Nikon Users Group

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Comment by Skeeter Kortz on January 17, 2012 at 2:50am

I just wanted to second Gary's comment about trying your friends equipment before your buy.  It is always good to do this if possible to see if you get your expected results before investing the money.  In my opinion, clarity and texture can be effected by the camera software/settings and how it handles lighting and contrast, but sharpness is more a function of technique (aperature setting and camera shake).

Comment by Mike Noble on January 15, 2012 at 8:41am

I just wanted add a few thoughts about the focus issue. First, it is probably a good idea to make sure that you are holding your camera properly. If it is not braced firmly you might get some unwanted movement that could cause blur.

Be aware of the inverse focal length rule (of thumb). Make sure your shutter speed is the reciprocal of the focal length - at least. If your lens is 200mm your shutter speed should be at least 1/200th of a second.

Your depth of field is important. If you are shooting wide open there is very little leeway in the plane of focus, especially if younger using a long lens. You can miss the focus point if you move back and forth while you are shooting.

And sometimes you can just get a bad lens. It happens. No matter how expensive the equipment is the manufacturing process isn't perfect.

I mention these things because I have experienced some from personal experience and I have to consciously make sure the I avoid some of these pitfalls. I hope this helps.

Mike

Comment by Gary Vernon on January 15, 2012 at 6:03am

Tommie,

i covered the fine tune in my post yesterday when i said

"On the D300 you can calibrate for both front and back focus with the in camera software"

I would have assumed you had taken lots of auto and manual focus shots on a tripod as i described to ascertain either front or back focus before cranking it all one way especially before an important shoot?

This is a social site here Tommie, to know a lot more about your camera i suggest joining one of the Pro sites of which there are many populated by working photographers..

There is a specific D300 forum here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1039

this same beginner AF tune question pops up there going back some years, just do a search in the forum on front / back focus and you'll get a definitive answer better than trolling google.

Converting to Canon is your choice, but i'd suggest shooting with your friends Canon with various lenses and settings first before putting your gear up for sale - it may boil down to just your technique at the end off the day..

Comment by tommie on January 14, 2012 at 4:42pm

nor is it in my D80  (no surprise there-ha!). 

well - good luck, and here's to getting nice crisp images now!!

Comment by Larry Van Valkenburgh on January 14, 2012 at 4:32pm

Oops, it's not in my D200

Comment by Larry Van Valkenburgh on January 14, 2012 at 4:14pm

Very interesting. Thank you very much for finding and sharing this info.

I bought my D300 used and it has a bunch of saved values in it already.

I'll be working on this for a time, now, with both my D300 and my D200.

I had seen that, but just didn't go deep enough into the menu to see the adjustments.Hopefully, my photos will also start looking better.

Larry

Comment by tommie on January 14, 2012 at 2:48pm

update! 

So, I had a family session scheduled for today, and have been so distraught about this sharpness thing that i've been dreading it :o(  So, in the few hours I had before the shoot, i again was googling this issue all over the place, and stumbled across a guy's blog where he talked about having the same problem. Had just bought an expensive lens, was disappointed with the images' sharpness.  

Anyway - he went on to say that after lots of exploration and even interaction with Nikon, he found that the D300 has a feature called AF fine tune. Here's the post with the specifics, if anyone's interested: http://www.slagermanphoto.com/2009/01/08/nikon-autofocus-fine-tuning/

So anyway, in the time I had before the shoot, I began playing around with that, and decided to take the risk and cranked the fine tune all the way up, then went to my shoot.

When I came home and uploaded my images, I really do think they look a bit more sharp/crisp. Maybe it's all in my head. But at least for now, it's something, right?

And in the meantime, I've made a huge decision. I am "converting" and have already begun listing my gear on my local Craigslist. I know, I know. Go ahead and judge me if you need to.  But bottom line - a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. 

Comment by Fred on January 14, 2012 at 7:18am

Nuwan

Nothing wrong with the lens at all, I have used one for years and still do. If that is your price range, go for it, you will not be disappointed. 

Comment by Fred on January 14, 2012 at 7:14am

What is the autoexposure AE Lock set at? Use center weighted or spot

Check the AE-L is not switched off by default

Then look at what the Auto Meter-off delay (I think 6 secs by default)

Comment by Nuwan Pallewela on January 14, 2012 at 7:11am

Friends please tell your opinion  about Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 macro lens

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