Lens help

GalJulie

GalJulie

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Julie
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Hi guys

I'm trying to photograph an oil rig long exposure at docks near me. I used a Nikon 24/70 which at under 70mm (can't rem exactly) got me exactly what I wanted. However looking at it on print, the writing on the rig and cables running to some sort of structure on the rig (maybe offices) are not sharp. I've tried it at f22 - still no good.

So today I went with the 70-200. It gets me a better aperture but not the right focal length unless I stand way back - and that means I can't get the water in as the land is much higher than the water's edge if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Any ideas? I need this for a distinctions panel and I'm not confident it will get through as it is
 
Are you using a good quality tripod ? cable release and mirror locked up? Also shooting at F16 should be enough.
 
The Depth of Field at F16 should hopefully cover the whole scene presuming its a good few metres away? F22 may bring in diffraction which could dull the sharpness.
Does the cable or rig move slightly throughout your exposure where the writing is written upon? Perhaps the long exposure is causing the movement to blur that part? Maybe try lowering the fstop and raising the shutter speed and see if it at least stops the partial blur to remove that variable.
Sorry it is difficult to assist without seeing the image, even after that though I probably won't know! :-)
 
If you have used F22 you may be encountering diffraction on the lens which would make the image look soft on the details.

http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/when-sharp-isnt-sharp-diffraction-and-apertures--photo-9267 ( a explanation of how diffraction occurs).

But I think its more likely to be movement. If there is anything in the background that is on solid ground i.e the dock that is sharp it is likely to be the rig moving on the water. If the dockside is soft as well it may well be camera movement or the tripod.
 
You could increase the ISO this will increase the shutter speed and reduce blur.
 
Manfrotto 190, cable release on reclaimed land. The rig is right at the edge of the water. I don't think it's moving. Will get to PC and post a pic. TU all so far :-). I am demented with this shot.
 
F16, 20 sec, ISO 100 -0.3 exposure, 29mm, manual, tripod, cable release, Lee Big Stopper and ND soft grad.

The softness is around the Borgny writing, the number on the pillar section and the cables running towards the right edge towards the platform
 

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This is it at 100% crop. Ignore any colour issues you might see as it's printing fine - colourwise anyway. My laptop monitor makes it look like a dog's dinner :(
 

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I would remove the Lee big stopper and increase ISO to at least 400 then compare the results.
 
Also thinking of removing the borgny writing and seeing if I can remove some of the cabling so it doesn't look so obvious.

I'll try ISO 400 and no filter, thanks.
 
Not much can be done if the rig is moving. To try to get a sharper shot, try selecting f8-f11 which is most lenses sweet spot, photographing it when it's a little more calmer weather and shortening your exposure a little.
 
I suspect in the 20s exposure the rig is moving just enough to cause the effect.

Having said that, tripod or not have you taken a normal exposure perhaps at 1/150 second and aperture & ISO to suit to freeze any potential movement? If that is sharp then you I surmise have technique issues and rig movement to account for somehow???
 
Box Brownie said:
I suspect in the 20s exposure the rig is moving just enough to cause the effect.

Having said that, tripod or not have you taken a normal exposure perhaps at 1/150 second and aperture & ISO to suit to freeze any potential movement? If that is sharp then you I surmise have technique issues and rig movement to account for somehow???
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help. Yes, I took a test shot to time the long exposure needed. It was sharp. Do you think I've done something technically wrong with the long exposure set up? I just don't know what's wrong bar maybe movement that people are suggesting. But if you think that it could be down to me technically that won't go down too well in a distinctions panel so it wouldn't be wise to use this. Any help you can give is really very much appreciated.
 
My gut feeling it is the rig moving during the long exposure. On the long exposure shoot is the van on the dockside sharp? as that should not be effected by the water movement.
 
huffy said:
My gut feeling it is the rig moving during the long exposure. On the long exposure shoot is the van on the dockside sharp? as that should not be effected by the water movement.
Click to expand...
+1 ^

Thoughts to consider as you said normal shots are fine.

