focus issues...help?

[RedWylder]

Ok so I've notice it being a recurring issue in my photos is getting a nice crisp focus. It's so frustrating to take a picture and think that it might have some potential only to view it and it have a touch (or a lot) of blur. I've tried auto-focus and manual focus and I'm still not getting it. Even at higher shutter speeds and a tri-pod, I'm still having issues. Is it me? Is it my lens? Any ideas?

I've attached a recent picture which has this issue, but really I could attach any of them and still there would be some blur. It seems like the only crisp photo I've gotten is of my dog sitting a foot in front of me. Can't get a sharp landscape to save my life.

 

[lyonsroar]

Need more info.

Are you choosing your focus points manually?
or are you letting the camera choose for you?

 

[Jarmo]

When taking landscapes remember to stop the aperture down a bit so that objects at different distances appear sharp. The widest aperture might be soft anyways.

 

[RedWylder]

I've tried both and only when I'm shooting something very close and still can I get a sharp image...oh btw working with the kit lens (if Im using the term right) for Nikon d3000. It's 18-55mm.


(Edit) by "very close" I mean 2-4 feet, not like macro.

 

[dxqcanada5]

It could be possible that the camera sensor is off focus ... and needs calibration.

 

[dxqcanada5]

Zoom to 55mm ... When you look through the viewfinder with the lens on infinite focus ... does is look in focus ???

 

[RedWylder]

Oh Jarmo...forgot to post that the above picture was taken with a tripod at least f11 possibly f16 if I remember right.

 

[RedWylder]

Zoom to 55mm ... When you look through the viewfinder with the lens on infinite focus ... does is look in focus ???

er...infinite focus? Pardon my noobness. When manually focusing for the above picture I could read the sign very clearly, if that helps.

 

[D-B-J]

The opposite of your closest focus. On the focus distance scale there should be an infinity symbol. Turn your focus ring all the way that way (to the left i think?)

Regards,
Jake

 

[dxqcanada5]

Yes, the furthest focus point on the lens ... ∞

Hmm, so everything in the distance looks in good focus through the viewfinder ... and very out of focus in the image.

Does this occur when the lens is at 18mm and at 55mm ?

 

[RedWylder]

The opposite of your closest focus. On the focus distance scale there should be an infinity symbol. Turn your focus ring all the way that way (to the left i think?)

Regards,
Jake

Aha! I'm gonna go test this at 55mm and get back to ya'll.

 

[Jarmo]

Zoom to 55mm ... When you look through the viewfinder with the lens on infinite focus ... does is look in focus ???

er...infinite focus? Pardon my noobness. When manually focusing for the above picture I could read the sign very clearly, if that helps.

Some lenses have the focus distance window on the barrel. If you are shooting with the kit lens I doubt it has one though. Does the focus points in the viewfinder look sharp? Have you tried adjustig the diopter thing next to the viewfinder?

 

[RedWylder]

Ok so I grabbed my camera and did a test here's what I found out:

at 55mm I turned the ring both all the way right and all the way left and neither were focused

at 18mm I turned it both direction (don't have that infinte symbol on my lens so not sure which was the right direction) but one WAS focused and the other wasn't.

 

[RedWylder]

Jarmo--No to the Diopter thingy as I have no idea what that is either. >< Thanks to this thread I am beginning to realize just how nuubish I am.

 

[dxqcanada5]

OK, stupid me ... I assumed that ALL lenses had focus distance markers on it.

So at 55mm you set the lens to focus at the furthest point ... and objects in the distance did not look in focus through the viewfinder and/or in the actual image ?

http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/-/9781435458727/quick-setup-guide/4