Need advice on focusing and other things

[SandraD]

Hello everyone, attached are pics I took this afternoon. I really don't know what I'm doing wrong but I do not like the way my photos come out.:rolleyes: My focus seems to always be off ,despite using a tripod, and other photos seem too grainy (probably the ISO setting). I'm learning and experimenting so any advice will be greatly appreciated. I'll list my settings for you as well. The conditions outside were overcast and they were taken @ 4:40 pm.

1st photo from left to right: f2.8 1/250 ISO 800
2nd photo: f2.8 1/80 ISO 200
3rd photo: f2.8 1/125 ISO 400

Thanks in advace!:D
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e201/GARCIAS1/Picture150.jpghttp://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e201/GARCIAS1/Picture144resized.jpghttp://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e201/GARCIAS1/Picture153resized.jpg

[acchildress]

Looking at the first photo, it is out of focus. They eyes should be very sharp. Set you camera on one focus point, put that point on they eye, half press the shutter to lock focus then recompose and shoot the picture. I don't see the graininess you speak of, even when I look at the shot in ps.

[NathanS]

Based on the setting your camera was on and how they ended up being exposed, I would recommend putting your camera on a single ISO, probably 400, as there is really no need to keep switching it. Keep the same aperature like you did, but then really make sure that the image is in focus before you take the picture.

What kind of camera/lens are you using? If your focus is almost always off,I would recommend checking the dioptric adjustment on your camera, on my 20d it is a little dial just to the right of the viewfinder. You can use this dial to adjust for if your vision is bad and you dont want to wear glasses when shooting, things like that. If this is not set correctly, when you look in the viewfinder the image may be in focus, but then when you look at it later on the computer, it will be slightly off focus. Change it until you are getting consistently sharp clear images.

[SwingBopper]

What camera, what lens? Firstly I'd suggest you do not use autofocus on a tripod. Manually focus. If your camera has live view and you can zoom in on the LCD then do that to check focus (Canon 40D & 50D and others can do this). And do not shoot at f 2.8 until you get better at focusing. Shoot at f8 or f11. On a tripod this should not be a problem if your subjects hold still, because you may be shooting at 1/30 of a second shutter speed or slower.

[chauncey]

I can't tell where your xt is focusing, but it's not on the eye for whatever reason.
If your AF isn't functioning properly or you're not trying to focus on the eyes or something like inexpensive tripod vibration,
you must figure out where you're going wrong.

Next time, hang a weight on the tripod (5-10 lbs), use manual focus and a delayed shutter ( 2 or 10 seconds).
This will try to take some variables out of the equation and help figure out where the problem lies.

Also boost your SS to something like 1/500 and raise ISO to compensate and get out of the sun.

[SandraD]

Sorry guys! I knew something important was missing in my post.

My camera is the Rebel Xt and my new lens the "Brick"..EF 24-70mm F/2.8L

I've made notes and will try these recommendations today. A

Any other ideas you have now that you know what I shoot with??