Why would my old bridge camera produce sharper product shots than my D7000?

Northstander

Northstander

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Jonathan
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Hi,

Having some teething trouble with my new D7000.

My wife and I run an eBay shop and I do all the product photography. It's all hair accessories, so easy to shoot.

I have a light tent with two lights either side plus a tripod. I always use the self timer and step back from the tripod before the shot is taken.

So tonight I thought I'd crack on with some product shots of some new stock we have...and I'm really dissapointed with the results. They just don't seem sharp :shake:

I'm using the 18-105 VR kit lens @ 70mm f5.6 and every single shot is just a little bit off. I have tried different AF fine tune settings but that doesn't seem to help. I've tried macro scene mode, and mirror lock up as well, all to no avail.

I'm now at the stage where I'm thinking of going back to my old bridge camera, just to get these shots done so we can get the stuff up for sale?

I'm thinking...

1) I'm not used to the camera yet
2) Wrong lens for the wrong job? Maybe the 18-105mm is not up to the job?

Thanks in advance.
 
I take it your using a tripod?

If so, make sure vr is switched off otherwise it creates it own vibrations!

Other than that, shots and settings would help otherwise we'd just be guessing. That combo should be far better than a bridge set up.
 
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odd jim said:
Other than that, shots and settings would help otherwise we'd just be guessing. That combo should be far better than a bridge set up.
Click to expand...

Agreed, although given the larger sensor (vs. bridge) you'll probably need a higher f-number to give good depth of field.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the fast replies.

I am using a tripod, and will try turning VR off. With VR on I notice the image move in the viewfinder after the shot is taken...is that normal?
 
Northstander said:
Hi guys,

Thanks for the fast replies.

I am using a tripod, and will try turning VR off. With VR on I notice the image move in the viewfinder after the shot is taken...is that normal?
Click to expand...

Yes but it shouldn't be switch on when using a tripod!
 
Ah...sorry, I'm a noob to all this DSLR and VR lark! :bonk:


Had a bridge camera for several years, but the D7000 is a different beast altogether.
 
Nikon UK article 7872:

Can I use the VR function when my camera/lens is on a tripod?

When using my VR lens on a tripod, should I switch the "VR" On or Off?

The Vibration Reduction technology built in to Nikon VR lenses can reduce or eliminate vibration and movement by the camera during shooting. When the camera is mounted on a tripod there will be very little (if any) movement. If the VR function is turned on when used on a tripod, this may result in a reduction in image quality as the VR system attempts to adjust for any slight vibration which will not normally effect the image.

The following lenses will automatically detect if being used with a tripod. VR can be turned "On" when used a tripod with these lenses:

* AF-S VR 200-400mm f4G
* AF-S VR 200mm f2G
* AF-S VR 300mm f2.8G

With the following lenses the VR switch should be set to "Tripod" if being used with a tripod. This activates a VR tuned for use with a tripod :

* AF-S VR 400mm f2.8G
* AF-S VR 500mm f4G
* AF-S VR 600mm f4G
Always remember atrticle 7872.


With all other Nikon lenses/cameras with a VR function, VR should be "Off" when the camera is mounted on a tripod:
For all lenses VR should be "On" when the camera/lens is used on a monopod.
 
Jackwow said:
Jim, you need to read the OP, as fairly clear that he was using a tripod.
Click to expand...

I did but clearly I missed that bit.

Can't see I caused a problem though, as I still managed to give him advice on the assumption he was using one...?
 
odd jim said:
I did but clearly I missed that bit.

Can't see I caused a problem though, as I still managed to give him advice on the assumption he was using one...?
Click to expand...

Quite right Sir, give Him a kick in't shin ,nit picker.......:suspect:


main difference tween bridge and DSLR is mirror and you did lock that up,good shooting matey.:thumbs:
 
Have you dialled in any sharpening? And are you sharpening in post?

From this review:

"The images were a little soft straight out of the D7000 at the default sharpening setting and ideally require some further sharpening in an application like Adobe Photoshop, or you can change the in-camera setting for JPEG files."
 
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Try using the kit lens at a shorter focal length, say around 35mm, get closer to compensate, and use F8 aperture. Since you're using a tripod and shooting a static object, high iso is unimportant so set iso to 100. Use a remote or wired cable release, or 2 second timer to avoid shake.
 
Thanks again for all your replies. You've all been a great help!

I shall look into further sharpening (which I normally do in photoshop, but will look at in camera sharpening too).

A remote or cable release will be on my Christmas list! :-)
 
Let's have a look at some sample photos. You should be able to get sharp photos with the kit you have.
 
Nawty said:
Agreed, although given the larger sensor (vs. bridge) you'll probably need a higher f-number to give good depth of field.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm thinking, but without an image it's impossible to tell.

Frankly, for small product shots in a light tent for the bay, a compact/bridge is probably good enough, with plenty of depth of field.
 
Morning!

Had a lot more success last night after switching VR off, and then closing the aperture down to f11 and then a bit of sharpening in Photoshop. The shots now look more like I want them to :)
 
Excellent! Not only is this site great at bickering, it sometimes can do photography as well!:lol:
 
Have you gone through the process of adding in "fine tune focus adjustment" for each of your lenses?
 
This is an example of what I'm able to achieve at the moment...

VR off, Focal length was 92mm @ f11 and 0.800s exposure time. Over exposed by 1 stop to help with the background. I have also applied a degree of sharpening in photoshop using unsharp mask (amount 100%, radius 2 pixels, threshold 1 level)

DSC_0557.jpg
 
Very nice, a very good illustrative photo (and nice and sharp!).
 
Thank you odd jim!

Turning VR off made a big difference and was a bit of a school boy error on my part! I should add that I'm currently using AF fine tuning on the 18-105 and have it set to -10. Jessops are going to let me swap it for another one, so I'll see if that works out of the box as it should, without any fine tuning.
 
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