MichaelStacy

I am using a D750 and a 28-300 lens and have been getting results which appeared to me to be camera shake, possibly. So, I have been shooting with a shutter speed of 1/1600 second, and f8.

Before I go off the deep end, I thought I would post a couple of pictures in hopes someone might have an idea what is going on - me, camera, what?
These are unedited, so some are crooked... And not a crisp day on the bay.

Thank you in advance..

Michael

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Cheese

I don't think it is the lens ... you can read the numbers on the sail at this distance. I believe it may be the haze.

jak86094

I basically agree with Cheese. In #1, your point of focus is probably 200-400 feet out onto the roadway and bridge. I don’t see much sign of shake. It’s pretty sharp out there. Near to the camera is not within the depth of field for that f stop and focal length and therefore blurry. For all the pictures, remember that you are near the ocean on a sunny day where wind, heat and humidity cause refraction. The further you go from the camera, the greater the refraction will blur the images. The fact that you can clearly read the numbers on the sail is a testament to how well focused and still you were. I may see a little noise in the skies, but not extreme. Remember that noise will often show most in solid areas of primary colors...like skies. This looks like some very gentle noise reduction in PP would get rid of the noise without too much softening of the image. These are good exposures...be nice to yourself. You don’t mention what your ISO was, but to reduce noise you probably could drop the. ISO and use a longer shutter speed if the ISO was high. Just some ideas. Keep up the good work and spend your worrying for finding compelling images and composing shots to best display your subjects.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Forget camera/lens/photog issues and buy that sailboat now! (Just kidding) Your anguish is understandable, and I’m not unsympathetic. I agree with others that focus is just fine. Guessing you are using a tripod. Try working with a photog buddy to explore ways to find vantage points where you can both be closer to your subject(s), or join one of the many camera clubs in your “in hiding” area. I like your first image a lot - composition, leading lines and grand scale - but much of the humanly interesting subjects are so small. You are following the “name of the game is fill the frame” precept, but I suggest trying to get much closer. Best wishes and keep doing what you are doing.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I agree with earlier posters who point out the haze and tiny subjects. Haze, humidity, other bad air and mid-day light = glare and poor contrast + if it was hot, you could also have clarity issues from heat rising.

Take a series of photos of closer subjects during earlier and later times of the day, and do it away from the water. Only then will you be able to more accurately judge your "sharpness."

Also, try to be aware of slanting images while taking the shot as rotating a jpg in pp can reduce clarity. If you are shooting in raw and need to straighten, do while in the raw editor as a first step.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Agree with everyone else. Its not noise, its haze. Did you shoot raw? What do you use for post processing? A number of software packages today have haze filters. I took the liberty of updating two of your images with just the haze filter called Clearview in my DXO PhotoLab Elite raw processor. Each updated image is followed by your original image below it. The results are not as good as they could be if I had been able to modify raw files instead of jpegs, but I think the results show that haze, not lack of sharpness or noise is the main issue. I would possibly make additional modifications in post as well if they were my images, but they're not. If you look at them full screen you will see the differences with the haze filter applied is pretty significant. The filter is adjustable but I left it at its default setting which may not meet everyone's taste.

With DXO PhotoLab Clearview haze filter

(Download)

Your original image

(Download)

With DXO PhotoLab Clearview haze filter

(Download)

Your original image

(Download)

MichaelStacy

To all those who replied - thank you for input. mwsilvers, thank you for doing the dxo labs adjustment. I use LR 5.6, which doesn't have dehazing as does later versions. I am curious about the dxo lab program, though, and will investigate. Again, thanks for input - always a continuous learning experience. I try to get as close to the subject as possible, but from a bridge.....

fwiw, the 3 images were shot at (top to bottom)
1 iso 360 f8 1/200 28mm
2 iso 250 f8 1/1600 300mm
3 iso 280 f8 1/1600 135mm

These were shot from the SF-Oakland Bay bridge on a ~70deg day, not real clear. All hand held.

Michael

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

You are very welcome. I hope showing you the results of dehazing was helpful. The Lightroom de-hazing filter is only available in the subscription version of Lightroom, Lightroom CC Classic. I believe both Capture One and ON1 also have filters to remove haze. I use DXO Photolab as my main raw processor. Previously I used Lightroom 6.14. In PhotoLab the de-hazing filter is only available in the Elite version, which is fairly pricey. However, there is a 30-day free trial. I believe the elite version is available at a discounted price right now for $189. And it's important to also get the Viewpoint perspective plugin which cost another $50. Viewpoint fixes all kinds of perspective issues like buildings on the edge of the frame leaning in towards each other, and distortions caused by taking a photo when you're too close to a tall structure, etc.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Of the three color channels, blue is usually where the lion's share of the noise lives.

I do not see any shake, but I do see haze, and some selective sharpening opportunities not taken.

Dehazing, clarity, mid-tone contrast enhancement, etc will all contribute to making these appear sharper.

But in terms of acuity, the lens has it's limitations, and this may be as good as it gets.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Yes - I would go with Haze - but two of those pics were at the extreme focal lengths of the lens - never going to be the best for clarity.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am in agreement with others that have pointed out to haze as the reason for the lack of sharpness. Your lens has VC so speeds in the range of what you are shooting now are not necessary.
All of these images, as you have seen, improve considerably during editing. Be assured that the combination of a D750 and the 28-300 VC lens is a great combo and very capable of excellent results.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Michael, I use a 28~300 and have on both my D700 and D800e. I've gotten very satisfactory results. However, the consensus is that it's not the greatest lens. Several notable UHH members are of that opinion. Perhaps I got lucky.

Now, I think the main issue with your photos could be haze. I'd suggest testing by renting a 150mm lens and shooting the same scene with that lens and your lens set to approximately 150mm. Then, check the results from each. Try to do this on a haze-free, fog-free day. You might also use a tripod for this test.
--Bob

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

True. Nature can interfere with our photography.

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

I agree, nothing wrong. On the first shot you can read the "Call Box" and "Treasure Island" on the exit sign on the automobile bridge. It's most likely haze.

P.S. I spent 1 year on Treasure Island in '64 when I was in the NAVY.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Try Lightroom dehaze. I think there was a lot of crap in the air!