Focus issue. What is the cause of bad focus?

[fernampo]

Hi, I'm having a problem with image blur. I'm not sure what is the cause, please give some tips! This shot was taken in a cloudy/sunny day at noon under a roof. The image was taken in RAW, but i converted to JPG in lightroom. I posted it with no changes made!

EXIF
1/200
f/5
125mm.
ISO 1600


What do you think is the problem?
- Motion blur (even at 1/200)?
- Camera shake? Camera was handheld.
- Too noisy?
- Bad focus (even at f/5)? Sorry, don't remember if i used AF-S or AF-C.


Thanks!!!

[SusanH1970]

There is some definite noise, but it also appears that the focus fell on the baby's arm/elbow. Where are you focusing when you take the shot?

[fernampo]

Hi Suzan!

It's hard to be precise about each specific shot, but I always try the eyes of course! Many of the shots i took that day were bad looking... It's frustrating! In a larger view, I can identify the fabric lines near her shoulder, do you think the shoulder could be in focus and the face out focus, despite the close distance between both?

Thanks for your help and merry christmas!

[corvus2606]

It does appear as though the focus fell on her shoulder. By your sig, i'm assuming you're using a kit lense, which could potentially account for it not being the sharpest of images, but depth of field certainly shouldnt be an issue here, how far were you from the people?

[TBrown00]

I'm guessing you were about 8ft (2.5m) away - possibly a tiny bit closer? I think it's a combination of the focus point falling on the baby's shoulder and in camera high ISO noise reduction.

[fernampo]

Corvus, I was aprox. at the distance mentioned by TBrown, once using the kit lens at 125mm.
TBrown, I don't know if the noise reduction was on (can't check it right now), but I'll do this later!!

Everybody: I think I'm having problem when focusing in the eyes! Okay, shoulder and eyes are far apart, but the AF Point covers the entire face of a baby... Is there any tip to be more consistent and precise? If at 125mm/f5 I achieved such a bad result, I can expect something much worse when buying my 50mm!!

Thanks!!!

[BexJarratt]

I'm pretty new to this, so I may have my camera mechanics all about face. Does having a longer lens/more zoom accentuation the affect of a small depth of field? or an I just being daft? As in, if you had the camera at 50mm set closer to the subject, more of the shot would be in focus that 125mm at a greater distance if you used the same aperture?

I don't know if it is the same for your camera, but with mine I can change the size of the autofocus box, so I can make it much smaller. And I can move it around so that it is over the precise point I want to focus on, such as the eyes, without having to half focus and then move the camera. I found out about it from the "how to get tack sharp photos" tutorial on DPS.

[RichardTaylor]

@BexJarratt

If the subject size is the same then the DOF is the same.
However because the shooting position has changed you may, depending on the background, have the appearance of less DOF.

See this thread, on this site.

DOF Notes:2 - Blurring backgrounds with shots of multiple people

@ fernampo
If shooting at F2 etc - yes it can be worse, depending on your composition.
See this thread.
DOF Notes:1 - Head shots using a 50mm lens.

[fernampo]

Bex Jarrat, yes, longer focal length relates to shallow DOF. That may be the cause. Unfortunatelly my lens have no such feature you mentioned.

Richard Taylor, thanks for your knowledge and links!!

Well, as i can see, most people left their thoughts on focus issue, with less comments on noise and none on motion blur. Is that all? Other thoughts, please let me know!


Thanks to you all and Merry Christmas!