Reading mode: Light Dark

D90 focusing options - soft images-sharpness

Go to last post
C

Chrismike2009

Member
Messages
44
Reaction score
0
Location
Ill, USA, US
Hello Everyone,

Can you perhaps help me out with the issue below, maybe it is me or maybe the equipment. After 25 years it is tough to catch up with new technology. I am just now re-learning and experimenting.

Many of my images are soft and some very soft, almost looking out of focus.

I looked at the focus points via a Nikon app and in some cases they are where I was not pointing or interested in. As of now my D90 is set to defaults mode.

I am playing with the 18-105 w/uv filter and 18-55 no uv filter, most images are around F5 to F8. I mostley shoot stills and in some case, very some cases sports.

Even the ones I think are in focus they are still not very crisp, I hate that soft filter look which I used 25 years ago.

Cheers,
Chris
 
Would it be possible to see a sample image? How are you judging sharpness? At 100%? Likely culprits for lack of sharpness are slow shutter speed and/or poor lighting conditions that cause AF to miss-fire. But without a sample image, we would just be guessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Rule of Thirds is meant to be broken, but only 1/3 of the time.



D80/D90 gallery: http://esfotoclix.com
Photo blog: http://esfotoclix.com/blog1
 
Hi Chris.

If your images are soft at F5 and especially F8 I would suspect the issue is with the D90 since it is unlikely both lenses front or back focus. Soft images at F8 on a cropped sensor makes me suspect it may be the camera.

I have had to return my D90 due to focussing issues and so have other local D90 owners who are competant and experienced in the use of DSLRs. I borrowed a D60 and used lenses with inbuilt motors on both cameras at wide apertures; the D60 got it right every time and the D90 failed. There is a lens focus test, and instructions on how to use it, at

http://focustestchart.com/

Though this test is to check for front and back focussing on specific lenses it can be used to check the camera's focussing accuracy as well.

I found the focus point indicator in NX2 unreliable if I had used a single point and reframed my shot; the FP I had chosen would be shown rather than where it was actually used within a frame.

Reviewers have commented on the D90's soft images out of camera. Settting the sharpness level at 6 or 7 (in camera or PP software) may help but if the images are out of focus sharpening may not help much.

Lizzie
 
Crhis,
Do the following to see if you can get a sharp picture.
  1. Turn your camera dial to P.
  2. Press the top AF button and turn command dial (rear dial) until the top LCD reads AF-S
  3. Now press MENU, move down until you get in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU
  4. Select 'a Autofocus', press right arrow on your multi-direction pad. Then select 'a1 AF-area mode', press right arrow. Select 'Single-point' and press OK.
  5. Now select 'a2 Center focus point', press right arrow. Select 'Normal zone' and press OK.
  6. Now select 'a3 Built-in AF-assist illuminator', press right arrow. Select 'On' and press OK.
  7. Now press MENU, move to SHOOTING MENU
  8. Select 'Set Picture Control', press right arrow. Select 'SD Standard', press right arrow. Now, select 'Quick adjust' and press right arrow twice (until the + is highlighted) and press OK. Then get out of the menus either pressing MENU twice or half-pressing the shutter.
  9. Look for a static subject with a fair amount of detail, focus with the center indicator, make sure the in foucs indicator is on (green dot at the botton left of your viewfinder) and take a picture of it from a distance of 1 meter/3 feet using the flash.
  10. Now press LV, half-press the shutter, make sure the focus box turns green on the subject and take a second picture. Download the picture to your computer and check it.
If the pictures are sharp, is very likely your camera is A-OK and you might have a problem with your technique.

If first one is Out Of Focus, but the second is OK, your phase detection system might need alignment. If both are bad, you better have both the camera and lens checked to have it replaced/repaired on warranty.

Good luck,
--
Jose
 
I sent my D90 back to Nikon on 7-29 for back focusing issue and also to realign the AF sensors since the point I was focusing on and where the center of the image was were slightly 2 different positions.

I got the camera back on 8-7 so they had it for just 11 days and its perfectly spot on. It is also a warranty thing if you're still inside your warranty time frame.
 
Thansk for your posts,

I am pretty shure there are books wirtten on sharpness. Please keep in mind this is not a chronic problem , I do have few that I think are just ok, but then I also have few/several when looking at 50% it makes me wonder what the heck I was doing and what is going on.

