Focus/quality Issue

K

Kendall_

Senior Member
Unsure what would cause this. I have the D5200. I was using both my 55-300mm and the kit 18-55mm today. The 18-55mm has a cheaper Sunpak Polarized filter on it too.

To me the images just seems really rough. Almost a sharp blurry. I'm thinking it has to do with the fact that today, I decided to try Auto-ISO with a smaller aperture. That and I was shooting towards the sun.


Below are a few from today. Just for reference, I'll post some "better" shots at the bottom.


Part of me wonders if I am just expecting to much.

_DSC5851.jpg


_DSC5853.jpg


_DSC5865.jpg


_DSC5917.jpg




These are some older ones for comparison.




DSC_0389.jpg


DSC_4476.jpg


_DSC5533.jpg
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
Seems like your filter wasn't used or was set to clear on those first shots! I can't say on the D5200, since I never tried one! The D5100 worked very well though if set right!
 
F

FastGlass

Senior Member
I always try and shoot perpendicular or so the sun is behind me. When ever shooting either into or in the general direction of the sun my images turn out looking cloudy as if I'm looking through a dirty window.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
FastGlass said:
I always try and shoot perpendicular or so the sun is behind me. When ever shooting either into or in the general direction of the sun my images turn out looking cloudy as if I'm looking through a dirty window.
Click to expand...
This is my thinking as well... Your shots look to me like you're getting some glare that's causing your shots to look hazy. This effect can be caused or enhanced by light that gets captured and reflected behind the filter but still in front of the front most lens element.

Were you using a lens hood when you took the example shots? You might want to try shooting with a CPL; I rarely if ever shoot outdoors without one.
....
 
W

wornish

Senior Member
Have you tried any Post Processing on the shots.

You can remove a lot of the haze in lightroom.

Here is your second shot after a few adjustments

adjusted.jpg


All I did was

Basic - reduce highlights to -50
- increase Clarity to +15
- increase vibrance to +15

Color - reduce blue luminance to -33
- increase yellow luminance to +20


Would be more effective on a raw file.
Not sure if thats what you were trying to get to but at least your get you sky back.
 
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J

J-see

Senior Member
I did about the same in post. Curving a bit while adjusting the highlights and colors.

_DSC5851.jpg vs _DSC5851-1.jpg

When you shoot against the light, you have to add the pop yourself since your shot too often gets washed out.
 
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K

Kendall_

Senior Member
Makes sense. The first 3 of the 4 shots were shot directly into the sun and I didn't even think about spinning the polarized filter, just keeping the sun out and watching for any flare. Completely skipped my mind since I never really use it. I should keep it on my smaller lens though. Just the 55-300, I go in and out of the shade a lot shooting deer, squirrels, birds etc so I found it easier without it. I should however look into getting a hood for the 18-55mm.

I am slowly getting more "into" post processing. Currently I am using GIMP (since it's free) and other than playing around with the levels, sharpening and curves I have also found that the dodge/burn tool is very helpful. I have played with the trial for Paint Shop Pro X7 and found that decently easy to navigate compared to GIMP.

All of these were handheld as well and I'm sure the wind didn't help.

The first 3 photos were facing west so I'll have to go out there early in the morning and give them a shot with the sun rising behind me and a tripod.

The raw files will look un sharp as they need PP which would include sharpening,if you are converting to Jpeg with no sharpening first your final images will look un sharp,try using jpeg with Dons settings from this thread
Click to expand...

I was shooting RAW+JPEG FINE and I have my setting somewhat similar to Dons.


I appreciate all the helpful insight! :)
 
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