I really hope I didn't somehow miss this topic already discussed. I've gone back through the thread since before the D800 was released and couldn't find an exact answer so please forgive me if I am starting a thread improperly.
In preparation for receiving my D800 on Tues, I've been reading the manual. I got to the AF fine tuning section and the manual says it shouldn't be necessary in most cases.
I was curious as to why it would be an option if it wasn't necessary so I looked into it more. I've read in several places that some people are having to fine tune every lens to -15 or -20. Then there are some who don't have to tune any lenses. I've never had this as an option before so I am a little anxious about it.
To make things worse, I'm finding conflicting info about how to do it! I've seen several people who simply set the camera up on a tripod, focused on some small print and went though the range and picked the best adjustment. Some did this with the aperture wide open, some did it closed down a little and I have no idea why.
Then I've seen one person who had something that had to be downloaded and shown on the computer screen with the camera aimed EXACTLY square to it and each lens had to be run several times. There were concentric circles and thiings. It confused the heck out of me. It seemed very complex and quiet honestly scary.
To top it off, I've also read that every camera needs to be shipped back to Nikon with the full compliment of lenses to have them fine tuned by a technician at anywhere from $20-$400 a pop! That's a huge expense plus the time I'd be without my equipment!
Then there's the issue of zoom lenses. I can't get a definite answer as to where the lens should be optimized. Some people are doing it smack in the middle, others at 70%.
I'm starting to loose sleep over this issue! I'd ask on one of the other forums that already has a similar thread that doesn't fully answer my questions, but they aren't very nice to newbies and you all seem to be more tolerant of people who are still learning. I really appreciate your help.
Thanks.
