Check out Drone Video and Photography Forum section of our forum.
Focus Warning to other impetuous persons
Jun 19, 2012 08:42:58 #
I have heard so many wonderful things about the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens I bought one.
Within 5 minutes of getting it home I was in the garden, lens set at f/1.8 shooting anything in sight. Rushed indoors and loaded pics into Lightroom.
What a let down, not one photo was sharp. I admit I bought the lens to achieve background blur - but not over the whole picture.
It took a long time before I realised what the problem was. In the corner of each photo was a very small area of sharpness. The previous evening I had reset the camera, and one of the default settings is the very annoying "Focus - Closest Subject".
Changed the settings, reshot, lens now up to expectations.
Moral of the story - After a reset, go through all the settings one by one.
Within 5 minutes of getting it home I was in the garden, lens set at f/1.8 shooting anything in sight. Rushed indoors and loaded pics into Lightroom.
What a let down, not one photo was sharp. I admit I bought the lens to achieve background blur - but not over the whole picture.
It took a long time before I realised what the problem was. In the corner of each photo was a very small area of sharpness. The previous evening I had reset the camera, and one of the default settings is the very annoying "Focus - Closest Subject".
Changed the settings, reshot, lens now up to expectations.
Moral of the story - After a reset, go through all the settings one by one.
Jun 19, 2012 08:47:40 #
At least it was in the garden and not on holiday. I have been using the 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor, almost exclusively on my D40 and absolutely love it.
Another thing to remember is a lens is sharpest at about two stops away from maximum aperture, or around f/4 for that lens.
Another thing to remember is a lens is sharpest at about two stops away from maximum aperture, or around f/4 for that lens.
Jun 20, 2012 07:58:28 #
Searcher wrote:
I have heard so many wonderful things about the Ni... (show quote)
It is so wise to "zero out" the camera either after a shoot or before you head out. I imagine all of us have "been there, done that."
Check out Underwater Photography Forum section of our forum.
Jun 20, 2012 09:19:50 #
Searcher wrote:
I have heard so many wonderful things about the Ni... (show quote)
Is it possible that you have your camera set on something other than single point AF?
If you have it on matrix, the focus point will change to focus on one of the other 9 points (red LED's.) to bring it back to the center LED, press the OK button. This make the focus jump back. Also, set the camera on single point AF.
Jun 20, 2012 11:22:09 #
Indi wrote: Is it possible that you have your camera set on something other than single point AF?
If you have it on matrix, the focus point will change to focus on one of the other 9 points (red LED's.) to bring it back to the center LED, press the OK button. This make the focus jump back. Also, set the camera on single point AF.
Yes Indi, my camera was set to other than single point AF.
Before I take my D70s for an outing, I always do the 2 green buttons to reset. Nikon's firmware designer, in his wisdom decided "Nearest Subject" to be the default focussing mode and this is what caused my error. I must remember that after a reset, to change the AF setting back to somethig sensible - single point Af or even matrix, both are better than Nearest subject. I'll wager that more up to date cameras don't do this.
If you have it on matrix, the focus point will change to focus on one of the other 9 points (red LED's.) to bring it back to the center LED, press the OK button. This make the focus jump back. Also, set the camera on single point AF.
Yes Indi, my camera was set to other than single point AF.
Before I take my D70s for an outing, I always do the 2 green buttons to reset. Nikon's firmware designer, in his wisdom decided "Nearest Subject" to be the default focussing mode and this is what caused my error. I must remember that after a reset, to change the AF setting back to somethig sensible - single point Af or even matrix, both are better than Nearest subject. I'll wager that more up to date cameras don't do this.
Jun 20, 2012 11:50:59 #
Searcher wrote:
Indi wrote: Is it possible that you have your came... (show quote)
I'm nit sure I understand if you're saying that was your problem, or that you are just aware of that function.
I have the D5100. I think if I press the 2 green buttons, that resets everything I've customized in my Menu settings back to factory settings. Is that what you want to do each time?
Jun 20, 2012 16:14:26 #
Indi wrote:
That's what I was wondering and why would you want to reset to factory settings after every shoot?? That would be a large pain in the butt and would delete my settings............ quote=Searcher Indi wrote: Is it possible that yo... (show quote)
Check out Landscape Photography section of our forum.
Jun 20, 2012 16:45:38 #
I am studying photography at college, and everyday brings a new topic, sometimes more than one. As the studies involve White Balance, Tone, Contrast etc., it is hard to remember which settings have been altered for the day.
After I completed a whole day's shooting with the incorrect white balance set from the previous day, I had to submit photographs with a deep blue cast and needless to say, scored no brownie points. Rather than trudge throuh 40 or 50 menu items every time, I have been using the green button reset, but did not realise that there was such a thing as "Nearest Object Focus" and that it is a default setting.
I'm glad I found out before I have to take any important shots.
After I completed a whole day's shooting with the incorrect white balance set from the previous day, I had to submit photographs with a deep blue cast and needless to say, scored no brownie points. Rather than trudge throuh 40 or 50 menu items every time, I have been using the green button reset, but did not realise that there was such a thing as "Nearest Object Focus" and that it is a default setting.
I'm glad I found out before I have to take any important shots.
Jun 20, 2012 21:57:08 #
Searcher wrote:
I am studying photography at college, and everyday... (show quote)
OK, now you've got my curiosity up. I have the D5100. I saw nothing in the manual about "Nearest Object Focus." What model Nikon do you have that has his function?
Jun 21, 2012 02:51:48 #
Indi wrote:
quote=Searcher I am studying photography at colle... (show quote)
My camera is the Nikon D70s, menu item 03 - AF Area Mode - Closest subject
Jun 21, 2012 03:14:27 #
Indi wrote:
quote=Searcher I am studying photography at colle... (show quote)
Look under "Closest Object Focus"; that's how it is listed in several of my manuals.
Check out Printers and Color Printing Forum section of our forum.
Jun 21, 2012 09:51:49 #
Bill41 wrote:
quote=Indi quote=Searcher I am studying photogra... (show quote)
Not in my manual, and not in my Internet research for my D5100. Nearest thing (article) I could find was something about CSM -->a4, which my camera does not have. Only goes up to a3. Guess I'll have to upgrade...not!
Thanks
Jun 21, 2012 11:19:29 #
This feature of the D70s is not somethig I would recommend although I believe a version of it is used in some modern cameras with facial recognition algorithms.
Bear in mind the D70 and D70s cameras are seven or more years old now, and some of the worst gimmicks have been replaced by useful ones.
I think Closest Subject focus could be useful, but as an extra menu item, not as a default setting.
Bear in mind the D70 and D70s cameras are seven or more years old now, and some of the worst gimmicks have been replaced by useful ones.
I think Closest Subject focus could be useful, but as an extra menu item, not as a default setting.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.