What’s Your Preference?

adallon · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 08:24 PM

I'm new to this forum and I'm so excited about everything I've seen on it so far. I'm hoping someone can help me. I feel so stupid asking this because it seems like such a simple thing. I recently bought a Nikon d300s to replace my d70. I love the camera...except I feel like 80% of my pictures are out of focus and I don't know why. I'm either using a 50mm lens or my 24-120mm lens.
Here's a minor example. I've had other pictures more noticeable than this:

I feel like some of the faces are out of focus.

I guess my main question is what setting should I have my camera setting on for focus? I feel like I never had this problem with my d70.

Thanks in advance for your help!

autofocus · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 08:27 PM

can you supply some details on the shot...like aperture and shutter settings?

adallon · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 09:08 PM

Aperture f/3.5
Exposure Time 1/100 sec
ISO 800

autofocus · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adallon

Aperture f/3.5
Exposure Time 1/100 sec
ISO 800

OK, next question, where was your focus point..the D300 will show you that when you look at the image on your LCD screen. Did you have the camera set on continuous focus, or single one shot? Continuous will try to track and adjust the focus real time, but it will also allow you to take the shot before the focus is locked in, and sometimes yielding poor results. Where did you have that switch set?

And a smaller F/stop may have helped give you greater DOF. Can I assume you did not use your flash? 1/100 sec may not have been fast enough if some of the kids were moving

adallon · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auto-focus

OK, next question, where was your focus point..the D300 will show you that when you look at the image on your LCD screen. Did you have the camera set on continuous focus, or single one shot? Continuous will try to track and adjust the focus real time, but it will also allow you to take the shot before the focus is locked in, and sometimes yielding poor results. Where did you have that switch set?

And a smaller F/stop may have helped give you greater DOF. Can I assume you did not use your flash? 1/100 sec may not have been fast enough if some of the kids were moving

Sorry, I guess I don't understand how to check where my focus point is after I've taken the picture. You say it will show that when I look at the image on the screen? Is there a button I need to press to do that?!

It looks like the camera is set on continuous focus. Is it best to leave it on single one shot?

When I look at the picture, it looks like the floor behind them is sharper than any of their faces.

autofocus · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adallon

Sorry, I guess I don't understand how to check where my focus point is after I've taken the picture. You say it will show that when I look at the image on the screen? Is there a button I need to press to do that?!
It looks like the camera is set on continuous focus. Is it best to leave it on single one shot?When I look at the picture, it looks like the floor behind them is sharper than any of their faces.

No button for that feature, it'll be in your menu. Press menu button, the first item on the top is the Playback Menu, scroll down to Display Mode, click OK, check the box that says Focus Point, click OK. Now when you view your photo you will see where you, or the camera focused. When photographing people, always make sure your focus point is on the eyes...a must do to produce a good portrait. The ears or tip of nose can be soft, but the eyes need to be tack sharp.

Single shot will beep when the camera locks on focus, whereas continuous will continue to track your subject, and as I stated above it will let you shoot even when focus hasn't locked in. You want to use that setting when you are tracking fast moving subjects. With single shot pressing the shutter half down will lock the focus on your subject, and then you can follow through with the shutter to take the shot. Just be aware that once you do that and should your subject move (even a little) you will need to re-lock the focus again before you take the shot.

Hope this helps and does not confuse

Vinnie

adallon · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 04:05 AM

Thank you so much! That helps a ton. I don't know why this camera is so much harder for me to figure out than my d70!

One more question for you...if I'm taking a picture of a bunch of people and it's best to focus on eyes, where do I focus? Do I just pick one person in the middle? I've always wondered where was the best spot.

autofocus · #8 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adallon

Thank you so much! That helps a ton. I don't know why this camera is so much harder for me to figure out than my D!

One more question for you...if I'm taking a picture of a bunch of people and it's best to focus on eyes, where do I focus? Do I just pick one person in the middle? I've always wondered where was the best spot.

Well, it depends on what you consider a bunch, and how they're arranged. If they're all lined up in a row, (on the same plane)...theoretically, they all should be in acceptable focus after you focus on say the person in the middle. Things get a little tricky when the subjects are several rows deep. In that situation you will want to maximize your depth of field by shooting in Aperture Priority with a smaller F/stop..somewhere around F/8 or above, should work. Pick a person in the middle of the front row and dial in your focus point on his/her eye, and shoot. Does this answer your question?