Blurry Pictures (Page 3): Oh yeah for sure. I do this too, sadly, then realize I'm too close lol.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

frankraney wrote:

His other photos were good, not a lens (vr) problem more than likely. More than likely he was to close(minimum focus distance, and moved slightly forward at shutter. This is a problem with zoom lenses at full zoom and getting to close. Backing up slightly would help, as a tripod would also.

Oh yeah for sure. I do this too, sadly, then realize I'm too close lol.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

BruceT4891 wrote:

I am trying to take a picture of Queen Anne’s Lace and all the pictures are out of focus. This is on of the better pictures. It doesn’t look too bad until I enlarge it. The camera says it has the focus. I thought f8 would be enough depth of field. I am using a Nikon D750 with a Nikon 24-120 lens. Pictures of other objects are fine, so I don’t think it is a problem with the camera.

What was your shutter speed, and what mm. were you shooting, for example, if you were shooting a 120 mm at say 1/30 sec. then you may not have had the shutter speed high enough, and if you cannot hold the camera steady, that could also be an issue. Also, the image appears to be underexposed, maybe from your meter being fooled by the white.
You could also zoom in at 120 mm and check focus, then zoom back and take the shot, if you do this make sure after focusing at 120 mm you shut off the auto focus, because when you zoom back to take the shot it will refocus.
Also, your minimum focusing distance changes as you zoom out, if your were shooting at 120 mm you could have been too close.
Also, make sure your camera is set to "take a shot ONLY when it is in focus" you can do this in the custom menu, then your set.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

BruceT4891 wrote:

The flower was moving in the wind. But I tried a faster shutter speed and holding the flower, same result.

Holding the flower doesn't work, as we have vibrations from breathing and other unnoticeable movement. I have found close up Photography outside on a breezy day not really a good idea.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

BruceT4891 wrote:

I am trying to take a picture of Queen Anne’s Lace and all the pictures are out of focus. This is on of the better pictures. It doesn’t look too bad until I enlarge it. The camera says it has the focus. I thought f8 would be enough depth of field. I am using a Nikon D750 with a Nikon 24-120 lens. Pictures of other objects are fine, so I don’t think it is a problem with the camera.

The image you shared is so close the DOF is too shallow to allow complete focus. If this particular image is your goal you might try a longer lens at a further distance. Nice idea for such a delicate appearing flower. Work with it until you find the desired effect.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

BruceT4891 wrote:

I am trying to take a picture of Queen Anne’s Lace and all the pictures are out of focus. This is on of the better pictures. It doesn’t look too bad until I enlarge it. The camera says it has the focus. I thought f8 would be enough depth of field. I am using a Nikon D750 with a Nikon 24-120 lens. Pictures of other objects are fine, so I don’t think it is a problem with the camera.

I usually "cheat" and cut the flower and bring it indoors to take a studio shot of it where there is no movement by me or the flower. I also sometimes do focus stacks.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

tomc601 wrote:

Here you go.

Using Topaz Sharpen set to "Motion Blur-Very Blurry" I received similar results.
I have not tried any other settings or the "AI" mode.
Topaz Products make me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

SteveInConverse wrote:

Oh yeah for sure. I do this too, sadly, then realize I'm too close lol.

Shooting at minimum focus distance voices you no where to go but backwards for a good depth of field in a case like this. 6 inches makes a world of difference in focus and very little in comp.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

jerryc41 wrote:

Wow! That looks cruel. Is that allowed in all fifty states?

I bought mine about 20 yrs ago and had the same concern. I was shooting at NY Botanical Gardens and one of the staff came over to investigate. She returned with her higher up and it was agreed that no damage was caused to the plants and I was permitted to continue. So far, I haven’t had anyone else challenge me and I’ve been shooting in many formal gardens. So far, so good!

I should add that I use my tripod and Plamp carefully. Obviously, a plamp (or tripod leg for that matter) used stupidly can do some damage. And I’ve seen many stupid photogs out there tromping recklessly through carefully curated displays or otherwise wreaking havoc with no regard for others.

BruceT4891

tomc601 wrote:

Here you go.

Wow. Topaz Sharpen is amazing. Thanks tomc601.

FrumCA

BruceT4891 wrote:

I am trying to take a picture of Queen Anne’s Lace and all the pictures are out of focus. This is on of the better pictures. It doesn’t look too bad until I enlarge it. The camera says it has the focus. I thought f8 would be enough depth of field. I am using a Nikon D750 with a Nikon 24-120 lens. Pictures of other objects are fine, so I don’t think it is a problem with the camera.

Is your lens clean? Check for smudges, etc.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

tomc601 wrote:

Here you go.

And that’s one of those cases where Topaz Sharpen AI can turn a throw away into an acceptable shot.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I have quite a bit of experience photographing flowers by natural light.

There several sources of movement that can causes blur.

1. The wind blows flowers around.
2. the usual camera shake if hand held
3. Your body/ camera motions as you attempt to frame the subject.

There are several things that help.

1. Use a tripod - this fixes the position of the camera
2. use continuous auto focus to focus on a critical area. Remember the flower is moving in the wind.
3. use a high shutter speed. I usually use 1/500 sec as a minimum but often higher than this.

Queen Anne's Lace is a rather large flower so it is difficult to get the entire flower in focus. I use a micro 4/3 camera to minimize the magnification and thus increase the depth of field. I think f11 or smaller aperture may sometimes help. Sometimes it is impossible to get everything in focus without the use of focus stacking or swings and tilts. A PC lens is is sometimes a very expensive solution that has its own disadvantages.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

BruceT4891 wrote:

The flower was moving in the wind. But I tried a faster shutter speed and holding the flower, same result.

If there is wind, holding low on a stem still leaves the flowers up higher free to move. As Paul suggested, a burst combined with a tripod might capture the subject at the end of a sway.

James May

use a tripod and a wireless trigger and if you get the same results send in the lens for cleaning and repair. I have a new Nikon Z9 and bought the new Z105 f2.8 lens and it was not focused right I sent it is still under warranty and they did a lot to it and a firmware update. now it works great.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

BruceT4891 wrote:

I am trying to take a picture of Queen Anne’s Lace and all the pictures are out of focus. This is on of the better pictures. It doesn’t look too bad until I enlarge it. The camera says it has the focus. I thought f8 would be enough depth of field. I am using a Nikon D750 with a Nikon 24-120 lens. Pictures of other objects are fine, so I don’t think it is a problem with the camera.

Shutter too slow.