Blurred. Why?

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Emington

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This image was taken on a tripod so could anyone explain why it's come out so blurred? It also look sharp through the viewfinder just the image isn't.

This shot was taken at 1/100 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100 at 300mm. The outcome was the same when I upped the shutter to 1/500 Sec.

I'd be grateful for any explanations as I really don't know.

Example.jpg
 
That's obvious camera motion. Perhaps you need a sturdier tripod, or try with the self timer/mirror lock to eliminate that as a cause of the shake.
 
Did the lens used have IS, VR, OS or any other type of Image Stabilisation? If so, did you turn it off? If the answer is no, then that's your answer.
 
It was a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO.

I know it looks like shake but surely at 1/500 sec on a tripod, shake shouldn't appear?
 
300x 1.6 = 480 shooting at 1/500 is the minimum really, were you using either a cable release or the self timer? If not, there is your answer.

Does your lens have IS?
 
Emington said:
It was a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO.

I know it looks like shake but surely at 1/500 sec on a tripod, shake shouldn't appear?
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The shot was taken at maximum length/aperture of the lens so it won't be at it's best anyway. Try a similar shot at 1/640 & F8 and see how it goes (maybe even back the length of to 280mm)
 
EdBray said:
300x 1.6 = 480 shooting at 1/500 is the minimum really, were you using either a cable release or the self timer? If not, there is your answer.
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This. I'm guessing you just used the on-camera shutter release which will always introduce motion. As Ed says, get a cheap remote release or use the self-timer :)
 
Emington said:
It was a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO.
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As stated above shooting a zoom lens at full reach wide open is not going to provide you with optimum results.

Stop it down to around f7 or f8, and try again.

I doubt that it is camera shake shooting at 1/500 on a tripod.
 
Martyn... said:
As stated above shooting a zoom lens at full reach wide open is not going to provide you with optimum results.

Stop it down to around f7 or f8, and try again.

I doubt that it is camera shake shooting at 1/500 on a tripod.
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Could easily be if he has used the cameras shutter release.
 
EdBray said:
Could easily be if he has used the cameras shutter release.
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I use a 500 f4 tripod mounted, I never use a cable release, I will go down to 1/250 and it is not a problem, below that I am more likely to see subject movement.

In raised timber hides I quite often can feel the floor moving when there are other people in there moving about, at 1/500 even this does not effect the image.

A cable release would hinder my style of shooting rather than help to be honest, generally as I am rapidly moving the camera to locate, focus and then capture the bird, sometimes I only have a split second so letting go, waiting for everything to settle then firing is not a viable option.
 
How sturdy a tripod is the OP using though?
 
Is it right that if you use a tripod then you need to turn the IS/Auti shake off as it causes shake whilst held still ?
 
Jujitsu1 said:
Is it right that if you use a tripod then you need to turn the IS/Auti shake off as it causes shake whilst held still ?
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It's recommended turned off because the stabilisation is a system designed to operate to the movements of someone handholding it.
 
UV filter?
 
Is the camera fixed to the tripod or is the lens fixed to the tripod. If the camera is fixed then there could be camera shake from the weight of the lens causing shake however the shutter is released.

I think it's recommended that long lenses are always fixed to the tripod with their collar.

Definitely switch IS off as well.
 
Jujitsu1 said:
Is it right that if you use a tripod then you need to turn the IS/Auti shake off as it causes shake whilst held still ?
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I turn off VR when tripod mounted.

I find that VR works better when there is some substantial movement to counteract.
 
When using the tripod, are you sure it was tighten properly. Could possible be the weight of the lens causing slight movement?
 
Emington said:
It was a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO.
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I've had exactly the same problem with this lens but fitted to a 1000D. I'm starting to get better results as my technique improves but I still get a lot of shots that are not 100% sharp. I'm still thinking it might be the lens, It's really frustrating.

Saving up for a 70-200 f4L now though ;)
 
Jujitsu1 said:
Is it right that if you use a tripod then you need to turn the IS/Auti shake off as it causes shake whilst held still ?
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Canon shooter, but I have found that leaving image stabilisation on when fixed on a tripod will itself induce apparent image shake on occasion in the past, yes.

Rule of thumb is to turn off when on a tripod. However...

Many of Canon's more recent (in the last 10 years) IS-equipped lenses detect when you're using a tripod and adjust themselves accordingly.

Can't speak for Nikon VR systems though.
 
Camera shake, turn is off if the lens has it and use a remote release
 
We still need an answer to the UV filter question.

We've seen very similar effects posted here before that turned out to be a filter. Long lenses are expecially prone.
 
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