Sony 35mm f1.8 on a6000 Focus issues

[LizM]

I have a Sony a6000 that I have had now for a year.  I wanted to buy my first lens since it only came with the kit lens.  After some research I settled on the Sony 35mm f1.8 Prime Fixed lens.  I took it out this past weekend to a butterfly house thinking I would get some great shots of the butterfly close-up as well as some good portraits of my grandchildren.  I did get some good shots but many of my shots were out of focus, more than usual.  I was using auto-focus with WB set on daylight since light was coming in through the glass, ISO 100.  My exposure was off-I had my aperture set low to blur the background so in some I know that the shutter was not set properly.  My question is, are there things I need to do to get better use from this lens?  I was a bit disappointed in the results.

[tinplater]

There are a lot of variables here...metering mode, auto focus mode, ISO, shutter,  versus aperture, etc, etc.  I would regroup by doing something simple..just put it in auto (green camera icon) shoot a bunch of shots and see how your focus and exposure turn out.  Then once you have confirmed that your lens is indeed sharp and camera focuses, I would then explore different shooting options.

I personally almost always use auto white balance except when I shoot using a gray card.

For butterflies I would try aperture mode, ISO 100 - 400 depending upon the light, and flexible spot small, single shot auto focus, and multi exposure mode.

 

I'm certain you will find you have an excellent lens, just need to gain experience in its best use.  35mm is a bit tough to use for small creatures like a butterfly because you really have to get close to them and they don't like to hold still!

[saracli]

Paying attention to the minimum focusing distance (since the 35/1.8 is not a macro lens) and may be using the A mode with ISO set to auto (100-800) may help with focusing issues...

[Username]

Basically, learn not to expect miracles. 

  

Do everything you can to enable the robotics to    

operate with minimal challenge to their abilities.  

    

Reality is that cameras are not autonomous and 

at best can only improve somewhat on your own

efforts. Cameras are now computers so ... GIGO.  

[LizM]

Thank

 

There are a lot of variables here...metering mode, auto focus mode, ISO, shutter,  versus aperture, etc, etc.  I would regroup by doing something simple..just put it in auto (green camera icon) shoot a bunch of shots and see how your focus and exposure turn out.  Then once you have confirmed that your lens is indeed sharp and camera focuses, I would then explore different shooting options.

I personally almost always use auto white balance except when I shoot using a gray card.

For butterflies I would try aperture mode, ISO 100 - 400 depending upon the light, and flexible spot small, single shot auto focus, and multi exposure mode.

 

I'm certain you will find you have an excellent lens, just need to gain experience in its best use.  35mm is a bit tough to use for small creatures like a butterfly because you really have to get close to them and they don't like to hold still!

Thanks, I will give that a try!

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

The 35/1.8 is a fine lens. Generally, the camera can take photos that are out of focus if it is set to AF-C (the dancing green squares) and shutter to release priority. This is because the camera will adjust focus continuously and take a picture even if focus is not confirmed.

 

You can address this by setting the camera to AF-S (large green squares) and the shutter to focus priority. Then most of your photos should be in focus.

[Guest all8]

Sony produce some info material to help people how to use the AF system, like this:

 

https://www.sony.net/Products/di/common/images/products/qb9a/ILCE-6000_4DFOCUS_Camera_Settings_Guide.pdf

 

and if your camera has a Scene Mode, that can be a good place to start too.