lENS PURCHASE.
Jun 29, 2022 06:44:39 #
I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question. I imagine Admin. place it where it needs to go. I'm going to try to store the original so you can see the settings. I'm thinking about buying this Nikkor 300mm 1:4E PF ED VR lens. I'm in the middle of the two-week trial period. To get to the point, I'm not impressed with the sharpness of this lens: Shouldn't "GORDON" be sharper even though I focused on the statue? I haven't been impressed with any of the images I've gotten with this lens. Am I expecting too much? I took it back to the camera store before I took this pic, where they adjusted it some. I ended up substituting a CPL filter I bought with the lens with a B&W UV-Haze filter which seemed to help a little. The camera's got about 30K clicks or so. This pic was hand-held. For two grand, I ain't impressed. Am I expecting too much or am I being overly critical? Your opinions, please.
Jun 29, 2022 06:48:56 #
I would remove all filters, use a tripod on a fixed target at several apertures then load them and pixel peep the images.
Jun 29, 2022 06:53:34 #
Jun 29, 2022 07:15:59 #
The statue isn't sharp. Do what tradio suggests.
To answer your question: You were shooting at f/4. If you were 15ft from the statue then the depth of field (dof) is just under 1" in front and behind your focal point. So the letters would not be in focus. At 10ft distance the dof is about 1/2" for each.
Using f/16 at 15ft the dof would be about 4" for each and then the letters should be in focus.
Put a dof calculator on your smart phone and get used to using it.
To answer your question: You were shooting at f/4. If you were 15ft from the statue then the depth of field (dof) is just under 1" in front and behind your focal point. So the letters would not be in focus. At 10ft distance the dof is about 1/2" for each.
Using f/16 at 15ft the dof would be about 4" for each and then the letters should be in focus.
Put a dof calculator on your smart phone and get used to using it.
Jun 29, 2022 07:18:12 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
If you are not impressed don't buy. You will never be satisfied and I am sure this lens ain't cheap.
Jun 29, 2022 08:26:11 #
Jun 29, 2022 08:26:36 #
Jun 30, 2022 06:26:56 #
I hope it is clear to you that you need this lens. This is a very technologically advanced lens that could be very useful for subjects like action and wildlife photography although it could be kind of short for wildlife in general.
I am sure it is a sharp lens. You said the store where you bought it made "some adjustments" to it. As far as I am concerned Nikon optics do not need any adjustments with their brand new lenses. In the case an adjustment is needed I will always go to Nikon for that.
I bet you know that you lose two stops of light when using a polarizer but none when using a UV filter. I do not use UV filters, never did but I use old Hoya and Tiffen polarizers I keep from when I was using film. If you used a polarizer for this shot I wonder why you used it, I would never had used one.
The image looks reasonably sharp to me but do not trust my old eyes in early morning especially on someone who have had bilateral cataract surgery. I do better at mid morning. You better, as suggested, try the lens on a tripod and do not forget to set VR off. Make sure that the focus is sharp and accurate on your subject and consider that small lens openings will be sharper than larger ones. Sharpness depends a lot on the operator.
Since you are trying the lens do not buy it if you cannot justify a good use for it. Do not buy it if you are not satisfied with your results because if your photo techniques with a tele are not good enough your results will continue to be a disappointment and finally, never buy a lens because it is sharp.
Always buy a lens that you can justify as useful for your photographic needs.
I am sure it is a sharp lens. You said the store where you bought it made "some adjustments" to it. As far as I am concerned Nikon optics do not need any adjustments with their brand new lenses. In the case an adjustment is needed I will always go to Nikon for that.
I bet you know that you lose two stops of light when using a polarizer but none when using a UV filter. I do not use UV filters, never did but I use old Hoya and Tiffen polarizers I keep from when I was using film. If you used a polarizer for this shot I wonder why you used it, I would never had used one.
The image looks reasonably sharp to me but do not trust my old eyes in early morning especially on someone who have had bilateral cataract surgery. I do better at mid morning. You better, as suggested, try the lens on a tripod and do not forget to set VR off. Make sure that the focus is sharp and accurate on your subject and consider that small lens openings will be sharper than larger ones. Sharpness depends a lot on the operator.
