sharper images (Page 2): If you put the origional file up here I can show you where your camera focused i appreciate that this is the raw file From looking at the raw file, I don't see...

bellaj

CanonFire wrote:

quote=bellaj quote=Dback4430 quote=bellaj I wou... (show quote)

user error, it figures... :-)
thanks for looking! I'll have to pick up a new less breakable tripod!

bellaj

CanonFire wrote:

quote=bellaj quote=Bobber Looking closely as I c... (show quote)

sorry, here you go

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Thanks for posting the larger image, Bellaj. I regret that, in my opinion, nothing is in focus. :( However, the problem is probably camera shake. As you like wildlife I would suggest you get a monopod (available at any good camera store for $20 to $30). The advantage of a mono is that you can move from one place to another quickly. Speed is not always possible with a tripod. Good luck!

bellaj

Shakey wrote:

Thanks for posting the larger image, Bellaj. I regret that, in my opinion, nothing is in focus. :( However, the problem is probably camera shake. As you like wildlife I would suggest you get a monopod (available at any good camera store for $20 to $30). The advantage of a mono is that you can move from one place to another quickly. Speed is not always possible with a tripod. Good luck!

Thank you, no regrets, it's pretty easy to see that. i will take your advice and try the monopod, i hadn't thought of that and was having trouble moving as you said.

coastlawyer Loc: Coastal Mississippi

bellaj wrote:

I would like some advice on what i'm doing wrong. I've read some of the other folks who are having similar problems.
i'm putting one of the red dots on the bird when focusing. I've tried manual, auto, "A" and scene. with and without tripods. without fail i cannot get any of the birds i am photographing clear when using my larger lens.
i am using a Nikon d5100, with a DX 55-300mm lens.
Help?

Thanks for the download version.

I enlarged your photo then cropped to show some boken, which confirms to me, the problem is camera shake. Also the rocks also show camera shake.

Richard Miller

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

bellaj wrote:

I would like some advice on what i'm doing wrong. I've read some of the other folks who are having similar problems.
i'm putting one of the red dots on the bird when focusing. I've tried manual, auto, "A" and scene. with and without tripods. without fail i cannot get any of the birds i am photographing clear when using my larger lens.
i am using a Nikon d5100, with a DX 55-300mm lens.
Help?

note the tonal value of the birds and the background and note that you do not have much if any separation - hence while the birds are in focus they do not appear sharp.........it's not the camera....its' not you (though at our age a tripod/monopod is recommended).....its the lack of tonal contrast in the scene

bellaj

thanks everyone, i obviously have much to learn! Hopefully i can put all this in order in my head and make the next photo work.
i'll be going out this afternoon, but sadly it's another overcast day!
thanks again!

brentj38 Loc: arizonia

I have same camera and lens I have found using ISo 1000 at f10 and get your shutter speed up to around 800 or higher works a lot better a tripod is a big help too

bellaj

brentj38 wrote:

I have same camera and lens I have found using ISo 1000 at f10 and get your shutter speed up to around 800 or higher works a lot better a tripod is a big help too

thanks!

mariraju Loc: Toronto

I think at 300mm zoom, even the smallest shake is more than enough to get the blurred images.
Even if you use tripod, you still need a remote trigger for that kind of zoom. Like others mentioned you can increase the ISO for faster shutter speed and also try to increase the DOF(depth of field)

pcwilson Loc: New Mexico

I don't understand the term 'back focus'.

I shoot with a Nikon D40 - maybe that's not a feature on my camera?

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

bellaj wrote:

I would like some advice on what i'm doing wrong. I've read some of the other folks who are having similar problems.
i'm putting one of the red dots on the bird when focusing. I've tried manual, auto, "A" and scene. with and without tripods. without fail i cannot get any of the birds i am photographing clear when using my larger lens.
i am using a Nikon d5100, with a DX 55-300mm lens.
Help?

The best answer I can give is this. When you're running full auto and all the focal points you're allowing the camera to fix the focal point.

In the other settings, such as P (program) you should be able to set those focal points to a single one - dead center.

Now when you place that point over your subject you are in control and you're forcing the camera to focus where you tell it to rather than allowing it to make that decision. Once your camera captures focus
re- frame your shot to what you want and fire.

I've found that all those focal points are really useless because of the reason you've stated. Many of us with long backgrounds in photography agree and have gone to a single, dead center point.

Good luck

Dback4430 Loc: Lockport Il

bellaj wrote:

quote=Bobber Looking closely as I can at your pic... (show quote)

Here is what the camera focused on

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=bellaj]Re post the image and click on "store original" before "send". This will allow the camera specifics to be checked. David in Florida.

Designerfin Loc: Utah, USA

I second the camera shake conclusion. I have a lot of trouble getting sharp photos with my Sigma 70-300mm because it has no image stabilization, and it's not terribly sharp at 300mm anyway. I suggest using a tripod if at all possible, apertures around f8 or f11, and shutter of 1/500 or faster. You can probably shoot at up to ISO 1600 with your camera without too much noise, no? I hope these things help. If your lens has VR you should turn it off if you put it on a tripod. I'm not terribly familiar with Nikon lenses, but most (maybe not any?) 70-300mm consumer lenses are not really sharp at 300mm, so don't expect them to look like pro images, even at their best.