Focus

[pisto1981]

Hey all,

I got my new lense and decided to take some pics of a blackbird but as you can see, i'm struggerling to focus correctly

Ive got d3100 using AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm lense


Blackbird1 by Pisto1981, on Flickr


Here are my settings


settings by Pisto1981, on Flickr


Can you tell what im not doing right or do i just need to practice more? i noticed at 300mm the camera shakes alot. I have VR on

 

[Judobreaker]

1/60 at 300mm handheld is very slow, even for VR (unless you have a real steady hand).
A simple rule of thumb is to use 1/focal length for your shutter speed at minimum (1/300 in your case). With VR on you could go lower but 1/60 really is pushing it.

What focus mode did you use? Did you use auto-focus or did you use a singe (or small group) of focus points? If you're on full auto-focus it could easily be that your focus is actually on the branch top-left (the one the bird sits on) rather then the bird itself... Looks a bit like that anyway.

 

[pisto1981]

Hi Judobreaker,

It was on single target focus. I had the camera in A setting so it choose the shutter speed for me. Am i right in saying that?

If thats the case and what your saying is needed, i need to switch to full on manual?

Manual still frightens to beejeebies out of me

 

[gsgary]

Hi Judobreaker,

It was on single target focus. I had the camera in A setting so it choose the shutter speed for me. Am i right in saying that?

If thats the case and what your saying is needed, i need to switch to full on manual?

Manual still frightens to beejeebies out of me

You can still use A you just need to watch your shutter speed and put your ISO up untill you get a fast enough shutter speed

 

[SCraig]

Or you can use shutter priority with 1/250 shutter speed and let the camera choose the aperture. Bump the ISO to 800 and that would have given you 1/250 second shutter speed at f/8.

 

[pisto1981]

Thanks for the feed back peeps. will take it all on board

 

[tirediron]

Or you can use shutter priority with 1/250 shutter speed and let the camera choose the aperture. Bump the ISO to 800 and that would have given you 1/250 second shutter speed at f/8.

Scott is wise! :thumbup:

 

[KmH]

Some notes about VR from - Nikon VR explained - but read the details at the link too:

The first and most important rule of VR is this: never turn VR on unless it's actually needed.
Rule #2: VR should normally be off if your shutter speed is over 1/500.
Rule #3: If something is moving you, use Active. If it's just you moving the camera, use Normal.
Rule #4: If your subject is moving, you still need a shutter speed that will stop that movement.

 

[pisto1981]

And i've had VR on this whole time. Thanks KmH, will read your suggested article soon