Photos of Ships at Sea: My Nikon D5100 is a pleasure to use but I still have difficulty getting proper focus of other (distant) ships at sea. Even with a tripod, the minor vibrations...

kemo Loc: Tampa, FL

My Nikon D5100 is a pleasure to use but I still have difficulty getting proper focus of other (distant) ships at sea. Even with a tripod, the minor vibrations of the ship I'm aboard, coupled with oh-so-slight rolling, tends to make images blurry irrespective of camera and/or lens settings. In low light, of course, this is even worse. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong ? Thanks.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

kemo wrote:

My Nikon D5100 is a pleasure to use but I still have difficulty getting proper focus of other (distant) ships at sea. Even with a tripod, the minor vibrations of the ship I'm aboard, coupled with oh-so-slight rolling, tends to make images blurry irrespective of camera and/or lens settings. In low light, of course, this is even worse. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong ? Thanks.

Very tough situation. Both ships are rolling, and yours is vibrating. I would suggest a high ISO and high shutter speed. The tripod might make it worse, since it is "attached" firmly to the vibrating deck, and it moves exactly the same as the ship moves. People tend to naturally counteract the movement of the ship. Taking lots of shots might help to get one good one.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

The vibrations from the ship can be softened by hand held shots bracing your arm against something solid on the ship - using your body tissue as a filter between ship & camera.
Worked for me.
Harvey

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=kemo My Nikon D5100 is a pleasure to use bu... (show quote)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Harvey wrote:

The vibrations from the ship can be softened by hand held shots bracing your arm against something solid on the ship - using your body tissue as a filter between ship & camera.
Worked for me.
Harvey

Right, and the more "tissue" your body has, the better. :D

jcontreras Loc: Lockhart, Texas

I found that by facing 90 degrees from the centerline and leaning the opposite direction of the ship's roll you can remain fairly stable - don't brace against anything as it will impart the vibrations to you. I guess getting your sealegs is imperative! This advice is based on my 30 years in the U.S. Navy.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

On the 5100, you are turning off the VR while on a tripod aren't you ?

Sarge69

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

You have far more expertise in this field than me for sure.
Harvey

jcontreras wrote:

I found that by facing 90 degrees from the centerline and leaning the opposite direction of the ship's roll you can remain fairly stable - don't brace against anything as it will impart the vibrations to you. I guess getting your sealegs is imperative! This advice is based on my 30 years in the U.S. Navy.

TchrBill Loc: Houston, TX

kemo wrote:

My Nikon D5100 is a pleasure to use but I still have difficulty getting proper focus of other (distant) ships at sea. Even with a tripod, the minor vibrations of the ship I'm aboard, coupled with oh-so-slight rolling, tends to make images blurry irrespective of camera and/or lens settings. In low light, of course, this is even worse. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong ? Thanks.

Are you sure the "blur" you are seeing isn't a function of either haze in the air out at sea or possibly heat waves coming off the water? If the ships are that distant, there is a lot of air between you and that distant ship.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

You don't mention the lens you are using. My Nikon leneses have VR with an "Active" and a "Normal" setting. "Active" is intended to counteract the motions of transported by somrthing, in your case the movement of the ship you are on.

Bri Loc: NZ

I use a mono-pod and stand it on top of my shoe. Seems to help

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

You don't mention what type of lens or F-stop setting you're using for these shots? Using a more open lens and a higher shutter speed coupled with a higher ISO should stop all motion of both ships. Slow rolling of any ship can be elliminated by the use of higher shutter speeds in my experience. What shooting mode are you using for these photos anyway? Are you in AUTO, SHUTTER PRIORITY or APERTURE PRIORITY?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Harvey wrote:

The vibrations from the ship can be softened by hand held shots bracing your arm against something solid on the ship - using your body tissue as a filter between ship & camera.
Worked for me.
Harvey

Ditto this

michelleGD

if you are using a tripod, turn off the VR switch on the lens..... it happened to me also.

kemo wrote:

My Nikon D5100 is a pleasure to use but I still have difficulty getting proper focus of other (distant) ships at sea. Even with a tripod, the minor vibrations of the ship I'm aboard, coupled with oh-so-slight rolling, tends to make images blurry irrespective of camera and/or lens settings. In low light, of course, this is even worse. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong ? Thanks.

poluto Loc: lacey, wa

Have the crew rig a bosun's chair to the overhead and shoot from there. The ship may pitch and roll but you will remain for the most part stationary. Also a fast shutterspeed and vr would help... Did this many times and it generally works in reasonable wather

davejann Loc: Portland Oregon

jcontreras wrote:

I found that by facing 90 degrees from the centerline and leaning the opposite direction of the ship's roll you can remain fairly stable - don't brace against anything as it will impart the vibrations to you. I guess getting your sealegs is imperative! This advice is based on my 30 years in the U.S. Navy.

On naval ships, the surgical operating room is usually placed at the center of both roll and pitch. That is usually buried in the middle of the ship but some place topside from that "center" might be your best bet. Somebody in the crew should be able to help you.

Dave