Since you are trying the lens do not buy it if you cannot justify a good use for it. Do not buy it if you are not satisfied with your results because if your photo techniques with a tele are not good enough your results will continue to be a disappointment and finally, never buy a lens because it is sharp.
Always buy a lens that you can justify as useful for your photographic needs.
Jun 30, 2022 06:51:44 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
tradio wrote:
I would remove all filters, use a tripod on a fixed target at several apertures then load them and pixel peep the images.
Great advice! Also, the left side of the photo seems a little sharper. Maybe the angle you shot it on. Auto focus or manual? I would do a 100% rear lcd live view manual focus photo without the filter before counting the lens out. Maybe the camera/lens combo needs a AF micro adjustment.
Jun 30, 2022 06:52:24 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
ecobin wrote:
The statue isn't sharp. Do what tradio suggests.
To answer your question: You were shooting at f/4. If you were 15ft from the statue then the depth of field (dof) is just under 1" in front and behind your focal point. So the letters would not be in focus. At 10ft distance the dof is about 1/2" for each.
Using f/16 at 15ft the dof would be about 4" for each and then the letters should be in focus.
Put a dof calculator on your smart phone and get used to using it.
To answer your question: You were shooting at f/4. If you were 15ft from the statue then the depth of field (dof) is just under 1" in front and behind your focal point. So the letters would not be in focus. At 10ft distance the dof is about 1/2" for each.
Using f/16 at 15ft the dof would be about 4" for each and then the letters should be in focus.
Put a dof calculator on your smart phone and get used to using it.
Jun 30, 2022 08:15:44 #
moosus wrote:
I'm not sure if this is the right place for this q... (show quote)
If you want the letters of Gordon to be the sharpest when shooting wide-open with an f/4 lens, place the AF point on those letters.
It looks like you've customized the standard picture profile. You also have the AF fine-tune active, although it says '0'. Consider removing all these in-camera customizations / overrides and see how the lens behaves.
The result isn't great where the AF point was positioned. But, I wouldn't make a buy decision on just one image given the camera settings. Take off the filter as others have said and then undo the custom settings I found.
Jun 30, 2022 08:38:13 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
tradio wrote:
I would remove all filters, use a tripod on a fixed target at several apertures then load them and pixel peep the images.
Yes, remove the filter, you do not need it....stabilize the rig, long lenses bring out the worst in us vibration/movement wise. Tripod and trigger or timed release will tell you what you need to know. Unless a bad copy, there should be zero issues induced by the lens itself.
Jun 30, 2022 09:15:59 #
ecobin wrote:
The statue isn't sharp. Do what tradio suggests.
To answer your question: You were shooting at f/4. If you were 15ft from the statue then the depth of field (dof) is just under 1" in front and behind your focal point. So the letters would not be in focus. At 10ft distance the dof is about 1/2" for each.
Using f/16 at 15ft the dof would be about 4" for each and then the letters should be in focus.
Put a dof calculator on your smart phone and get used to using it.
To answer your question: You were shooting at f/4. If you were 15ft from the statue then the depth of field (dof) is just under 1" in front and behind your focal point. So the letters would not be in focus. At 10ft distance the dof is about 1/2" for each.
Using f/16 at 15ft the dof would be about 4" for each and then the letters should be in focus.
Put a dof calculator on your smart phone and get used to using it.
Jun 30, 2022 10:12:41 #
That lens is a bit pricey only because it is pretty small and light for a dslr 300mm prime.
It's sharp...but not at its sharpest wide open...very few lenses are.
Light capability at f/4. Max sharpness is at f/8...like most long lenses...in that price range.
It's sharp...but not at its sharpest wide open...very few lenses are.
Light capability at f/4. Max sharpness is at f/8...like most long lenses...in that price range.
Jun 30, 2022 10:27:04 #
I find it to be quite sharp for what it is. The word "Gordon" is etched in granite. It is not something that is printed in high resolution, it is sandblasted into the granite. I can see the texture of the granite in the engraving. I can see the texture in the dark granite also when zooming in as well.
Also...the subject is at an angle so the depth of field will be sharper in some areas than in others as the monument goes from close to far.
Also...the subject is at an angle so the depth of field will be sharper in some areas than in others as the monument goes from close to far.
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