Z7ii Auto focus issue

[scottishmonkey]

Having an issue with the auto focus getting the face/eye detect sharp. An abnormally high percentage are completely OOF (90% ish).

The image review shows the focus box over the eye so it detects it fine but the focus plane is generally miles off (background in focus) but sometimes it's on an ear or tip of nose.

I have found a few threads online and tried some of the suggestions (avoid low light/contrast, set AF-C etc) but with no improvement.

Single point focus is bang on so I know the camera/lens can focus.

I am shooting self portraits to try different lighting positions and set ups so I'm using a wireless remote (ML-L7) but don't think that should make a difference?

Firmware is up to date and have tried both wide area and auto area with people modes.

I get the feeling it is user error but it is just a feeling.

Any ideas?

 

[Phil V]

I am shooting self portraits to try different lighting positions and set ups so I'm using a wireless remote (ML-L7) but don't think that should make a difference?

I’d take a guess that the issue is either the way the remote is set up or simple user error.

 

[PeteStewardson]

Bet your shooting tight head shots aren’t you? Because that’s exactly my experience of the Z7ii. Fixed by switching to an expeed 7 based body.

 

[scottishmonkey]

Yes but not just tight, half body shots too. I've got Nikon CS on the case but I think I know what is going on. If focus is on the background (half press to wake things up) then I stand in position, when I press the remote (there is no half press on the remote) it doesn't or can't refocus on the now present face/eye.

I've tried Snapbridge and if I don't tap my face the same thing happens as before. If I tap my face then all seems fine. Same deal shooting tethered.

The ML-L7 was a late addition in a firmware update so probably not the best remote for the Z7ii