What is the problem? (1 Viewer)

[aaron1956]

I just got my "better beamer" flash extender and I am having some problems. This shot was about 10m from me, no tripod but I was sitting at a table with camera rested on camera bag. Why can't I get it sharper? Should i change settings? I was shooting slightly into the sun.
This was converted from RAW.
I shot several (250+) images today and I got some good ones but some I just don't understand why they are no sharper.

 

[seaspirit]

How much did ambient light contribute to the exposure?

With only 1/200s subject movement may blur an image -at least enough to prevent it from being tack-sharp- if there is sufficient ambient light that leads the exposure with the flash only providing fill light (i.e. opening up shadows) and not "stopping and freezing the action".

Ulli

 

[aaron1956]

The ambient light was pretty poor. He was at a "watering hole" set up in the shade.
Another thing I am wondering about. The Canon EF 400mm 5.6 has a switch that, as I understand, changes the focus speed so when set on the lower setting it does not hve to focus through the entire range. The switch changes it from 3.5-infinity to 8.5-infinity. I think I may have had it set on 3.5 because of birds that were closer earlier in the shoot. Any opinions on this?

 

[Farnboro John]

The leaves behind the bird are focused sharply. The bird is not quite sharp. You have focused on the wrong thing, happens to everyone. What focus setting (centre point, all autofocus points etc) were you using?

John

 

[aaron1956]

I see that now that you mentioned it John. I was using spot metering on this shot. I was pretty excited about seeing this Painted Bunting. (my first!) so I was probably a little shaky!

 

[stevo]

General rule of thumb is that the shutter speed should equal or exceed the focal length of the lens.

Steve.