28-70

[glamy]

Yesterday I picked up my 28-70 from Birddog. Here is one of the pictures taken at his place (I got more like that):

It is shot at 28 f2.8 in aperture priority(shutter speed 1/1000th). How can this be?
Cheers,
Gerard

[pippin88]

Like what?

Looks out of focus to me?

Was auto focus on (both on body and lens)?

[Antsl]

What do you think the problem is with the image?

It looks a little soft on the posting but I would not like to judge the image solely on that as it may be that the image has lost info in being compressed for posting.

[glamy]

That's right it is out of focus and this is not intentional (not a POW....just kidding!).I had three images like that taken in auto focus coming out of focus, make it 4. It is out of focus and I am wondering how this could happen as you do not want it to happen at the critical moment. Today I managed to take a few shots,here is one;

Could it be because of the very shallow depth of field? Could it be a glitch in a new lens? By the way the picture of the Merc in the other thread has been taken with this lens.
Cheers,
Gerard

[Antsl]

I have to say that there are several ways of working the focus. Some people use all the zones as a package and the dynamic options and hope that the camera will focus on the same part of the picture they are looking at (remember, camerasdont have telepathic powers ).

I prefer to use one focussing point at a time and to use the AE/AF button as an AF start button, thereby removing the focus control from the shutter release button. The advantage of this is that I can pick the point that I want to focus on... push the AE/AF button to activate the focus and lock on and then when I am ready I can push the shutter release button without fear of adjusting the focus. The focus will stay at the point until I push the AE/AF button again. The only thing that you need to confirm when working on this mode is that you have the focus in the AF-C mode rather than AF-S, otherwise the camera will not fire if you have recomposed the image off the mark. Does this make sense!

Try this technique, it works for me and although I do not shoot sport (anymore) I do shoot my share of doco and moving subjects!

Cheers!

[glamy]

Antsl,
I only use single area focussing... I realy thought there was someting wrong.
Cheers,
Gerard

[glamy]

Antsl,
I forgot to ask whether using single area can be a problem. I know I have had problems when taking a picture of two people and the focus on the wall behind! I thought it should not be a problem in a situation like the one at Birddog's.
Cheers,
Gerard

[Antsl]

Hmm, sounds like it might be time for you to catch up with another 28-70 owner and do some side by side testing. This might help you determine what the difference might be.

[glamy]

Antsl,
At the moment I am leaning towards a glitch either in the camera or the body. From what I have read somewhere else, I am not the only one to have this first reaction (thinking I got a dude lens...).
Thank you for your clear explanations about focussing and your help.
Cheers,
Gerard

[MCWB]

Gerard: this may be obvious, but have you selected a focal point other than in the middle? Perhaps the top one? I had this happen when shooting with my 70-200 VR for the first time, and I too was fearing my lens was a dud. Fortunately I realised that I'd selected the focal point on the left hand side, which was why it couldn't lock focus on the subject in the middle of the frame.

[Antsl]

No probs Gerard ... I am a dedicated to Nikon user however I am also aware that things do go wrong with them just like other cameras out there so it pays to keep an open mind. Hope you resolve without having to fork out too much dollar! Cheers, Ants

[glamy]

MCWB,
From what I understand in the single area focus you got no choice. I have had too many problems in dynamic mode....
Cheers,
Gerard

[Onyx]

Gerard, congrats on obtaining that lens. That is one sweet lens for sure!

I'd start shooting test charts if I were you. If you're systematically getting a number of unexplained OOF shots, it may not be user error but machine error - ie. the infamous D70 backfocus issue. Not jumping to conclusions, but it would sure help to eliminate that as a possibility.

[sirhc55]

Your shot from today looks fine - maybe the other shots were soft due to using f/2.8