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D300 sharpness issues

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doug70

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Hi,

I have a D300 and I am experiencing sharpness issues with the 18-200mm Nikon lens. What settings should I use!

Thanks for your replies in advance.

Doug70
 
Doug, not sure what your skill level is but, how are you using the 18-200? Do you have VR on? Itshould be left ON unless your on a tripod. If on a tripod, turn VR off. The VR actually blurs photos when on a stable platform.

Also what aperture are you shooting at? The 18-200 VR is at it's sharpest at f/8, so set it at that and be sure to have enough available light to keep your exposure speeds at 1/30sec or faster. You can schieve these speeds with light and/or increasing the ISO.

I also recommend a couple of photography books, if you didn't understand a word I wrote ;)

The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
--
Dez

http://photos.dezmix.com

 
-- Thanks for your prompt reply. I have seen some of your work and I think it is wonderful!

I am a keen amature but have tried setting sharpnes to +6 and still find no change.

images look ok till I view at 100%.

Regards

Doug.
 
I just got my D300 a few days ago. I'm 99% certain it's going back to adorama. I've used a D100 since December of '03 so I like to think I have a pretty serious handle on this stuff. My D300 was horribly soft out of the box. I tweaked the internal menu stuff and that helped 'some', as in 'not much, but some'. I found that taking the filters (UV protector etc) off my lenses helped even more. Well, that's not gonna continue. Obviously, my D300 is just not focusing as it should. I'll be outside, inside, doesn't matter, and taking 25-30 pictures with the D100, then do the same pictures with the D300, put them on the computer and get disgusted. The D100s images are fine, the D300s are not. There's no denying what I'm looking at. It's not me not knowing how to use it. This D300 is just not a good one. [I'm shooting RAW on both of course.]

Tomorrow I'm getting together with a friend who's had her D300 for a year. This will once and for all settle it, but like I said I'm 99% sure mine's going back.

I'm hoping adorama will just be OK with sending me another one.
--
People want the best stuff and they want you to give it to 'em.
 
Thanks Ray,

I have changed in-camera sharpness and it seems to be responding better.

I will try it once the rain stops.

Regards

Doug.
 
I shot my D100 as my primary camera for 5 years, and still use it occasionally. After a year of experience with the D300, I'd have to say I'm a little puzzled by your assessment - my D300 is easily as sharp as my D100, and probably more so.

I can think of a couple of possible sources of your issue which may be worth considering:
  • If you're looking at 100% crops from both cameras, you need to remember that since the D300 has twice the number of pixels, you're seeing things at 41% greater magnification when you peep at 100%. That means, for example, that in your hand-held shots you're better able to see the effects of camera shake. You need to compare images sized to the same physical size on your screen.
  • You may also be seeing the limitations of your lenses on the D300. A lens which was good enough at 6MP may not live up to your expectations when viewed at 100% at 12 MP. If you're using pro glass, this is probably not the issue, but it may be a problem for some consumer zooms.
If you've been doing only handheld comparisons, make sure you do some tripod comparisons, using mirror lock-up and/ or delayed shutter release before concluding the D300 is defective.

Ray
 
I just got my D300 for Christmas and I'm having the same concern regarding sharpness. I have used a D100 since 2003 so I know comparing pictures at 100% is not a fair comparison. Bust let's say that I am not comparing pictures, that I'm just looking at my D300 pictures....should I be looking at them at 100% for sharpness or at a lower percentage???

--
SIT
Snap a picture today to reminisce tomorrow
 
If it's the Nikkor 50mm, it's much sharper than the 18-200. Comparing a prime to a super zoom isn't a fair comparison to judge. Also, the 18-200 is not by any means, a pro lens. In particular, it's somewhat soft at 200mm.

I guess swapping lenses with your friend and comparing those images (also try each lens on each camera) will probably tell you more.
--
http://www.pbase.com/mngatorguy
 
It's hard to offer much specific advice when we're speaking in generality about images I haven't seen, but in the abstract, I'd say that

1) Your D300 images viewed at 67% view should look comparable (or better) in sharpness to your D100 shots at 100% if you're using comparable settings for contrast, sharpness, tone, etc., and

2) With proper technique (e. g., shooting from a tripod with mirror lock-up), a good lens, and appropriate post-processing, your D300 images viewed at 100% should meet the sharpness standards of even the pickiest pixel peepers.

Ray
 
Thanks! That helps. I think the noise in the d300 is also greater than the d100 and I'm going to have to look into that.....I think I had the NR settings off.
--
SIT
Snap a picture today to reminisce tomorrow
 
I'm not sure I'd have time to do that tripod trick when I'm jumping all around doing a wedding. I'm certain my D300 is a little bit 'off' in the focusing dept. It's like it's 'fooled' somehow. We'll be trying another one.
--
People want the best stuff and they want you to give it to 'em.
 
MyBigBoy said:
I'm not sure I'd have time to do that tripod trick when I'm jumping
all around doing a wedding. I'm certain my D300 is a little bit
'off' in the focusing dept. It's like it's 'fooled' somehow. We'll
be trying another one.
--
People want the best stuff and they want you to give it to 'em.
Click to expand...
I wasn't suggesting you do the tripod testing while trying to do wedding shooting, of course, or during any other "real" shooting. I just think you may be wasting your time doing "comparisons" between the D100 and D300 if you don't do a controlled test. If you haven't tested multiple lenses, you may also want to try the focus fine-tuning feature for the lens you're using when you see the focus issue.

It's certainly possible that there is something wrong with the D300 - but without seeing images, it will be hard for anyone here to comment in detail. You might want to post a few examples and see what thoughts folks may have for you.

Ray
 
Hi Every one!

Thanks for the replies, I have taken some shots today and think I now have it as good as I will get.

I will post some pictures for C & C shortly.

Regards

Doug.
 
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