[alysha1981]

I used to be quite an enthusiastic photographer but in the last 12-18 months have been lazy and just used my iphone for photos. I'm going travelling in a few months and have gotten my camera back out to brush up my skills but am struggling.

I use manual. I know the basics about aperture, shutter speed etc.

I am using a K100D with a sigma 18-50mm lens.

I've been taking photos of my dogs this morning but they all came out blurry. I was in low light so I was using the flash on the camera. I tried fiddling with settings but no luck.



Settings: 1/30, F4.0, metering full screen, flash on, ISO 400, AF.S



Settings: 1/125, F4.0, spot metering, flash on, ISO 400, AF.C


I haven't had this problem previously and I am able to get some clearer pics e.g. a week or so ago I took this pic which is nice and clear, so it isn't a problem with the camera or lens, unfortunately it is me



Settings: 1/125, F19, metering full screen, flash on, ISO 400, AF.S




Any ideas? Thanks!

[Bcrary3]

Well, I don't think it has to do with shutter speed or aperture, but I have noticed that in low light situations focusing is very difficult, as there isn't enough light to give any contrast to see what you are doing. I'd suggest trying the same thing outside too and see if it keeps happening. That's the only thing I can think of is not enough light for you to see just how good you are focusing.

[VoiceOfReason]

You focused behind the dogs heads. Look at the part behind them.

[OrangeKx]

Ya I agree with other comment that parts of the pics are in focus so maybe spot focus so you know what's going to be sharp.

[interested_observer]

I see that on one of the images, you were using spot metering. It won't make a difference with the focusing, using averaging across the frame, would probably give you lighting.

[calsan]

The very center of each photo is in focus, which means the camera is in center point focus mode. You need to focus and then recompose.

[alysha1981]

Thanks.

I spot focused on the 2nd pic (the 2 dogs) and focused on the middle, between the 2 of them. The middle is nice and clear, but the dogs are not. I was using an F 4.0 so I thought it would be fine. Have I got it backwards. Should I have used a higher f stop to get more of it in focus?

I realised for the third photo that was taken in similar lighting conditions and was really clear, I used F 19. So I think I've just answered my own question. Sorry

[Giklab]

You got it. Just keep it below f/11 (diffraction).

[Ken T]

Thanks.

I spot focused on the 2nd pic (the 2 dogs) and focused on the middle, between the 2 of them. The middle is nice and clear, but the dogs are not. I was using an F 4.0 so I thought it would be fine. Have I got it backwards. Should I have used a higher f stop to get more of it in focus?

I realised for the third photo that was taken in similar lighting conditions and was really clear, I used F 19. So I think I've just answered my own question. Sorry

You might want to practice "focus....... lock focus ...... reframe and shoot".

[Eulogy]

You focused behind the dogs heads. Look at the part behind them.

This. You've backfocused a bit. If you were using AF, try using the micro-adjust.

Also - Don't be afraid to push past F11, it's not going to be a sharp, but it'll give you more DoF.(And honestly, F22 is still going to be leagues sharper than F4 in most cases)

[Kerrowdown]

I've just answered my own question

Excellent sorted then, I wish when I have issues that they were as easily resolved as this.

No time or money were involved, with me it's usually a truck load of both.