D300 problem, need a favour

[momji1971]

Having a major issue with Nikon and my D300 at the mo. Tested two lenses, a Nikon 300 f4 and my sigma 500 4.5.

Both are un-usable fully open. Nikon are saying that lenses should be stopped down by one or two stops. Absolute rubbish. A lens costing £2,500 should be usable fully open, the 300 f4 is supposed to be excellent fully open. I think my camera is at fault.

Could any wabbers with either a d300 or sigma 500 4.5 please post a 100% crop with the appeture fully open.

Would be very grateful for you taking the time to do this.

kind regards.
Stu.

[RichBrew]

Hi, Stu,

I don't have the Sigma lens, but do use the 300mm f/4 Nikkor and have no hesitation shooting with it wide open - it has excellent optics.

Can you post an image highlighting your problem?

RichBrew

[WhiskyBottle]

Hi Stu,

I have both a D300 and a Sigma 500/4.5 (not the current version) and it works fine wide open, though I usually stop it down a little to get some DOF.

Are Nikon really saying that their AFS300/4 will not work on the D300 That's a highly regarded lens and it's a pro spec small sensor body. There's absolutly no reason why that shouldn't work.

I also have the AFS300/2.8 and that's a stunning lens even wide open with a 1.4 convertor (and a D300).

Try posting the same question on Naturescapes.net, then go beat Nikon up some more.

BTW what part of the country are you?

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

Are Nikon really saying that their AFS300/4 will not work on the D300 That's a highly regarded lens and it's a pro spec small sensor body. There's absolutly no reason why that shouldn't work.

I've not seen anything from Nikon that suggests this. I use this lens/camera combination and get excellent results.

As does WhiskyBottle, I also have the 300mm f/2.8 VR Nikkor, and the f/4 version rivals the former for image quality. I would still like to see an example of the images you are getting from either lens. That way we can give a (possibly) more informed response.

RichBrew

[momji1971]

on the left, cropped centre image at 6.3. On the right F4.

Nikon have never said (nor have I I think) that these lenses wont work with the D300.

However, I asked Nikon, as ALL my lenses exhibit the SAME problem, could it be a fault in MY D300.

Their answer was:-
"I can confirm that any lens, including the 300/4 and 500/4, will be somewhat less sharp wide open than stopped down 1 or 2 stops. The degree of image degradation depends on the particular lens design, however the more expensive, professional lenses tend to have this effect minimised. I would strongly suggest to loan the 500/4 and try it before the purchase."

Having said I didn't want to spend £4,000+ on lens I can't use for the purpose it was bought for (500mm F4 VR).

I also mentioned I recently shot with a Canon 40D and 500mm F4 and saw no major degradation at max. app.

Might still take it in for a general service and see what comes up. Thats why I asked for a sample image from you guys. So I could compare and see if I was expecting to much.

regards.
Stu.

[momji1971]

If you can imagine the edges of that text in relation to birds feathers. Thats a lot of detail missing. Also, thought not noticable here, there is a definate pronounced halo around the text.

cheers.
Stu.

[WhiskyBottle]

Have you tried manual focusing, it could be that the AF is slightly off. Stopping down would hide this.

Also, on my screen it seems to be softer on the horizontal edges that the vertical suggesting vibration in the virtical direction.

I've checked my images and can't find any wide open, guess I usually stop down slightly.

[momji1971]

Thanks Martin. Will give it a go.

All of my shots in the past have been stopped down. Thats why I never noticed the problem. Its only since shooting in really low light and for creative purposes I've needed the lens fully open.

Will let you know how I get on. Though Nikon say they are fairly sure this is not a problem with the camera.

regards.
Stu.

[Richard G.]

Have you done any AF Fine Tuning for each lens Stu?
Just did this on mine last week and mildly surprised that the default was not the sharpest setting for any of my lenses, the Sigma 150-500mm needing a -15 setting

[pressld2]

I don't have either of those lenses, but...

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

Also, on my screen it seems to be softer on the horizontal edges that the vertical suggesting vibration in the virtical direction.

This reminds me of the effect of softening due to VR. See VR (or IS) - Is it worth it?.

Is either lens VR (or OS for the Sigma)? If so you could try switching VR off.

I'm not at all convinced that this is the issue as I would expect any softening due to VR to be the same at all apertures but it might be worth a test.

Dave P.

[Tobyh]

Originally Posted by Richard G.

Have you done any AF Fine Tuning for each lens Stu?
Just did this on mine last week and mildly surprised that the default was not the sharpest setting for any of my lenses, the Sigma 150-500mm needing a -15 setting

Forgive my ignorance Richard but how do you go about this?

TobyH

[Richard G.]

Reasonable description of it, with menu screen shots, here. I think Thom Hogan's book describes his method too.

It's obviously a bit subjective, since you just take several shots with different Fine Tune settings and pick the one you think looks sharpest, but I've definitely found that you can make quite a significant difference to your results by testing and tweaking these settings.

I've also read a number of different methods too, some say your subject should be at 90 degrees to the lens, other 45 degrees. Also by testing at the lenses largest aperture, you should gain even more sharpness when stopped down a little, which as has been said, is often required for DoF anyway.

[momji1971]

Thanks Richard. Have tried this but apart from shifting the point of critical focus, it doesn't correct the problem. This is on either lens.

Because of work will try manual focus at weekend though!

-15 sounds like a massive shift. Is it? And does that work at all distances?

Will keep you updated as to how I get on.

Just wanted to say thanks for all your help and taking the time to post.

Kind regards.
Stu.

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by momji1971

Thanks Richard. Have tried this but apart from shifting the point of critical focus, it doesn't correct the problem. This is on either lens.

Hmm, very odd then. Certainly seems to point to camera rather than lens, but couldn't hazard a guess at the cause.

Originally Posted by momji1971

-15 sounds like a massive shift. Is it? And does that work at all distances?

Certainly a higher figure than any other lens I own, but then all the others are Nikon and all are sharper than the Sigma. Haven't had a chance to shoot since fine tuning yet though, only in "lab" conditions.

Originally Posted by momji1971

Will keep you updated as to how I get on.

Yeah, would be interested if you get to the bottom of it.

[momji1971]

Will let you know ate weekend Richard.

After alot of research, have heard of a few people having to send their d300 back because of a misalignment of the sensor, too much to move with fine tune but easily sorted by a Nikon tech. Rare, but has happened.

As I say will post at weekend.

regards.
Stu.

[momji1971]

Well still no clue as to what is going on and with a few holidays coming up no time to send the camera back to Nikon for testing or an MOT!

Posted some shots in the Gallery of herons. Back in love with this camera. At one stop down, it shoots amazing detail with amazing speed.

Still have the problem at full app but guess I'll have to live with that until I can send it in to be checked. Trouble is, I shoot every weekend. I don't think I could be without it for a month!

regards.
Stu.

[jimmer]

Hello Stu I downloaded a test chart to see if my 60mm macro lens was focusing spot on and it is a good thing to try here is the address. focustestchart.com It is a nikon d70 site but the test is ok. Let me know if it was any use very kind regards Jimmer

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by pressld2

This reminds me of the effect of softening due to VR. See VR (or IS) - Is it worth it?.

I commented on in-lens image stabilisation in the above thread:

VR (or IS) - Is it worth it?

Jim