Albatrossity2
Posts: 2780 Joined: Mar. 2007
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Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,14:08) | Quote (Albatrossity2 @ July 18 2011,13:14) | Quote (Robin @ July 18 2011,09:06) | BTW, a question for all you experienced digital shooters:
On several occasions if found that a subject that looks like it is in perfect focus through the view finder isn't actually in focus in the pic. This happens slightly more than 50% of the time I think. Any explanations and suggestions to reduce or remove this? |
Nice shots, Robin. Dragonflies can be particularly challenging, but those are great pics! |
Thanks! I've been trying to work on my techniques with the butterflies and dragonflies. For some odd reason they tend to sit still for me. Case in point, I literally got within a 4 inches of the Pearl Crescent and shot about two dozen pics at different angles. He just didn't seem to care.
Quote | Re your question, I might need more information to answer it. Are you using a camera with an optical viewfinder, or the LCD screen viewfinder? |
Optical viewfinder.
Quote | And is the camera/lens using autofocus, or are you using manual focusing? |
I'm letting the lens autofocus.
NP. Hope the answers give you an idea. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Oh...and just to add to the info in case it helps, I'm shooting a Nikon D3100. I was in the macro mode for most of this since all of the insects I shot were within 15 inches. I'm using the Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX f3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction). |
Well, if you are not using a flash and small f/stops, or not using a tripod, when shooting small critters like insects it can be tough to hold that camera still. Or the subject moves, or the wind moves the perch, or whatever. So something that is in focus the second before you press the shutter button can be out of focus by the time your camera takes the shot.
If you don't see this problem with larger subjects, or landscapes, then this could be the diagnosis.
If that is the correct diagnosis, then using a flash and small f/stops to freeze small motions and give you better depth of field might solve it. Or using a tripod or beanbag to steady the camera. Or both.
HTH
-------------- Flesh of the sky, child of the sky, the mind Has been obligated from the beginning To create an ordered universe As the only possible proof of its own inheritance. - Pattiann Rogers
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