Blurry photos

[lisatoolevp99]

I am getting blurry photos and my camera is set on auto focus. Is ther something I can do to adjust my focus settings on my Nikon D7200? Thanks

 

[Digger...]

What subjects are you photographing, what's your shutter speed?

 

[snowbear]

There could be a few reasons; to name a few the Autofocus is hitting something closer than you realize, the subject is moving and the shutter speed is not fast enough or you are using a "protection filter" that is throwing it off. Try posting one of the photos with the pertinent information (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens) and we might be able to get a better idea.

 

[Jeff15]

Hello and welcome. I agree with snowbear ...

 

[Strodav]

The D7200's AF system will give you sharp photos if used correctly. First thing to look at is settings. Choose either AF A, AF S, AF C or auto focus automatic (don't ever use this setting), AF S (use when there is no motion, i.e., static scenes / subjects), AF continuous (continuously refocuses as things move around). I almost always have mine set at AF C. The next thing to look at is the number of focus points you are using. I don't use automatic. I usually have mine on D9 or a 9 focus sensor area in the center of the frame. You can play with the other settings, but S or D9 are all I use.

The Nikon AF system has a tendency to AF on the closest thing to the lens in the focus sensor area. So if you are trying to shoot, say, a face a little behind a tree or bush, the camera might focus on the tree. So, when you are looking at your "blurry" shots, see if anything in the frame is in focus. If your find that area, that's what the camera locked in. Another thing to note is that if the AF system gets confused, it might go to infinity, i.e., on the background will be in focus. That's a good time to use the focus ring on the lens to get your subject in focus, then the camera should lock in from there. The AF system likes contrast. So if you are having a tough time getting it to lock, look for an edge at the same distance as your subject.

The D7200 is an amazing camera. I've had mine for several years and although I've got a few other bodies including a D850 and Z9, my D7200 is my go to street photography and casual family photos camera. Image quality is excellent. It's just the right size and shape for my hands. 24mp is a great image size. The controls are easy to understand, nothing to fancy. It's like an old pair of jeans. It just feels good.

 

[wfooshee]

"Blurry" could mean bad focus or it could mean motion blur (subject moves while the shutter is open.) Without samples, we can't even guess what the issue is.

 

[SunriseAvenue]

Some of it can be fixed during a post-processing stage (there is an article on working with blurry pictures), but there is only so much you can do with your software. Might be an autofocus slip where it actually focuses on a closer subject, as already mentioned.

 

[tinytmp]

The D7200's AF system will give you sharp photos if used correctly. First thing to look at is settings. Choose either AF A, AF S, AF C or auto focus automatic (don't ever use this setting), AF S (use when there is no motion, i.e., static scenes / subjects), AF continuous (continuously refocuses as things move around). I almost always have mine set at AF C. The next thing to look at is the number of focus points you are using. I don't use automatic. I usually have mine on D9 or a 9 focus sensor area in the center of the frame. You can play with the other settings, but S or D9 are all I use.

The Nikon AF system has a tendency to AF on the closest thing to the lens in the focus sensor area. So if you are trying to shoot, say, a face a little behind a tree or bush, the camera might focus on the tree. So, when you are looking at your "blurry" shots, see if anything in the frame is in focus. If your find that area, that's what the camera locked in. Another thing to note is that if the AF system gets confused, it might go to infinity, meaning the background will be in focus. To help with focus issues, consider using ClickASnap to share your images and get feedback from the photography community. They can offer tips and insights to improve your focus settings or suggest adjustments to enhance your photography skills. That's a good time to use the focus ring on the lens to get your subject in focus, then the camera should lock in from there. The AF system likes contrast. So if you are having a tough time getting it to lock, look for an edge at the same distance as your subject.

The D7200 is an amazing camera. I've had mine for several years and although I've got a few other bodies including a D850 and Z9, my D7200 is my go to street photography and casual family photos camera. Image quality is excellent. It's just the right size and shape for my hands. 24mp is a great image size. The controls are easy to understand, nothing to fancy. It's like an old pair of jeans. It just feels good.

If you're getting blurry photos with your Nikon D7200 set to autofocus, try adjusting a few settings. First, ensure the autofocus mode is set to the correct option for your shooting situation (e.g., AF-S for stationary subjects, AF-C for moving ones). Check if the lens is clean and properly mounted. You might also want to adjust the focus points to ensure you're focusing on the right part of the scene. For more detailed troubleshooting, consult your camera's manual or the Nikon website.