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May 22, 2012, 02:45:50 AM


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Author Topic: Squirrel pic  (Read 228 times)

Offline camerafreak1970

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Squirrel pic
« on: February 20, 2012, 02:44:46 PM »
So I thought for sure that this picture would be crystal clear, I had it on M and got my spot meter to the middle, and did the half way push of the button (focused on it's head) and moved the camera over a bit, and it's not clear. I know, I'm using a kit lens, but I had no choice with this twerp, if I move at all, he's gone. But still, I've taken clear pictures with it before. But this picture, at 100%, not clear.

I'm lost, I don't get it. I can't get pictures to turn out. 


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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.

Offline tekwiz

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2012, 02:57:51 PM »
Were you zoomed all the way to 55mm? I have this same issue with the kit lens, you should see me chase a butterfly for an hour with 0 clean pics and those that are clean have the thing too far away.
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One time, this guy handed me a picture of him, he said,"Here's a picture of me when I was younger." Every picture is of you when you were younger. "Here's a picture of me when I'm older." How'd you pull that off? Lemme see that camera... what's it look like? -Mitch Hedberg

Offline camerafreak1970

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2012, 03:51:11 PM »
Quote from: tekwiz on February 20, 2012, 02:57:51 PM
Were you zoomed all the way to 55mm? I have this same issue with the kit lens, you should see me chase a butterfly for an hour with 0 clean pics and those that are clean have the thing too far away.

I imagined what that would be like to chase them, as I read your post, and about spit out my water!  Hilarious!

I used my 55-250 and had it all the way to 250 actually.

I hate kit lenses! I wish I was rich (or won the lottery) and could get a few of the lenses I see at Amazon.com!! I DROOL when look at the stuff there. I love their free 2 day  shipping, is one of the reasons I shop there. I bought my camera there and my 50mm lens (etc).

I guess I need to get some better lenses, that and I need to know more.
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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.

Offline Doodle

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2012, 04:30:33 PM »
May I ask what your settings were camerafreak?
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Offline camerafreak1970

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2012, 04:39:25 PM »
Quote from: Doodle on February 20, 2012, 04:30:33 PM
May I ask what your settings were camerafreak?


Sorry, I thought you could right click and find that info out. Hope this helps.

 Here ya go:

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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.

Offline Doodle

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2012, 05:15:16 PM »
I hope someone who is more experienced comes along to answer your questions (so I can learn too!) but I was wondering:
Hand held or tripod? Was your IS on or off? Did I read that you locked your focus (pushed the shutter half way down) and then moved the camera a little? Might that slight movement been enough to cause less-than-tack-sharp results? (I like the photo as is, btw)
Sorry for being so nosey but if someone helps you, I will steal the information too so I can take sharper pics with ya!  8)
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Offline camerafreak1970

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2012, 05:29:42 PM »
Quote from: Doodle on February 20, 2012, 05:15:16 PM
I hope someone who is more experienced comes along to answer your questions (so I can learn too!) but I was wondering:
Hand held or tripod? Was your IS on or off? Did I read that you locked your focus (pushed the shutter half way down) and then moved the camera a little? Might that slight movement been enough to cause less-than-tack-sharp results? (I like the photo as is, btw)
Sorry for being so nosey but if someone helps you, I will steal the information too so I can take sharper pics with ya!  8)

hand held, and I think someone here said if you push the button down half way and move a little bit, you can get a little more in the focus area. I've got time to wait. Someone will eventually answer.

Thanks for the complement. I need to post the other picture of the squirrel, it's much more cute. :  )
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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.

Offline tekwiz

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2012, 05:35:00 PM »
As I understand it, the more you zoom in, the harder it is to handhold because each tiny move is amplified by zooming in. Also, zoom lenses are usually softer at the very end of their range.
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One time, this guy handed me a picture of him, he said,"Here's a picture of me when I was younger." Every picture is of you when you were younger. "Here's a picture of me when I'm older." How'd you pull that off? Lemme see that camera... what's it look like? -Mitch Hedberg

Offline Doodle

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2012, 05:46:45 PM »
Quote from: tekwiz on February 20, 2012, 05:35:00 PM
As I understand it, the more you zoom in, the harder it is to handhold because each tiny move is amplified by zooming in. Also, zoom lenses are usually softer at the very end of their range.
I thought that too, but if I read that data correctly, she only had it at 131mm....is that right? I would have thought it shouldn't be too soft at that setting. (just a SWAG though)
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Offline solid bob

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2012, 08:07:37 PM »
Are your pics just generally soft or out of focus?

There could be a multitude of reasons.
1. Based on your stats, you shot at a focal length of 131 and aperture wide open. Thus your Depth of Field is going to be pretty shallow. At a subject distance of 20ft, you basically have 1.5 ft of focus to work with.
Try stopping down a bit to about 6-8. I know its going to make the things dark but you are gaining DOF to play with.

