D750 Sharpness and "tickling" sound

Dear all

Two days ago I received my brand new D750
This morning I was experimenting a bit, comparing D750 with D3300
I shot both cameras on the same tripod at the 5,5 foots away (170cm) from a tiny action figure, focusing on the face that is more or less 0,3 inches (10mm).

For D3300 I used 55-200mm @ 55mm and f/4, 1/100, ISO 100
For D750 I used 85mm f/1.8G for D750 @ f/1.8, 1/60, ISO 100

Sharpness looks quite similar. Could you tell me if it’s OK?

When I pan vertically the D750 body I hear a “tic-tac” sound like something is moving inside (when I point downwards I hear a “tic” and when I point it back upwards I hear the “tac”. The sound it seems coming out from an area just below the flash.

Is it normal?

Thank you very much

Best regards
Federico

Hand held example

It is difficult to compare sharpness between the cameras as the shot were not taken at the same settings. If I count right there are 3 stops difference between the two. This causes the one to be darker than the other. It would work better if you shot the figure some place that was not back lit. Also the both lens are wide open usually not the best settings for sharpness. Based on the posted images they look to be about the same sharpness to me.

As for the ticking sound you got me curious. Pulled out my d7100 and it does indeed make a small tick sound when transitioning from up to down. Never noticed it before. If the lens is removed it is definitely louder. It will be interesting to see if that is common.

Federico-Nov said:

Hand held example
View attachment 227752View attachment 227753

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Are you talking about depth of field or just sharpness of the in focus part of the image? My recommendation is to put the 3300 away for now and just concentrate on learning what you need to do to get the images you want with the 750. Hopefully someone using a 750 will comment soon.

Hi!!!
First of all, forgive the "artistic quality" of the previous pics... I just focused on... focus... I'm just curious about sharpness of the in focus part (Cat's eye).

I was expecting dramatic DOF differences between an f/4 lens and an f/1.8 one, and especially at the distance I shot the pic.

I was expecting also better performance in the “ISO department” and I got it. With D750 and f/1.8 I kept ISO quite low even at a pretty faster shutter speed. And at higher ISO the noise is not visible.

Regarding sharpness, I was expecting some more sharpness as well.
Possibly is just the way it should be... I have read that 55-200 is pretty a sharp and good lens despite the price. It gave me a lot of great shots indeed, even in tough situations.

I’ll surely concentrate on D750 with my new prime lenses… I plan to know my tools as well as my own hands and shoot tons of pics in most different situations like portraits, theaters, events, sport... (As any enthusiast amateur with "pro mentality" shoud do)…

Still I’d love to know is if some fine tuning is needed or not. Possibly the photographer needs fine toning as well haha

I’m so deeply happy about this purchase (and I had to wait so long for it) that I’m a bit scared that something will pop out to ruin “the dream”, for example to own a “Dud” or a counterfeit product.

Just in case I registered camera en lenses in Nikon site, to verify that are legit. the “Made in China” label it’s a bit scaring to me.

I know... I’d should just relax and enjoy it. I'll try to do so.

So a good answer to my original question could just be:

Be cool my friend... Your D750 and 85 are just as good as they are supposed to... Relax and enjoy! hahaha

Federico-Nov said:

So a good answer to my original question could just be:

Be cool my friend... Your D750 and 85 are just as good as they are supposed to... Relax and enjoy! hahaha

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From what I can tell your D750 and 85mm are just as good as they are supposed to be.

Go forth and enjoy them.
....

One thing you need to do is check the Back-focus. You can fine tune all your lenses with the D750 and I would recommend that you do this. It can make a big difference or no difference at all.

Also when I moved from my D7100 to my D750 I had a real problem with sharpness. It took me learning how to shoot all over again. The D750 has so much better resolution that shooting technique is so much more important than the DX cameras are. Put the D3300 down for now and concentrate on just the D750 for now. I found I had to shoot a faster shutter speed to get the sharpness I wanted. Try taking a photo hand held at your normal settings and then put the camera on a tripod and shoot the exact same shot. Same settings and all. Then load them on the computer and zoom in as much as you can on the same section of the shot and see if there is any difference. Have VR turned off on both shots. Also I have found that my shots look better if I have the VR turned off and I shoot fast enough not to have to worry about needing it. Not saying this will for you but what I am saying is to try different things to see what WILL work for you.

At this point my shots are as sharp as any I have seen.

You should check the Focus of all your lenses. At least the ones that are most important to you. You're D750 will remember multiple lens settings.

And just to point out. All nikons camera bodies with decent glass will produce a razor sharp image. The biggest factor is making sure your lens and camera are calibrated accordingly...then it's all about that human factor.

Deezey said:

You should check the Focus of all your lenses. At least the ones that are most important to you. You're D750 will remember multiple lens settings.

And just to point out. All nikons camera bodies with decent glass will produce a razor sharp image. The biggest factor is making sure your lens and camera are calibrated accordingly...then it's all about that human factor.

