Calibrating Sigma 150-600 C with Nikon D5300
Sep 5, 2019 19:24:06 #
I am not happy with the autofocus on my Nikon D5300 with my Sigma 150-600 C. It seems off. The Nikon D5300 does not have Autofocus Fine Tuning. Is it possible to calibrate the Sigma to the D5300 not having Autofocus Fine Tuning? If so, how? I use Back Button Focus and shoot mostly in aperture mode. The sweet spot seems to be f8. I also have the Sigma Dock and have downloaded all updates. The lens just seems to be slightly out of focus. Just wondering if I should start thinking about a replacement lens, possibly the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 zoom. Maybe even the Sigma 60-600mm. I also have the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter. So I have some $$$ wrapped up in Sigma. I shoot mostly wildlife, birds, BIF, and landscapes. The attached picture shows what I am talking about. Good shot, but not tack sharp. 1/1250 sec. f/8 600mm ISO 800 3:12pm 09/01/2019. Slightly cropped. Am I unrealistic to expect more than I get with this lens/camera combination?
Sep 5, 2019 19:37:22 #
Sep 5, 2019 19:40:54 #
Which AF setting are you using, single or multiple point? Think you should try single point AF before you start any type calibration changes.
Sep 5, 2019 19:48:46 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Yes. Buy the Sigma USB Dock and it will allow you to tune the lens itself.
I have the Sigma Dock but the D5300 does not support Autofocus Fine Tuning. Can you direct me to instructions on how to do it with my lens/camera combination?
Sep 5, 2019 19:51:11 #
cedymock wrote:
Which AF setting are you using, single or multiple point? Think you should try single point AF before you start any type calibration changes.
I have tried single point, but it's almost impossible to get and hold focus when shooting BIF.
Sep 5, 2019 19:59:09 #
stansoper wrote:
I have the Sigma Dock but the D5300 does not support Autofocus Fine Tuning. Can you direct me to instructions on how to do it with my lens/camera combination?
The dock tunes the LENS, and has nothing to do with the camera.
Sigma has lots of tutorials:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/download/lenses/tutorial/
Sep 5, 2019 21:50:09 #
MT Shooter wrote:
The dock tunes the LENS, and has nothing to do with the camera.
Sigma has lots of tutorials:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/download/lenses/tutorial/
Sigma has lots of tutorials:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/download/lenses/tutorial/
Yes, but they are not very good at explaining how to determine the best focus settings at each distance in with the camera. I was hoping that there was a definitive youtube video to guide one through the process.
Sep 5, 2019 22:49:38 #
stansoper wrote:
I am not happy with the autofocus on my Nikon D530... (show quote)
Seemingly, there is NOTHING in this image in focus. Lots of granular noise too ! Yes, you need to be getting a LOT MORE !
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Sep 6, 2019 07:43:28 #
Sep 6, 2019 08:47:50 #
imagemeister wrote:
Seemingly, there is NOTHING in this image in focus. Lots of granular noise too ! Yes, you need to be getting a LOT MORE !
.
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I was thinking it the same thing. Looks like camera shake to me. Were you using a tripod or some other sturdy rest? I wouldn't even think of shooting at 600mm (at any speed) without some type of support.
Sep 6, 2019 09:00:46 #
Hand held. Shouldn't 1/1250 ss take care of that? That's why I upped the ISO to 800. I think I will do some comparison shots (tripod/hand held) to see if that's the problem or part of the problem.. Good point.
Sep 6, 2019 09:03:54 #
stansoper wrote:
Hand held. Shouldn't 1/1250 ss take care of that? That's why I upped the ISO to 800. I think I will do some comparison shots (tripod/hand held) to see if that's the problem or part of the problem.. Good point.
A LOT depends on how good you are at hand holding .....and how fast the subject is moving and distance to the subject
Sep 6, 2019 09:39:28 #
jpwa
Loc: Inland NorthWest
Put it on a tripod and use single point focus and focus on the eye. That will make a huge difference. You also might consider upgrading your camera. The D5300 is entry level and not the best choice for serious wildlife photos. I started with the D5300 and now use a D7200 which improved my photos a great deal. Just food for thought.
Sep 6, 2019 09:42:10 #
I have had the same lens for over a year; am using it on a D7200 body and have not had to fine tune the AF. This image is from a hand-held series; 550 mm, f/10, 1/500 s, ISO 1000. The head is sharp - the body not as much. Even at f/10 the depth of field is very narrow. All this being said, as someone else pointed out, there is a general look of grain (or noise) that is contributing to the look being not "tack" sharp. I am very happy with the lens. There is perhaps something else going on.
Sep 6, 2019 09:49:45 #
I own the same lens and the dock. I owned it for about a year and started having similar issues with it on both a Canon 6d2 and 7d2. After reviewing the process via Sigma’s videos and realizing what an extended arduous process af calibration would be, I called Sigma. The rep was quick to recommend sending it to them in NY for calibration. I had it back in about a week and a half. Works great. Even the tech admitted that calibration via the dock can be challenging. He also mentioned that the calibration values can vary slightly from those recommended on the website.
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