Picture quality at extreme dynamic ranges

tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
edited February 2015 in Nikon DSLR cameras
Has any one experienced what would seem to be poor quality pictures from either bad lightning or extreme differences in dynamic range? Shots I am wondering about are iso 100 with subject as the focus but the sky or background is much brighter even though the day was cloudy. I was getting pretty noisy and unsharp shots. Pics ranged from deer to ducks in flight. Next day sunny and pictures look 100 times better at same iso and shutter speeds.
D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)

Comments

  • PapermanPaperman Posts: 469Member
    You must be talking about the times I don't even bother taking the camera out of the bag :\">
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    edited February 2015
    You need to expand on 'poor quality pictures' a bit - do you mean bleached, low contrast look with indistinct edges on the intended subject?
    Post edited by spraynpray on
    Always learning.
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    A little more information please. Can you post some samples?
    Have you tried a two button reset and zeroing out ?
    are you shooting RAW or Jpegs?
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    As noted, an image to examine is necessary before I can comment. And, all the Exif data needs to be seen to determine what the initial settings were.

    I have no difficulty in coming up with "poor quality" especially when i forget to make appropriate adjustments moving from inside to outside....I use manual settings and have on occasion messed up. Oh, my, yes!
    Msmoto, mod
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    Sorry for the lack of information. On my phone late last night. I am in the process of getting my new computer up and running, but I will see what I can do for the images. Shooting RAW.

    I thought it was a focus issue, but I couldn't see anywhere that seemed sharp and in focus. Overall it just seemed soft. Also as I said at ISO 100 it was very noisy. I was using my 300 F4, but shutter speeds were 1/400 and 1/2000 if I remember correctly.

    I think it might be an issue with my white balance or metering because of the high contrasts in the subject and the background, but it just seemed weird.
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    You need to expand on 'poor quality pictures' a bit - do you mean bleached, low contrast look with indistinct edges on the intended subject?
    I think that is pretty much it.
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • PapermanPaperman Posts: 469Member
    edited February 2015
    A photographer has to know that not everyting he sees is photographable the way he wants - simply due to lack of proper "light" like the backlit/bright gray scenes you have mentioned. Exposure compensation, post process will help but almost impossible to get a "wow" result with the wrong light.
    Post edited by Paperman on
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    edited February 2015
    You need to expand on 'poor quality pictures' a bit - do you mean bleached, low contrast look with indistinct edges on the intended subject?
    I think that is pretty much it.
    Yup background waaaay too bright. Rips the contrast out of the subject and burns the edges away. Normal.

    Post edited by spraynpray on
    Always learning.
  • heartyfisherheartyfisher Posts: 3,186Member
    You need to expand on 'poor quality pictures' a bit - do you mean bleached, low contrast look with indistinct edges on the intended subject?
    I think that is pretty much it.
    what is your active d lighting setting .. it automatically boosts the shadows ..

    Moments of Light - D610 D7K S5pro 70-200f4 18-200 150f2.8 12-24 18-70 35-70f2.8 : C&C very welcome!
    Being a photographer is a lot like being a Christian: Some people look at you funny but do not see the amazing beauty all around them - heartyfisher.

  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    A photographer has to know that not everyting he sees is photographable the way he wants - simply due to lack of proper "light" like the backlit/bright gray scenes you have mentioned. Exposure compensation, post process will help but almost impossible to get a "wow" result with the wrong light.
    +1

    A quick solution while on the field, take the lens off and re-attach. Sometimes it could be that the lens connectors have not made proper contact.
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    I used a Lastolite background last night with a 500w Bowens in it which was turned up too high - I got exactly the same problem as you described @tcole1983. I dialled it back about 4 stops and it was fine.
    Always learning.
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    I will try to get some examples up tonight. Computer is up and running now.
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    Ok this one might be camera shake...the background bugs me and I don't usually dislike the background bokeh of the 300 f4
    DSC_0003

    This one isn't terrible I guess, but not great.

    DSC_0010

    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    edited February 2015
    Ok this one might be camera shake..

    It does indeed
    IMHO camera shake is the biggest cause of poor IQ

    Try cranking up the ISO to get the shutter speed above 1/1000
    Then crank it up again and get it above 1/2000

    You took this at 1/2500 it seem Ok to me

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/73666367@N00/15273339045/
    Post edited by sevencrossing on
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    Ok I just suck :-q

    I am slightly aware of the shutter speed when I have my 300 on...I know anything under 1/300 isn't usually good. I should take the time to put it on auto ISO when I have it on to keep the shutter speeds up. The deer was at 1/400...guess I was just shaky still. It was the end of the day after being in the field for work and I was shooting from a car so it was probably just poor technique.

    However the duck is still not impressive. I think that is a dynamic range issue.
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    edited February 2015
    I should take the time to put it on auto ISO .......
    However the duck is still not impressive...... .
    I tend to keep AUTO ISO, ON ( + 2 clicks ) by default and only switch it off if off if I am using a tripod or don't like what it is doing .

    Can't see a lot wrong with the duck, that a bit of PP wont sort out

    do shoot RAW? what PP do you use?
    Post edited by sevencrossing on
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    I should take the time to put it on auto ISO .......
    However the duck is still not impressive...... .
    I tend to keep AUTO ISO, ON ( + 2 clicks ) by default and only switch it off if off if I am using a tripod or don't like what it is doing .

    Can't see a lot wrong with the duck, that a bit of PP wont sort out

    do shoot RAW? what PP do you use?
    RAW and Lightroom
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    could you let me / us have a copy of the RAW file ?
  • tcole1983tcole1983 Posts: 981Member
    Not sure how I could get you a copy. I think I could probably do a better job with it.
    D5200, D5000, S31, 18-55 VR, 17-55 F2.8, 35 F1.8G, 105 F2.8 VR, 300 F4 AF-S (Previously owned 18-200 VRI, Tokina 12-24 F4 II)
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    Do you have drop box ?
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