burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

This is in response to the image linked to in the other thread (I posted it there, too):

Shutter speed is 1/320. Equivalent focal length is 450mm. Minimum shutter speed to stop motion is 1/(actual focal length x crop factor) or 1/(300x1.5) or 1/450 (1/500 is slightly faster... use that.)

Focus point saw the vertical brick surface in the foreground. Read your manual regarding the various auto and manual focusing strategies and settings. Just learning the technique of using a single focus point, placed on what you want sharp, then holding the button half way down as you recompose and expose, will help A LOT.

Skylight is blue; AWB (automatic white balance) read the bright background and set the camera for daylight (or so it appears), making the bird blue. Recording raw images and post-processing on a calibrated monitor can correct this sort of error. If you want to record JPEGs at the camera and get it right, you need a preset white balance in reference to a white balance target placed in the part of the scene that you wish to render with normal (accurate) color.

The bird is underexposed, because the meter read most of the scene for the bright background.

ISO is not listed in the metadata.

The lens was wide open at 300mm (f/5.6). That lens is not very sharp at the long end; most zooms with more than a 3:1 zoom ratio aren't. And most zooms in that price range are soft at the long end, especially when the aperture is wide open. You would be better off to raise ISO by two or three stops and set the camera for shutter priority (you set the speed, the camera sets the aperture). You need BOTH a faster shutter speed and an aperture of about f/8 to f/11.

Using a camera and lens like these, for a scene like this, on full automatic, compromises virtually everything. You would do well to take some courses in photography, or read a book on exposure.

Try not to compare results with this camera and the P900. They have differently-sized sensors. They are designed for different sorts of work. To use this camera and get equivalent crops, would require a 1000mm lens and a 2X teleconverter... prohibitively expensive for all but the most well-heeled pros or venture capitalists!

CO

Nikon View NX-i and Nikon Capture NX-D can show where your focus point(s) landed. You camera placed one focus point on the wall and one on the bird. Check your camera and lens for front and back focusing issues.

You're using the .jpeg files out of the camera. The camera applies the Picture Control settings to the .jpeg files. The sharpening of the Picture Controls is set to Auto. I'm not sure how much it will sharpen the photo. Go through all of the Picture Controls - standard, neutral, vivid, monochrome, and all of the others and set the sharpening to level 6.

The camera placed one focus point on the wall and one on the bird.

(Download)

This is the metadata from your photo.

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Bob thanks for your observations I will bare them in mind when I next take some pics.

sclay1234 Loc: Ocean county nj

I just went from a d200 to a d500, the 500 is much faster and similar in operation then the 200, I thought I was pretty good at photography, and when I first picked up the 500 and the first 300 pictures were not good. It was not the camera it was the user. I have alot to learn about the new technology of the d500.

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Co thanks this is all very heavy stuff for me but I guess to progress I need to be able to understand it, I have a mate who I don't see too often but who will probably be able to explain it all to me. There is always somebody on UHH who is prepared to give of his or her time - much appreciated !

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"All take handheld but that should not make a difference." Of course it does if you do not have a tripod. Chances are excellent that if the AUTO feature of the camera selects a shutter speed below the 300mm focal length your pictures will show blur or softness EVEN using VR. VR controls the movement of the hands but to a certain extent.
Learn the camera, learn basic photography and begin to use the camera in other auto modes like Aperture Priority. Your camera does not make the pictures, you do.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

You did not say what the problem was with the images. Were they out of focus, or were they exposed improperly? Or was the problem white balance or sharpness or what?

CO

The photo is posted in this thread:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-528612-1.html

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Thanks I got your meaning I am having to read all the replies and digest them as there is so much I don't have a clue on.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

Wow you've been at this awhile. I often catch myself saying ASA.

dennisallard Loc: Southern Maine

Makes me wonder how old you are.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Wall in focus - bird not so much - single point focus would help.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

It appears to me that you are receiving random bits of information on many aspects of photography, when in reality you would be far better served by a course of study in an organized way. You are also reading phrases and terms that you are unfamiliar with and if it were me, my head would be spinning by now

Time to stop posting UHH help request topics, and instead read a beginner's book, such as Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, or take an online class. This site is no substitute for the strong foundation you need in order to move forward. I promise you will be less disappointed!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Improvement as in … ???? My daughter got decent pictures in a museum, no flash and hand held, with her cell phone. Mine with my D7000, not so much. That's when I discovered the magic of Auto-ISO. Your more advanced camera has more settings to consider before the shot than does the P900. One thing you might want to check is how your new camera is focusing. Check to see whether it's using a matrix of focus points or a single focus point. The same with metering, a central area or broader area. I suspect that in Auto mode it's applying a matrix to both which could result in lots of focusing and metering issues with more advanced cameras. Those are just my thoughts.

mgoldfield

No camera or lens, regardless of its cost, can substitute for knowledge and an understanding of exposure, focus, composition and other principles of good photography.

A skilled photographer can produce better photographs with a smartphone than a novice using a $3,000 Canon or Nikon shooting with AUTO.