Papa j Loc: Cary NC

👍👍👍

mcraven

Im still learning these things. Doing it all on my own.. Trial and error.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

I cant tell you how to fix your unsharp photo issue...but...not sure where you are in NC but if you are still looking for camera shops...we have two here in the Charlotte area...Cardinal Camera and Biggs Camera......

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

You CAN'T hand hold shots with that long of a lens at such at slow shutter speed.

As stated earlier you MUST increase your shutter speed. A quick rule of thumb is to never shoot slower than he length of the lens, and then add 1.5. In your case 200 x 1.5 = 300. So you should never shoot slower than 1/300 of a second with that lens. So, depending on your available light, you need to compensate with your f-stop and ISO.

Even on a tripod, shutter speeds below the minimums for longer lenses will often show some blur if the tripod isn't rated for the weight of your lens and camera combined.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Close by where? Charlotte, Raleigh, or the entire State.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A camera store will charge you money and do nothing. Getting sharp shots involves the basics. First, make sure the camera/lens combo can deliver a sharp image. Put the camera on a tripod and use a remote release. Locking the mirror up would also help. If you get sharp pictures that way, then you know your equipment is good. Using a single focus point will also help in testing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's good you're trying to be a photographer and not a pilot.

mcraven

thats good information for me. i noticed too that i was getting some blur even using a tripod with the timer.. i dont have a very sturdy tripod... thanks for the help.
i live about an hour from charlotte which is not a bad drive. i might look up the camera stores mentioned...thanks again all..

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

do you have a cheap uv or nd filter on the front of the lens? if so you will never get sharp

mcraven

i only have a nd filter..just got it only used it a couple of times to test it out..but dont keep it on the lens.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In the first place and this is only my humble opinion, did you really have to adjust focus? Lenses are calibrated at the factory for that and with modern cameras AF is so good that it seldom fails.
I cannot tell you why you are not getting sharp pictures because you should. I have found an obsession with sharpness that I cannot simply understand. All modern lenses are sharp enough and if they are not we are not doing a good job with our cameras.
I have never experienced a lens that needed focus adjustment. Most AF problems are operator's errors. I am going to say that you should have your camera and lens checked.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Anthony, I confused as to why the lens size is related to ISO. Additionally, if the lens is set to manual mode, Auto Focus Modes have no effect, nor will BBF work.
--Bob

ephraim Imperio

For starters do the following:

Put your camera on a tripod
Shoot in LIVE VIEW
LOCK mirror in the up position
If shooting at 200mm choose shutter speed at least at 1/800 to 1/1000 OR more.
Shoot in RAW
Next time show us some photos with exif so that we can help you.

effie

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

In my opinion you have inadvertently answered your own question..."i still get a little blur at slow shutter speeds around 100 or just below"......You have just admitted you are not holding the camera absolutely "rock" steady hence image blur. Optical stabilization or VR as Nikon calls it, will not provide you with blur free images if the camera is moving when you release the shutter. Any tremor in your hands, beating of your heart, breathing will contribute to camera movement which is magnified by the lens particularly when the lens is at 200mm with a slow shutter speed. As previously mentioned in previous posts, triple or quadruple your shutter speed, mount your camera on a rock steady tripod, lock your mirror up, turn off OS on your lens and use a remote camera release and your images will become blur free, assuming of course that the object you are photographing is not moving! Yes, there is a chance either your camera body or your lens or the combination is not functioning properly but IMHO, that is a remote possibility. Based on your own admission above I'll wager it is an operator technique issue.
Good luck.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

What f/stop are you using most of the time? If you are shooting wide open, then keeping the camera still and a stationary subject is important because the DOF (depth of field) is critical.