HELP not happy with these shots |
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sybersitizen ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 04 August 2006 Country: United States Location: California Status: Offline Posts: 14380 |
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Well, those of us looking at your results are perhaps in the same boat. To repeat (and expand upon) my earlier comments, this is what I suggest: 1. Do careful testing of the lens itself using manual focus and the focus magnifier. Do not use a moving subject like a bird, but branches are fine if you like those. 2. If the lens passes that kind of sharpness/contrast test, now move on to the AF system. Perform micro AF testing adjustments using the same stationary target, or a similar one. Use AF-S only. 3. If the AF system passes that test, then move on to photographing birds in the field to see if things are working better. Use AF-S and single-shot drive mode first. All of the above testing should be done with the camera tripod mounted if at all possible, and with SteadyShot turned off. 4. If the above results are satisfactory, now you can try hand-holding or resting the camera on something with SteadyShot enabled, and also try AF-C in combination with the various continuous drive modes. That will test your ability (and the ability of your gear) to capture shots under less than ideal conditions. Proceeding any other way is likely to confuse your analysis without telling you much of value. |
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SnowFella ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 21 April 2013 Country: Australia Location: Sydney Status: Offline Posts: 2455 |
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Looks about what I would expect with the bird that small in the frame and with a slight focusing error. First and last images seem to have the sharpest part in the top of the right most branch. Go through the testing Syber outlined and see if you can get an improvement. AF-C on the A77 can sometimes be iffy even on stationary targets and AF-S is sometimes out aswell. For stationary birds I tend to shoot short burst and let up fully from the trigger between shots, even in AF-C it seems to have the camera re think it's focus. Plus I often let the camera revert back to AF-S with a center press of the joystick or even MF using the AF on/off button to see where the peaking thinks I'm focusing. |
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stevo71 ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 15 December 2011 Country: Australia Location: Perth Status: Offline Posts: 1848 |
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Looking at those last 3 shots I think maybe your expectations from the now dated technology are too high. At those ISO's that would be as good as you could expect from that body in fact that is better than I would expect.
As others have stated your focus is still slightly off and this is made much harder by trying to focus on such a small subject in such a wide area. The first and last shots are manually focused so that would be tough to lay the blame on the equipment. The middle one is using the AF system and again the shutter speed is a little too low still and you haven't shot wide open (although near enough). Are these last 3 handheld as well? If not and mounted on a tripod did you use a remote shutter release? Even if mounted on a tripod and using a remote shutter you can still get vibration from wind or even the ground. The only way past that is an expensive tripod and gimble. I personally think if you want better shots than this in the same circumstances then you should consider upgrading to the a77ii at least as I really believe the lens is not the issue here. Also try to get closer to the subject and refine your technique. Birding is an art that is a constant learning curve. |
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a99ii | Tamron 90mm f/2.8 | Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 | Sony 50mm f/1.4 | Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 | CZ 16-35mm f/2.8 | Sony 70-400mm G2
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linearamp ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 11 August 2008 Location: Yorkshire . UK Status: Offline Posts: 98 |
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Did a few tests earlier today with the peg on a washing line about 25 feet from camera, on tripod ,no movement on the line .Maybe not the best subject but it seemed to prove a point .
i wont bore you with all the results from 0 to -+20 but i have shown 4 results below with a handheld shot at the end Seems to me that -10 is the sharpest so maybe this has been the problem with other shots .. let me know what you think..thanks again Martin.. sss off A mode Af-s f5.6 spot focus iso 400 1 = 0 [IMG] ![]() 2 = -10 [IMG] ![]() 3 = +10 [IMG] ![]() 4 = +15 [IMG] ![]() 5 = set at -10 focus on nose handheld f5.6 iso 800 spot focus Aperture priorty[IMG] ![]() |
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dxqcanada ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 16 March 2008 Country: Canada Location: Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 253 |
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-10
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momech ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 27 August 2006 Country: United States Location: United States Status: Offline Posts: 2920 |
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Looks like you've got it right on the money.
Now see if the birds agree. |
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It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
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