new d300 - Halo & Focusing issues

[abril1127]

Ok I say Issues but they are probably operator issues.
I've shot probably 800-1000 pics with my new camera. I noticed they all look really good until you zoom in to 100%, then you notice they are not real sharp. So before this bridal shoot, I played the the in camera fine tuning/Sharpening. It made a big visible difference (pics available if wanted) All those were done with a macro & Tripod. But then I go to the Bridal shoot and I again have the same problem. This picture was taken on a tripod, Manual release, 1/250, F4.5, ISO 160....and the bride was laying down. Why is it so soft? AND what is that white hazy glow around the Dress? My light was to the Camera Right.
I'm guessing there's something I'm missing here, Please Help.

[mdparthum]

Hi April,

I am having the same problem with my D300. I take photos and they seem tack sharp in the camera monitor but then when I open them up in Photoshop CS3 and view them at 100% they seem out of focus. I am afraid of the fine tuning option because the manual says to do it as a last resort or something similar. I even did a photo test, handheld versus tripod and got the same results. Are you shooting in 12 bit or 14 bit? Please keep me informed as to what you find out and I will do the same.

Michael

[abril1127]

Im not sure the answer to the Bit question. (I don't fully understand it all) I shoot Raw and have a 16 bit color.

Like I said before, I adjusted the fine tuning AF feature. I got very good results when shooting close up (80mm) but when I am at zoomed out (28mm) I get consistantly Extra Soft results. I found the exact same true with my 70-300mm. Does this make sense to Anyone??

Also Michael, I found this last night and it slightly helped! http://www.outthereimages.com/images...etup_Guide.pdf

[mdparthum]

Thanks for that link April. I think that will be good information to check over. I have also discovered that when I used the center focal point and then reframe the shot, my images tend to get soft, so I have gone to moving the focal point to the area closest to what my main focus in the photo is and it seems to help. I am having the same issue with my D80 as well so I am searching for answers as well. It can get frustrating!

[trahanw]

Almost looks like it's backfocusing. Can't really tell in this photo. I have both the D80 and the D300.

[trahanw]

Check out this link

http://visual-vacations.com/Photogra...pose_sucks.htm

[mdparthum]

Wade,

Thanks for this link. I kind of thought through this process a couple weeks ago and now feel a little better. I did some test shots and handheld versus tripod were equal; however, I didn't do an experiment with center focus point versus the other points. That article is going to stick in my mind.

[abril1127]

I called Nikon Tech support today, They want you to download their software, which I did and turned out to be really cool. In it you can click a button which outlines your point of focus that you had set. This was extremely surprising to me. one picture had the focus point directly on her face yet the trees behind her were the sharpest....not sharp but far sharper than her face. Is this what you call back focusing?
They had me submit some examples to them so that they could see with the metadata & images if it was the camera or user error. Should take about 2 days to hear back from them....I almost hope it is user error, I have my 2nd wedding on Saturday.

[trahanw]

Let me know what Nikon tells you...I had this similar issue with the D80 and found out that it was a lense problem I had.

- Here's an on-going discussion on the D300 with backfocusing issues---Nikonians http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcbo...d=133712&page=

What is that link Nikon gave you for the program....you've got me curious.

[a2rob]

Originally Posted by trahanw

Let me know what Nikon tells you...I had this similar issue with the D80 and found out that it was a lense problem I had.

- Here's an on-going discussion on the D300 with backfocusing issues---Nikonians http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcbo...d=133712&page=

What is that link Nikon gave you for the program....you've got me curious.

Nikonview NX will allow you to see where the focus point is

[trahanw]

thanks

[arlon]

How about f4.5 being the problem? Tried f8? Maybe I missed it but what lens are you using?

[abril1127]

So I just did the new firm wear upgrade and my focusing problems are DRASTICALLY better!
Did Anyone else have any improvements?

[luis_relampago]

IMHO I think is more of an aperture issue F4.5 still has a very narrow DOF you just have to be more precise and careful when choosing your focusing point and locking it. I shoot at those apertures for a more closer shot, for example close up portraits. I like the selective focus I can get at those apertures but for a more open shot I go f8 or f11 to get a thicker DOF.

[CallMeAl]

Here's the answer to your "halo" question. I had the same problem last year and thanks to the helpful folks here at TPF, I learned what it was. Here's that thread:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=PURPLE+RING

Or you can look up "purple fringing" and find out more info.