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But not all Nikon cameras have the ability to fine tune. Only the D7000 and up.

don´t know guys... I did these pics with a millimiters ruler.
I see like a double image on vertical axis, specially with 85 but still visible with 35

camera is on tripod and and with timer.

Well... I'm probaly too picky... This is the same lens with d3300 on tripod and timer
It's a portrait lens... not a macro... I think that for portraits will be just good...

Federico-Nov said:

Well... I'm probaly too picky...

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Based on these photos I have to say there is something not right here; in a big way. Same lens, same motion blur (I agree it looks like vertical movement) on two different cameras leads to the logical conclusion something is not right with the lens. That, or there is something in your shooting setup that is causing motion/shake.

Can you duplicate those tests using a different lens?

Horoscope Fish said:

Based on these photos I have to say there is something not right here; in a big way. Same lens, same motion blur (I agree it looks like vertical movement) on two different cameras leads to the logical conclusion something is not right with the lens. That, or there is something in your shooting setup that is causing motion/shake.

Can you duplicate those tests using a different lens?

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He posted the 85 then 35 on the 750 with ruler Then the next post there was 85 but not the 35 on the 3300. All show similar very peculiar.

Needa said:

He posted the 85 then 35 on the 750 with ruler Then the next post there was 85 but not the 35 on the 3300. All show similar very peculiar.

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Ah, I see that now... The way the shots are jammed up it's hard to see the EXIF sometimes.

And similarity of the blur IS peculiar. Shutter speeds are slow but using a tripod should prevent motion blur... Still, I'm wondering, again, if this is a technique issue. I'd like to see some shots at, say, f/4 (versus f/9) and a higher shutter speed. I'm wondering if there is some vibration being transmitted to the camera through the tripod. I know I've had that issue with my travel tripod; it just doesn't have the same degree of stability as my big, heavy Manfrotto.

Horoscope Fish said:

Ah, I see that now... The way the shots are jammed up it's hard to see the EXIF sometimes.

And similarity of the blur IS peculiar. Shutter speeds are slow but using a tripod should prevent motion blur... Still, I'm wondering, again, if this is a technique issue. I'd like to see some shots at, say, f/4 (versus f/9) and a higher shutter speed. I'm wondering if there is some vibration being transmitted to the camera through the tripod. I know I've had that issue with my travel tripod; it just doesn't have the same degree of stability as my big, heavy Manfrotto.

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Two things pop up to me.
1. Distance from the ruler. For fine tuning it should be 50 times the length of the lens.
2. Is the VR on or off when you are shooting these tests.

Don Kuykendall said:

Two things pop up to me.
1. Distance from the ruler. For fine tuning it should be 50 times the length of the lens.
2. Is the VR on or off when you are shooting these tests.

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He's shooting with a Nikon 85mm f/1.8 and a Nikon 35mm f/1.8; neither lens has VR.

Further, he was shooting the 85mm at f/9; so let's wild-ass-guess a distance-to-target of six feet which doesn't seem unreasonable based on the posted photo. Using those numbers the depth of field would be about 6 inches; increase the distance-to-target to eight feet and the DoF increases to nearly 12 inches.

In looking at the posted shots, though, nothing appears in focus to me and the lack of focus just looks to me like motion blur. Obviously I could be dead wrong but I still suspect motion blur is being introduced somehow and it wouldn't take much of it, at all, to blur a shot to that degree considering the shutter speeds involved. I'd like to see these tests repeated with shutter speeds that at least equal the focal length being used for the D750; e.g. 1/125 for the 85mm.

I agree this is still looking like motion blur. A few questions. Are you using a quality tripod and head? Are you shooting on carpet and standing close to tripod? And just to make sure. If using a grip...is it FIRMLY attached?


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My question about the tripod stems from the fact that you are shooting down. Did you raise the center post of the tripod? If you can redo the test and try not to extend the legs or raise the camera up using the tripod center post. Make sure all twist locks or clamps are tight and also check your tripods feet! Make sure a ground spike isn't out while the rest may be in. Take out as many variables as you can. Make a checklist and check it twice. Lol.

The test is easier to do shooting straight. Measure the distance to subject, and take notes. When switching lens you want everything to be set up the same. If you test VR lenses make sure to turn off VR. If using a battery grip you can remove it for the test. Not all battery grips are created equal. Some do flex just a bit. If it's loose it could allow for a bit of wiggle when the mirror flips.




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Dear all!!!


Thanks for your answers and sorry for late reply. Yesterday I grabbed all my stuff and went to take some picture with my daughter and nephew. It was a great sunny day and I could use low ISO and fast shutter speed. I have to say that 85mm IS sharp, even at 1.8.

I zoomed into the eye and still at 800% is pretty good. This is of course no objective measure of sharpness, it’s more a “practical” one.
I really feel that is a complicate beast to handle, but I’m happy with the result in bright or dim light.

Regarding the tripod… is a “cheap-frotto” paid 24$

So, possibly that is the problem. I’ll have to upgrade it soon or later.
I’ll do other experiments, anyway… but considering the result, I’m really more relaxed!!!