Soft Lens ??

[*gold*]

I have the Nikon 55-200mm Non VR, i personally think it is soft but would like your opinions please.
I thought maybe i was expecting to much by taking a picture and then zooming in and thinking its not sharp, having said that i took some photographs closer and at the full 200mm, they are below, could you tell me firstly if you agree that they are soft and secondly if it is a common thing ?
The shutter speed is 1/800th of a second to eliminate any shake and the iso varies but not to high, all of the EXIF details should be seen on my flicker,
Many thanks for taking the time to look.
Cliff


Rosies eye by Cliff 'O', on Flickr

Gull at Docks by Cliff 'O', on Flickr

Rook by Cliff 'O', on Flickr

 

[BacktotheFuji]

First two look fine to me, the crow shot looks focused on the wing.

 

[*gold*]

First two look fine to me, the crow shot looks focused on the wing.

Indeed, having checked it out the focus point IS on the wing, the base of the wing above the top of the leg to be exact :bonk:
The Focus point on the Gull is at the base of the head where it meets the body.
The focus point on my daughters eye is just to the right of the pupil,
I really have some improving to do
Sorry if this now seems a pointless thread, i will try to get some decent shots and check the obvious before posting.
I notice 2 of the 3 are shot at ISO3200, will that have an effect too ? Is noise what was known as grain in the olden (35mm) days :shrug:
Many thanks for taking the time to comment,
Best wishes
Cliff

 

[Mr. Fish]

Shooting at high iso will add noise and make the image look grainy the higher you go

 

[BacktotheFuji]

Looks like all is well then Happy shooting!