Am i doing something wrong...

photographyman

photographyman

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Alan
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After buying at long last a second hand sigma 70 - 200mm apo ex dg hsm and using it for 5 events, I find that 70% of the shots are out of focus.

Either the background is in focus, or the person to the left or right is in focus but not the main subject. When the focus hits the target its bang on, and im happy.

Ive tried cont mode, single mode, 11 af points, 39 af points, single focus point, multi focus point.

I had a big game yesterday and was left frusated with some of the shots out of focus.

Is it me ?

Rant over...
 
What f number you using? The DoF at 2.8 with this focal lengths can be razor thin. I tend to prefere to use f3.2 or even better f4 if there's enough light, this gives a wider band of DoF, plus the lens will be sharper too.

This may not be the case so just ignore what I just said. :nuts:
 
Hi Surf,

Ive tried most of them, it seemed worst at 2.8, so i tried 3.2 and 4, still seemed to randomly focus, very impressed when it hits though. Shop will take it back but if its broke, i may have to wait 3 weeks.
 
Im not convinced that mine is quite right either mate, but i did a focus test and have adjusted its focus as i was having same problem, i have a lot better "hit" rate now.

took about half hour so search it in this forum and see if that helps at all.

t
 
that's a good point. You can get a focus test chart that will tell you if it's back or forward focusing. I had to do this with my Nikon 80-200 2.8 and found it was back focusing. In the d300 you have the option to adjust for this with different lenses. Not sure if the d7000 has this option as i dont own one, i know my d90 doesnt have it. May want to get a chart and see if the focus is off first, then find out if you camera has the ability to adjust for it. If not I'm sure you will be able to exchange the lens.
 
you need to post a picture thats gone wrong complete with exif intact then we can investigate why its wrong.. otherwise we are all just guessing.
 
PS I ahve been doing this for a few years.. profesionaly for quite a few years.. I cant nail every shot.. i dont know who can.. we all get out of focus pics
 
Okay guys and thanks, ill try and upload a picture tonight when i get home. Ill upload a sports shot and a still of a rabbit i took...

I appreciate what you say Kipax. What puzzles me is the nikon 55-200 i used nailed near enough every shot, do you think the sigma lens is probably a bit to fast for me then, *** im used to the slower lens?
 
KIPAX said:
every shot? you never miss any?
Click to expand...

Sir, I refer you to the below......

Buttkicker said:
The best Rugby Tog bar none IMHO
Gary you set an exceedingly high bar for others to follow.. each time I click on one of your threads I know images of the highest order will be there
Click to expand...

Takes 124 images at a game, Edits and hosts 124 on site, The man is AWESOME ! :lol: :exit:

Following trend of the "Chuck Norris" threads, Ive heard Gary sometimes ends up with more "keepers" than he has actually took :notworthy:

Chris, Only jesting mate winding Gary up. not poking fun at you mate if your reading :thumbs:
 
Okey not every one, slipped tongue syndrome. :p

But i sure hit more on target than with the sigma.:-\
 
What are you taking pics of and how are your subjects located??? It may be something as simple as too wide/too small aperture number. Sometimes you may need to go around the f11 aperture to get multiple subjects in, sometimes higher


Have you any example photos????
 
KIPAX said:
every shot? you never miss any?
Click to expand...
Not a single one :D

Just kidding mate, had quite an indifferent game on Saturday actually, shooting a team in mainly black first half and noticed quite a few OOF when tracking yet in second half team in green and white saw a 100% hit rate when tracking.

Put it down to different contrast and the camera finding it difficult to track the black, im sure we all know the camera needs a good contrast to quickly lock on and track its subject

Could also potentially go some way to explaining the OP's dilema
 
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asterix said:
Sir, I refer you to the below......



Takes 124 images at a game, Edits and hosts 124 on site, The man is AWESOME ! :lol: :exit:

Following trend of the "Chuck Norris" threads, Ive heard Gary sometimes ends up with more "keepers" than he has actually took :notworthy:

Chris, Only jesting mate winding Gary up. not poking fun at you mate if your reading :thumbs:
Click to expand...
Shut it :D

Are you still getting those wierd mobile messages from Jimmy Saville

You doing any of the Autumn internationals mate.
 
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photographyman said:
After buying at long last a second hand sigma 70 - 200mm apo ex dg hsm and using it for 5 events, I find that 70% of the shots are out of focus.

Either the background is in focus, or the person to the left or right is in focus but not the main subject. When the focus hits the target its bang on, and im happy.

Ive tried cont mode, single mode, 11 af points, 39 af points, single focus point, multi focus point.

I had a big game yesterday and was left frusated with some of the shots out of focus.

Is it me ?

Rant over...
Click to expand...
How is your focus point being chosen?
Are you selecting the focus point yourself, or are you allowing the camera to select it?
 
Gary Coyle said:
Ahem :wave:
Click to expand...

Is this the real Gary Coyle AKA Peter Perfect?

PP1.jpg


:love::love::love: :lol::lol::lol:
 
You may find that the reason the lens is 2nd hand is because it doesn't focus properly. You get what you pay for etc. Still, post the pics and we'll have a look. If you can say where the focus point is (hopefully it's the centre one!) that will be useful.
 
Tobers said:
You may find that the reason the lens is 2nd hand is because it doesn't focus properly. You get what you pay for etc. Still, post the pics and we'll have a look. If you can say where the focus point is (hopefully it's the centre one!) that will be useful.
Click to expand...

I bought a used Sigma 120-300 last year and had a very similar problem. No matter what I did it just seemed to miss too many and the results at f/2.8 were consistently bad.

Anyway I sent it to sigma who replaced one of the optics...the difference is amazing.
 
On My D300 I have AF-C priority selection set to Focus (a1)
and AF-S priority selection set to Focus (a2)

With these settings the camera will only take a picture when in focus . I have the same lens and exactly the same problems before I change those settings


My betting is the camera is set to release in (a1 and in a2), change to focus in both cases. In "release" the camera will take a photo even if the subject is out of focus
 
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Hi Guys,

Sorry for the long delay in replying, I've been a little bit busy. Thanks for all responses.

After using my camera some more, I seem to be getting better keep rates, but still not happy with some of the misses.

Thanks for the hint realspeed, I will have a look at them settings as soon as I get chance.

I think I will have a bit more practice, before i decide.

Although bought second hand, and from a reputable name we should not receive a dodgy lens. I was told it had been tested. I got a 6 months warranty with it as well.

Thanks again people.
 
Hi Tom,

Nice to meet you as well pal.

Thanks for the thread link.

I have done some tests today, and now im a bit concerned as to if it camera or lens, I did a test with my 70-200 and 50mm. I could do with taking my camera somewhere to be professionally tested.

I will try and put some photos on soon, but not sure how to do it.
 
Hey pal,

To put pictures up, upload them onto flikr if you have and click "share" and then click "get bcc code" and copy and paste it into your post.
 
Hi Meatcandy.

Just had report back after sending away the lens, it needs a new circuit, reprogramming and possible optic, lucky its under warranty...

Downside i still have wait another couple of weeks for it.:-(
 
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