2. Like stated before, the longer the focal length the more hand shake is noticeable. You either have to shoot with a higher shutter speed or tripod.

3. Maybe not this photo, but a lot of cheaper lenses become really soft when zoomed all the way in and aperture is open. Shooting wide open often renders soft photos no matter what the focal length is. If I'm wanting really sharp photos with my kit lens, I typically shoot 1 stop down from open.
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Offline camerafreak1970

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2012, 08:21:50 PM »
Quote from: solid bob on February 20, 2012, 08:07:37 PM
Are your pics just generally soft or out of focus?

There could be a multitude of reasons.
1. Based on your stats, you shot at a focal length of 131 and aperture wide open. Thus your Depth of Field is going to be pretty shallow. At a subject distance of 20ft, you basically have 1.5 ft of focus to work with.
Try stopping down a bit to about 6-8. I know its going to make the things dark but you are gaining DOF to play with.

2. Like stated before, the longer the focal length the more hand shake is noticeable. You either have to shoot with a higher shutter speed or tripod.

3. Maybe not this photo, but a lot of cheaper lenses become really soft when zoomed all the way in and aperture is open. Shooting wide open often renders soft photos no matter what the focal length is. If I'm wanting really sharp photos with my kit lens, I typically shoot 1 stop down from open.

Thanks SB! I think I briefly got stuck on "meter is in the middle, shot is ready.....ALWAYS". I know better. I know there is more to learn. Just a few brain farts here and there with that type of thinking. :  )

Ok, so I have to admit, I took that shot through my bay window.  :o  I have had some good results doing it, but not very often of course. That tree with the wooden bench is right outside our front door, so as soon as I see the squirrels, woodpecker or other birds, and I open that door, they take off. I tried going out the back door, but same thing, they hear me no matter what. Twerps.

I always forget that aperture wide open means little or no DOF. UGH! I need better lenses that is forsure!

I think you have some very good advice!
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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.

Offline Doodle

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2012, 09:10:06 PM »
If you keep calling them twerps, they are never gonna hold still for you. Just sayin.  ;D
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Offline camerafreak1970

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2012, 09:16:16 PM »
Quote from: Doodle on February 20, 2012, 09:10:06 PM
If you keep calling them twerps, they are never gonna hold still for you. Just sayin.  ;D

LOL!

Ugh, I "suppose" I could be nicer to them.  ::)
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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.

Offline solid bob

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2012, 10:11:15 PM »
Since you said you shoot through the window, the window could be making the pic soft.

I wouldnt say you need a new lens. Just take more time in preparing and composing your shots.
If you really have the time and NEED to know if something is in focus there are multiple ways you can do this.
You can switch to the digital viewfinder and use the digital zoom to zoom in x5 & x10 to see if you really have something in focus.
You can also do a trick called "critical focusing". If you are using a zoom lens, compose your shot, and then zoom all the way in to the longest focal length and focus. Then zoom out and your shot will be in focus.
You can use both these tricks to achieve the best focus possible.

If you have a nearby college campus, try walking around there about 3-5pm.
Twerps and birds are abundant and they are really people friendly. I know I have hand fed a few squirrels at my school.
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Offline camerafreak1970

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Re: Squirrel pic
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2012, 10:51:51 PM »
Quote from: solid bob on February 20, 2012, 10:11:15 PM
Since you said you shoot through the window, the window could be making the pic soft.

I wouldnt say you need a new lens. Just take more time in preparing and composing your shots.
If you really have the time and NEED to know if something is in focus there are multiple ways you can do this.
You can switch to the digital viewfinder and use the digital zoom to zoom in x5 & x10 to see if you really have something in focus.
You can also do a trick called "critical focusing". If you are using a zoom lens, compose your shot, and then zoom all the way in to the longest focal length and focus. Then zoom out and your shot will be in focus.
You can use both these tricks to achieve the best focus possible.

If you have a nearby college campus, try walking around there about 3-5pm.
Twerps and birds are abundant and they are really people friendly. I know I have hand fed a few squirrels at my school.

Magnifico tips!  I will try those.

I know when my sister went to the UofMN, those twerps (squirrels) were sooo tame and comfy around people too! I couldn't believe it. You are sooo right!

Here where I live, it's not such a huge campus, and back in the day when I went there, they weren't that comfy and tame, but boy, they sure weren't super skiddish as the twerps in my front and back yard. 

I will have to check out our campus, was thinking about taking a few photography classes as it is. Thanks!

P.S. I know it's a bad bad habit to take pictures through a window, but when my daycare kids are sleeping, and the twerps are in the tree, I can't help it.   :P
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~Sal

I only use my Canon Rebel Digital T2i. I have a 18-55 and  55-250 kit, 50mm 1.8 lens, DHD 0.45 x super wide angle lens with macro, a macro close up set, a Fotodiox Macro extension tube set kit and UV, Circular, and florescent lens.
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