Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I have a D90, which is a very nice camera. Works very well. But I seem to have a clarity problem with it. It came with the 18--105mm zoom lens, and it seems that all my scenery shots come out not being sharp and clear. They just look a bit "fuzzy" for some reason. Close up images look fine, but it's the longer distance shots that aren't nice and crisp. Any suggestions, like could it be that the lens itself is the problem? I like the camera, but not the results. Thanks.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

How are you shooting your pictures? I have the same set up and find that unless I make a mistake the pictures are sharp. I also have not done any low light shots. I have used it outdoors in sun. My only problem is I focus sometimes and don't let the camera lock focus. They tend to come out soft then.

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

How old is the lens? How many shots are in the camera with that lens? I have a kit lens that i got for my D70 9 years ago. There seems to be something in the zoom or focus cams that has finally worn to the point that it is no longer sharp at any focal length. it seems this is a common theme with the modern, mostly-plastic zooms. the 18-70 was built pretty solid compared to the later "kit" lenses like the 18-105 and the 18-55's. The all start off quite good, and with use, start to degrade. If you have another lens try that and see if it fares any better. if you get sharp images at all it is not the camera. you will likely find one focal length in the zoom or one distance that seems to be the softest. I am not a big fan of "brick wall" tests, but it is worth it to see where the weakness is. try to tweak the zoom about 10mm at a time and let the AF do its thing. the repeat the series trying your best to focus with your eye and then compare the pictures. If you are happy with the AF results compared to your best shot using manual, move on to the variable distance issue.

for distances, i would try taking pictures of the patterns on the wallpaper or curtains at about 4-6 feet, then maybe the longest distance in your home, or set the camera on the back porch and try to find something at about 20 feet, then aim it down the street at a neighbor's fence or siding over 50 feet away to use effectively the infinity focus range. When i did that test on mine, it seems i have infinity focus at the long end, but not at the short end of my zoom. at the short end and out to about 30mm, at middle distances it is the worst. infinity is still soft but not as bad as 3-15 feet. I have retired my 18-70 after 9 years and about 60,000 shots. I suspect my 18-55 will last me about 5 years based on what i have heard from other people.

two theories come up in this. one is that the lens wears the most where you use it the most. another is that if you only use the wide and the long ends of the zoom and always quickly slew in between, it will be the middle ranges that are most effected because that is where the speed of the elements is the most and pressures are the most as you quickly zoom past those relatively unused focal lengths. from a purely mechanical point of view, both theories have merit and it seems that the way people use their zoom may make either valid.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Are you using a cheap UV filter for "protection"? If so, take it off and you will see an improvement in sharpness and detail.

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

You have probably checked this - but where is your lens set to focus? The camera has a range of focusing points and chooses the best one or two. You can also select a single one to use. Has this function been accidentally turned on?

Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY

My D90 is 6 years old. When I use the Nikkor 18-135 lens, I have no problem with image clarity. When I use my Nikkor 70-300 lens, I really need to shoot using aperture priority and stop the lens down to at least f8 in order to get really crisp images. I'm not familiar with your lens, but try stopping it down, in so far as possible given what you're shooting, as a work around

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I'm sorry to hear that. I used the 18-105mm lens for years until I upgraded to a full size sensor camera and never had a problem. You might want to consider sending the lens to Nikon to be cleaned and at the same time let them know the problem you are having.

gtobey Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

Are you using a tripod for your scenic shots? If so have you turned off image stabilization? I have the same equipment and long distance was fuzzy till I turned off VR.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

Perhaps post an image complete with exif data so folks can make better recommendations based on your shutter, aperture, iso, etc...

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

May not be important, but I have also seen the VR units in some lenses cost some sharpness. Not sure what exact conditions cause it, I know on my 70-200 (10 years old?) if I have it on the tripod, and I forget to turn off the VR, I get slightly soft images and it gets worse at the long end of the zoom. It's almost like the VR unit, in the absence of any real motion to counter, does not have a good idle position. So it sits there active, reacting to "noise" in the system.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Here's one. Since I shot it in the auto mode, I don't have the data, but you get the idea.

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h452/GregOlson1/DSC_0003_zps778f7b8e.jpg

It just occurred to me, could it have to do with the AF function, maybe set at the wrong setting? Perhaps using manual focus is a better choice when shooting this type of photo? Keep in mind, this wasn't intended to be a "photo," so much as merely a snapshot. I wanted to see what the result would be.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

repost the photo but click the box to the right where it says (store original) so the exif data is kept in the image. You camera will save that info in the image even when you are in the Auto mode.