Struggling for more sharpness
Jan 27, 2016 13:06:32 #
Bankshot
Loc: Henderson, NV, USA
I looked for another post dealing with this but I am looking for help with a specific lens (Tamron 150-600mm), but any help would be appreciated. I have an opportunity to shoot a deer carcass near my home that is being visited by various scavengers (Coyotes, several different Bald Eagles, and some crows). The problem is that it is about 100-150 yards away. The wary Eagles and Coyotes won't let me get closer than my house without running off. I am not getting images as sharp as I had expected or hoped for using this lens at this distance. I get extremely sharp images at closer ranges (10-50 yards). All shot with Nikon D7000, manual careful focus, as sharp as I could get it. I tried my Nikon 18-200mm and got similar results. Shooting through an open patio door, but maybe there is just too much heat shimmer with the heat coming out the door I am shooting from. I have tried using a hoodman loupe on my live view screen for focusing. Am I reaching for something I can not grasp?
Bill
Bill
At 450mm, 1/3000 f8. ISO 1100
(Download)
at 500mm, 1/3000, f8. ISO 1100
(Download)
at 600mm, 1/3000, f8, ISO 1100
(Download)
Jan 27, 2016 13:19:13 #
Bankshot wrote:
I looked for another post dealing with this but I ... (show quote)
No reason to be at ISO 1100 and shutter 1/3000 ! ? Are you handholding??
The air quality between you and the subjects will matter. Lower ISO will matter. Being on a good tripod with remote release will matter.
"Am I reaching for something I can not grasp?
Bill[/quote] ...........Maybe !
Jan 27, 2016 13:20:06 #
Are you using a tripod Bill? I find that most of my issues are operator error but maybe someone with that lens can help you out with more specific information.
Jan 27, 2016 13:21:49 #
Bankshot wrote:
I looked for another post dealing with this but I ... (show quote)
I have the same problem, will be interested in responses. I believe that we are just exceeding the reach of our lens.
Jan 27, 2016 13:24:44 #
When I absolutely have to have it tack sharp, I get out the tripod. I use ISO 200 almost exclusively, and manual focus. I set a shutter delay of 2-3 seconds to get the mirror raised and let everything settle before the shutter flies.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Jan 27, 2016 13:24:54 #
Bankshot
Loc: Henderson, NV, USA
Hi, It's on gimbal, and locked, and I am using a remote release. Can you tell from looking at the images if there is some camera movement? Maybe from mirror flop. It seems there might be even though I am using a remote. I can try adding weight to the tripod.
Bill
Bill
Jan 27, 2016 13:30:24 #
Are you hand holding? Is the IS on or off? I think at 1/3000th, the IS is ineffective. ISO 1100 is probably not helping. At that distance, DOF should not be a problem. You could try a lower aperture setting. Maybe a tripod? Looks overcast or close to sunset so conditions are not ideal. Keep trying different settings.
Jan 27, 2016 13:31:51 #
Jan 27, 2016 13:31:51 #
Bankshot wrote:
Hi, It's on gimbal, and locked, and I am using a remote release. Can you tell from looking at the images if there is some camera movement? Maybe from mirror flop. It seems there might be even though I am using a remote. I can try adding weight to the tripod.
Bill
Bill
There are a number of folks here using that lens so I will leave the answers to them but Regis takes killer pictures with that lens (with a FF Canon if memory serves) but you should still get better shots than those even zoomed all the way out.
Good luck with your search for the answer.
Jan 27, 2016 13:33:17 #
You could try a blind, to get closer to the subject.
I think you're 1 - 2 stops under exposed, the snow should be white not gray.
I agree, why such a high ISO & fast shutter? Even hand held, I think 1/500 - 1/1000 would be short enough. A lower ISO may give an improved noise level.
IMHO, of course.
Good luck & post more pix to show how you've resolved your problem.
I think you're 1 - 2 stops under exposed, the snow should be white not gray.
I agree, why such a high ISO & fast shutter? Even hand held, I think 1/500 - 1/1000 would be short enough. A lower ISO may give an improved noise level.
IMHO, of course.
Good luck & post more pix to show how you've resolved your problem.
Jan 27, 2016 13:35:16 #
Shooting in manual mode, good for you. However, your compensation is at -½ which accounts for the really dirty grey snow. That should have been set to +1 or better to give nice clean white snow.
Others above have offered some good tips for sharp shooting.
Others above have offered some good tips for sharp shooting.
Jan 27, 2016 13:39:22 #
Garyminor
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Bankshot wrote:
... I am not getting images as sharp as I had expe... (show quote)
You need to determine if the problem is camera shake or lens softness. I would get a piece if tinfoil, put a few pinprick holes in it, and light it from the back.
Photograph this from the problem distance and look for streaks of light that indicate movement, or blurred spots that indicate softness.
I have my eye on that lens as a future purchase, so let us know.
Good luck.
Jan 27, 2016 13:47:48 #
Bankshot wrote:
I looked for another post dealing with this but I ... (show quote)
Put your lens at 500mm for maximum sharpness. You also need to use maybe +1.5 or +2 of Exposure Compensation (the white snow isn't supposed to look middle gray).
But the real problem is that you are going to have to be closer. 150 yards away you have a field of view that is just over 20 feet wide. You'll have to crop it down to about 4 or 5 feet wide, and that will destroy the sharpness. At 33 yards (100 feet) when using a 500mm lens you'll have a field of view just less than 5 feet wide.
Buy a camera blind, which is basically a tent. Set up down wind, and take a book to read. You may have to wait hours. But when something does show up you'll get pictures that make the effort worth it.
Jan 27, 2016 13:55:02 #
Apaflo wrote:
Put your lens at 500mm for maximum sharpness. You... (show quote)
You really only have to get the camera closer. An RF remote is good at 300 feet. Set the camera/tripod closer to the subject and manual focus. Go back inside and trigger the camera when the animals return. ISO needs to be 200 or less. It'll also help to wait for a sunny day.
Jan 27, 2016 14:22:51 #
imagemeister wrote:
...........Maybe !
wind blowing will also matter ....
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