cant get sharp shots: i have a nikon d600 paired with a sigma 70-200 2.8 with OS. it seems that i cant get a sharp shot most of the time. i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune...

mcraven

i have a nikon d600 paired with a sigma 70-200 2.8 with OS. it seems that i cant get a sharp shot most of the time. i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune ) at different stops to see where i get the sharpest image.some are still blurry. any ideas on how to work on this or visit acamera store to get it adjusted.. i live in the north
carolina are so whats camera store is close by ...thanks

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Is your shutter speed fast enough? Not sure why you are not getting sharp images but, can you rule out technique?

krvitali

If you calibrated the lens and seem to get good results do not rule out technique.

That is a big heavy lens. For me to get sharp shots I would have to match the shutter speed to the focal length and add at least 1.5. so if my focal length was 200, I would need at least a 300th of a second shutter speed.

Also 2.8 at 200 is a pretty shallow depth of field.

My next step would be to use it on a tripod or stabilize it and see if the focusing is spot on.

I know when I bought my 80-200 2.8 I really had to pay attention to the above otherwise I was getting soft shots. Good luck!

AnthonyBiss Loc: Toronto, Ontario

Switch to MANUAL MODE and adjust the lens accordingly.
set your ISO to 640 or higher based on the size of the lens.
ensure when you connect the lens to the camera body is is properly connected
Ensure that the settings on the lens are properly set - VT/ON/OFF, NORMAL/ACTIVE SWITCH IS CORRECTLY SET, M/A AND M IS PROPERLY SET
Your AUTO FOCUS MODES ARE PROPERLY SET ON THE CAMERA.
use back button focus before shutter release.
use a tripod based on what you are shooting within the focal length of the lens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

mcraven wrote:

i have a nikon d600 paired with a sigma 70-200 2.8 with OS. it seems that i cant get a sharp shot most of the time. i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune ) at different stops to see where i get the sharpest image.some are still blurry. any ideas on how to work on this or visit acamera store to get it adjusted.. i live in the north
carolina are so whats camera store is close by ...thanks

post an example, with "store original" checked. It is impossible to determine what is going on. It could be focus fine tune, shutter speed, or communication parameters between camera and lens.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I have a d610 which basically is the same camera. You may want to reset your settings. I use back button focusing and my camera focuses right on. I have used my Nikon 80 to 200 which is just as heavy as your Sigma lens and have hand held my camera with this lens. I almost always set this lens at f8 or longer to get the best clarity. Since I am mainly a landscape shooter I use a tripod probably 90% of the time. Try reseting your camera settings and set your lens at f8 and use a tripod. If your camera is still not clear you may require some professional work on your camera.

Jim Bob

Gene51 wrote:

post an example, with "store original" checked. It is impossible to determine what is going on. It could be focus fine tune, shutter speed, or communication parameters between camera and lens.

The only reply that makes any real sense. Otherwise, the thread is replete with speculation.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

mcraven wrote:

i have a nikon d600 paired with a sigma 70-200 2.8 with OS. it seems that i cant get a sharp shot most of the time. i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune ) at different stops to see where i get the sharpest image.some are still blurry. any ideas on how to work on this or visit acamera store to get it adjusted.. i live in the north
carolina are so whats camera store is close by ...thanks

Lens calibration is not done at different stops but is always done wide open, in this case f/2.8. If it's correct at that f/stop, it will be correct at all others. With a zoom lens, it is usually done at maximum zoom and at 50 x the focal length(33 ft for a 200mm lens). OS should be off. Some camera models do allow for calibration at both the wide end and tele end. There are a variety of tools that are available as have been mentioned already.

There are occasional problems with the focus of Sigma lenses and they need to be sent back to the factory. If you are not comfortable with doing the calibration yourself, and you need to be precise, then a good camera store can be helpful. Unfortunately, I can't recommend one in Carolina.

Posting some shots with store original checked off might be of help. You need to determine if the lens is truly front or back focusing or if nothing really in focus. the first tells us it is a calibration issue, the second indicates either a lens or user issue.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

mcraven wrote:

i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune ) at different stops to see where i get the sharpest image.

Lens calibration should be done at the widest aperture (f2.8 with this lens) for the most accurate setting.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

mcraven wrote:

i have a nikon d600 paired with a sigma 70-200 2.8 with OS. it seems that i cant get a sharp shot most of the time. i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune ) at different stops to see where i get the sharpest image.some are still blurry. any ideas on how to work on this or visit acamera store to get it adjusted.. i live in the north
carolina are so whats camera store is close by ...thanks

Have you tried other lenses?
It is the camera, lens, or you? Elimination.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

mcraven wrote:

i have a nikon d600 paired with a sigma 70-200 2.8 with OS. it seems that i cant get a sharp shot most of the time. i did the lens calibration ( or lens fine tune ) at different stops to see where i get the sharpest image.some are still blurry. any ideas on how to work on this or visit acamera store to get it adjusted.. i live in the north
carolina are so whats camera store is close by ...thanks

North Carolina is a pretty big state, so if you could be a bit more specific about your location, perhaps someone could recommend a nearby camera store.

AnthonyBiss Loc: Toronto, Ontario

OK, I have a Tamron 70-300 F4-5 SP
I have VC on, AF- on. My camera body is NIK D7100/ D3S.Never have an image issue, always sharp
I set my ISO to 6400 and F8, hand held for all shooting needs.
I use AF-ON back focusing . Seldon use a tripod except in low light.
Alternatively, as suggested earlier on, your lend may have a problem(??)

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

what kind of results are you getting with that camera and other lenses?

mcraven

thanks for all of the replies.. seems as if its just me..even though the lens have optical stabilization i still get a little blur
at slow shutter speeds around 100 or just below..i need to learn more how to hold it steady to prevent that..thanks guys, you are most helpful..

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

mcraven wrote:

thanks for all of the replies.. seems as if its just me..even though the lens have optical stabilization i still get a little blur
at slow shutter speeds around 100 or just below..i need to learn more how to hold it steady to prevent that..thanks guys, you are most helpful..

100 is way to slow.