Newbei bought a 35mm without VR

[Ron Evers]

This post is in response to a PM from the OP.

As requested, I set the camera with a 50mm f1.7 lens 6' from the subject on a tripod. The bar code measures 1" x 0.75".


1. ISO 200, f1.7, 1/40s

2. crop of above

3. Same as above but shot @ f4 & 1/10s

I think this clearly demonstrates how stopping down a couple notches really improves the image.

 

[RichardsTPF]

Did you handheld the camera? I can't get it right even with a tripod.

 

[Ron Evers]

On a tripod as stated above.

 

[RichardsTPF]

Sorry I am a bad reader. What do you think cause the blur?

 

[Ron Evers]

Sorry I am a bad reader. What do you think cause the blur?

Do the test as I did on a tripod @ 5' & f4 & show us the result. I say 5' not 6' because you are shooting with a wider lens than I am. Focus very carefully.

 

[RichardsTPF]

What do you mean by Focus very carefully? I used the AF-A and spot metering on the center of the bar code.

 

[MTVision]

What do you mean by Focus very carefully? I used the AF-A and spot metering on the center of the bar code.

Don't use af-a. It's an automatic focus! Spot metering only has to do with making sure that spot is correctly exposed. Use af-s so you can pick the focus spot!

 

[Destin]

What do you mean by Focus very carefully? I used the AF-A and spot metering on the center of the bar code.

Don't use af-a. It's an automatic focus! Spot metering only has to do with making sure that spot is correctly exposed. Use af-s so you can pick the focus spot!

+1 AF-S for still subjects, AF-C for moving subjects. AF-A should NEVER be used. EVER! EVERRR!!! You don't wanna let the camera pick where to focus!

 

[Josh66]

What do you mean by Focus very carefully? I used the AF-A and spot metering on the center of the bar code.

Don't use af-a. It's an automatic focus! Spot metering only has to do with making sure that spot is correctly exposed. Use af-s so you can pick the focus spot!

+1 AF-S for still subjects, AF-C for moving subjects. AF-A should NEVER be used. EVER! EVERRR!!! You don't wanna let the camera pick where to focus!

Correct me if I'm wrong (Canon guy), but from my googling, it seems that AF-A just lets the camera decide whether to use AF-C or AF-S. (Continuous or Single Shot, in Canon terms.)

That doesn't sound bad to me - the camera detects movement, it switches to continuous mode. Nothing I read mentioned the camera automatically selecting focus points...

 

[Ron Evers]

Sorry I am a bad reader. What do you think cause the blur?

Do the test as I did on a tripod @ 5' & f4 & show us the result. I say 5' not 6' because you are shooting with a wider lens than I am. Focus very carefully.

I do not know your camera or lens, as I shoot manual lenses but I surmise you can manual focus your lens on your camera - the best method in my opinion.

 

[MTVision]

Correct me if I'm wrong (Canon guy), but from my googling, it seems that AF-A just lets the camera decide whether to use AF-C or AF-S. (Continuous or Single Shot, in Canon terms.)

That doesn't sound bad to me - the camera detects movement, it switches to continuous mode. Nothing I read mentioned the camera automatically selecting focus points...

Your right but do you use the automatic settings on your camera? If you choose af-a you let the camera decide whether the subject is stationary or moving. Personally I'd rather choose how my camera focuses and makes sure it focuses on the right spot. In the software that comes with Nikon it shows you on the computer the focus spots. In automatic on a non-moving subject they can be all over the place. Granted the focus spots around, on and near the subject. With af-s and a stationary subject you can focus EXACTLY where you want too. The OPs issue, I think, is focusing and DOF. The OP is not used to a fast prime that can open so wide.

 

[Josh66]

The only automatic settings my camera has are Av, Tv and P - I rarely use those though. I'm in manual 99% of the time. It's not that it's "better" or anything - it's what I know, and what I'm comfortable with - therefore, it's faster for me.

I have never used a camera that could automatically switch between single shot and continuous... It does sound kinda nice to me though.

For AF, I use continuous, exclusively. I also use back button focusing though (* button, on Canon cameras). Back button focusing is pretty much required when using continuous AF.
If I had the option for something like AF-A, I would use back button focusing on that too, since there is a chance it would select continuous mode.

As long as you're still in control of the active focus point(s), I don't see how a mode that could automatically decide on single shot or continuous would make you miss focus.


I guess what I'm saying is that if you can focus in single shot mode, there is no reason you can't do the same in continuous mode.

"With af-s and a stationary subject you can focus EXACTLY where you want too." There is no reason that you can't do exactly the same in continuous mode.

 

[kundalini]

Ever heard of a lens having back or front focusing issues? Does your camera body have the option to tweak the lens focusing?

But while the subject was already broached, here's a little diddy for you OP.

 

[MTVision]

Ever heard of a lens having back or front focusing issues? Does your camera body have the option to tweak the lens focusing?

But while the subject was already broached, here's a little diddy for you OP.

Do you think it could be an issue with a lens. From what the OP has said the picture is clear at 3ft but not at 6. Could that be the lens? Or is it DOF?

 

[RichardsTPF]

I can't use manual better than auto focus. Here is my pics.

#1 1/4000s, f4, iso400, AF-A spot metering

[/URL] DSC_0031 by RichardsFlik, on Flickr[/IMG]

#2 crop

[/URL] DSC_0031_01 by RichardsFlik, on Flickr[/IMG]

#3 1/100s, f4, iso200, AF-S spot metering

[/URL] DSC_0040 by RichardsFlik, on Flickr[/IMG]

#4 crop

[/URL] DSC_0040_01 by RichardsFlik, on Flickr[/IMG]

When I use AF-S, the shutter is twice as fast as AF-A.