sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

I bought a new lens and it doesnt auto focus so it has forced me to get better at focusing manually. I shoot in apature priority most of the time. I know these photos are alittle out of focus but what else could I have done to make them better.

BillH Loc: Lancaster County PA

What camera do you use. Do you have a diopter adjustment. If so make sure it is set properly. If your lens doesn't auto focus mount a different lens. Auto focus and move the diopter wheel so that what you see in the viewfinder is crystal clear. Change lenses and shoot. It doesn't hurt to check the diopter every time you do Manuel focus.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

What camera & what lens?... Manual focus on a modern DSLR requires either to replace the focus screen with an older split image version or lots of practice. Modern cameras are designed for auto focus lenses, which is why they no longer have the split image screens & are thus hard to nail focus on manually. Add to that, that most AF lenses typically have a very short focus "throw" (that's how far the focus ring has to travel to get from the closest focus point to infinity) They are designed that way so that focus (auto focus that is)is made faster as the lens doesn't have to travel as far in order to achieve focus. Any slight movement of the focus ring on those lenses will move the focal point... That's why it is hard... Depending on the camera & lens involved, there are other viewfinder focus aides available...

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

Thank you for the advice. I was quite pleased with myself since they were not completely out of focus. I believe that part of it was camera shake. I shoot with a nikon d3300, and I was using the 70-300mm 1:4 5:6g lens

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Does not appear to be shake as there are parts of the image in sharp focus on the dog shot. If it was shake, nothing would be sharp. The 1st image is likely camera movement though. Bear in mind, that the closer you focus, the less depth of field you have, especially wide open apertures. Next time, check off the "store original" block so we can see what settings were used & give a better idea as to any issues from the EXIF info.

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Focus on the dog, in my opinion, is excellent. You chose a wide enough aperture to obtain a fairly narrow DOF which nicely brings emphasis to the dog's head and eyes.

Your flower is just plain out of focus. Just take another shot and concentrate on focusing on the center (stamens and pistils) of the flower. Try this at several aperture settings to achieve the DOF you like.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

Thank you very much, i love the new lens, it is definatly making me think alittle bit more about what I am doing.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

depending on the age of the lens, try focusing wide open and then stopping down to shooting apature.

drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY

Good job!