Help! Somebody please help!!!!! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/14/2006 07:19:26 PM · #1

I'm trying to find out if there is something wrong with my camera or if I'm just doing something wrong. The picture of the bluebird was taken this past summer and is clear but the other 2 are fuzzy and that is how my pictures are turning out now.I have tried different settings but nothing. And I just know basics. My camera is a Konica Minolta 5D and I'm using a 70-300 tele-macro lens. Your help PLEASE!!!!!

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/14/2006 07:20:57 PM · #2

You're focus is on the right branch instead of the left one. That's all i can see.

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/14/2006 07:21:13 PM · #3

Looks like the camera might have focused on a branch instead of the bird. Were you using a tripod?

What settings were you using?

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

11/14/2006 07:28:20 PM · #4

Looks like a wide aperture and fast shutter combined with the focus not being on the bird created the softness.

Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 Lens X-Pro1

11/14/2006 07:30:43 PM · #5

The bluebird was exposure 1/1600, aperture f/9.0, ISO 1600 andset on shutter. The other ones exposure 1/60, aperture f/5.6, ISO 100. It was set on spot AF and I also tryed wide Af. If that helps.

nixter

Fujifilm X-Pro 1

11/14/2006 07:30:57 PM · #6

Hmm, could be the auto focus is having a hard time focusing, have you tried a manual focus?

swankFoto

Fujifilm X-E1

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/14/2006 07:32:24 PM · #7

jesus, a little bit overly melodramtic?

11/14/2006 07:32:37 PM · #8

Also it is not only these pictures but just about all of them are somewhat fuzzy.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

11/14/2006 07:38:39 PM · #9

Originally posted by rswank:

jesus, a little bit overly melodramtic?

What is that supposed to mean!!!!

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

11/14/2006 07:38:40 PM · #10

Originally posted by meow:

The bluebird was exposure 1/1600, aperture f/9.0, ISO 1600 andset on shutter. The other ones exposure 1/60, aperture f/5.6, ISO 100. It was set on spot AF and I also tryed wide Af. If that helps.

Did you NEED to shoot at ISO 1600 on the bluebird? Looks like it was a nice sunny day. Could have gone down to ISO 100 and aperture of about 4-5.6. The other 2, IMO, just looks like they were focused on another part of the frame.

Message edited by author 2006-11-14 19:40:21.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

11/14/2006 07:42:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by MrEd:

Originally posted by meow:
The bluebird was exposure 1/1600, aperture f/9.0, ISO 1600 andset on shutter. The other ones exposure 1/60, aperture f/5.6, ISO 100. It was set on spot AF and I also tryed wide Af. If that helps.

Did you NEED to shoot at ISO 1600 on the bluebird? Looks like it was a nice sunny day. Could have gone down to ISO 100 and aperture of about 4-5.6. The other 2, IMO, just looks like they were focused on another part of the frame.

This was just after I had bought the camera and I knew less about it than I know now.

Canon EOS-60D

11/14/2006 07:59:08 PM · #12

Originally posted by meow:

...The other ones exposure 1/60, aperture f/5.6, ISO 100. It was set on spot AF and I also tryed wide Af. If that helps.

If you're using a 70-300 lens and your shutter speed was only 1/60, it's gonna be soft. Try to make sure your shutter speed is at least equal to your focal length or more for better results. That's worked for me as a general rule of thumb so far. As always, I could be wrong...it wouldn't be the first time. Today even. ;)

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11/14/2006 08:44:59 PM · #13

meow somehow, I know just what you feel. First, I don't know your camera, but they pretty much work the same. Second, you have a good eye for birds, and you can frame them well. The technicals may stand in your way. What follows is just the beginnings for sometimes shooting sitting birds and get good results. (I think you're new to photography, so if any of this is unfamiliar, check that owners manual):

1. Put your camera on Aperture Priority
2. Set your aperture at (around) 5.6
4. Set your ISO at 100
4. Your auto focus mechanism probably uses lighted dots to tell you what is in focus that it can see. Train yourself to see those lighted dots. Because that's what is going to be sharp. Move your camera until the lighted dot is on your bird (subject).
4a. If, when you move the camera, the lighted dot focuses on something else, (and this is where you have to know your own camera, b ecause yours may work another way) go back, get it to focus on the bird again, and without lifting your finger from the trigger move the camera to the composition you want
5. Click the shutter.
6. Try again.
7. Experiment.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

11/14/2006 09:23:49 PM · #14

Stalice, Thank you so much! You can bet I will try it. Do you have any idea why this would start happening now?

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

11/14/2006 09:28:07 PM · #15

Originally posted by meow:

Stalice, Thank you so much! You can bet I will try it. Do you have any idea why this would start happening now?

Lariel, I think, hit it on the head. Your shutter speed was to slow. If you zoom all the way in to 300mm, try your shutter at least 1/500.
Though sfalice makes a good point also. Though I would go with Shutter Priority myself. Try both ways, see what happens. Put the 2 pieces of advice together and you'll have some killer shots.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/14/2006 09:38:16 PM · #16

Originally posted by MrEd:

Originally posted by meow:
Stalice, Thank you so much! You can bet I will try it. Do you have any idea why this would start happening now?

Lariel, I think, hit it on the head. Your shutter speed was to slow. If you zoom all the way in to 300mm, try your shutter at least 1/500.
Though sfalice makes a good point also. Though I would go with Shutter Priority myself. Try both ways, see what happens. Put the 2 pieces of advice together and you'll have some killer shots.

Since we have the same camera , have you ever cleaned the " mirror" ? They tald me at the camera store that I could use a q-tip and window cleaner to clean it. So I did it and I was very careful like they showed me. I don't think this had anything to do with my problem because that happened before I did the cleaning.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/14/2006 09:44:25 PM · #17

Originally posted by meow:

Originally posted by rswank:
jesus, a little bit overly melodramtic?

What is that supposed to mean!!!!

I think it's a reference to your "My Life Is In Danger!!!!!" thread title ...

philup

Canon EOS-5D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/14/2006 09:46:34 PM · #18

..

Message edited by author 2006-11-15 16:31:30.