 4, 2010

It's probably a third party lens. Can you focus manually and see if you can bring subject into a sharp focus? You'll probably want to perform a master reset before messing with settings. There's not telling what custom options are set.

To do this, refer to manual page 76. You can download the manual from Nikon's support page.
Basically, you push CSM and MODE button simultaneously and hold for 2 seconds.
Then, Do the same thing again. Release one of the two buttons while CUSTOM is blinking, then press both buttons again.

The first steps will reset settings to a default value. The second steps will clear custom setting.

Welcome to APUG!

deja · Apr 4, 2010

keithwms said:
Have you tested it with another lens? Or, when you manually focus, can you get a satisfactorily sharp image in the viewfinder?

By the way, the lens you mention is one I haven't even heard of.

No i don't have any other D mount lenses to try with, only have G mount ones. Im going to try this lens on my D80 and see if it work.

deja · Apr 4, 2010

tkamiya said:
It's probably a third party lens. Can you focus manually and see if you can bring subject into a sharp focus? You'll probably want to perform a master reset before messing with settings. There's not telling what custom options are set.

Ill give that a go, thanks.

The lens i have is this one http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28200af.htm

jgcull · Apr 4, 2010

I had a similar problem with my F100, but found out it was the lens and not the body. It works fine with another lens, but the contacts on my favorite lens (wouldn't you know?) aren't working correctly. GOod news is it can be fixed.

deja · Apr 4, 2010

jgcull said:
I had a similar problem with my F100, but found out it was the lens and not the body. It works fine with another lens, but the contacts on my favorite lens (wouldn't you know?) aren't working correctly. GOod news is it can be fixed.

Damn, i did the reset and it still looked the same.

Just tested this lens on a D80 and its the same result! So its def the lens is borged

How did you go about fixing it?

PhotoJim · Apr 4, 2010

G lenses work with the F100. Try it.

deja · Apr 4, 2010

PhotoJim said:
G lenses work with the F100. Try it.

Yep sure does, shame i don't have any spare lenses lying around (i just swapped the lens from the D80).

jgcull · Apr 6, 2010

>>How did you go about fixing it?

I haven't yet. Gotta get the extra $$ to send it off, either to Nikon or SPTS.

benjiboy · Apr 6, 2010

I like the way the O.P. refers to the F100 as "Old" how old can an F100 be?

deja · Apr 7, 2010

benjiboy said:
I like the way the O.P. refers to the F100 as "Old" how old can an F100 be?

LOL old as in i need to travel just to get my film developed and cost a fortune ><

But soon work is getting a full on mini lab with a negative c-41 developer and film scanner, im going O/S in 2 weeks to inspect the machines and training right after the trade show

deja · Apr 7, 2010

jgcull said:
>>How did you go about fixing it?

I haven't yet. Gotta get the extra $$ to send it off, either to Nikon or SPTS.

Ah right, i just put my camera in for it to be calibrated and they said they will have a look at the lens then, original impression from the pro was that the focus is very soft in either AF or manual mode.

benjiboy · Apr 7, 2010

deja said:
LOL old as in i need to travel just to get my film developed and cost a fortune ><

But soon work is getting a full on mini lab with a negative c-41 developer and film scanner, im going O/S in 2 weeks to inspect the machines and training right after the trade show

I made the remark because it just seemed to me that since my youngest camera is a Canon T90 made in 1986 the Nikon F 100 is the height of all singing all dancing sophistication to me

Nikon F100 not focusing properly

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