Nikon discussion thread

Discussion in 'Photography Talk' started by Loofah, Jan 26, 2018.

  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    For all things Nikon...
     
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    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      A few months ago I got a D5500, which is a rehashed D5300. So far very pleased and a tonne lighter than the D90 it replaced! Brilliant form factor and great shots too, after a bit of tweaking of the auto focus anyway.
       
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      • strongylodon

        strongylodon Old Member

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        I have the 5300 and I struggle to get shots in focus,they look sharp in the evf but not when uploaded, particularly with a long lens.
        What do you mean by tweaking the autofocus?
         
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          There's several ways to do it on Nikons. The newer ones have a digital function for adjusting the AF (ours don't) but for Sigma lenses they have a 'dock' which is about £40 and you can calibrate the lens itself to your Nikon body. If you don't use Sigma lenses then you can manually adjust using the allen screws underneath the camera. You have to remove the black plastic plate held in by 4 screws (of unequal depth so be sure to keep track) and there are two accessible holes for a 1.5mm allen key. Rotate anticlockwise to adjust for forward focus and clockwise for back focus. Adjust both by same amount and do it in small increments.
          There is another adjustment screw but you have to drill a hole to get to it and frankly I'm not about to!
          It's a fairly time intensive exercise as you have to take some shots, adjust, take shots, adjust...
           
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          • wiseowl

            wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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            Hi Loofah I shall make this a sticky thread my friend:smile:
             
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            • Loofah

              Loofah Admin Staff Member

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              Thanks @wiseowl

              Just a follow-up to my last post, I also found that using the correct camera settings and modes to be just as important. The perception I had was that if it was all calibrated perfectly then I should be able to zoom in and it would still be crystal clear image wise. I found that's true if it's in macro but otherwise you start getting slight fuzziness that I had previously interpreted as being a focus issue. Hope that made sense.

              Here's a link to the manual adjustment I mention above. Best to read through (only 3 pages) as there's gems of info intermixed with fluff. AF adjustment on d5500 – experience sharing: Nikon DX SLR (D40-D90, D3000-D7500) Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

              It's also worth noting (not sure if it's in that thread or not) that the focus points on the camera are guides only and the actual point of focus not be precisely in the middle of the square indicator but 'in the region of', e.g. to the side, above below etc. True of all cameras apparently
               
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                Last edited: Jan 26, 2018
              • Loofah

                Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                Aaaand another thing - I've found that this chap, Steve Perry, has some great info regarding Nikons in general but he's done some very helpful videos on the AF in particular -
                 
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                • martin-f

                  martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                  Ive been checking out the Tamron 100 x 400, this chap appears to know what hes talking about and hes not rating it after trying three new lenses he has the same issue,

                  So ive 100% made my mind up sigma 100x400 it is.

                   
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                  • Loofah

                    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                    • martin-f

                      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                      Thanks Loofah ive been keeping a eye out over the last few days, i placed a best offer on a used one yesterday but it wasn't excepted,

                      The lens is still quite new prices will drop in the coming months i am in no rush.
                       
                    • martin-f

                      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                      I will send for a usb dock when i get one Sigma USB Dock Mount for Nikon Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo you can tweak the lens i believe with this and the 100/400 allows programing of two settings of your choice, from what i can gather you just flick a switch and it goes to the programmed setting, ideal for your most common shots.
                       
                    • martin-f

                      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                      USB dock tutorial.





                       
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                        Last edited: Feb 5, 2018
                      • Loofah

                        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                        Yep, one of the draws for me to Sigma kit is that dock! I keep bidding on ebay used ones (I'm tight!) but have a mental block about shelling out £40 for some reason. I mean in comparison to a lens, £40 is nothing!
                         
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                        • martin-f

                          martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                          Lens update,

                          After my last post i started looking at used more powerful sigma lenses firstly 150-600 the contemporary/sport models was fetching good money so i started looking at the 150-500, reviews looked good on all models standard/contemporary/sport,

                          Looking at completed listings on ebay for the Sigma APO DG 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO HSM DG OS have been fetching anything from £330/£420, Sigma APO DG 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO HSM DG OS | eBay with that price being in my range i decided to go for this model,

                          Anyhow one was finishing today but advertised with a slight noise with the lens when focusing but operates correctly,

                          A google of the issue i could find sigma lenses make a slight noise when in OS (Optical Stabilization) mode,

                          I am unsure if this is the problem with the lens in question but i thought the listing would put peeps off, the lens looks in good shape and been protected by a cover and could be a bargain i can put up with a little noise if the lens functions as it should,

                          Anyhow i put a bid in and got the lens for £226.29 i was the only bidder,
                          Capture.PNG
                          The seller has contacted my and says i wont be disappointed with this lens, he has been using it for wildlife with lovely results,

                          The Noise still remains a possible issue until i get hands on i cant comment any further it does say no returns but that means nothing, if it is a major issue and going to cost over £120 to put right i will send it back, if it is because its in OS mode and that's what it does i have a bargain,

                          I will report back as and when it arrives the seller has contacted me and going to send it next day delivery Monday so it should be with me Tuesday :)
                          Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Interchangeable Lens Review
                           
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                            Last edited: Feb 8, 2018
                          • ARMANDII

                            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                            All my telescopic lenses make some sort of noise, Martin:dunno::snorky: So long as it's not a grinding or scratching noise you should be okay. If it's true in what he's says about using it for Wildlife pics then it may be no more than a bit of dirt between the barrels.:dunno::snorky:
                             
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