Picture Distortion (Page 2): So, was it a mistake to buy this lens?

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

Ysarex wrote:

I think the software is there and it's working. What you're experiencing is a poor job of software correction. I suspect your lens is in fact much worse than what you're seeing in this photo.

Joe

So, was it a mistake to buy this lens?

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

BooIsMyCat wrote:

Lens Corrections is a tool within Lightroom’s Develop Module that allows fixing such lens problems as distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting, and perspective correction “non-destructively”, without leaving Lightroom.

By your response, I'm thinking you don't use Lightroom (LR)?

Correct, I don't use lightroom. The only editing tool I have is what is in Photo. I do have Pixlemator, but it is such an unfriendly tool to use that I never use it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MaryFran wrote:

I looked on the Nikon website. There is a firmware update available, but I am terrified to try it, just like when I first started using a computer, for fear I will destroy the camera.

Nothing to fear. Millions of people do it for their cameras, from all levels of technical skill. The process is easy, although many people are confused by what exactly is being said in the instructions. The instructions are there along with the download file, copied below.

The key points are that you are downloading a compressed file that has another file 'inside' that has to be extracted. The resulting 'extract' file is what is placed onto your camera's SD card and used to update the camera. If you get lost / unsure, just post some updated questions.

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

pendennis wrote:

At 18mm, lenses will distort, especially any image... (show quote)

So, if I only use the lens for 24mm or larger, I shouldn't see this distortion? At least for close objects?

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Nothing to fear. Millions of people do it for thei... (show quote)

Could you just please come over here and do it for me??? LOL

My first question: I checked the firmware version on my camera. It says C 1.02, L 2.009. The version that I have found on the Nikon page says 2.018. It doesn't specify if it is C or L.

Second question which I suppose is REALLY stupid. Do I have to connect my camera to my computer to do this? I saw something about using a card reader for the computer. I need to format a memory card in the camera and then use a card reader to put in the computer? If that is the case, why does it say to take my lens off the camera before doing this installation? Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MaryFran wrote:

Could you just please come over here and do it for... (show quote)

Let's confirm this is the Nikon page where you're accessing the available firmware: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/264.html

Version 1.04 is what is to be downloaded and installed, the only file available at the link above (with versions specific to both Windows and Mac). If your camera says '1.02', the process will update to '1.04'.

You need to get the file from the computer onto the card. If you don't have a card reader, then yes, you'd wire-connect the camera to the computer and use the computer's OS window to 'see' the card and copy the extracted 'bin' file onto the card. Then, disconnect the camera, turn off the camera, and turn the camera on to start the firmware install.

I wouldn't think the lens on / off would make a difference. If that is the suggestion and you have a body cap handy, it doesn't hurt to take this action.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

MaryFran wrote:

So, was it a mistake to buy this lens?

No. It's not like we have much choice. Assuming you could buy a comparable lens without the distortion it would cost you some very serious $$$$. You did buy what's known as a super-zoom. The focal length range is extreme: 18mm-300mm. That invites some complications, but you also enjoy benefits. It's always a compromise and odds are you made a good one.

Joe

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

Ysarex wrote:

No. It's not like we have much choice. Assuming you could buy a comparable lens without the distortion it would cost you some very serious $$$$. You did buy what's known as a super-zoom. The focal length range is extreme: 18mm-300mm. That invites some complications, but you also enjoy benefits. It's always a compromise and odds are you made a good one.

Joe

I do love the lens. It allows me a much bigger range than the standard lens that comes with cameras these days with a package. However, I did not know of any complications then. I wouldn't have even known what kinds of questions to ask then. I will have to work with what I have. No big bucks in this household.

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Let's confirm this is the Nikon page where you're ... (show quote)

Actually, that is not the page I was looking at. My page just says "Distortion Control Data. It tells compatible cameras, how to check the distortion control lens data on the camera now. Mine says Firmware C. 1.02 and L 2.009. On the product description its says "version 2.018. Operating system that is closest to what we have (High Sierra version 10.13.6) is High Sierra version 10.13. So will that update work on mine?

Hum, I guess I'd better go find the page you are talking about.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

MaryFran wrote:

I took this picture the other day on my Nikon7100 using an AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm lens. It was wide open at 18mm. Not a great photo, but it demonstrates a problem that happens often, but I have not paid much attention to until now. The fence I took the picture through appears to be bowed, but that is not the case in reality. This happens often whenever there is a straight edge in the picture like when I photograph puzzles we have finished.

Is this a problem with the lens or what? Thanks.

Yeah, that is the field curvature of said lens,and its easily corrected in post!

MaryFran Loc: Front Royal, VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Let's confirm this is the Nikon page where you're ... (show quote)

Okay, I have looked at both the link you sent and the one I found. Not sure which one I should be using.

Yes, I have a card reader. That is how I transfer all my photos to the computer.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MaryFran wrote:

Okay, I have looked at both the link you sent and the one I found. Not sure which one I should be using.

Yes, I have a card reader. That is how I transfer all my photos to the computer.

When you get the BIN extracted, just place it on the 'root' of the card via the card reader (that is, not in a folder on the card). That's another common misstep we see people asking about.

CO

Go in the Setup Menu and check Firmware Version. The lens correction profiles are already in your camera. You might have to update those profiles if your 18-300mm is not in that version.

Go into the Shooting menu and make sure Auto Distortion Control is on. It might be turned off right now.

You can still do in-camera distortion after shooting. Go into the Retouch menu and select distortion control. You can correct the barrel distortion. It keeps the original and makes a copy of it with the corrections.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Now that she has read about Barrel Distortion with that lens, should we even mention the Pincushion part of the story? No, MaryFran, it was not a mistake to buy that lens. Just learn the properties of a lens with such wide-ranging focal lengths.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

MaryFran wrote:

I took this picture the other day on my Nikon7100 using an AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm lens. It was wide open at 18mm. Not a great photo, but it demonstrates a problem that happens often, but I have not paid much attention to until now. The fence I took the picture through appears to be bowed, but that is not the case in reality. This happens often whenever there is a straight edge in the picture like when I photograph puzzles we have finished.

Is this a problem with the lens or what? Thanks.

Yes it is the lens. You have two options. Better lens or software to correct.