Sorry, I thought you were saying you were going to use it mainly for subject distances of 1m-3m. I should have read your original post again. That's one of my favorite portrait lenses.

The problem shouldn't get worse.

Hi Jonnyapple,

Well, i'm gonna explain to you my case.
I buyed that lens, at first all was OK. I shot a couple of normal portraits, some people walking, and old bike... and all was really good. I only notice a little softness at 1.8, and a few cyan color fringes, but it is normal at these apertures.

The problem ocurred when I want to shot a headshot to my girlfriend. It was in a distance of 1.5meters. Of course I put the focus point in her eyes but when a look the pictures, she has the eyes and the eyebrows without focus, the focus was on her fringe of his front. So, I think "hey, 1.8 apertures are soo critical... but I hace a really good shooting tecnique".
That night, I check the lense with a focus chat making two test, one at 1m and other at 1.5m. Both of them shows 18mm of backfocus. Thanks the d7000 and his professional capabilities I used the focus microadjustement to put it to -18. Now the lens is PERFECT, I shot without tripod, at 1.8 to a 1meter subject and everything (I want) is on focus.
But the lens is new, that's why I am asking if it is normal or not, or if it will be worse in the future and the backfocus would get out of the -20 scale of microadjusting.

Thanks for the comments. It really helps.

pd: sorry for my grammar mistakes.

adamz said:
guys, please don't over react. this happens and -18 it's within the limits. if it's working ok than what's the need to sell it or return it?

Yes, I was only saying that if he ever needed to sell it, it would be more difficult to because he'd probably need to disclose the focus issue to potential buyers. If you never see yourself selling it, then I wouldn't worry about it.

guirols, are you sure you wouldn't rather have a macro lens? 1m is about the minimum focal distance for that lens. Maybe you'd be better off with the 85 f/3.5 macro for DX? It also has VR and has a similar price.

Hi Andyp,

Well... I spend like 2 hours doing tests with a focus chard. After adjusting it I get a properly focus point, before that, all my shots at 1-3meters was out of focus (in the place I want).

I've had myself convinced of various af micro adjustment settings. I finally got a decent tripod and head (gitzo legs and acratech head) and the values I selected turned out to be erroneous.

guirols said:
Thank all for the responses.

In fact, I don't really care if I need to adjust it -18. I know that the problem could be in the AF motor of the d7000, or both lenses and camera. Maybe this lens in a d800 don't need microadjust.
The point is, is it going to be a -18 always? Could it be worse? If in the future the backfocus is going to bet stronger I will have a -20 top correction only.

Unless you're hard on your body and lenses and they get banged around a lot it probably wont change.

I still think -18 is enough to try to exchange it while you have the chance (especially if your other lenses don't need to be adjusted). If the new lens exhibits the same behavior then it's probably something that may be an odd combination with your body and that particular lens.

Thank all for the responses.

In fact, I don't really care if I need to adjust it -18. I know that the problem could be in the AF motor of the d7000, or both lenses and camera. Maybe this lens in a d800 don't need microadjust.
The point is, is it going to be a -18 always? Could it be worse? If in the future the backfocus is going to bet stronger I will have a -20 top correction only.

guys, please don't over react. this happens and -18 it's within the limits. if it's working ok than what's the need to sell it or return it? the only one thing that comes to my mind is to get the 85/1.8 version.

please don't forget that's af micro correction was designed especially for such cases.

Definitely not normal. I'm using the same lens and body with zero adjust. I'd definitely suggest getting it checked out or exchanging it.

I would return it if you can. Next one should be / could be closer to "right"

That's not normal, guirols. It's your decision whether to return it, but I would do it just because it would be hard to sell it with that problem if you ever need to. Welcome to the forum.

Hi,

I recently buyed a new Nikkor 85 1.8D lenses version because it seems to be the perfect portrait lenses for my d7000.
After using it for the first time I notice a little "softness", what a surprise when a check it in the laptop and I discover a focus problem.
After doing many test with a focus chart I found a heavy backfocus. Using the focus microadjusting tool I put it to a -18. Now the lenses are working really great, and I focus right in all the pictures.
But my questin... Is it normal to put -18 in a new lenses? Do I need to return it back to the store or it is a normal issue?

Please, help me, I'm on time for returning it.

Thx to all! :)

pd: sorry for my english, it's my fourth language.