Need help with focus adjust-Nikon D300+400 f3.5 mf

[Dan Brown]

I have a Nikon D300 and would like to use a non-cpu Nikkor 400 f3.5 lens with it but the focus is way behind what the viewfinder shows. At close focus (15ft), the focus is about 1 inch behind! That's alot:eek:! And of course, this just gets worse the farther out I focus! Is it possible to adjust this? I am aware of the AF fine tuning, but this only works for AF! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Alex Wimmer]

It must be the viewfinder then. I had similar issues when I started using manual 500mm/f4.0. Then I realized my viewfinder wasn't adjusted properly.

Even now that the viewfinder is almost properly adjusted I use Manual Focus Assist (yellow dot in left bottom corner) to verify 100% accurate focus.

MF assist is actually better than my eyesight, which I use for preliminary prefocusing.

[Dan Brown]

It must be the viewfinder then. I had similar issues when I started using manual 500mm/f4.0. Then I realized my viewfinder wasn't adjusted properly.

Even now that the viewfinder is almost properly adjusted I use Manual Focus Assist (yellow dot in left bottom corner) to verify 100% accurate focus.

MF assist is actually better than my eyesight, which I use for preliminary prefocusing.

Thanks, how do you adjust the viewfinder? Are you referring to the diopter adjustment?

[Alex Wimmer]

Yes, diopter adjustment.

Try this method (without the lens mounted)

http://www.earthboundlight.com/photo...djustment.html

[Dan Brown]

Yes, diopter adjustment.

Try this method (without the lens mounted)

http://www.earthboundlight.com/photo...djustment.html

YES! YES! That did it! Thank you Sir! Now I may just keep this lens until I win the lottery and can afford a 500f4vr!

[Desmond Chan]

YES! YES! That did it! Thank you Sir! Now I may just keep this lens until I win the lottery and can afford a 500f4vr!

If that did it, then it probably means you had been using a "not sharp" viewfinder all along without knowing it :)

[Dan Brown]

If that did it, then it probably means you had been using a "not sharp" viewfinder all along without knowing it :)

Yes! that probably explains all of my crummy pictures!:eek: I guess AF has saved me!