Check out Film Photography section of our forum.
Disturbing Discovery Regarding Sharp Focus.
Mar 1, 2019 08:08:12 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Were you using single point focus? When auto focus is iffy, I use manual.
Jerry, I used single, group and then 9 points, with the same results, while in continuous focus mode.
Mar 1, 2019 08:09:25 #
Mar 1, 2019 08:33:52 #
Feiertag wrote:
Today I went out to shoot Snowy Owls. While being... (show quote)
I agree with the others. The camera/lens was hunting for focus. What you described is exactly what it looks like. >Alan
Mar 1, 2019 08:37:36 #
Steve Perry wrote:
If the air outside was colder than the air inside ... (show quote)
Thank you for your post. In fact, I think you nailed it as well as a couple other posters.
What about lens breathing? Initially I thought this was the culprit. Do you know why some if not all lens are prone to doing this? Are the effects, similar to heat distortion?
Harold
Mar 1, 2019 09:06:55 #
I have had that problem Goes away when I shut the engine off. Could be the high frequency vibrations.
Mar 1, 2019 09:20:39 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
The branch may not have provided enough contrast against the sky. I’m assuming that that was the background. It would cause the focusing algorithm to hunt. Next time, find a larger object at similar distance.
Mar 1, 2019 10:15:41 #
gvarner wrote:
The branch may not have provided enough contrast against the sky. I’m assuming that that was the background. It would cause the focusing algorithm to hunt. Next time, find a larger object at similar distance.
Thank you for your comment. The branch was thick, plus I did focus on other subjects. Same results. Sharp to soft and back to sharp and then soft.
Check out Photo Critique Section section of our forum.
Mar 1, 2019 10:26:55 #
One of the real advantages of back button focusing is that you can get the focus where you want it and leave it alone. Get it set and take all the pictures you want without refocusing in the same spot. Don't re-focus until you change where you are shooting.
Another thing to remember is where the sweet spot is in your lens for sharpness. We often have a tendency to open our aperture up as far as possible to get as much light as possible, don't do it if you don't have to absolutely do it to get the shot. Go ahead and stop down a little bit and use some ISO get the sharpness your lens and camera are capable of. If you really need the bokeh then fake it later in PS.
All the other information above in all the posts is pertinent but, learn how to use your back focus button to it's greatest advantage and you will get more very sharp pictures.
Another thing to remember is where the sweet spot is in your lens for sharpness. We often have a tendency to open our aperture up as far as possible to get as much light as possible, don't do it if you don't have to absolutely do it to get the shot. Go ahead and stop down a little bit and use some ISO get the sharpness your lens and camera are capable of. If you really need the bokeh then fake it later in PS.
All the other information above in all the posts is pertinent but, learn how to use your back focus button to it's greatest advantage and you will get more very sharp pictures.
Mar 1, 2019 10:45:20 #
jakraig wrote:
One of the real advantages of back button focusing... (show quote)
Thank you for your comment.
I have been using BB focus for a number of years now. I know the advantages. I am into birds in flight so my finger is always on the BB.
A couple of days ago, I took a few shots of a Snowy Owl in flight. From the same sequence, some were sharp and the others were soft. I tried to figure out as to why, which lead me to see what happens when I BB on a fixed object. I blame the heat refraction.
I have come to the conclusion that this softness can occur at any given time, even though you are doing things right. That's life!
Mar 1, 2019 11:15:27 #
[quote=Feiertag
I have come to the conclusion that this softness can occur at any given time, even though you are doing things right. That's life![/quote]
High quality photography is always on a very slippery slope .....
I have come to the conclusion that this softness can occur at any given time, even though you are doing things right. That's life![/quote]
High quality photography is always on a very slippery slope .....
Mar 1, 2019 11:33:56 #
You have 4 things working against you. Camera shake from you. movement of the car, heat transfer, and subject movement. It doesn't just have to be one, it might be all 4 at the same time. Unless you want to get out of your warm car, use a tripod outside, and /or nail the subject to a tree, you gotta juice up the shutter speed.
Check out The Pampered Pets Corner section of our forum.
Mar 1, 2019 12:58:32 #
boberic wrote:
You have 4 things working against you. Camera shake from you. movement of the car, heat transfer, and subject movement. It doesn't just have to be one, it might be all 4 at the same time. Unless you want to get out of your warm car, use a tripod outside, and /or nail the subject to a tree, you gotta juice up the shutter speed.
Thank you for the valued tips.
Mar 1, 2019 13:00:06 #
imagemeister wrote:
High quality photography is always on a very slippery slope .....
The challenge is what makes photography so fascinating.
Mar 1, 2019 14:28:39 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
Isolating the culprit is kind of important... as murphy states it will rear its ugly blur when the perfect shot happens.
So understanding what it is next time you see it you can instantly recognize and take whatever steps needed to avoid it. Step outside car next time and see if it affects things, put on a tripod... try stabilization on and off, are you leaning against door frame window etc. or elbows tucked in and isolated from such things. I imagine you are twisted while sitting, maybe its an awkward body position to hold very still.
Was the wind blowing and moving the car slightly, were you shifting weight... did you take acid in college and experiencing a flash-back... you know- all the variables checked off!
(Just kidding about college :)
So understanding what it is next time you see it you can instantly recognize and take whatever steps needed to avoid it. Step outside car next time and see if it affects things, put on a tripod... try stabilization on and off, are you leaning against door frame window etc. or elbows tucked in and isolated from such things. I imagine you are twisted while sitting, maybe its an awkward body position to hold very still.
Was the wind blowing and moving the car slightly, were you shifting weight... did you take acid in college and experiencing a flash-back... you know- all the variables checked off!
(Just kidding about college :)
Mar 1, 2019 14:39:03 #
Feiertag wrote:
Today I went out to shoot Snowy Owls. While being... (show quote)
Do you have AF-C ON... if you do, and hold BBF this will happen sometimes. Especially if you slightly move the camera and the focus point moves onto something else. If you have AF-C on, touch the BBF and release, do not hold. Only hold for BIF.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Wedding Photography section of our forum.