- how stable is the tripod and tripod head, how about hanging a weight under the tripod this surmising the head is solid and locks equally solidly.

- is there a lot of wind or gusting wind that could cause micro vibrations in the tripod and mounted camera.

- are you using mirror lockup as suggested?

- f22 is as .mentioned is verging into diffraction effect territory. There are online DoF calculators and depending on focal length and subject distance you might even find f11 is adequate?

- when you have eliminated all physical and settings aspects under your control that will leave movement of the rig!

One thought? With the gear setup for the long exposure (weighted & solidly 'set' to remove vibration and micro movements) perhaps do a series of exposures at various shutter speeds and see whether and at which shutter speed you notice the blurring starting to appear......then choosing the longest shutter speed you can get away with compensating for the rig moving ;)
 
Any chance of merging the two exposures to get a sharp shot of the rig and the long exposure of the water?

The rig is bound to move within the 20 seconds.
 
Just thought is the lens a VR one and what do Nikon say about having that left turned on when used on a tripod???

Many of the (older) canon IS lens need that function turned off when used on a tripod.
 
huffy said:
My gut feeling it is the rig moving during the long exposure. On the long exposure shoot is the van on the dockside sharp? as that should not be effected by the water movement.
Click to expand...

The van is sharp. Never even thought of checking that! Makes perfect sense. Thank you.
 
Thanks so much! What a wealth of information. I could get this fixed after all!

The plan is:
Weight down the tripod
Ensure tripod head is tight (I use pan & tilt)
Remove any camera straps
Use mirror lock up (I wasn't)
Hold the wired remote well away from tripod
Protect tripod as much as possible from wind (it's wide open there but it wasn't a windy day)
Try ISO 400
Take a shot at f8, 11 and 16
Do it all again with the big stopper on
Be extra careful with the big stopper (I thought I was super careful putting into onto the holder
Check which image works best
If necessary merge two shots together to get sharp rig writing and blurred water and clouds.

How does this sound? I will deserve this photo if I ever get it - up and down to the rig like a yoyo and still haven't got it right!!
 
Box Brownie said:
Just thought is the lens a VR one and what do Nikon say about having that left turned on when used on a tripod???

Many of the (older) canon IS lens need that function turned off when used on a tripod.
Click to expand...
No it doesn't have VR - older 24-70 Nikon. Thx J
 
Something to think about as well is the sea state affecting the water moving in the harbour (works) area. Also the tide times........on the surmise that the time of day works for you try to aim for a slack tide I.e. the time window when the tide is about to turn...... this is when the water is in effect neither coming in or going out ;)

Oh, not forgetting if there are tugs and other vessels moving about their wakes might affect the rig invisibly to the human eye.

A link to tide times for Belfast harbour

http://www.visitmyharbour.com/tides/331/uk-tables/belfast-tide-tables

Best of luck getting an image that "works" for you :)
 
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Box Brownie said:
Something to think about as well is the sea state affecting the water moving in the harbour (works) area. Also the tide times........on the surmise that the time of day works for you try to aim for a slack tide I.e. the time window when the tide is about to turn...... this is when the water is in effect neither coming in or going out ;)

Oh, not forgetting if there are tugs and other vessels moving about their wakes might affect the rig invisibly to the human eye.

A link to tide times for Belfast harbour

http://www.visitmyharbour.com/tides/331/uk-tables/belfast-tide-tables

Best of luck getting an image that "works" for you :)
Click to expand...
Thank you so much Box Brownie! This is more help than I could ever have expected. I need to go and plan my shoot properly. I'm determined to get this shot somehow.
 
GalJulie said:
The van is sharp. Never even thought of checking that! Makes perfect sense. Thank you.
Click to expand...

At least you know from this that your technique is not at fault. The ideas that Box Brownie has posted will be the next stage or merging two exposures such as Ken suggested..
 
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