Manual Focus Problem

Actually, I'm going to say that part of this is due to the lens. It's a shit lens. Sorry, but it is. It's not going to be as razor sharp as some of the white lenses.

That lens is crap.

~Eric

[kencaleno]

Of course you could try "Trap Focusing" that only Nikons can do:

Custom (pencil) menu:

Autofocus set to AF-S
AF area mode set to single
AE-L/AF-L set to AF ON

Compose your shot and set the focus by aiming the centre focus icon at a definite target at the precise distance you want, (Say a tree branch where a bird is about to land, or on second base where the baseball player's foot will land) and pressing the "AE-L/AF-L" button near the viewfinder. This will focus the lens, let go of AE-L/AF-L button. Turn away,
press and hold the shutter button all the way down. Point camera at pre-focused point when subject approaches, and your camera will take the shot
Much faster than Human reflexes.

I use this method all the time for wildlife images - plus I'm using a lens which is considered "Crappier" than yours-the $119 (US) 70-300 G Nikkor zoom lens- F4-F5.6 -Here are a couple of shots using my "crappy" lens and "trap focus" It's more about knowing how to get the best out of whatever lenses you have. Regards, Ken