Unhappy with photos from Alaska Cruise
Jun 12, 2016 16:21:25 #
Bobb42 wrote:
Sorry about missing the reply. The setting is Autoselection for focus. I have used the lens prior for long distance and after looking at the photos, I am not so sure I am happy with them either.
I am from Maine also but have been in Ohio for 60 years now.
I am from Maine also but have been in Ohio for 60 years now.
Try using manual. It defaults to center focus, but you can move the point if you wish.
I enjoyed the 50-250 for close-ups: flowers and leaves. Was very happy. But since purchasing a used Canon EF 70-300 mm lens ($300 at B&H), I've seen better quality distance shots.
But it's not lightweight, and I shoot in raw and edit. As you saw from the pm I sent, just a little editing on your jpg can hopefully be worth your printing and enjoying the memories of your trip.
Feel free to pm me any others you'd like edited, or start a topic in the post processing forum, and ask for assistance. Many folks there enjoy the practice
Jun 12, 2016 16:26:53 #
Bobb42
Loc: Ohio
I will reset to manual and give it a try. One of my problems is that I have limited use of my left hand, so weight can be a problem. I try to make things easier to handle with one hand.
Jun 12, 2016 16:36:08 #
Bobb42 wrote:
I did have a UV filter on the lens. I wonder if it could cause that much of a problem.
No a UV filter did not cause your problem. You'd think from the frequency of a crowd pointing to filters, UV filters cause hair loss, cancer and all poorly focused photos ... If there was going to be any impact at all, a filter is going to impact fine details, not the overall lack of focus of an image ...
Your issue is shutterspeed, camera and / or subject movement, and possibly focus speed. The post of the glacier is a heartbreaking miss. The colors and detail are so tantalizingly close. I'm going to assume in the case of this image the boat was moving and possibly the glacier too. Paintshop has removed most of details from the camera including the location of the focus points so I'm guessing from what I can see and imagine.
Suggestions for next time would be continuous focus (AI Servo AF), a higher ISO to achieve a higher shutter speed, and a manually selected focus point. Consider too Tv mode to control the shutterspeed (or manual) and let the ISO run on auto or adjust as needed for 1/800 to 1/1000 depending on the ship speed and wave bounce.
Jun 12, 2016 16:36:47 #
Bobb42 wrote:
I will reset to manual and give it a try. One of my problems is that I have limited use of my left hand, so weight can be a problem. I try to make things easier to handle with one hand.
The auto-focus will stay in manual, on the center spot, once you set it. There may be times when you don't want the focus to be in the middle of your composition, but if you cradle the camera on your arm, I think you'll be able to move the point. If you're able to do a controlled test trying both the auto and the manual focusing points, it will help your decision for future use.
And remember what I mentioned about the first photo you posted, and how auto-focus works: it searches for edges and differences in color/tones, so some scenes might confound the lens
Another thought regarding the long distance shots: if there was moisture in the air, that will impede focus and make sharpness more difficult too. And being on a ship? Owie, challenges all around!
Jun 12, 2016 16:40:18 #
What quality JPG is the camera set to. All of your images are at 72Dpi and the jpeg file is around 2mb. Your camera Could be set to small, or normal and not to fine. Do you also shoot RAW?
John
John
Jun 12, 2016 16:45:52 #
Bobb42
Loc: Ohio
.jpg is set for highest resolution. I have shot in RAW but wasn't very happy and didn't see that much difference. I have also done some experimenting where the camera shoots both RAW an jpg so I could do some comparison. It seems the more I know, the less I know. Never ending learning.
Jun 12, 2016 17:10:04 #
Bobb42 wrote:
.jpg is set for highest resolution. I have shot in RAW but wasn't very happy and didn't see that much difference. I have also done some experimenting where the camera shoots both RAW an jpg so I could do some comparison. It seems the more I know, the less I know. Never ending learning.
Raw files must be "cooked"
They will always look like a jpg's pale cousin until you edit. The point of shooting in raw is to be able to edit to your specifications, as well as the files providing more detail, especially in tricky lighting situations. When you shoot raw+jpg you'll note that the file sizes of the raw are often twice that of a jpg, even before editing.Jun 12, 2016 18:38:11 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Bobb42 wrote:
I will reset to manual and give it a try. One of my problems is that I have limited use of my left hand, so weight can be a problem. I try to make things easier to handle with one hand.
Given your problem, did you take any of those photos holding the camera with one hand? Did you take the images using the viewfinder or the LCD screen to focus?
Jun 12, 2016 19:39:51 #
Jun 12, 2016 19:45:36 #
I ran it through the Photoshop Shake Reduction filter. It did a pretty good job of sharpening it without all of those sharpening artifacts. Not bad.
Jun 12, 2016 19:50:52 #
Jun 12, 2016 20:25:54 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Bobb42 wrote:
Only can use one hand. I always use the viewfinder.
Holding with one hand would definitely account for the focus issues. If you were on a rocking boat that would only make things worse. Also, at 250mm a shutter speed of 1/320 is not all that fast, especially on a boat with one hand. Under those conditions a shutter speed of over 1/1000 would have probably yielded better results.
Jun 12, 2016 20:30:22 #
Jun 12, 2016 20:54:45 #
I am surprised that the camera came up with such a low shutter speed. normally when shooting ice and snow on a sunny day mine is usually higher. I looked at some of mine I took on a cruise, must were 1000 or higher but then my ISO was 400 to 800. I see you said you can only use one hand, did you happen to use a monopod? the vibration from the engines can cause problems using them when they are running.
I use AV most of the time, I set the aperture I want and let the camera do the shutter speed. also I use a single focus point so I know where the camera is going to focus.
you could come back and take a day cruise! I might even go with you. we normally do a day cruise every year, I haven't yet this year.
the attached image was hand held, shot at 1/250 f5.6 at 400mm. I wouldn't recommend this speed but it can work
I use AV most of the time, I set the aperture I want and let the camera do the shutter speed. also I use a single focus point so I know where the camera is going to focus.
you could come back and take a day cruise! I might even go with you. we normally do a day cruise every year, I haven't yet this year.
the attached image was hand held, shot at 1/250 f5.6 at 400mm. I wouldn't recommend this speed but it can work
Jun 12, 2016 21:08:30 #
Bobb42
Loc: Ohio
It was handheld, no monopod, just my unstable hand. Next time I will let the wife do the shooting from the ship. She is more stable than I am. She has a better eye, also. It was a good time even with the problems. I will look into a faster shutter speed and do some more experimenting. Thank you.
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