image not sharp: i am shooting nikon D5200, used a 50mm 1:8 and 1:4, i can't get a sharp image, F16 160ss studio strobes i am not sure if it's the lens or the camera, or combo, it's...

lydiabpinkham Loc: Arlington, Tx

i am shooting nikon D5200, used a 50mm 1:8 and 1:4, i can't get a sharp image, F16 160ss studio strobes
i am not sure if it's the lens or the camera, or combo, it's works well most of the time but for this transfer bench,it
's not
so if i decide it's the camera, any not too expensive, still use nikon either as is lens or adapters , i can't afford to start from scratch, but i'm feeling like i'm not advancing this way
any suggestions are always appreciated..

daninr8 Loc: Western Slope of Colorado

Need photo to analyze, but make sure your connections are clean. It could be that you're thinking your steady, but just a little movement will cause blurring of photos.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

As daninr8 stated, post the image in question and make sure to check "Store "original" box.

Don

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Just a simple suggestion but I have actually seen cases where this was the problem. Now and then, Look through the viewfinder with your left eye and click (roll) the tiny focus wheel (I think all cameras have one) back and forth until everything is in focus. I have known 2 people who sent cameras for repairs when that was the only problem with focus.

daninr8 Loc: Western Slope of Colorado

Horseart is talking about the diopter for the viewfinder. It can cause issues with you not seeing a photo in focus in camera, but it also seems that she is having the photos not being sharp in computer too. We'll have to wait for her to tell us more, and upload a photo.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

daninr8 wrote:

Horseart is talking about the diopter for the viewfinder. It can cause issues with you not seeing a photo in focus in camera, but it also seems that she is having the photos not being sharp in computer too. We'll have to wait for her to tell us more, and upload a photo.

Correct. In the case of my friends, that threw off what they should have been able to focus on, causing their photos to be blurred. I may be wording that wrong and it may have nothing to do with the problem. We have plenty of helpful members here who may know when they see a photo with the problem. Hope you get this resolved easily.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

lydiabpinkham wrote:

i am shooting nikon D5200, used a 50mm 1:8 and 1:4, i can't get a sharp image, F16 160ss studio strobes
i am not sure if it's the lens or the camera, or combo, it's works well most of the time but for this transfer bench,it
's not
so if i decide it's the camera, any not too expensive, still use nikon either as is lens or adapters , i can't afford to start from scratch, but i'm feeling like i'm not advancing this way
any suggestions are always appreciated..

As suggested, post an image that includes EXIF data, but as a start, quit shooting at f16 - diffraction caused by small apertures effect sharpness negatively - try f8 maximum instead unless you absolutely must have more DOF and are willing to trade sharpness for it.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

lydiabpinkham wrote:

i am shooting nikon D5200, used a 50mm 1:8 and 1:4, i can't get a sharp image, F16 160ss studio strobes
i am not sure if it's the lens or the camera, or combo, it's works well most of the time but for this transfer bench,it
's not
so if i decide it's the camera, any not too expensive, still use nikon either as is lens or adapters , i can't afford to start from scratch, but i'm feeling like i'm not advancing this way
any suggestions are always appreciated..

Without seeing an image, or a far more detailed description, all that can be done is guess. One of the problems is that some suggestions in these guesses could be absolutely not applicable to your problem/findings.

Within your description, you say "i can't get a sharp image". To make an assessment there are two items that are of vital importance to know,

a) Are you referring to it being 'unsharp' throughout the entire scene/picture, or, 'unsharp' in one area but sharper elsewhere?

b) What method of focusing did you use to ensure sharpest focus was on the exact part of the scene where you wanted it?

A picture with the problem as already mentioned will greatly assist us helping you.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

lydiabpinkham wrote:

i am shooting nikon D5200, used a 50mm 1:8 and 1:4, i can't get a sharp image, F16 160ss studio strobes
i am not sure if it's the lens or the camera, or combo, it's works well most of the time but for this transfer bench,it
's not
so if i decide it's the camera, any not too expensive, still use nikon either as is lens or adapters , i can't afford to start from scratch, but i'm feeling like i'm not advancing this way
any suggestions are always appreciated..

Lets start with an easy check, is the lens AF/MF turned to AF? Is the lens seated correctly, if any of the pins on the lens are not making contact with the camera's contacts, the focus will not work, try cleaning the contacts on both the camera and lens.
If all else fails call 1-800-645-6687 and ask Nikon for help before you make any purchasing decisions.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

lydiabpinkham wrote:

i am shooting nikon D5200, used a 50mm 1:8 and 1:4, i can't get a sharp image, F16 160ss studio strobes
i am not sure if it's the lens or the camera, or combo, it's works well most of the time but for this transfer bench,it
's not
so if i decide it's the camera, any not too expensive, still use nikon either as is lens or adapters , i can't afford to start from scratch, but i'm feeling like i'm not advancing this way
any suggestions are always appreciated..

Had that happen to me back when I had a D60. The problem in my case was the lens. Part of it was a minuet shift in the central part that moves when the camera focuses, don'tknow exactly the proper name for part. It was cheaper to but a used lens than have it fixed.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Do you have another camera on which you can mount the lens? If you get blurred images on both cameras, it's likely the lens. If not, it's likely the camera. I had a problem with a Tamron lens but focusing accurately. Tamron worked on it. That helped. I also had my camera calibrated to the lens.

lydiabpinkham Loc: Arlington, Tx

i have attached the raw file, appreciate your feedback

Attached file:
(Download)

lydiabpinkham Loc: Arlington, Tx

i thought i had included the image, here it is, it's not sharp every where

Attached file:
(Download)

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

TriX wrote:

As suggested, post an image that includes EXIF data, but as a start, quit shooting at f16 - diffraction caused by small apertures effect sharpness negatively - try f8 maximum instead unless you absolutely must have more DOF and are willing to trade sharpness for it.

"quit shooting at f16 - diffraction caused by small apertures effect sharpness negatively" - TriX

Diffraction is a real thing, people. Look it up!

The only lens I will use above F8 is my Nikkor Micro 55mm f2.8.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

It's not seriously unsharp. F/16 on a crop sensor camera is a very small aperture. You'll get less diffraction if you open up the aperture.