How to Check a Lens if Your Photos Aren't Sharp (VIDEO)

Attaining quick and exact focus is a main purpose of nearly each photographer, no matter the kind of photos they shoot. When delicate images consequence with regularity, the very first thing that comes to thoughts is, “I should be doing one thing incorrect.”

It is doable, nonetheless, that blaming your approach for this drawback is lacking the purpose, as a result of generally the difficulty outcomes from a faulty or improperly performing lens. If you happen to assume this can be your drawback, watch the tutorial under earlier than sending a lens in for analysis and restore, since you’ll study a number of efficient methods to test the lens your self.

Instructor Mario Killian is a German landscape and wildlife photographer whose been capturing lovely photos for over 40 years. He makes a speciality of workshops and tutorials for photographers utilizing price range gear, and this episode is meant to assist diagnose autofocus drawback and could prevent some cash within the course of.

Killian describes his lens analysis process in a number of steps, starting with the most typical points to these than are extra regarding. His method works for any lens you personal, and effectively for these you might buy sooner or later.

Let’s hope your prognosis seems OK, and in that case, Killian explains a few methods to compensate for “operator failure”—in different phrases issues you might be doing incorrect. OK let’s get began with the straightforward stuff. The very first thing to test is the skin of a lens for harm that is greater than beauty.

This implies in search of unfastened screws, shaking the lens for any rattling (which will point out one thing unfastened inside), and ensuring all of the buttons work effectively. You will additionally need to verify that the main target ring strikes easily, zooming is not too tight or too unfastened, and there’s no obvious harm to the entrance or rear components.

If there aren’t any obvious issues at this level it is time for “test two,” to decide if the lens is definitely functioning as meant. Right here Killian explains how to test the picture stabilization system, in addition to handbook and autofocus efficiency.

Nonetheless OK? In that case, you will want to extra on the third step within the course of which a bit extra time coming. This includes a focus-accuracy take a look at to decide if the lens has a front-focus or back-focus problem that requires adjustment (which you’ll typically do your self). If you happen to’re testing a zoom, Killian suggests starting with the focal size settings you utilize most, and he demonstrates the step-by-step course of for checking this out.

You will additionally find out how to test sharpness at varied f/stops. If all the things checks out at this level, there’s a good probability that your taking pictures approach is the issue, and Killian has a number of solutions for fixing that too.

Ensure to take a look at Killian’s interesting YouTube channel for extra nice recommendation. And do not miss the tutorial we posted earlier, explaining how to shoot lovely wildflower images with easy gear.