New long lens (New picture added 3/4)!

It looks like none of the af points are active - have you got the setting enabled that stop the camera taking a picture if there no active focus points ?

capture.jpg
 
Janice said:
I agree... Briony could you try opening the original in canon's DPP software that came with yoiur camera.. if yu then upgrade to the latest version 3.8 online, look under display and you can turn on where all the focus points were when you took the picture. Ie, if you were using the centre only it will show up red and you can see if it was on the deer's face or where it was.

I have had quite a few surprises with that to be honest!! :$
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Done that and the middle focus point is smack on the deers eye :shrug:
 
Briony said:
Done that and the middle focus point is smack on the deers eye :shrug:
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Not a Canon user but i believe one of the earlier posts said the focus point over the eye should be red if it was active?
 
morbidorbits said:
I bet you're really frustrated - I know I would be in your situation!

Can you clarify if you have any filters on the lens used to take the squirl pic?
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Can we PLEASE stop this nonsense!
Filters DO NOT AFFECT the focus of your camera...it's BS pure and simple...
 
PsiFox said:
Not a Canon user but i believe one of the earlier posts said the focus point over the eye should be red if it was active?
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The info may not have been preserved dependant on what PP is done. Just because it doesn't show it doesn't mean it wasn't recorded on the original.
 
Highlighting the focus points only shows which point/s were used, not necessarily what area of the subject was focused on. If the subject or framing moves, as it will using focus-recompose technique, that can be misleading.

The centre focus point is more sensitive, so I would use that with the focus-recompose method, but if the subject moves, you must focus and recompose every time. Focus on the eyes, as they must be sharp and you haven't got much depth of field to play with there.
 
..MD.. said:
If you look at the grass just before the muntjac it looks like it has focussed there. With a little sharpen the grass comes up more than the animal....


briony_2_copy.jpg



MD:thumbs:
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There seems to be a little bit of front focussing going on there, but the animal looks to me like it is still within the DOF. Its bum is just about entering the confusion area, I think... :thinking:
 
Arkady said:
Can we PLEASE stop this nonsense!
Filters DO NOT AFFECT the focus of your camera...it's BS pure and simple...
Click to expand...

I didn't say they do :razz:
 
Right, I think what I need is a some kind person to come and borrow this lens or come and take a couple of shots with it with their camera to see if it is faulty or if the operator is faulty! Any offers? Tea, cake and Kites on offer:lol:

I really need to get this sorted before I go away in June as wanted to take it with me to Arizona.

In the mean time I think I will hire a Canon of similar and see if that is any better (where is the best place to hire from?)

I am losing all my confidence now and did not want to pick up the camera yesterday in case of any more bad shots:thumbsdown: I have to nail this one with this lens.

Is that a good plan of action? or do I need to get the camera and lens calibrated :shrug:? if so where on earth do I get this done?

Otherwise there will be a 450 kit, plus lenses, bag etc and hide for sale!

:help:
 
Briony said:
Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I know,!!!!!!!!!! this where the problem is, I am now trying to find out where the exif data has gone to.:shrug:
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Hi your exif information is there, ie canon 450d shutter speed was 1/640 @ f7 metering pattern, iso 400..........focal length 400mm etc (all seem good to me). Try using a bean bag or tripod for support hand holding at 400mm is unreliable if you want "tack sharp" images, I always use a bean bag.
 
I do use a bean bag and also camera has a ledge to sit on so everything is still:shrug:
 
Briony

1) your camera and lens are more than adequate for the job.
2) Camera settings, basically aim to get the highest shutter speed you can, and greater than you focal length, in your case >1/400 sec adjust the iso and f stop as need to get a good shutter speed. I aim for >1/1250
3) get support, you are shooting at 400mm and hand held, how many photographer hand hold at 500mm? hence their big tripods and tripod heads.
4) Try centre weighted or spot metering
5) If you can lock your focus points into the centre of your view finder, this will stop the hunting.
 
Briony said:
Yes it does and No I don't.
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Are you aware that Sigma recommend switching Off the OS when used on a support such as a "bean bag or tripod" as it produces vibration and therefore soft images and the OS is for hand holding?
 
That might be it then - OS (or Nikon's VR) is designed to work properly when the camera is not supported, i.e. hand-held.
The stabilisation system 'shudders' slightly when the camera is tripod or other-support mounted...this could be introducing a slight focus error into those images you've posted.
 
Right going out today to give it one last try.

Will go and hide myself away and paly with the muntjac etc and see what I get.

This is the last try though then I will make my mind up as to what I will do:(
 
Briony said:
Right going out today to give it one last try.

Will go and hide myself away and paly with the muntjac etc and see what I get.

This is the last try though then I will make my mind up as to what I will do:(
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And afterwards buy a Nikon system like you should have done to begin with? :naughty:

:lol:

I know...I really shouldn't...:nono:
 
Briony said:
Right going out today to give it one last try.

Will go and hide myself away and paly with the muntjac etc and see what I get.

This is the last try though then I will make my mind up as to what I will do:(
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and use a bean bag and switch off the OS:)
 
Arkady said:
And afterwards buy a Nikon system like you should have done to begin with? :naughty:

:lol:

I know...I really shouldn't...:nono:
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Once a Canon user always a canon user :lol::lol:

I am always open to options though.:shrug: if you should have one to give away:lol:
 
Briony said:
Once a Canon user always a canon user :lol::lol:

I am always open to options though.:shrug: if you should have one to give away:lol:
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lol - you just missed out on a D1x - donated to my Dad...I still had to buy a 2nd hand lens for it on here though, so it wan't entirely free...
 
Right, shot along to the hide for a coouple fo hours and had a play around with the buttons and came up with this one.

015PPforTP.jpg


then with the same settings I came up with this one :shrug:

042.jpg


this one has been cropped slightly and sharpened.

and this

028-3.jpg




Comments! or do I throw the towel in:thinking:
 
The top one looks nice and sharp, the bottom one looks like it has back focussed..

I would send the lens off to Sigma for calibration, I am not sure how much it would be but probably the same as hiring a lens for a week.

But if you do hire a lens, get a Canon 400mm f5.6 like Paul said its the best tele you can get for price.
 
Looking at your exif you set aperture and left Tv and ISO on auto. If this is correct then I would first set ISO to 250 or 400, then set either Tv or Av, probably Tv to 400 or faster for small mammals.
I wouldn't allow the camera to determine two of my three main settings.
 
A lot better Nicki.

I don`t see the back focus in the last one............:shrug:
 
Yep understand thought you meant something to do with the camera then!!! little critter moved on this one :lol:
 
Top one looks nice and sharp - I think it's a technique-issue rather than equipment failure...
 
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