Is it me or the lens
Sep 28, 2015 13:00:59 #
jrodenhuis
Loc: Southeast NH
Greetings happy Hedgehogers! I'm fairly new to DSLR's but have a decent background in video & a fair understanding of concepts. I've recently tried a few (hundred) nighttime shots including last nights eclipse but keep having focus problems. I'm using a Nikon D330 with a Nikon 55-300 (AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR) lens but i'll be damned if i can get a good sharp focus! I've tried auto focus as well as manual but moon shots just never seem to be in focus, i can get "kind of" close but never get a really good sharp image. Is it me or am i just expecting too much out of a low end lens? Turning the lens to fully CCW, nothings in focus, backing off a bit i can get pretty close but just can't seem to get it spot on.
Thanks in advance,
John
Thanks in advance,
John
Sep 28, 2015 13:08:03 #
Is it really a focusing problem, or perhaps an issue of camera shake? Are you using a tripod at all? Does the moon look sharp through the viewfinder?
Sep 28, 2015 13:13:34 #
Have you adjusted the diopter control on the viewfinder so the viewvinder is in focus? How are uou evaluating your pix to judge the focus - on the camera's view screen, on a computer monitor, on a 'nicely sized' print?
Maybe post some of the pix that show the problem you're having? You'll be more likely to get good answers from posting the images than spectation from not posting the pictures.
Maybe post some of the pix that show the problem you're having? You'll be more likely to get good answers from posting the images than spectation from not posting the pictures.
Sep 28, 2015 13:15:35 #
jrodenhuis
Loc: Southeast NH
I'm defiantly using a tripod and giving it time to settle down after setting the shot. I'm also using a remote trigger to avoid any shake while taking the picture.
Sep 28, 2015 13:17:58 #
jrodenhuis
Loc: Southeast NH
I've tried using the viewfinder as well as the screen to see if one works better than the other. I didn't try setting focus while using a tablet via wifi but it's a good idea. Will post a few of the passable pics tonight.
Sep 28, 2015 13:27:18 #
E
John, I doubt it's the lens. I can't see how you will ever be in focus if you're just guessing and turning the focus find in both directions.
You need to lock focus with AF then turn the focus OFF so the lens won't hunt and being careful to not move the focus ring.
AF lenses are not in focus at infinity if you just turn them ccw till they stop. That won't work. Good luck ;-)
SS
jrodenhuis wrote:
Greetings happy Hedgehogers! I'm fairly new to DSL... (show quote)
John, I doubt it's the lens. I can't see how you will ever be in focus if you're just guessing and turning the focus find in both directions.
You need to lock focus with AF then turn the focus OFF so the lens won't hunt and being careful to not move the focus ring.
AF lenses are not in focus at infinity if you just turn them ccw till they stop. That won't work. Good luck ;-)
SS
Sep 28, 2015 13:32:14 #
SharpShooter wrote:
E
John, I doubt it's the lens. I can't see how you will ever be in focus if you're just guessing and turning the focus find in both directions.
You need to lock focus with AF then turn the focus OFF so the lens won't hunt and being careful to not move the focus ring.
AF lenses are not in focus at infinity if you just turn them ccw till they stop. That won't work. Good luck ;-)
SS
John, I doubt it's the lens. I can't see how you will ever be in focus if you're just guessing and turning the focus find in both directions.
You need to lock focus with AF then turn the focus OFF so the lens won't hunt and being careful to not move the focus ring.
AF lenses are not in focus at infinity if you just turn them ccw till they stop. That won't work. Good luck ;-)
SS
:thumbup: Yes, turn the AF off after achieving focus. Also turn off the VR when on a tripod. And cover the eyepiece so no extraneous light gets through.
Sep 28, 2015 13:45:55 #
I had the same problem for a years. Finally succeeded with setting camera on manual, tripod, cable release, using my old 500mm f8 mirror lens. Bracketed shutter speed from 60th to 500. Finally successful.
Sep 28, 2015 15:38:07 #
John - With respect, there is no Nikon "D330". There is a "D300" and also a "D3300". It would be helpful to be fairly precise on this forum. Also, be aware there is a very good Search function at the top of this page that you can use to determine if the issue you are describing has been mentioned earlier by other members.
Sep 28, 2015 19:24:38 #
Post one of the bad examples with store original. We'll likely see in the EXIF data some suggestions to use next time (assuming the tripod was stable and the VR was de-activated).
Sep 28, 2015 19:33:42 #
jrodenhuis wrote:
Greetings happy Hedgehogers! I'm fairly new to DSL... (show quote)
Are you using single point focusing?
Sep 28, 2015 19:37:09 #
That was my initial thought, too. I also focused that single point on the edge of the moon for maximum contrast.
Mac wrote:
Are you using single point focusing?
Sep 28, 2015 21:28:09 #
jrodenhuis wrote:
Greetings happy Hedgehogers! I'm fairly new to DSL... (show quote)
Always remember that you are photographing the moon through over 40 miles of the earth's atmosphere which definitely reduces the apparent sharpness of the image. This is especially true when the atmosphere is humid. The best results usually are obtained on cold clear nights when the humidity is low.
Sep 29, 2015 06:37:52 #
Try using Live View. Don't know about your particular camera but you should be able to magnify the focus area, then off AF and image stabilization, manually focus and take the shot (wont need to worry about mirror slap.)
Also....this will give you a pretty good idea if your setup is stable. Even a slight breeze can cause problems if the tripod is a little wimpy.
Also....this will give you a pretty good idea if your setup is stable. Even a slight breeze can cause problems if the tripod is a little wimpy.
Sep 29, 2015 07:19:36 #
rook2c4 wrote:
Is it really a focusing problem, or perhaps an issue of camera shake?
:thumbup:
Pushing the shutter button can move the camera slightly. I don't know if the D3300 has an interval timer, but that's almost as good as a wired release. Photoshop has a feature to eliminate some of the blur caused by camera movement.
The wireless remote is good, but it turns itself off after a few minutes. A wired interval timer from Amazon is perfect for doing many shots over a long period of time.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.