Lower end Nikon with best focus?

I got a D90 last year and like it but still I am getting too many blurry shots. I am using a brand new 50mm AF-S lens.

I am considering getting a better Nikon if that would help. What lower end models have a better focusing system that would make it worth while to get?

I do newbie models and they as newbies have a hard time being still as they are nervous until they get used to the camera.

- Dean Lautermilch Photography are sample shots.

I would spent the money for a lower end Nikon even used that could better keep up with the movement than my D90 can.

Dean, unfortunately, linking us to your website for sample images does not provide for EXIF data to see what's going on with the shots. I'm also assuming you wouldn't have problem shots as part of your portfolio.

If you share a problematic image that you've captured with your D90 and current 50mm, we can take a look at where the problem comes from.

RocketCowboy said:

Dean, unfortunately, linking us to your website for sample images does not provide for EXIF data to see what's going on with the shots. I'm also assuming you wouldn't have problem shots as part of your portfolio.

If you share a problematic image that you've captured with your D90 and current 50mm, we can take a look at where the problem comes from.

Click to expand...

OK, here are two example RAW files
Four shots - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xbcpl7hnnefsxwj/AABrhHdpxsZAiAOB6qfpmwY1a?dl=0

The first and third one is in focus. the second and fourth were taken a second or two after the preceeding shot.
All times I was focused on the eyes.

Still no EXIF or shooting data. For example is the camera set for focus or shutter priority?

A few things:

First, you're shooting aperture priority mode, but have exposure compensation turned down three stops. Just confirming you've intentionally trying to under expose your shots in camera. (Usually that's an accident)

Second, you're shooting at f/2.8. While shooting stopped down some is sharper for your f/1.8 lens, that's still a pretty narrow depth of field.

Finally, here are some screen shots that show where the camera focused. This, along with the depth of field, is probably why two of the shots are not in focus.



The first image, no problem as you mentioned. Focus was on the eyes.



Second shot, the focus drifted to the branches behind your subject. Because of the shallow depth of field, the face is now slightly out of focus.


Again, good focus on the eyes, the face is in focus.



I just screen shot around the subject's face, but on this image the camera did not report achieving focus.

What AF mode do you typically shoot in? Single point or multi-point? AF-S (single serve) or AF-C (continuous focus)?

Bikerbrent said:

Still no EXIF or shooting data. For example is the camera set for focus or shutter priority?

Click to expand...

There's EXIF in the RAW files. Aperture priority, 1/4000 f/2.8 and ISO 200.

its on AF-C

1/2 here's full exif for pic #2

[Image]
Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Model = NIKON D90
Orientation = top/left
Software = DxO PhotoLab
Date Time = 2018-07-01 15:41:55


[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/4000"
F Number = F2.8
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Date Time Original = 2018-07-01 15:41:55
Date Time Digitized = 2018-07-01 15:41:55
Shutter Speed Value = 11.97 TV
Aperture Value = 2.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = -3EV
Max Aperture Value = F1.74
Subject Distance = 2.51m
Metering Mode = Pattern
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Off
Focal Length = 50mm
Maker Note = 12664 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time =
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 1594
Exif Image Height = 2400
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Scene Type = A directly photographed image
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 75mm
Scene Capture Type = Portrait
Gain Control = None
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal
Subject Distance Range = unknown


[Thumbnail]
Thumbnail = 199 x 300


[MakerNote (Nikon)]
Makernote Version = 0210
ISO Speed Used = 200
Quality = FINE
White Balance = AUTO
Focus Mode = AF-C
Flash Setting = NORMAL
Auto Flash Mode =
White Balance Bias Value = 0, 0
White Balance Red, Blue Coefficients = 414/256, 331/256, 256/256, 256/256
000D = 00, 01, 06, 00
Exposure Diff = 00, 01, 0C, 00
Flash Compensation = 00, 01, 06, 00
ISO Speed Requested = 200
0017 = 00, 01, 06, 00
Flash Bracket Compensation Applied = 00, 01, 06, 00
AE Bracket Compensation Applied = 0EV

2/2


001B = 0, 4352, 2868, 4352, 2868, 0, 0
001C = 00, 01, 06
001D = 3532660
001E = 1
001F = 30, 31, 30, 30, 02, 02, 00, 00
0022 = 65535
0023 = 30, 31, 30, 30, 50, 4F, 52, 54, 52, 41, 49, 54, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 50, 4F, 52, 54, 52, 41, 49, 54, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 04, 86, 00, 00, 00, 80, 82, 80, 80, 80, 80, FF, FF, FF
0024 = FE, D4, 01, 01
0025 = 48, 01, 0C, 00, 00, 00, 48, 01, 0C, 00, 00, 00, 00, 01
002C = 30, 31, 30, 30, 05, 01, 01, 64, 00, EC, 00, 00, 00, 00, 01, 15, 00, 65, 00, 2A, 00, 2A, 00, 5A, 02, FF, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
Lens Type = Nikon D series Lens
Lens Min/Max Focal Length, Max Aperture = 500/10, 500/10, 18/10, 18/10
Flash Used = Flash Not Used
Bracketing & Shooting Mode = 32

Noise Reduction = OFF

Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera = 30657

Digital Vari-Program =

<<lots of binary data removed>>

Texas said:

its on AF-C

Click to expand...

If he has it set for AF-C, then the next thing to determine is if it's set for Focus Priority or Release Priority. Focus Priority won't allow the shutter to fire if the image isn't in focus. Release Priority allows the shutter to take the pic even if focus isn't achieved. Seeing what RocketCowboy posted where the last shot in his comment didn't achieve focus at all, then my guess is the body is set to Release Priority.

If you are using my previous D90, I only ever used it in AF-S and never had any problem with the focus locking. Check out what RocketCowboy said. Perhaps change Release Priority to Focus Priority and see if that helps. The D90 is a great body. No doubt there is still a lot of life left in yours, but please check the AF-C settings.

Also, shooting at f2.8 will not help either as the depth of field is so shallow it is possible (when shooting close up portraits) to have just the eye in focus and the tip of the nose out of focus.
Stopping down to f4 will give greater depth of field and add the fact that the lens will likely be sharper at this aperture than at f2.8.

Lautermilch, if you're getting all those pretty girls to stand in front of your camera, you're doing something right!

but turn up the light, ev -3 is too dim
but it will stop the action at 1/4000

Texas said:

but turn up the light, ev -3 is too dim
but it will stop the action at 1/4000

Click to expand...

Since he's shooting in aperture priority mode, my guess is the -3 ev is to keep the shutter speed up while shooting fairly wide open. It looks like auto ISO is also in use, so aperture is being controlled for creative effect while the camera decides between shutter speed and ISO to correct the exposure.

No doubt you are correct. Pretty tricky exposure management, highly sophisticated shooting.
Would have never occured to me to do it that way.

But the D90 does hit its limit at 200 and 1/4000. Maybe some shade or an ND filter is in order if -3ev is important.