Playing around with my new baby. Nikon 24-70

[MrsLittle]

I just got my new lens in finally and I really love it. I thought it was going to snap right off my camera when I mounted it the first time, it's pretty darn big compared to my 50. However, I was having a little trouble getting my photos sharp in studio. I will admit I was pretty shaky when attempting off the tripod shots.

Here is a photo taken while my son was playing outside. I over sharpened it a bit, purely for web showcasing purposes.


DSC_3438_edited-4 by Lily Belle Photos, on Flickr


And here is one I tried in studio. This is my son's "are you kidding me" face.


DSC_3561_edited-2 by Lily Belle Photos, on Flickr

I think my trouble with the softness on my studio portraits is the fact that there was too little light. I only used the modeling lamp on my Alienbee. Could that be a reason why they were coming out a little soft? Could I leave a lamp on (to get more light and allow my camera to AF correctly) without ruining the pictures? Any tips and tricks would be appreciated.

 

[cgipson1]

No exif data.. how did you shoot these? Are these examples of the softness you are speaking of, above?

 

[MrsLittle]

No exif data.. how did you shoot these? Are these examples of the softness you are speaking of, above?

The first was @ f/4 1/200 70mm. The second is @ f/9 70mm 1/200

Here's a better example of the softness I was referring to. f/9 1/200 62mm

DSC_3591_edited-2 by Lily Belle Photos, on Flickr

 

[MrsLittle]

Any advice or critique? I guess I should have mentioned that in the title. Thanks!

 

[gsgary]

Is the flash firing ? being shaky should make no difference if the flash fired

 

[MrsLittle]

Yeah it is. I use my speedlight to fire off the alienbee and it doesn't fire off half the time. Still learning to work my flashes properly. I guess it's just my error why it's a little soft.