I got this lens off Ebay for $95, it looks like new, the zoom and focus are smooth, and have no play. So I am happy with that side of things.
But, I was hoping for sharper photos out of this thing.
I only picked it up from the post office this morning, but have taken a few shots to see how it goes. It is manual focus on my D3100, so I may not be spot on with my focusing, but cropping at 100% and looking at various spots in the photo I should be able to find something that is in focus surely.
Most of my shots were at 300mm, so that probably doesnt help things, but I did take a couple at shorter focal lengths, I dont think they are much better.
I am not ruling out my technique and settings, but I dont think I am too far off the mark.
Any advice or observations will be appreciated.
Here is one shot. Using a tripod and cable release. At about 10 metres/30 feet.
300mm @ f8, iso 100, 1/250th sec.
This has been cropped at about 100% ( I think )
Here are some Magpie Geese taken at a waterhole beside the road on my way back from the post office, I didn't have a tripod with me, so they were handheld, but I had pretty good shutter speeds.
300mm @ f8, iso 200, 1/640th sec.
155mm @ f10, iso 200, 1/250th sec.
100mm @ f10, iso 200, 1/400th sec.
Should this lens be able to do better, or am I expecting too much ?
But, I was hoping for sharper photos out of this thing.
I only picked it up from the post office this morning, but have taken a few shots to see how it goes. It is manual focus on my D3100, so I may not be spot on with my focusing, but cropping at 100% and looking at various spots in the photo I should be able to find something that is in focus surely.
Most of my shots were at 300mm, so that probably doesnt help things, but I did take a couple at shorter focal lengths, I dont think they are much better.
I am not ruling out my technique and settings, but I dont think I am too far off the mark.
Any advice or observations will be appreciated.
Here is one shot. Using a tripod and cable release. At about 10 metres/30 feet.
300mm @ f8, iso 100, 1/250th sec.
This has been cropped at about 100% ( I think )
Here are some Magpie Geese taken at a waterhole beside the road on my way back from the post office, I didn't have a tripod with me, so they were handheld, but I had pretty good shutter speeds.
300mm @ f8, iso 200, 1/640th sec.
155mm @ f10, iso 200, 1/250th sec.
100mm @ f10, iso 200, 1/400th sec.
Should this lens be able to do better, or am I expecting too much ?