Blue Heron

[sparkie1263]

I don't know what is wrong I cannot get any sharp images from my Tamron 70-300 lately. I took 20 shots of this bird on a cloudy and rainy day at about 30 yards. Not one was sharp. This is the best I could get trying to mess with it in PS.
Thanks
Frank

[dr4gon]

Looks pretty good to me.

Camera Make: SONY
Camera Model: DSLR-A100
Image Date: 2008:11:05 14:01:37
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm)
Exposure Time: 0.020 s (1/50)
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO equiv: 400


I haven't been able to get too many really sharp pictures with it either. I suspect we've just reached the limits of the lens or you'll have to try further increasing the ISO, or drop the aperture to like F/7.1 or something less. A shorter shutter speed really does a long way to increasing sharpness (so I've noticed).

But I definitely feel your pain!

[sparkie1263]

I never had a problem. I think it was the slow shutter speed. I never checked that when I was shooting. I guess with all the clouds I needed a little more light. I will go back on Friday when the sun comes out and see if it is still there.
Thanks
Frank

[dr4gon]

Yeah actually I didn't realize it but yeah 1/50 is plenty doable, but probably won't result in the sharpness you're looking for without a support (tripod).

[Peekayoh]

I've got no hands on experience with this lens; I've heard it's soft at the long end and that some people hate it; I've also seen some nice sharp Pics.

http://roman.blakout.net/?blog=20061018155942

You'll notice however, that only high fstops and shutter speed are used. (???)

This was posted on dpreview...... "I had one for about two months. I hated it. It was soft, slow to focus, often missed focus and only usable above f/8 in very good light. It also had an odd color cast and the contrast was weak. I really did not like this lens.
I sold it and got a Nikkor 70-300 VR. Optically, even without the VR, this lens blows the pants off the Tamron. It's well worth the extra money.
If you don't want to spend $479 on this lens, I suggest you spend $250 on the 55-200 VR.
To be fair, I have seen posts on this forum with the Tamron 70-300 that got better results than I did, but the best lens decision I've made to date was to dump that one." .............

Wow! He really didn't like it.

Upping the shutter speed at the expense of aperture (usually softer) may not be helpful. Try upping the ISO (400) in these conditions.

Someone mentioned that higher shutter speeds tend to be sharper. The explanation (I think) is motion blur which is not just limited to dynamic shots. If a grass frond is moving at 0.5mph it will have moved 0.17" during a 1/50th shutter speed and 0.03" at 1/250 and so on. I don't think that's the issue with your Pic though, It's just "soft" and doesn't look like camera shake (unlikely anyway with anti shake).

Sorry to be so negative!

[sparkie1263]

Thanks for the detailed reply. Like I said I never had any problems with this lens before. I am going to do a few test shots at this speed hand held and from a tripod. I will post my results.
Thanks again
Frank

[sparkie1263]

I went back today and the heron was there again. It was the same conditions. I took about 20 more images at different ISO and shutter speeds. Here is the first I edited. Not rel happy but alot better.
Thanks Frank



Camera Make: SONY
Camera Model: DSLR-A100
Image Date: 2008:11:06 14:56:16
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0016 s (1/640)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 800
Exposure Bias: 0.70
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Center Weight
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[sparkie1263]

Here is another shot different settings.
Thanks Frank





Camera Make: SONY
Camera Model: DSLR-A100
Image Date: 2008:11:06 14:55:40
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 400
Exposure Bias: 1.00
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Center Weight
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[Peekayoh]

Much nicer images Frank, and sharper.
Were these on a tripod or hand held?
Whats the noise like in the dark area of the first (ISO800)?
If you post a 100% crop at the centre and at the edge, we can look at the detail.

Peter

[seanhoxx]

Frank, both of those images above rock! I would be pleased to be able to get those. Keep in mind you are using a "nice cheap" lens with a 6 year warranty, a bit of give and take maybe but I think you did very well, yea some softness but the colors, the light pretty damn nice. You get the 70-200 2.8 or the 200-500 on a sunny day and you will be sending us all back to school!