Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
focus clarity
Page <prev 2 of 8 next> last>>
Nov 30, 2011 18:06:54   #
gizzy.whicker Loc: Cumberland Co., Illinois
 
Nikonian72 wrote:
gizzy.whicker wrote:
I've often had to focus on either one face or the other, with the shutter half-depressed, recompose, then take the shot. Otherwise I think what happened was that (the camera) (auto-)focused on the tree behind/between the couple.

He has a valid point.


Another helpful hint about what to focus on would be to go Nikonian72's website and look over his insect macros. You'll notice that in every one, ALWAYS it's the eyes that are in sharpest focus. The same applies for most anything else that has eyes, even an angled shot of the front of a car--make sure the nearest headlight is in focus. Now you're happy, because from now on ALL your photos will be focused they way you want them to be.

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 18:45:30   #
alliragg Loc: Iceland
 
......sometimes a small aperture is the key when using AF..... ....... also when using spot focus,use spot metering too.....

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 18:50:52   #
Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida
 
You may want to manual focus on a subject and take a photo. Then set your camera auto focus and take the same subject and see if you get the same results. If you get the same results, it's most likely your lens. If you get a different result than its most likely your camera body. Arnold

Reply
 
 
Nov 30, 2011 19:14:44   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
gizzy.whicker wrote:
You'll notice that in every one, ALWAYS it's the (insect) eyes that are in sharpest focus.

And I have a photo release from every one of them!

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 19:56:23   #
gizzy.whicker Loc: Cumberland Co., Illinois
 
Nikonian72 wrote:
gizzy.whicker wrote:
You'll notice that in every one, ALWAYS it's the (insect) eyes that are in sharpest focus.

And I have a photo release from every one of them!


LOL... Your battery's always charged, isn't it, Nikonian?

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:03:57   #
KimParks Loc: Kenosha, WI
 
I did the same thing with my D3100. Here is a good site from Ken Rockwell.
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5100/users-guide/index.htm

Has some great tips it helped with mine. Good Luck Hang in there.

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:07:09   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
The only problem with manual focusing for the OP is that with the lens & focus screen that they have, it's not easy to focus an AF lens manually with a focus screen designed for AF lens use. I swapped out my screen for an older MF split image screen as I shoot a lot of macro with older MF lenses....The op needs to show the exif data to ascertain for sure what the issue is.

Reply
 
 
Nov 30, 2011 20:09:22   #
JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA
 
Nikonian72 wrote:
gizzy.whicker wrote:
I've often had to focus on either one face or the other, with the shutter half-depressed, recompose, then take the shot. Otherwise I think what happened was that (the camera) (auto-)focused on the tree behind/between the couple.

He has a valid point.
He does indeed. Which is fairly rare in itself, from the Gizzy man. :)

Don't know what the aperture was either, since there's no EXIF but I wouldn't be surprised if it's fairly wide open, thus reducing your depth of field. But as Doug noted, we need to isolate camera, lens or technique as the culprit.

Or perhaps your subject are just a bit fuzzy themselves. I spent hours one time trying to get a woman in an angora sweater in focus...

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:14:32   #
evans2ann Loc: Mississippi
 
that makes sense. thaks for input

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:17:00   #
martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida
 
Have to agree also, focus on tree not on couple. Maybe photograph single flat object and check focus then.
gizzy.whicker wrote:
evans2ann wrote:
Sending phot I used for Christmas card. It's ok but any camera would take one that good. Want it sharper.


A lot of pros on here that could probably give you better advice, but I've often had to focus on either one face or the other, with the shutter half-depressed, recompose, then take the shot. Otherwise I think what happened was that you focused on the tree behind/between the couple. That happens quite often if you're not thinking about it at the time.

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:17:59   #
renomike Loc: Reno, Nevada
 
[quote=JimH]
Quote:
I spent hours one time trying to get a woman in an angora sweater in focus...


Jim... You crack me up..... :lol: :lol:

Mike

Reply
 
 
Nov 30, 2011 20:23:27   #
gizzy.whicker Loc: Cumberland Co., Illinois
 
I spent hours one time trying to get a woman in an angora sweater in focus...[/quote]

LOL... JimH, you get up WAY too early and stay up WAY too late. You should take afternoon naps to help sharpen your focus.

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:25:07   #
JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA
 
gizzy.whicker wrote:
LOL... JimH, you get up WAY too early and stay up WAY too late.

To quote Henny Youngman, "I was up at 6AM sharp this morning, took a brisk walk to the bathroom, and was back in bed by 6:05..."

gizzy.whicker wrote:
You should take afternoon naps to help sharpen your focus.
When I told my doctor I was troubled by amnesia, he told me to get plenty of sleep and I'd feel better.

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:25:57   #
tommyest Loc: N. Hollywood, CA
 
I have the 18-105mm and have found it to be very sharp, but you have to use it and the camera correctly.

Reply
Nov 30, 2011 20:34:49   #
ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona
 
Got the same camera yesterday. Factory defaults are not always with you are used to, like "focus on closest subject". I have never been able to understand when a person would use this feature..

Start by going to page 97 in your manual. Lock the focus down to a single point of focus. Place the focus spot on the subject YOU want in focus, press the button half way down to lock the focus, reframe and fire.

You might like to crank up the ISO to counter any shakiness, this camera will handle ISO 400 with no problem. (no auto ISO allowed)

The D7000 does have a feature to customize the focus settings for lenes, check for "auto focus fine tune" in the manual.

You can also step up the sharpening in the camera as well. So look for that in the manual for a full explaination.

Hope this helps.

Reply
Page <prev 2 of 8 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.