I did set the sharpening to 6 and no PP sharpening, I am from the film days so my focus is on getting the best I can from the camera. All JPEG.

I will also do the test as you indicated.

Not sure how to post sample pics please explain if you can.

I have been at this for over a month perhaps I should lower my expectations, but then I hate to do that and get lazy with quality, I do judge my work vs other images posted here, maybe it is not fair to do that and to soon. D90 is new.

Cheers,
Chris
 
well,

I did the test in the office, photographed 4 color markers from about 4/5 feet.

I am not sure if I need to put it on the computer monitor, I looked at the rear LCD and got a message " Chrisusuck_keep shooting" Both images were identical.
When I zoomed in via LCD I was even able to read the fine print on the markers.

So, to save a bit of my dignity can someone perhaps blame the lens and recommend something like a 17-35 or 17-55 or 16-85 or 24-70

Cheers,
Chris
 
I'm surprised no one has suggested a tripod. Do you have one?
Your pictures could be suffering from motion blur, but that's hard
to tell without a sample image.

Have you tried shooting outdoors in good light with a fast shutter
speed? If you don't have a tripod, try a beanbag, or just set the
camera on a table and focus on something and use timer delay.
Also, those chart focus tests should always be done with the
camera on a tripod.

Steve
 
stuntmonkey said:
ChrisMike said:
So, to save a bit of my dignity can someone perhaps blame the lens and recommend something like a 17-35 or 17-55 or 16-85 or 24-70

Cheers,
Chris
Click to expand...
I blame the lens. Try the 16-85.
Click to expand...
Now that is settled (lens fault), you might want to try things already suggested by others: tripod, faster shutter speed, Auto ISO, etc.

Try googling 'long lens technique'. It actually help me with the overall shooting skills, specially to correct the 'shutter pounding'.
Good luck with the new lens ;)
--
Jose
 
Realistically, there will be a few one offs where there is something wrong with either a new lens or body, but not too many times. I'd recommend downloading a focus chart, setting your gear up on a tripod as the instructions will tell you to, and test from that vantage point. Even better if you have a remote.

Chances are, you are experiencing motion blur, especially if you are dealing with indoor shots.
 
Sounds like the camera was choosing the focus point originally. Make sure you follow the instructions above and get it set to single focus point and lock it on the center one. That is most likely how you are used to focusing with film. Do not let the camera decide what to focus on, how does it know what you want in focus? You can handle that decision on your own.
 
Thanks Everyone,

All these options are giving me headache! But it looks like I am getting there, locked the focus to single and all looks much better.

Another problem was, my S peed on many pics was very low. If I can only remember that in 2009 all I have to do is turn the dial to increase the ISO. Old habbits die hard.

Got to do some reaserch on a new lens now.

Cheers,
Chris
 
If you are using the auto area mode it attempts to select the closest high-contrast point to focus on. Or at least what it thinks is the closest high-contrast point. This can result in it choosing one of any focus points.

To really test the focus change the focus area to a single point and manually select that point. Then place that point on the subject. If they are in-focus after doing that then its just choosing the wrong points in the AUTO mode. If still out of focus then its an actual hardware issue.
ChrisMike said:
Many of my images are soft and some very soft, almost looking out of focus.

I looked at the focus points via a Nikon app and in some cases they are where I was not pointing or interested in. As of now my D90 is set to defaults mode.
Click to expand...
 
From personal experience - the 18-105 VR is VERY sharp - not as sharp but close to the ultra sharp 50mm 1.8D. Believe me - it's sharp!

You can run a very simple test:
1. Put the camera on Auto mode

2. put a nice object about 5 feet in front of you (a toy car, a cell phone, a kids toy, a bottle of ketchup etc...)

3. Make sure the background of the object (the wall behind it) is not colorful but whitish or another non complex color
4. Make sure the VR switch on the 18-105 lens is set to ON

5. hold the camera while standing about 5 feet away from your object and make sure that you can clearly see the object in your viewfinder
6. Zoom in or out so that the object takes up 70% of your viewfinder

7. Half click the shutter release button, the camera will focus and will sounds two beeps when it's focused, the flash should pop out if you are indoors

8. Make sure you hold the camera steady and gently press the shutter release all the way
9. Repeat steps 5 to 8 5 times
10. Connect your camera to your computer and download the photos
11. Zoom in to 100% size
12. Out of the 5 pics you shot - you must have a few very sharp photos
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top