[Mike Cash]

Just trying to narrow down the possibilities. This one is a stumper.

[stevebrot]

Mike Cash,
I'm obviously guilty of not supplying enough info or explaining exactly what I was dealing with in the picture. Sorry about that. I was using a Tamron SP 35-80mm adaptall 2 f/2.8-3.8 CF macro. Aperture was in the f/11 range. The bag the camera was setting on was high enough that I was able to see through the viewfinder and focus while it was sitting on the bag for each of the 3 shots.
Thanks for your questions.
Arvin

Sounds like you should have got excellent results. Great camera, great lens, manual focus, high enough shutter speed, and small enough aperture to insure adequate DOF. Must be the dreaded camera gremlins. Either that or mirror/shutter vibration. I see the point of your original post.

Steve

[acbees]

Sounds like you should have got excellent results. Great camera, great lens, manual focus, high enough shutter speed, and small enough aperture to insure adequate DOF. Must be the dreaded camera gremlins. Either that or mirror/shutter vibration. I see the point of your original post.

Steve

Steve,
It is a relief that you understand. I was beginning to wonder about my sanity. If I would have been more thorough with my original post I would have saved all of you a lot of questions. Again, my apologies.
Arvin

Hi again, that there does look weird. I'd still bet on the support not being firm enough and having just enough give to produce this problem.
By the way, I'm also guilty of using the Sunpak tripod. It's quite low when not extended so I use it when I want to get low down.

[acbees]

Thanks, Gary. A better tripod and always having it with the camera to use are next on my list.
Arvin

[Kerrowdown]

Hi Acbees, is it possible to beg, borrow or steal a big "man sized" tripod from somewhere.

This will enable you to do a couple of test shots, so that you can eliminate this from your hit list of potentials.

[HGMonaro]

I focused the first shot, then lifted the camera to look at the LCD then replaced it and focused again for each shot thereafter. Three identically out of focused shots in a row?
Arvin

That looks like you've had zoom creep. See the white emblem has a bigger halo. Also shows up on your ring/finger and left side of shoe.

Maybe after focusing, it is moving as you take you're finger off the shutter button.

I would hazard the guess that your cheapo tripod is still better than a soft bag except in windy conditions or if a train is going past!

Cheers, Nige

[filmamigo]

How sturdy is the Adaptall mount? Is the bag supporting the lens AND the body, possibly causing enough flex between the lens and body to get a "tilt-shift" effect, where only a part of the frame is staying in focus?