Nikon D5000 with 18-55mm VR lens producing blur and below par images

Question

I am a beginner to the photography on DSLR.

I have started with VR 18-55mm kit lens and its been not at all satisfactory till now. All the images I have taken till now are blurry. I have checked with A/M focus. Changed both aperture and shutter speed for different combinations, used different modes such as aperture, manual etc...nothing works...still no sharp images....the images are too blurry.

What I am doing wrong.

Both images are taken at around 1/800 shutter , 4 to 5 range Aperture with autofocus and manual focus both tried, result is almost same. I did not use any tripods, but I took photos with steady hands.

As you can see photos are blur , not at all sharp, and there is shadow everywhere on the face and overall photo.

What is wrong?

Answer 1

Are you using single capture focusing mode? (S)? (This is usually a physical switch on the camera, switching between S/C/A, in the case of the D5000 specifically it's an item on the Info screen). If you are using continuous focusing or auto, the camera will allow you to take a shot even if you do not have focus confirmation.

Also, if your VR is faulty, it can shake enough to create a blur.

To test focusing and lens fault (lenses can incorrectly focus sometimes):

1. Use a tripod. Set single capture focusing mode. Set Autofocus mode (A). Make sure you never mess with the focus ring in A mode!. Turn VR off. Reset to factory defaults. Go out on a sunny day, find a non-reflective thing, like a car, even better, a poster on a wall. Use 18 mm. Set P mode. Focus with the center spot, that is, aim with it, then press the shutter button halfway down, and you hear the lens focusing. When you get a focus lock, press the button down fully. Make 3-4 shots like this.

2. Do the same as (1) but with VR on.

3. Turn the focus mode on the lens to manual (M). Turn off VR. Now turn the focus ring to one extreme. Make a shot, then move the focus ring a bit, then make another shot. Make at least 10 shots, sweeping the range the focus ring can travel. (Always separate the focus ring movement from the shutter actuation.)

4. Do the same as (3), but turn VR on.

When you are done with this, you will have 3-4 photo from (1) and (2) each, and 10-10 photos from (3) and (4). Now go home, and fire up ViewNX. It can show the focus points the camera used for focusing.

Now, browse through your photos.

• If (1) and (2) is fine, you were just not focusing correctly.
• If (1) is fine but (2) is not, your VR is damaged.
• If (1) and (2) is both wrong, check the focus points in ViewNX. Are you focusing correctly? Is the are near the focus points sharp?
• Further, (3) and (4) shows how the in-focusness of the picture changes. Do you see changes in picture quality? Is there a particularly good one? If so, your focusing mechanics is okay (we do not know about the motor though). If you do not see changes, then your focus ring is not working, and maybe there is some damage in the lens.
• Also check the change turning VR on causes. You should have no big difference (since you took the pictures on a tripod :-) ), but if with VR is noisier, again, there is some trouble with the VR.

Good luck debugging. :-)

Answer 2

i found the 18-55 stock lens that came with my D5600 was not as sharp as other lens i bought especially if you look in detail at the picture.

Answer 3

Do you have former experience with using a DSLR camera? I mean the basics: button functions, the lens, etc., and are you using a new camera unit?

Try to set your camera/lens in autofocus. Put it in 55mm. Look for something/someone for a test shot. Place your model at the center of your viewfinder. Half press the shutter button (do not completely press, that will trigger the shutter, press down only half to focus the lens.) Hold then continue to press to capture the photo. Check the image if its in focus.

For manual focus try to move the focusing ring of the lens to left and to right until you get focused in your subject.

If you still can't get a focused subject then maybe your lens or camera have a problem.