Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

I'm just a beginner scratching the surface of learning manual settings etc. I have a lens that will not use auto settings. I'm getting some nice shots with it, but when I REALLY zoom up the image I can see it is not tack sharp in focus. Maybe it's my eyes just can't see well enough to make that distinction while shooting. Or maybe there is a way to see a zoomed version before I take the shot. I'm shooting at a range I can barely see the eye when I take the shot.
Any advice on how I can improve my ability to get better focus using a manual lens at range?

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bleirer

What camera and lens? Some cameras have 5x and 10x focusing zooms. Some have focus peaking.

By the way, your pics are showing up very dark on my tablet screen. Sometimes I think it can mean your monitor brightness is too high when you adjust the image so it looks bright to you but not to others.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

As a start, both images are dramatically underexposed, and if you’re having difficulty focusing this lens and the aperture is fully manual (no stop down exposure/metering), I can see why. You need to open the aperture or lower the shutter speed or both and then work on the focusing issue. What body and lens (my EXIF viewer isn’t showing them)?

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

try focus peeking for manual focus lenses.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

We see from the EXIF data the camera is a D3200. We look for updates on the lens involved. But, let's be blunt: for anything other than static macro with the zoomed LiveView, you're wasting your time with a manual focus lens on a DSLR. There are numerous new and / or used and affordable options for zoom and prime lenses that will autofocus on your camera. If interested in discussing these practical options, we're here to help.

'Manual settings' means: manual exposure where the photographer sets the aperture, shutterspeed and ISO. Manual focus is a different and unrelated subject in this context.

You have some good posing and nearness to the birds. Don't throw away the lens in frustration. Keep it for the day when you change from DSLR to mirrorless technology where manual focus lenses become practical for wildlife and general photography. Go AF in the meantime if keeping the DSLR.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Appy. Despite some harsh language you are off to a pretty good start. The nature of modern dslr viewing screens makes it really hard to achieve precise focus with manual lenses. Little birds are going to prove especially challenging because they are so damn twitchy, always moving around. With subjects that stay in place more you can optimize focus by using live view and really seeing when it is crisp.
With the cardinal you got the tail feathers sharper than the head. So close. At wider apertures your zone of decent focus will be quite shallow. If lighting allows using a smaller f stop like 5.6 or 8 will give you a buffer. Chances are you will be pushing your iso setting into uncomfortable territory. Photography is a large basket of tradeoffs.
Paul is correct that for now you have very basic gear for what you presented. I applaud your effort and encourage you to practice and refine your technique. Master what you do have and you will be better prepared as opportunities cross your path. You will have fewer frustrations if you stick with static or predictable subjects, but can learn from them all.

Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

I just learned things from each response! Thanks very much.
TriX, you are right. Aperture is lens fixed, determined by where I set zoom. Ranges from 8-16. I can set shutter speed and ISO. AND I have my monitor adjusted to be pretty bright with somewhat enlarged font size! The focus ring is very touchy/sensitive. Extremely slight adjustment makes a big difference to image, even though I can't see it in my viewfinder. I don't know a lot about post processing (also a beginner in photoshop), but I can add light. I don't recall if I did any of that or not to the images posted. I think maybe NOT.
SteveLew, I'm not sure what "focus peeking" is. I'll look it up. That could prove helpful.
CHG Canon, that's a lot (for a newbie) to chew on! LOL. The lens determines aperture, but I can control shutter speed and ISO. I'm toying with setting variations to see what happens. I think you may have hit on something I have never done, which is LIVE VIEW. I have always been using the viewfinder and lots of times shooting at ranges where I can barely tell the bird even has a beak, let alone see it's eye. So I choose a nearby limb etc to use as a focus point. I will switch to LIVE VIEW and see if that helps. I'm assuming that will allow use of the + function as when viewing stored pics?
I have been shopping for a Sigma with up to 500-600mm to use with my D3200. I can see they have electrical contacts but what I've seen seller said it won't work with AF on my cam.

Thanks very much for the tips. They definitely give me some good info on things to work out, including an eye doc visit. Got no illusions about being a pro. Just want to be the best I can be within my budget.
I'm 71 and in denial! LOL

Ourspolair

If you want to improve your focussing with the D3200, use "Live View" and magnify the image on the screen. This will give you a lot more information to work with. Also, you should open the aperture up a bit and compensate perhaps use a higher ISO, since the images you shared are underexposed. I am sure that the D3200 does not have "focus peaking" - this is something that some more recent cameras have.
Using manual lenses on any camera is challenging, but with a bit of practice you should be able to get some nice images. It just takes some practice. If you have one, use a tripod until you have mastered the focusing issue. Good luck.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Tell us what lens and focal length is involved so we can generate similar AF options that are AF-compatible with your D3200.

You can zoom 10x in LiveView. Your approach to try to focus on a near static subject is valid for then just adjusting to a bird at the same distance. The DSLR limitation is the 'wide open' focus and / or dark viewfinder. This limitation is removed for mirrorless for why manual focus lenses are a rage again for mirrorless.

Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

Thanks Orphoto. I can see you know your stuff and I think you pretty much nailed it.

Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

CHG, lens is inexpensive 420-800mm from China which determines aperture from 8-16. Other settings can be adjusted. Recommendations are shutter 100 and ISO 100-200. I've been toying with those to attempt eagles in flight. Found BIF shots fall in the range of difficult to impossible with all I have to accomplish to get a shot off.
I do know use of tripod and remote shutter release has improved my good fortune immensely!
I bought this lens as something to learn with while I save for something that is better and easier for me to use. One thing I have proven to myself is this lens, cheap or not, is capable of producing very good images. BUt only if I am up to muster. I know the camera is capable. I use auto settings with the other 2 lenses I bought (18-55 and 55-200) and get some very sharp pics with those. But the eagles in my area are VERY SHY and rarely perch within a few hundred yards. Even the hawks are shy and evasive, but not nearly like the eagles. Probably a good thing...

My feeder birds are another thing entirely, other than they are so busy and energetic.
I also have a point n shoot but haven't used it yet.

bleirer

I don't know your camera but looking briefly at the features via google it looks like you have a feature called rangefinder to assist focus, but will it work on a manual lens? Be easy to try it and see. The first one is kind of a cool gauzy effect one might think you did it on purpose, and that works with the low key treatment too.

Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

Haven't experimented with rangefinder. Out of focus isn't an effect I would ever intentionally use! You're very generous with the "cool gauzy" comment. LOL

Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

"You can zoom 10x in LiveView." Wow! That should make a BIT difference.
I've been noticing your comments in numerous threads and have picked up a lot of good info. You sure do know your stuff!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I hate to get into a discussion of how I'd spend your money. Apologies in advance.

It does look like this lens is rather inexpensive from a quick google. Alas, you might have been better served in selecting a lens better matched to your camera or a camera better matched to this lens. Don't pour still more money into another lens that does not autofocus.

The used market in the Tamron or Sigma in the 150-600 range might be reasonable. Or, maybe a used mirrorless and appropriate adapter to the current lens if you still desire to attempt manual focus wildlife shooting.