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Question - Nikon 200- 600 mm zoom sharpness
May 10, 2023 13:12:25   #
grumpy52
 
I have a Nikon d5600 with a Nikon 200-600 5.6 zoom lens. I have taken a number of shots with it and am generally pleased with results. The first pic on a tripod was taken at 290mm iso 1000, 1/2500 @ 6.3. center single point focus. Very happy with results. ISO probably did'nt have to that high. The second and 3rd photos were same setup on a tripod iso 800, 1/2000 @f9 taken at 500mm. My question is with the focus point on the eagles head does the sharpness fall off some? I feel the 2nd and 3rd pics are soft compared to the first one. I realize with a lens of that size even a little shake from releasing the shutter can affect focusing. Would a remote help give better results?






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May 10, 2023 14:21:11   #
alphadog
 
mostly you are right I think using a larger focus area with enough f stop to include what you mean to include will yield better results...you should NOT need a tripod if firing at 1/2000 or greater UNLESS you have a heavy finger. Good luck

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May 10, 2023 14:45:33   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
I don't think you have a lens problem.

The first shot was done with the sun over your shoulder, is a reasonably correct exposure and shows good detail in the highlights. Notice the eagle's head... it's well lit with lots of fine detail.

The 2nd and 3rd shots are done from the subject's shadow side. They're both underexposed (which often happens when there is a lot of sky in the background). There is less detail in the shadows, even if they are brightened up. Despite the underexposure, the highlights are "blown". Look at the eagle's head... it's face is heavily shadowed, yet the top of it's head has no detail at all.

The "problem" is the direction you shot from... earlier or later in the day you might have been able to shoot from the angle used in 2 and 3. But it was not a good choice at that particular time of day.

By the way... does Nikon even make a 200-600mm f/5.6 lens? I thought it was a 200-500mm f/5.6.

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May 11, 2023 08:39:09   #
agillot
 
On a tripod you could shoot at 1/500 , and iso 250 . Also here with the sun behind , not the best .

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May 11, 2023 11:02:14   #
kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA
 
amfoto1 wrote:
By the way... does Nikon even make a 200-600mm f/5.6 lens? I thought it was a 200-500mm f/5.6.


You are correct.

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May 11, 2023 11:15:45   #
grumpy52
 
Thank You. The angle of the shot on 2 & 3 is the only reasonable one to shoot from. Sun was most likely at about 1 oclock looking at the eagle.

Your right it is a 200mm - 500mm. My bad.

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May 11, 2023 11:19:24   #
grumpy52
 
I use the tripod as a support. I can no longer handhold this camera and lens - it's a bit heavy. Yes I could have shot a lower ISO, but I like to get as much shutter speed as possible. Thank You!

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May 11, 2023 11:28:06   #
photoman43
 
With any tele lens for conditions pictured above, you need to get the focus square exactly on the spot you want in accurate focus. This is easier said than done. When I am shooting such subjects with tele lenses on a tripod, I use Back Button focus so focus is determined by the AF ON button and not the shutter button. After taking shots with AF I often tweak the focus manually to fine tune the focus. This often improves the results. In the shooting conditions you have pictured, the focus point may move from the desired spot given all of the contrasty things it could lock onto. And remember that some AF settings are biased for the closest thing that may not be the face or eye of the bird.

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May 11, 2023 15:43:08   #
neillaubenthal
 
3 eaglets isn’t that common IIRC…

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May 11, 2023 19:41:41   #
grumpy52
 
photoman43 wrote:
With any tele lens for conditions pictured above, you need to get the focus square exactly on the spot you want in accurate focus. This is easier said than done. When I am shooting such subjects with tele lenses on a tripod, I use Back Button focus so focus is determined by the AF ON button and not the shutter button. After taking shots with AF I often tweak the focus manually to fine tune the focus. This often improves the results. In the shooting conditions you have pictured, the focus point may move from the desired spot given all of the contrasty things it could lock onto. And remember that some AF settings are biased for the closest thing that may not be the face or eye of the bird.
With any tele lens for conditions pictured above, ... (show quote)


Thank You. To your point of things may not be in focus @focus point moving, I would thik f9 would make up any minute difference. Sometimes there are small twigs in front of subject that you do not see until reviewing puicture.

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