I’ve taken my Nikon F-401x for a “test drive” and the result was really disappointing. For those who are not familiar with the camera, it is a SLR, a non-digital camera (ie. it runs on films). Therefore, I can only view the pictures after I’ve sent them to the shop for developing.
Some of the photos were blur and not sharp enough. Those photos were mostly taken indoors. I believe I need to turn on the flash for those shots. Some other photos were focusing on the background instead of the object. While only a handful out of the 24 photos taken were considered “good”.
Sometimes, I notice the auto focus does not focus on the object I was focusing on. I’m not sure if the auto focus is out. That’s when I switched the camera to manual and started playing with the focus myself. In the end, I don’t remember which photo was taken with manual focus and which with auto focus.
I’ll be using this camera for my cousin’s wedding this weekend. I’m not sure to set the camera to auto focus (which doesn’t focus on the object sometimes), or switch it to manual focus.
Is it possible that what I see through the viewfinder isn’t how the photo will turn out to be? Example, I am focusing on the teddy bear using manual focus and the screenshot below is what I am seeing through the viewfinder.
However, the photo that is taken has the focus on the background instead like the screenshot below.
Is this possible? Or whatever I see through the viewfinder (focus wise) is how the photo will turn out to be?
HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!!
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The viewfinder should show *exactly* how the picture would look like. If the photos are turning out different than what you remembered seeing in the viewfinder, then it is a fault.
And I wouldn’t trust it to take good photos for you if that was the case.
If you want your subject to be sharp use the auto focus for the subject. Then only you shift away and recompose while still half pressing the shutter release. Once you have the composition you want just ~click~.
Manual focus is not really good enough if you don’t have the camera equipped with a focus reticle. Older cameras have a donut shaped reticle inside where all the lines meet when the focus is sharp. But being a Nikon I do think they have add-ons for that. Ask you Nikon service center or authorized dealer.
ur bear bear quite cute
@mooiness
Ok, thanks for confirming it for me. I have bought another roll of film. I’ll be taking a few more shots with it and see how the result will be like. It’s a real pain not being able to view the picture right after taking it.
@Rauff
I know the trick you mentioned in the first paragraph. I’ve been doing that but sometimes the object isn’t in focus even when I am focusing on it, only sometimes though.
My camera has a focus reticle in it (I think). It’s a permanent “long rectangle” with a bigger circle around it in the centre of the viewfinder. Is that a focus reticle? LOL. I really have no idea.
@Freethinker
Got it for my graduation
[...] I haven’t had the chance to fully experiment with my Nikon F-401x. The problem I had earlier could be due to lack of skill or faulty equipment [...]
Try testing the auto focus for back or front focus defects (which can be caused by the AF misalignment in the lens or the body).
Search for AF test chart on the internet, print it out and try to test your camera with different lenses and compare your results. Hope this helps.
@dylan
Thanks again! I will look for the test chart and try it out.
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I only have one lens for this old model. I am planning to buy a Nikon D40x very soon. That will solve a lot of problems