glojo wrote:
But surely the fault would be consistent if the lens is mis-matched?
Yes, it would be consistent. But...there is slop in the focusing mechanism also...it's not unusual to take 3 shots back to back and have them have a bit of front or back focus....I hate to say that but it's true. Some lenses are worse than others.
glojo wrote:
The image I posted of the eye of that seagull is as sharp as you can get and that is where the red box tells me the point of focus is located. Note these are questions and I am NOT disagreeing. All my experience has been that a misalignment or an incorrectly set screw, adjuster etc will not correct itself and then go wrong again unless you are EXTREMELY unfortunate.
You are correct...your results are spotty. The point to operator error rather than the adjustment.
BUT...it's possible that you do have a slight front focus so when you "lean forward" slightly you actually put the focus point farther back and thereby IMPROVE the focus and think that you nailed it... :)
glojo wrote:
This image tells me the point of focus is all but on the eye, the shot was taken through two panes of thick glass, (the double glazed patio door) plus the usual hand held factor. I am quite pleased with this focussing and is it as accurate as I need? (question)
1/500th second F4 and ISO of 800
yes...that is very nice for hand held and I'd have no complaints.
glojo wrote:
I am someone that simply takes snaps and am not after a perfect picture but I do not like the 'unexplained'
You and me both! :)
glojo wrote:
If you believe this is a case of misalignment and others agree then so be it as I have a very open mind regarding this issue and I am EXTREMELY appreciative of all the excellent advice folks are kindly offering.
Thank you very much...It's no problem. It might just be a matter of getting more practice with this lens...it IS a large long lens...
glojo wrote:
I have never really used this focus point referencing before and only used it this time as I was curious as to where I was pointing the lens to get such an awful result.
Well...it was only one out of many.
glojo wrote:
Is it possible that the camera was doing its predicative tracking, I was following or tracking the squirrel and then milliseconds before I pressed the button, the pesky thing stood still? I would still be lining up on this 'tree rat' but could the camera be anticipating where the rodent should be?? I have only just thought of this explanation but it does make sense
With focusing, it's EASY to have you or your subject or both sway just SLIGHTLY and mess up the focus...trust me...I know. I shoot multiples of EVERYTHING because of this.
glojo wrote:
This is a cropped sho of the beak of the latest picture and it might indicate the degree of focussing
Thats pretty good. Especially on something that small.