Sharp focus??? I'm frustrated! I have a Nikon D7000 (D90,D80, & sold my D70). I have the kit lens 18-55 mm(no VB) but i used the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5.5.6 most often. I use a tripod...

richgin60 Loc: Central New York

I'm frustrated! I have a Nikon D7000 (D90,D80, & sold my D70). I have the kit lens 18-55 mm(no VB) but i used the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5.5.6 most often. I use a tripod frequently. The problem, I still get soft focus on distance pictures. I'm retired clergy so I haven't a lot of $$$ to spend. I've checked faster lens (2.8) but cannot afford something that expensive. Looking at used lenses of amazon or ebay I haven't seen anything that looks worth the money. I'm open to suggestions. I do like the 18-200mm type. i have an old 55-300mm no VB and it's passable on a tripod but otherwise it's a little too big for my normal ramblings. Any suggestions??? Thanks for reading.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

It would help if you had some pictures to post. Then we could see what is going on. Maybe you could try stopping the lens down to f/8 or so and see if that helps with the sharpness. The D7000 is a fairly heavy camera, your tripod might not be up to the task. There are many variables at play here. Another thing I would try is to put the camera on the tripod and try shooting with the mirror locked up. This way, the movement of the mirror when releasing the shutter won't be a factor at all. Those would be my, non expert, suggestions. I'm sure there are others on the forum who might have better ideas than I do.

richgin60 Loc: Central New York

ebrunner wrote:

It would help if you had some pictures to post. Th... (show quote)

Thanks Ebrunner. The ones of the Rookery i just put on are one example. I did not turn off the VB today on the tripod (I just figured that out). I've tried live view but I have not done mirror up yet---I'll give it a try. Thanks for the help.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

If you shoot in Live View your mirror will automatically be up already.
I suggest using a 2 second delay on the shutter to take any minor camera/tripod movement out of the equation.
And VR should definitely be turned off when on a tripod.
Maybe also take into account that many long lenses are a little soft at the extreme long end of their range.
For taking shots at 200mm you may be better off with a 70-300 than an 18-200mm lens.

richgin60 wrote:

Thanks Ebrunner. The ones of the Rookery i just put on are one example. I did not turn off the VB today on the tripod (I just figured that out). I've tried live view but I have not done mirror up yet---I'll give it a try. Thanks for the help.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

I use the Nikkor 18-200 most of the time with my D90. I have used this combo for more than three years and have also experienced what you describe. Handheld with the VR, my lens has been remarkably sharp through approximately 150mm. As you begin to approach 200mm <f5.6 or f8 the sharpness does fall off a little. I have not found it objectionable and have assumed that it was simply a function of the optics for a lens trying to cover this broad range. I would not give up this lens as I have found it remarkably versatile with particularly good optics.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Settings do make a big difference. That 18-200mm usually is a relatively sharp lens. The biggest issue I find with people having sharpness problems with them, is that they often have cheap UV filters mounted. Take off the filter, shoot without it, and when you see the improvement throw away the cheap filter, they ruin more good shots than any other problem I have encountered.

richgin60 Loc: Central New York

Frank47 wrote:

I use the Nikkor 18-200 most of the time with my D... (show quote)

Thanks Frank, at least I am not nuts(well you know what I mean)

richgin60 Loc: Central New York

MT Shooter wrote:

Settings do make a big difference. That 18-200mm usually is a relatively sharp lens. The biggest issue I find with people having sharpness problems with them, is that they often have cheap UV filters mounted. Take off the filter, shoot without it, and when you see the improvement throw away the cheap filter, they ruin more good shots than any other problem I have encountered.

MTShooter...you're right, I have a cheap uv. I'll try it without this filter.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

richgin60 wrote:

MTShooter...you're right, I have a cheap uv. I'll try it without this filter.

Remove it, clean your glass well, and prepare to be amazed at the difference. Good luck.

Robincharlesace Loc: Warwick UK

There are a number of different posts about this particular problem . Thanks to the hogs I have resolved it with my D7000. As already mentioned the rig, camera and this particular lens are heavy. I shoot using iso 800 and a relatively fast shutter speed and have found the sharpness improves. But the idea that my uv filter maybe a cause never occurred to me and I shall certainly remove it and see if there is a difference. So thanks MT shooter. But also thanks to all you hogs. I love reading the posts.

richgin60 Loc: Central New York

Robincharlesace wrote:

There are a number of different posts about this p... (show quote)

Thanks Robin. How's the grain/noise at iso800?

WNYShooter Loc: WNY

Some d7000's are known to have back focus issues. You might want do a quick test yourself to see if you need to adjust the fine focus of the camera/lense combo in the settings menu.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

richgin60 wrote:

Thanks Robin. How's the grain/noise at iso800?

i spent time yesterday fiddling with the iso, i went from 200-6400. i found good results out to 1600.i like to shoot 2-3 times the focal length. i.e. 300mm 1/1000 sec.

FL Streetrodder

If the weight of the camera seems to be a problem with the tripod you are using, try suspending a weight from the tripod. If I am using a backpack I simply hang this under the tripod to make it more stable. Otherwise I carry a small plastic bag in my pocket and place a few rocks in it and suspend it under the tripod. This works for me!

doccharlie Loc: Chicago

Thank goodness for this forum. I have a D7000 with the Nikkor 18-200 lens with an inexpensive UV filter and have had the same issues. One of my problems is that this is my first ever VR lens and I have never been sure whether to use it on a tripod. I will take all of the suggestions previously expressed by you guys. Thanks.