My new Nikon 70-300mm lens

[mardy46]

I have a Nikon D60 with an Nikon 18-105mm lens, after having used that for a few months and doing lots of reading on this forum, I decided to purchase a
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED so that I could get closer to my subjects.

I have been having a 'play 'this afternoon and need some help/suggestions please. My aim is to be able to get closer to objects, flowers etc, not as macro, just closer. However todays efforts have been not in crisp focus. Am I expecting too much.

If anyone could point me in the direction of some tutorials/help with this lens It would be most appreciated. Thank you.
mardy46

[sybren]

It helps if you post some examples of what you describe as "not in crisp focus".

[wulf]

The two most likely problems are:

Camera shake - the longer the focal length, the more a small movement will be noticeable. That means faster shutter speeds (and good light) or a tripod.

Lens softness - most lenses have an optimum range of apertures and will be sharper two or three stops down than wide open (then starting to drop off as you get to f/16 and beyond). With a long zoom you may also find that quality degrades at the far end - my 70-300m is better at 200mm than 300mm.

Don't give up though - you can get some excellent shots. Here is one of my favourites with a similar lens:



Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure:1/640s
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 145 mm
ISO Speed: 400

Bumping the ISO let me use a faster shutter speed. The aperture is in the strong zone and the focal length is not all the way out (but enough to escape getting pollen all over me and the camera!).

Wulf

[Aegea]

As Wulf notes, the lens does get softer over about 250mm. Also the VR is good for about 2 stops but it's not magic. I can't usually go below about 1/125 sec hand-held at the longer focal lengths with this lens and get decent images - and faster is still better.

[mardy46]

Thank you Wulf and Aegea for your replies to my post.

I now realise I am probably expecting too much at the 300mm end. As this is a new lens to me, and me not being into DSLR photography all that long, I was probably a bit ambitious with my purchase. However I really wanted to be able to zoom closer to a subject than with my existing 18-105mm lens. I will do a bit more practise with the 200-250 range and see if that is better for me. I was also hoping to be able to use this lens off a tripod ( as sometimes a tripod is not convenient ) as well as on, but am finding this a bit of a problem with my hand shake, I wonder if a monopod would be better. Has anyone used one and if so what are the suggestions please.
Thank you
mardy46

[kencaleno]

Hi, You could try this method of hand holding your camera/lens:

1. Extend your left arm out in front of you, palm down.

2. Bend forearm back, so fingers just touch right shoulder

3. Bring right hand and arm up inside that triangle, resting edge of right hand on crook of bent left arm-pull right arm back, so left hand grips right forearm.

4. That’s the grip, and with camera held by right hand, with lens resting in crook of left elbow, press camera against brow and nose for stability. ( I hope this is clear to understand)

Image below of the guy I learned this from Gary Cosby Jr-A photojournalist from Decatur, Alabama.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Jayati2009

Hi...I am using Nikon D40. My lenses are 18-55mm, 50mm-f/1.8, 70-300mm VR. I want to buy a macro and a wide angle.
Should I go for .......
105 VR for macro?
12-24mm(Nikkor)/10-20mm(Sigma) for wide angle?[assuming price is not the constraint in this case]

Thank you!

Please dont hijack threads like this: Start one yourself

[wulf]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Please dont hijack threads like this: Start one yourself

Moved.

Wulf

ps. Mardy - any shots of how you are getting on?

[mardy46]

Thank you kencalen for your suggestion re arm position, I will give it a try. At the moment here on the east coast of Australia it is very wet, and I have a cold, so not conducive to photography.
wulf, as soon as I have a chance to try more photos with my lens I will let you know how I am going. In the meantime I am reading as much as I can to learn more about this lens.
Thank you all
mardy46

[mardy46]

I was able to have another try with my new lens today. I took this photo as the Pelicans took off in front of me. I had the camera on Auto as I am still having problems with manual. It is a dull day here, no sun at all, at least the rain has stopped. I will see if I can add the photo.
I hope this works
mardy46