RCJets Loc: Virginia

I shot these from about 15 feet with my Nikon D7100. ISO 100, 1/500 sec,. at 300 mm, and f5.6. I am not happy with the sharpness of these photos. I was on a tripod, and used a wireless remote. I'm seeing photos here where every feather is sharp as a tack. My lens is the Nikon 70 - 300 VR. Yes, this is a full frame lens on a DX camera. Could that be part of my issue, or is it just operator error? All comments welcome.
This little fellow (male?) was waiting for his mate to come out of the nest so he could bring his meal to the chicks.

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Can not help with your sharpness issue, but this is a very nice series.

pmackd Loc: Alameda CA

There are a number of FX (full frame) Nikon 70-300 mm lenses and none of them are very sharp at 300mm; I'd even say soft. Both the newer DX 70-300 AF-P and the FX 70-300 AF-P are much sharper. However I used the FX version one before the AF-P one for a number of years on a D7100 and consistently got better results than what I see in these shots. FX lens on a DX camera is definitely not your problem. Here are some suggestions:
(1) did you focus on the bird's eye? -- essential!. (2) Did you sharpen effectively in PP? This makes a big difference with your lens at 300mm. (3) Have you done an AF-Fine tune on your lens at 300mm? Also essential if you are getting soft results. (4) Do you have a spare $150? If so, go buy the DX AF-P 70-300mm f4.5-6.3 lens online from Walmart or another dealer. You will get a gray market lens without a proper warranty but at that price it's still a deal. You can also look for a sale and buy the lens Nikon refurbished for about $150. Great lens for the money. When you get it do the AF Fine Tune; most samples don't require correction but some do.

Karen11571

There could have been camera shake from a slight breeze or the bird moved slightly just as you took the photo. I have also noticed that heat waves coming off the ground or the stump they are on causes a blurred look also.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Thanks pmakd and Karen for your comments. Just what I was looking for. I'll definitely look into the lens you suggest, Pmakd. Karen, I am aware that heat waves can really distort any hope of a sharp photo, but for the life of me, I don't see that in the photos. The temp when I took these shots was no more than 75 degrees or less, and the perch was only a 4 x 4. Can you tell me where to look for what you saw? Thanks again, both of you.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Nice shots.

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

I also shoot with the D7100. We recently traveled to Ireland and I purchased the Tamron 18-400 for the trip so I could travel with one lens. I was thrilled with the results. I did not bring a tripod and shot hand held with the VC control turned on. We had a lot of rain, fog and on the coast, 60 MPH winds. The Tamron performed great through it all.

angler Loc: StHelens England

Good shots.

Carolina Wings Loc: Flew from North Carolina to Pennsylvania

They are lovely photos...nothing wrong with them other than they are backlight...and nothing can be done about that other than going out at another part of the day.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Hi Carolina Wings,
I hope that wasn't a permanent move. I can't believe anyone would leave NC for PA. I live in VA, but my Dad was a Tarheel and I live there for many years myself. Great State.

I see your point on the bird being backlite, but I tried to catch him with the light as highlights, and I think I got a few good ones. I didn't have many choices for where to shoot, as he was sitting right under to the entrance to the nest, with a structure right in front of him. I do appreciate your comments.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

When I download #1, it appears that the fabric (carpet) on the right upper post is more sharply focused than the bird (but even that area is not tack sharp). Assuming you were spot focusing on the bird's eye and at the EXIF values you posted, you would have a DOF of less than 1" in front and behind the bird. I would be suspicious that your camera/lens is back focusing and may benefit from microadjusting. Carolina Wings is correct; backlit shots make it difficult to get good detail.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Good work, Joe!

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Thanks, Mike.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Absolutely marvelous shots--tack sharp or not.

Davoallen

Did you tell him to pose for the first shot? Couldn't ask for better.