problems with D90

[Roadrunner]

Hi,

just got my new toy a D90. Hooked up my old Sigma 20-70 2.8 and started shooting. First thing I've seen is that a lot of the shots seem to be out of focus and some have a white/grey layer like fog.

Even if I shoot at f22 the depth of focus id not that much. Did a birthday photo and candles are sharp but the little girl 30cm behind is not.
Did this shot of the bus today and the big version is very unsharp the focus points are the front of the bus and f20 1/100s. The bus is not really sharp and with f20 everything a few meters in front and behind the bus is very unsharp.
I can't recall that this happened when the Sigma was setup with my old 801s.


Matt

[dullbird]

have you looked at your focal points in the camera?? you can set them up to centre or off centre I think my camera has something like 8 differing spots I can set focal point too.... might be worth checking..

The only other thing I can think of is your lense and contacts may be dirty

[dmdigital]

I've heard of similar issues with older model Sigma 150 f/2.8 Macro that they won't focus lock. The solution was a firmware upgrade (or it might have been a rechip) by Sigma.

I suspect this may be what you are encountering.

[Roadrunner]

It shows the focal points when you take the picture. They have been on th front corner of the bus.

1/60s f8 and only the front of the cherry is sharp although it was tasty.


1/200s f11 one of the first shots. f11 and really only the center is sharp.

[Roadrunner]

another one. 1/640 f4
focus point was next to the ear. Not even the nose is sharp and the whiskers blur somehow.

[dmdigital]

OK, misunderstood. The lens has an aperture ring if it's the same as the Nikkor "D" lenses then it should be set to the highest f-stop (22) and if possible locked in position. Although the camera should give an Error if the lens' aperture isn't in auto mode.

[Roadrunner]

I've done that. Set to f22 and I shoot in A mode most of the time. The thing I don't get is that it seems I only get a few cm in depht that are sharp.
Take this one.
1/200s F18 focus point is nose of the kid. The kid behind her is maybe 30cm behind her and not sharp at all and that's with F18.

[dullbird]

do you have any other lenses you can try?

[dmdigital]

Just looking at the EXIF data and it knows the lens, aperture (F/18), focal length used etc. All looks good, except the image. It's like the lens isn't closing down the aperture blades correctly. Have you tried using the DOF preview on each f-stop and see what the lens does?

[Roadrunner]

Any suggestions on a lens in the $500 range ?
Maybe 18-50 or 70

Matt