So, I've had my D7000 bodies for about 13 months now.

Using old, cheap kit lenses a 18-55 and a 55-200, great results.

Purchased a Sigma 24-70/2.8 EX, pretty bad backfocus. Lots of testing, ended dialing in -18 on both bodies, and now it's tack sharp through the range. Did a lot of testing to reach this conclusion, and got a lot of feedback on the forum while doing it.

Then got the Nikon 70-200/2.8 VRII. Just spectacular, no issues, awesome spot-on focus through the range.

I recently splurged for the Nikon 14-24/2.8. Started playing with it, couldn't get anything approaching a sharp photo...yes, severe backfocus. Dialed to -20 compensation on both bodies, and now it's sharp. I haven't completed testing, so don't know if -20 is the final number, or if it will be a bit less (or if I need a bit more).

I'm going to exchange this lens for another, if nothing else I'll get another data point.


I can't help but notice that two FX wider zooms have the problem, and other lenses don't.

Is is possible that there's something in the D7000 bodies that needs calibrated? Or do I just have bad luck on wide angle, FX zooms?

EDIT: corrected a typo on lens information pointed out by Pete later in the thread.