Kudos to LensAlign Part 2
Jun 23, 2015 20:53:10 #
I now have two "Real World" photos that are virtually identical except for the Fine Tuning option. The first photo is with Fine Tuning and the second is w/o Fine Tuning. You may have to enlarge to see the difference but it is there. Remember I'm not saying that the lens was yielding O/O/F pictures. My complaint was that they were disappointing for this lens (500mm f4 Nikon).
Jun 23, 2015 21:07:20 #
There is a definite difference. The fine tuning turned an ok photo into a great photo.
Jun 23, 2015 21:07:59 #
Definite difference! I fine tuned my Sigma 150-500 on my fence. Seemed to do the trick. The LensAlign seems better/easier way though. Bob
Jun 23, 2015 22:20:13 #
Glad you were able to fix the focus. The "without" photo is unacceptable for that lens.
Jun 23, 2015 22:35:07 #
Just an observation, your using a teleconverter to start, which may be the problem to start with, not to mention it will Soften the photo. Also, to get truly good clean sharp photos, you need to get closer to subject.
Jun 23, 2015 23:23:25 #
martinfisherphoto wrote:
Just an observation, your using a teleconverter to start, which may be the problem to start with, not to mention it will Soften the photo. Also, to get truly good clean sharp photos, you need to get closer to subject.
I was not using a teleconverter, it is the digital zoom option in the body. Yes, I know about possible softness with the digital option or with telextenders. The comparison is still valid since everything is the same in both photos. As for getting closer ... two answers. 1- If I could get closer, I wouldn't need the 500mm lens. 2- Even more importantly, if you get too close, the birds get annoyed and upset. The distance from my setup to the nest is approx. 100 yards and even at this distance they are well aware of my presence. When I have been closer to the tree the birds' hackles would go up when they looked at me. See attachment (Before Fine Tuning). I understood and backed off.
Jun 24, 2015 06:14:54 #
Just because you can place a bird in your sites and take a shot does Not mean it will be sharp. 100yards is way to far for even the most expensive lens on the market and will not give you good results. The bird in question does not have his hackles up, but a breeze from behind is blowing his feathers up. I've photograph hundreds of Osprey from nesting to feeding and can get close enough without causing harm with a 300mm lens. You want to get close enough to where your not cropping your photos to fill the frame with the bird and some background. This will result in wonderful resolution and be a true test of the lens, either fine tuned or not. Join a local birding group and let them teach you the ways to approach and how to get closer to the subject. You'll Love you lens afterwards.
Jun 24, 2015 07:09:08 #
martinfisherphoto wrote:
Just because you can place a bird in your sites an... (show quote)
Two things that you wrote were correct. Get closer and for the ultimate test of lens, don't use any x-tenders. This was not an ultimate test of the lens. This was a test to see if Fine Tuning will improve the focus. Quite frankly, I forgot that the 1.3 X was in use, and for what I was looking for, it made no difference. The lens/camera combo needed to be Fine Tuned. I did a bit of math and the distance is 85 yards. As I wrote before, getting closer is not an option; the closest I could get was shown in the "Hackles" photo (which isn't too much closer than where I am now). BTW, I say the bird's hackles are up, you say it's a breeze ... let's agree to disagree.
Jun 24, 2015 07:11:54 #
While in Nashville last month, I took my 300 f2.8 to Dury's Camera and had the lens calibrated to my D3. They use LensAlign. Very happy with results!
Jun 24, 2015 07:43:42 #
Howard5252 wrote:
I now have two "Real World" photos that are virtually identical except for the Fine Tuning option. The first photo is with Fine Tuning and the second is w/o Fine Tuning. You may have to enlarge to see the difference but it is there. Remember I'm not saying that the lens was yielding O/O/F pictures. My complaint was that they were disappointing for this lens (500mm f4 Nikon).
How did you get two almost identical pictures with and without tuning?
Jun 24, 2015 08:05:19 #
It worked! Beautiful picture. Forgive my ignorance but, what kind of bird was it?
Jun 24, 2015 08:46:29 #
jerryc41 wrote:
How did you get two almost identical pictures with and without tuning?
Easy. For about 10 shots i just shut off the Fine Tune option. It must be on for the setting to work.
Jun 24, 2015 08:47:12 #
jerryc41 wrote:
How did you get two almost identical pictures with and without tuning?
I had the same question in my mind! Interesting. Maybe we'll get an answer.
Jun 24, 2015 08:48:39 #
PB73 wrote:
It worked! Beautiful picture. Forgive my ignorance but, what kind of bird was it?
It is not ignorance if you ask. I first thought they were eagles ... they're Ospreys.
Jun 24, 2015 08:58:08 #
Julian wrote:
I had the same question in my mind! Interesting. Maybe we'll get an answer.
See my answer to Jerry
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.