Odd result from quick lens comparison

[Levidog]

Hi Guys,

I recently visited a shop which was selling a second-hand Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR2. They allowed me to try it out using my D3S. It goes without saying that I loved it, very pointable, fast focus etc.

I took some photos of a parked car 44 metres away with and without a 1.4 TC. I then repeated the process with my 200-400.

Imagine my surprise, when I checked out the pictures on the computer and the 200-400 appeared to be sharper. I was even more surprised when I discovered that the VR was switched off !

Any ideas ?

Sean

 

[chris malcolm]

You don't tell us aperture or ISO, or how you made sure that both were focused properly.

 

[Swanseajack]

Hard to tell with the small pictures, but to me the second picture looks OOF hence why not sharp as first.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

clearly out of focus

 

[Levidog]

Sorry guys, f4 and hand held. The car was, as I said, 44 metres away. Auto focus, but f4 should give enough depth of field for the number plate to be in focus.

 

[Levidog]

Interesting that you feel it's out of focus, I have 5 photos that tell the same story. perhaps the lens required the camera to fine tune the focus

 

[sk66]

Try the test using a tripod and liveview CDAF.

IME, lens/body and lens/TC combinations can be finicky... it might require AFMA, but I wouldn't decide that based upon these results.

 

[odd jim]

Sorry guys, f4 and hand held. The car was, as I said, 44 metres away. Auto focus, but f4 should give enough depth of field for the number plate to be in focus.

Were you focused on the plate? If you were, the aperture doesn't matter here.

Most importantly, what was the shutter speed?