Photographing through double glazing

[photostar_1]

Does double glazing affect the sharpness of a shot? I've been photographing garden birds for the last few days through the lounge windows, but none are really sharp. As I'm using 100-400mm lens and have the correct shutter speed for focal length etc, I'm hoping this is the reason.

 

[purpleclouds]

Yes, building glass is of much lower optical quality than that in your L lens..it will have a detrimental effect!

 

[photostar_1]

Thank goodness for that! I was worried something was wrong with the lens. Just too cold to keep the window open!!

 

[seriousrikk]

YEs - expect a loss of sharpness and contrast when shooting through glass

 

[CT]

I find you typically lose a full stop in exposure shooting through double glazing and often there's a slight tint to it too. My glazing gives the shots a weird green tint, which it's extremely difficult to correct.

I have had some success with taking a custom wb shot through the glass, but there's an inevitable loss of sharpness.

 

[Canon Bob]

Unfortunately Carole, this is one area where Nikon gear would be better....my experience showed the reduction in sharpness to be far less obvious

Bob

 

[photostar_1]

Unfortunately Carole, this is one area where Nikon gear would be better....my experience showed the reduction in sharpness to be far less obvious

Bob

Not just this area either.............Low light!!! Oh for a D3

 

[digitalfailure]

I've had the same problems getting decent shots of robins and a thrush that have started to come regularly to my feeder.

 

[Yv]

yes, there will be some quality loss, but I use a nikon with a sigma lens and you do have to indulge in some pixel peeping to see it and a slight reduction in contrast - the only colour cast is from me setting the wb wrong :bonk: Having said that, the windows are only 3 months old, so are as good as they will ever be. Like CT, I find you do lose some light too though as much as a stop?, couldnt really say as never tried to work it out. :shrug: