Sadly, it doesn’t seem to address the AF issue yet (if it is at all addressable via firmware) – but those of you who’ve been having problems with the camera freezing in playback mode, or wireless transmitter use, or D lighting shadows – here’s your fix. D800 and D800E
reframing the world one picture at a time
MY RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST IS HERE Or, support the site via B&H or Amazon
You can also find a handy list of all my equipment here at B&H.
Behind the scenes videos
3 million words and 6,500+ images in 1,700+ posts. A further 10m words in 95,000+ comments below the line. If you’re looking for something – might I suggest a search?
If you enjoyed the content, please consider 
-ing or subscribing - thanks for your support!
-ing or subscribing - thanks for your support!Popular recent posts
- Robin's take on framing, color and simplicity - part two
- Off topic: Why I started making watches, part II
- Reviews
- Off topic: Why I started making watches, part I
- The recommended gear list
- Review: the 2019 Olympus ZD 12-200 f3.5-6.3
- Wider please, but on a budget: the Nikon AF-P 10-20mm f4.5-5.6 DX VR review
- Framing, color and simplicity: Robin's take
- Leica M mount lenses on the X1D
- Photoessay: Objectified
All images and content copyright Ming Thein 2014+
Very Nice Articles,really liked it.
I am Photographer at http://www.indianinstituteofphotography.com
Hello Ming,
Can you please tell me what are the best settings for D800 in general.I mean some basic standard settings .I still cant figure out how to calibrate AF fine tuning inspite of reading your explanation many times.(i admit i am dumb in this).Do you have any videos to demonstrate this by chance?
I shoot pretty much everything – landscape, street, portrait and occasionally wild life photography.
I have 70-200 VR II and 50 mm f1.8 AF old version lens
Thanks again
Sorry, no videos for the moment.
I’m finding it’s best and most accurate to use single point (none of those dynamic modes) and manually pick the point. Then use AF-C for moving subjects, or AF-S for static ones. If you’re shooting the 50/1.8 wide open for portrait or close up work, you might want to try AF-C for that too – small movements and shallow depth of field can result in focusing issues…
Thanks for that quick response Ming.
Is there any sweet spot for the above lenses ?
Thanks again
Not really. They should both be useable wide open, but a stop down or so would improve things noticeably.
I use the APC – Auto and it nails the facial focus 99% of the time with 50mm 1.8 and 70-200 vr II. Ming, are you talking about static objects???
I’m talking about the left side focusing issue…
Gotcha. BTW, I just want to say that you are awesome! I mean, you reply to almost every question, regardless how old the post is.
Thank you!!!
I try, but please excuse me if I miss one or two – I get hundreds of emails and comments daily…
Don’t know if it is just me. Just upgraded the firmware, post that, i am seeing the aperture setting continuously changing when focusing in the “A” mode. Could not find any such issue with anyone else on goggling. (or is it that i need to get some sleep to clear my head)
That’s very odd. I’ll try the update once I’m done with next week’s assignments and see if I can replicate any of the behavior…
Checked out a few other lenses, seems to be happening only with the 105 macro.
Have you tried cleaning your lens contacts? Sometimes odd lens behavior can be due to this…
Just did my update…did some very random shots… very strange, I have AF fine tune my 85 1.4G on firmware B1.00 and was dead accurate on centre focus point (AF FT -8). Now with the upgrade, it seems to have front focus 😦 Need to go thru’ all my lenses again to ascertain this… 😦 Will report back after I do some “Lens Align” work this weekend.
Thanks for the update. If I’m not mistaken, the FW updates always wipe your CSM and AF fine tune settings, so I’m not surprised – perhaps your old settings didn’t ‘stick’.
This update also includes hardware correction of the 45mm Pancake, such that its corners are rendered comparable to the 50mm Summicron AA and it’s centre resolution is marginally higher. Bokeh is far superior. That should at least appease some of the more vociferous recent commentators on this site ! 😉
Hahaha indeed! It must be one of those ‘silent updates’ that people talk so much about.
hi,
unable to upgrade on macbook pro.after insertng the card in the camera it still shows old version
Please help!
Thanks
Did you put the file in the top level (i.e. root directory, before folders) of the card? Then you need to go to the firmware version and select update.
Thanks a million Ming.
Thats exactly what i did and it upgraded flawlessly.
Good to know!
Thanks, updating at the moment,
keep on shooting
Let us know if you notice any difference…