focus focus focus - give up

Hobbit

Senior Member
today i decided to try the 150-600 on the monopod for a bit of stability.
the red square is where the camera has chosen to apparently focus according to Capture NX-D???
shot at F8, 1/640, ISO400 image is just a screen shot as not one today was on point or focusing where the camera was apparently pointing - even on a massive great object like a church cross which was pointed at with the red square in the centre , told me it had focused on the main spire to its right lol , i gave up and came home, starting to thing the D5300 doesn't like the sigma 150-600c lol
 

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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
I have a feeling the D5300 needs f5.6 to be within spec for focusing, then it would only be the center focus point,that looks like its near but not the center point.
As nothing is sharp i do still wonder about camera movement, had a play with it to try and find the sharpest point it looks like the rear of the dog.

600 on d5300.jpg
 

Hobbit

Senior Member
I have a feeling the D5300 needs f5.6 to be within spec for focusing, then it would only be the center focus point,that looks like its near but not the center point.
As nothing is sharp i do still wonder about camera movement, had a play with it to try and find the sharpest point it looks like the rear of the dog.

View attachment 339951
to me it looks like its the grass under the dog :( , the lens is F6.3 at 600mm where this was shot i moved it to F8, cant wait to get the D500 fingers crossed i won't have the same issues as you can set the lens :)
 

Hobbit

Senior Member
very narrow DOF and you can visibly see the area for focus from side to side ?
 

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Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Yes. This what is expected at F8 and 600mm at that distance. You need to be closer to your subject for the whole image (grass and subject) to be in focus. To me it look like your are just a tad front focusing. That is to say in focus area in front of the image is larger than behind. But not bad.
 
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Hobbit

Senior Member
Yes. This what is expected at F8 and 600mm at that distance. You need to be closer to your subject for the whole image (grass and subject) to be in focus. To me it look like your are just a tad front focusing. That is to say in focus area in front of the image is larger than behind. But not bad.
every time i got closer they flew away LOL
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Don't know if anyone has mentioned some lenses are not their sharpest at the max reach. My 70-300 is sharper at 270mm than 300mm.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
single point and AF-S on the magpie, and 39point on the dog

I would have used a single point on the dog AF-C, in fact i used it for most things, its expecting a lot to think the camera knows were you want focus.

I'm with Mike on using AF-C. But your problem was using 39 points. The camera didn't know which points were on top of the dog and which ones were part of the background.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
I can't pan worth a darn. I have similar issues when trying to use large group focus points on crowded backgrounds. I have no idea what happened with your church, though. I read there are some issues with the software not showing the correct focus point, but I don't know under what circumstances this happens.
 
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Hobbit

Senior Member
Is it possible the software has a glitch that does not show the actual focus point used? Does the focus point show in camera as the same one?
no the one in the camera is dead centre where i put it, unlike capture NX-D which seems to put it where it thinks was shot on a monopod with centre point on the eyes / heads via the viewfinder. i will be sending it off to Nikon or a service centre shortly once my new one arrives :)
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Ha. I ended up changing my post. I feel for you. I have had some sharp image issues as well.
Did I read you are getting a D500?
 
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Hobbit

Senior Member
Did I read you were getting a D500?
yes you did , so i know im going to have fun learning and relearning everything i already have - specially the AF system on the D500 amongst other things. so get ready for the "so whats this button do" and the "what have i done wrong" posts, pretty much as now but worse LOL
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
single point and AF-S on the magpie, and 39point on the dog

On the dog is it AF-S or AF-C? If it's AF-S on a moving subject that's your problem. If AF-C, then your original focus point was likely not on the dog. Of course, the focus system isn't perfect and will make mistakes once in a while, as well.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
yes you did , so i know im going to have fun learning and relearning everything i already have - specially the AF system on the D500 amongst other things. so get ready for the "so whats this button do" and the "what have i done wrong" posts, pretty much as now but worse LOL

There will be a learning curve. What is very nice about the D500 is that there are custom functions for the different buttons. So, you can set the camera up for the way you shoot.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I'm with Mike on using AF-C. But your problem was using 39 points. The camera didn't know which points were on top of the dog and which ones were part of the background.

Cindy, using dynamic focusing(39 point in this case) if the original focus lock was on the dog, the camera will track that spot on the dog as long as it stays within the 39 point grid. It won't look for other spots.
 

hark

Administrator
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Cindy, using dynamic focusing(39 point in this case) if the original focus lock was on the dog, the camera will track that spot on the dog as long as it stays within the 39 point grid. It won't look for other spots.

Woody, the way I understand it, if the contrast and overall tone of where the point was placed is very similar to the surroundings, the camera can't tell the difference. If the background is overly bright or dark, then it is easier for the camera to stay on the subject. At least that is how I've understood the concept when more than one point is used. Maybe I'm wrong though....:confused:
 
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