Finally fed up with soft focus.
Oct 15, 2015 10:20:22 #
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything that moves for maybe four to six months, and then I won't pick up the camera for another six. So the Nikon D7000 - 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II combo, which I bought about three years ago has faithfully (somewhat) served my purposes. I shoot mostly handheld/monopod and the Nikon package is flexible and unobtrusive to carry. But now I'm really frustrated with the lack of sharpness of the Nikkor and trying to compensate for it's weakness in post, especially when I'm trying to enlarge to, say, 11X14. Plus, I'm jealous of the great pix I see displayed on this site. So, I'm going to invest up to $1,000.00 for a new, faster lens (the D7000 is OK for my purposes) but I need advice. With the exception of the 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR I or II (which is too heavy and too expensive), can you folk offer some advice (can a bear......). By the way, I shoot with a tripod and remote whenever possible but the lens is inherently soft. Thanks.
Oct 15, 2015 10:35:02 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
Look into Sigma's Art or Contemporary series of lenses which can be used with their USB Dock to adjust focus and also update a lenses firmware.
Oct 15, 2015 10:45:03 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
Might be helpful if you let us know whether you are looking for a zoom or prime lens.
Oct 15, 2015 11:07:26 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
There are many lenses out there that may serve your purposes, but solid recommendations will be few based on your limited information. The very FIRST thing I would try if I were you is to AF Fine Tune your lens to your camera, at least check the focus and see if it needs tuning or not. The 18-200mm VR II has a fine reputation as an acceptably sharp DX lens.
One lens I recently tried and loved is the Sigma 24-105mm F4 OS, its extremely sharp, both on Full Frame as well as Crop sensor cameras.
Oct 15, 2015 12:35:54 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
err.. before looking at a new lens that will disappoint you, check your focusing process. Many times folks do not focus properly*, not the lens. This seems to be the case.
Another page from my upcoming web page:
I wrote:
Too many captures made are soft, meaning they are ... (show quote)
Need to add: Shooting with a tripod with the VR enabled... (after re-reading your question)
Oct 15, 2015 14:38:02 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqhH2ELuCaE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zE50jCUPhM
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Oct 15, 2015 19:04:26 #
Thanks to all for the detailed information. I readily confess that I have not been entirely diligent. I will follow up on your various responses.
Oct 16, 2015 07:12:21 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Need to add: Shooting with a tripod with the VR enabled... (after re-reading your question)
The Seventies must really be all gone; a bad Nikkor Lens, something I thought I would never hear. I've heard of people killing for an old 85mm f/1.8 Nikkor.
Oct 16, 2015 07:27:28 #
Bud S
Loc: Logan Ohio
MT Shooter wrote:
There are many lenses out there that may serve your purposes, but solid recommendations will be few based on your limited information. The very FIRST thing I would try if I were you is to AF Fine Tune your lens to your camera, at least check the focus and see if it needs tuning or not. The 18-200mm VR II has a fine reputation as an acceptably sharp DX lens.
One lens I recently tried and loved is the Sigma 24-105mm F4 OS, its extremely sharp, both on Full Frame as well as Crop sensor cameras.
One lens I recently tried and loved is the Sigma 24-105mm F4 OS, its extremely sharp, both on Full Frame as well as Crop sensor cameras.
I had major issues with same problem on my 7000, found out it was a front focuser. After fine tuning all my lens it was much better.
Oct 16, 2015 08:26:46 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
Just out of curiousity, Raz, what aperture range are you working within? On a D7000, you must know that apertures smaller than about f/8 will show noticeable diffraction limiting of sharpness. By f/16 it is pretty bad, and at f/32 it's a special effect.
Lots of folks don't understand this the smaller the format, and the higher the resolution of the sensor, the wider the aperture at which diffraction starts to degrade sharpness.
That said, this is a lens (and a focal length range in general) that is full of compromises and tends to disappoint. The second gen is much better than the first, but still... There's only so much you can do with that range.
Zooms with shorter ranges are much easier to design and build, and usually perform a lot better. That is why professionals break this range into three lenses, buying a 14 to 24, a 24 to 70, and a 70 to 200. Each of those ranges is well-controlled in every way.
Oct 16, 2015 08:39:26 #
OldNotMold
Loc: Just North of
Rongnongno wrote:
Need to add: Shooting with a tripod with the VR enabled... (after re-reading your question)
Ron, please be sure to post the link to your upcoming (when?) page. I and many others appreciate constructive info. Sorry for the minor hijack.
Oct 16, 2015 09:09:27 #
burkphoto wrote:
Just out of curiousity, Raz, what aperture range a... (show quote)
What this means is that for maximum sharpness with most lens, stop down two stops from the largest f/stop. Even though you may have a legitimate reason for stopping down all the way or shooting wide open, you will sacrifice sharpness. You cannot defy the laws of nature. Spending more money only makes living with them easier!
Oct 16, 2015 09:18:33 #
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
I do not own the 18-200 lens but I have used it and the performance has been excellent.
If you have another camera use the lens with that other camera. Make sure you are using AF properly, make sure the lens surface is clean and make sure if you are hand holding the camera that VR is engaged.
If you are doing what I am saying here your pictures should be good but if they are not it is time to have the lens checked. Do not use your money in another lens because if you are not doing your part the new lens will not solve your problems.
Oct 16, 2015 09:20:15 #
abc1234 wrote:
What this means is that for maximum sharpness with most lens, stop down two stops from the largest f/stop. Even though you may have a legitimate reason for stopping down all the way or shooting wide open, you will sacrifice sharpness. You cannot defy the laws of nature. Spending more money only makes living with them easier!
:thumbup: :thumbup:
I nearly always follow that rule of thumb when I want sharpness. Wide open "dreamy" and f/22-32 "fuzzy" also have their uses. The wide open kind tends to work best with premium glass, however. The cheaper and worse the lens design, the better the fuzzy effect at f/32.
Nearly everything about gear in photography is relative to what you are trying to accomplish.
Oct 16, 2015 09:23:37 #
You may want to try a borrowed or rented lens (prime or FX zoom) and test the results before jumping into a new lens. Trouble-shoot first step by step. It could be a blend of issues.
Raz Theo wrote:
I am a manic shooter, inspired to shoot anything t... (show quote)
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