Nikon D200 and 18-200mm lens combo

[photobyfelix]

Hello All:

I am using the D200 and Nikor 18-200mm lens combo and am having problems with achieving really sharp image captures. Some questions I have:

1) anyone else have this problem and was able to solve it through settings? I am not yet comfortable with combinations of the Focus mode selector, and AF- area mode and focus zone selelction. Am I worrying about too many varialbes?


2) another problem I have occasionally is the auto focus goes off focus and I have to manually focus to get the shot. I am not sure if I am moving an adjustment or what. Any feedback her would also be appreciated.

I would appreciate constructive, positive feedback, thanks.
And, yes, I am going to take the Nikon D200 course - ha.

[RussHeath]

photobyfelix, hello.

I use the 18-200 extensively on my D80 and usually get very sharp images. The most common reasons that I have trouble with sharpness are these:

1) Camera not focusing on what I think the subject should be -- This can happen a lot with the AF-area focus rather than the spot focus mode. The camera tries to view the whole scene, but if one of the AF selectors directly over your subject doesn't highlight when you push the shutter halfway, then your subject may not be in focus. The easy fix is to change to spot focus mode, point at your subject, depress the shutter halfway, then recompose your image prior to completely depressing the shutter. This problem with the AF-area selector is exacerbated by problem number 2.

2) Aperture too wide (number too small). This gives a narrow depth of field, and will result in your subject being less than sharp unless the camera was perfectly focused on that point (see above). If you're shooting aperture priority mode, rotate the command dial until you see a bigger number. If you're shooting program mode, do the same.

Most autofocus problems can be solved the same way, particularly using the spot focus mode rather than area-AF.

Forgive me if any of the above is too basic or just telling you something you already knew. Hope it helps. :o