Focus Bad!

[Debby1]

FOCUS BAD ( sorry about cross post - also put in
general, then saw this forum. )

Hi all,

I recently bought camera and then bought a nikon 24 - 85 G. Lens seems fine BUT.................

Using manual focus ( mostly ) I am very unhappy with the focus of
images.

1. camera SET TO HARD ( read that as a fix in other posts)

2. IN PHOTOSHOP INCREASING IMAGES WAY SHARP


Images STILL look very soft. Almost like lens is focusing about
3 feet behind. ( ie background almost looks sharper in
some shots ) But I cant really confirm this in tests.

ONe shoot, images seemed okay - then next was a TOTAL
LOSS

( seem okay in that tiny lcd - but then you realize later
ALL SOFT.

Also is that LCD factory set? My images all look PERFECT
exposed in lcd. then much darker in photoshop - monitor
set to photoshop specs )






Shooting FINE SETTING at largest - 4000 pixel ( approx)

anYBODY know whats up with this???

very unhappy

Deb

[memobug]

Don't rely on the LCD for exposure. Use the histogram. You can turn down the LCD brightness in the menu, but it will be too bright in the dark and too dim in the sunshine.

If you suspect you have a focus problem you can verify it by first ensuring you have Closest Subject Priority turned off (see your manual for CSM functions) Then focus on an object using the center bracket [ ] it's the most sensitive.

Place another object off center in the scene at some distance behind and another on the other side at some distance in front.

See where the best focus is.

Regards,

Matt

[Jeff Nemetz]

I recently bought camera and then bought a nikon 24 - 85 G. Lens seems fine BUT.................

Using manual focus ( mostly ) I am very unhappy with the focus of
images.

my digital cameras were the first auto focus systems I've ever used have have gotten spoiled!!! Had to learn the hard way that this camera can change the focus area if you don't lock the switch on the back of the camera. In the view finder, and the top of the body, it'll show you where the focus area is going....I had to learn to watch to ensure it was in the center and how to move it using the mode arrows on the back of the body....

1. camera SET TO HARD ( read that as a fix in other posts)

2. IN PHOTOSHOP INCREASING IMAGES WAY SHARP

I found that the best results for my studio portraits has been SOS on camera controls. standard color, original tone, standard sharpness. Be careful not to oversharpen the image, especially in photoshop as most printers will automatically add sharpening to a digital file when printing.

Also is that LCD factory set? My images all look PERFECT
exposed in lcd. then much darker in photoshop - monitor
set to photoshop specs )

I photographed an 18% gray card to better set my monitor to get a quick view for a properly exposed scene....best way is to learn to use the histogram, though it is consuming on both time & batteries when on a job....my digital cameras were the first auto focus systems I've ever used have have gotten spoiled!!! Had to learn the hard way that this camera can change the focus area if you don't lock the switch on the back of the camera. In the view finder, and the top of the body, it'll show you where the focus area is going....I had to learn to watch to ensure it was in the center and how to move it using the mode arrows on the back of the body....

[deluco]

Deb,
your problem may not be related to settings. there are other threads that discuss softness and I too have seen it. I don't believe mine is related to focus, however. It comes and goes.

I think there are deeper, (psychological?) problems with this model.

Some people have reported that their ccd had to be reset at the factory..ie, that it was out of position.

Also I had noticed that the camera sometimes has difficulty focussing correctly in very high contrast situations...when your subject is in shadow and the background is very bright.

[Debby1]

Yes, it seems to be a softness problem, too.

I should have mentioned.

most shots were:

1 done on Heavy duty tripod.

2 indoors, mostly with flash.

(BY THE WAY: Is there anyway to close down the lens and shoot with a slower shutter? It seems to set everything at 1/60, / f 4.5 I believe.]

3. Some were self timer shots.

Mainly I focused everything manually. Maybe thats the problem?
Only the auto focus can see the problem with the cd mount?

I seem to have the same problem as the member who posted
those playing card tests.

Lets put it this way, the results are so POOR, the camera is
back in the box - unused now for several weeks. almost
forgotten.

thanks

Deb

[deluco]

Originally posted by Debby1

(BY THE WAY: Is there anyway to close down the lens and shoot with a slower shutter? It seems to set everything at 1/60, / f 4.5 I believe.]


Yes, the flash settings have a "slow sync" setting. If you set it at Slow Sync the camera will select slower than x sync speeds when appropriate when set at Program and Aperture priority. That's handy when using flash as fill.

Indoors when I'm doing flashed candids, I almost always set the camera at Manual...1/30th, 1/20th, 1/60th...depending on how much room light I have.