Need help from the hogs with autofocus
Jul 12, 2015 13:34:31 #
I'm traveling with my new nikon d5300 and tamron 18-270 piezo (NO filter). My photos are fuzzy and I don't know why. I've downloaded 3 successive photos in VGA (I hope that's the right format for analysis). I'm sure it's not the camera and probably not the lens (both new), and most likely me and my settings. I'm on a road trip in France for 3 weeks and don't want to ruin the rest of the pix. I'm a relative newbie so please explain in simple sentences. Thanks.
Jul 12, 2015 13:45:17 #
You are not downloading the file, you are down loading the thumbnail. at 95K we can hardly see whats going on. Down load the JPEG of at least 5 meg is you want an honest response.
The only thing I can see is your shooting at f9, and using pattern for you focus, which means your camera is taking and average and ajusting your focus to that average. At F9 your DOF is way to shallow for the photos I'm looking at. So in general your F stop need to come to . and set you focuse points to 1, then try shooting .
Others will give you better setting for a scene shot like you have.
Here is a chart you might find useful.
http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html
The only thing I can see is your shooting at f9, and using pattern for you focus, which means your camera is taking and average and ajusting your focus to that average. At F9 your DOF is way to shallow for the photos I'm looking at. So in general your F stop need to come to . and set you focuse points to 1, then try shooting .
Others will give you better setting for a scene shot like you have.
Here is a chart you might find useful.
http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html
Jul 12, 2015 13:49:24 #
Your images are in 640 X 480 resolution, this is the lowest resolution available and frankly nothing looks good at that resolution. Set the Camera up to take the highest quality JPG resolution and or Raw. Preferably both Fine and Raw. Take a couple more and post again.
Jul 12, 2015 14:00:22 #
You can't rule out a faulty lens. All 3 shots are at, or near, the widest your lens will shoot, i.e., 18-20mm. Most zooms are not known to be their best at the extreme ends of the zoom range. Your shutter speeds of 1/300-1/400 sec should be good to stop action, and the f/8-f/9 apertures should be near he "sweet spot" for that lens. I notice the backgrounds seem to be more in focus than the foregrounds and, they are in the middle of all 3 pictures. Maybe the autofocus is locking on to the backgrounds leaving the foreground out of focus?? What do you have the focus set to - "Spot", "Center" or something else? That leaves the dreaded Camera Shake. Try resting your camera and lens on a rock solid surface, use the self timer, focus on one thing that fills the screen and take a "hands off" shot. If you still have a blurry picture, there are issues with either the lens, the focus setting or the camera.
Jul 12, 2015 14:03:51 #
SonyA580 wrote:
You can't rule out a faulty lens. All 3 shots are ... (show quote)
Photo Two, shows the nearest couple almost in focus. Not the background. At this resolution, who knows. I could have has finger on the clicker, depressed and moved off something closer. These photos are just not enough IQ to tell.
Jul 12, 2015 14:37:31 #
You are correct Bill. The camera looks like it is set for Spot or Center Weighted auto focus
Jul 12, 2015 15:14:25 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
randik wrote:
I'm traveling with my new nikon d5300 and tamron 18-270 piezo (NO filter). My photos are fuzzy and I don't know why. I've downloaded 3 successive photos in VGA (I hope that's the right format for analysis). I'm sure it's not the camera and probably not the lens (both new), and most likely me and my settings. I'm on a road trip in France for 3 weeks and don't want to ruin the rest of the pix. I'm a relative newbie so please explain in simple sentences. Thanks.
Autofocus may not be best for this scene. With your focus ring set at 2m, even at f/8.0 everything from less than 1m to infinity should be in good focus. (This from Leica's depth of field chart for a 21mm lens.)
Jul 12, 2015 15:17:49 #
RWR wrote:
Autofocus may not be best for this scene. With your focus ring set at 2m, even at f/8.0 everything from less than 1m to infinity should be in good focus. (This from Leica's depth of field chart for a 21mm lens.)
I agree, I don't know why I went the other way. of the F stop. Perhaps is was the second photo. With all the dissertation He had to have been max angle.
Jul 12, 2015 16:08:31 #
I am amazed that anyone can determine anything from the VGA resolution, By the time you enlarge enough to see the photo it is severely Pixelated.
Jul 12, 2015 16:10:20 #
letmedance wrote:
I am amazed that anyone can determine anything from the VGA resolution, By the time you enlarge enough to see the photo it is severely Pixelated.
Perhaps were looking at the EXIF data.
Jul 12, 2015 16:12:20 #
Bill Houghton wrote:
Perhaps were looking at the EXIF data.
The EXIF data is of no help in determining focus, We need a good image to work with, otherwise we are wasting or time and energies.
Jul 12, 2015 16:17:02 #
letmedance wrote:
The EXIF data is of no help in determining focus, We need a good image to work with, otherwise we are wasting or time and energies.
No argument there, but for now till the OP decides to upgrade the photo from 95K thumbnail to something more desirable. We playing " A shot in the Dark game" .
Jul 12, 2015 16:46:03 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
letmedance wrote:
The EXIF data is of no help in determining focus, We need a good image to work with, otherwise we are wasting or time and energies.
My interpretation of the question is that the OP is not asking if we think the focus is off, but rather how to obtain good focus. The image seems to be good enough to tell that the camera did not choose the best focus point.
Jul 12, 2015 17:44:06 #
I downloaded your first shot and from the exif data all your setting should result in sharp photos. With a Nikon 5300, the lens set at 18mm and f/8, nearly everything from 5 or 6 feet out to infinity should be in focus almost regardless of where your camera focused.
There are then only a few other things that may be considered. First, and it has been mentioned above, make sure you are shooting at a high resolution, i.e. jpeg large. Secondly, ensure your technique is steady. Don't jab the shutter button down and, if possible, use something to lean on to help. Third, gently clean the lens to camera electrical contacts with a soft cloth dampened with some lens cleaning fluid. Lastly, and I'm not trying to be a smart A, but, make sure auto focus is turned on!
If none of those things work, then you may indeed have a problem with the lens or camera. Is there anyone with your group that also uses Nikon equipment that you could try to see if you have the problem with another lens?
There are then only a few other things that may be considered. First, and it has been mentioned above, make sure you are shooting at a high resolution, i.e. jpeg large. Secondly, ensure your technique is steady. Don't jab the shutter button down and, if possible, use something to lean on to help. Third, gently clean the lens to camera electrical contacts with a soft cloth dampened with some lens cleaning fluid. Lastly, and I'm not trying to be a smart A, but, make sure auto focus is turned on!
If none of those things work, then you may indeed have a problem with the lens or camera. Is there anyone with your group that also uses Nikon equipment that you could try to see if you have the problem with another lens?
Jul 13, 2015 04:24:15 #
Would it help if i change autofocus setting from 11 points to 39 (my only option)? I enlarged jpgs (which are set for fine). Does this help at all (the attached are the original photos)
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