Originally posted by UserAccessDenied So I ordered a DA 55-300mm WR and just tested it out for the first time today...
I got home and noticed a lot of my shots out of focus and noisy.
I think I could have gotten away with a lower ISO (I had it set around 800 all morning)
I think out of focus and soft are different beasts.
Try this, and forget about noise ("better to get the shot than not")
Stick the camera on auto ISO and set to max out at 3200
Flip to manual then open the aperture to maximum for that lens at whatever focal length your using it at.
Then adjust the shutter speed to be
greater than that focal length, double if possible. (eg; 200mm = 1/250 or greater)
I mostly use spot metering unless shooting a landscape.
Now for the most important step.
DISABLE SR.
SR is responsible for more blurred images than I can count. Yes I still use it when I need it and appreciate that it's there, but mostly I don't use it on my K-50 (or my K-7 before).
This works for me.. If it works for you, great - if not, oh well - at some point you'll find your own technique that works..
I honestly feel that too many people rely on SR to stabilize in every possible scenario (some even keep it enabled when mounted on a tripod!), it doesn't - all it does is help with natural hand shaking. Years ago I had a Zenit 35mm, no SR in those days (or AF)... I don't ever remember wishing for stabilization.
Now, front/back focusing is something else. My 55-300mm was spot on with the K-7 but with the K-50 I needed some + adjustment in the AF menu.