Focusing when shooting a model?

[MLeeK]

The second image looks like it was much further away than the first and it also looks like it was either high ISO or boosted in post because of the level of noise in it.
It's exactly what I'd expect to see at a bit more distance. The first image looks as if it was taken MUCH closer or much more zoomed to the eye. THere are more pixels per eye lash, hence more information and more detail.

 

[Primoz]

The second image looks like it was much further away than the first and it also looks like it was either high ISO or boosted in post because of the level of noise in it.
It's exactly what I'd expect to see at a bit more distance. The first image looks as if it was taken MUCH closer or much more zoomed to the eye. THere are more pixels per eye lash, hence more information and more detail.

Both images were taken with ISO200 one is slightly closer and done with flash, yes. But hat's not the point here... because these are just two random examples that I shot. (Maybe I should find a better example...) In the second image you can clearly see, that the focus is missed. It's further back on her hair (you can clearly tell one hair from another) while the eye is out of focus and pixelated due to a silly try at fixing it with sharpening...
That's the only problem - missed focus. I don't know maybe it's my error and I'm going crazy, but it's just annoying that I can't get any consistency with focus accuracy no matter how carefully and steadily I take the shot.

 

[MLeeK]

The second image looks like it was much further away than the first and it also looks like it was either high ISO or boosted in post because of the level of noise in it.
It's exactly what I'd expect to see at a bit more distance. The first image looks as if it was taken MUCH closer or much more zoomed to the eye. THere are more pixels per eye lash, hence more information and more detail.

Both images were taken with ISO200 one is slightly closer and done with flash, yes. But hat's not the point here... because these are just two random examples that I shot. (Maybe I should find a better example...) In the second image you can clearly see, that the focus is missed. It's further back on her hair (you can clearly tell one hair from another) while the eye is out of focus and pixelated due to a silly try at fixing it with sharpening...
That's the only problem - missed focus. I don't know maybe it's my error and I'm going crazy, but it's just annoying that I can't get any consistency with focus accuracy no matter how carefully and steadily I take the shot.

Have you tested the lens for back focusing issues? I have one lens I had to adjust. Up close it seemed to do OK, but at a distance it wasn't so hot. A camera body can back focus or front focus a bit also if it's knocked out of whack a little bit. I'd go find a good test chart, print it and do some extensive testing of your camera and lenses. You are having way too much trouble and your camera should perform much better than that.

I'd like to see what you get in a series of maybe 5 photos on a controlled test of the exact same thing.

 

[Primoz]

Thanks for the suggestion. Is there a well established protocol to do this test? Can anything be done if I find out there's an error?
Edit: Nevermind - silly me - should have googled it before asking =)

 

[MLeeK]

I'll be curious to see what you get!

 

[Mach0]

Have you tested the lens for back focusing issues? I have one lens I had to adjust. Up close it seemed to do OK, but at a distance it wasn't so hot. A camera body can back focus or front focus a bit also if it's knocked out of whack a little bit. I'd go find a good test chart, print it and do some extensive testing of your camera and lenses. You are having way too much trouble and your camera should perform much better than that.

I'd like to see what you get in a series of maybe 5 photos on a controlled test of the exact same thing.

X2. Check your lens. My 35-70 was internally stuck at 62 mm and it was making me miss my focus at the 70mm end.. I sent it to get serviced at KEH. I use a d90 with no issues. You can use other single focus points. It's not like you're shooting sports. I almost never use just the center unless it's of my dogs running around.
Also, what lens are you having issues with?

 

[Primoz]

So I checked the focus on my 70-200 by taking a shot of a ruler and it seems accurate...
I also saw this video which made me feel a bit better that I am not the only one =P Using Continuous Lights Ep 105: Exploring Photography with Mark Wallace: Adorama Photography TV - YouTube 9.00-10.15