Why blurry in parts of photo?

[ihavequestions]

Just wondering why things are more blurry with the upper part of this photo while the lower part is sharp. I'm shooting with an A7RIV, 24-70GM. The settings are 24MM 1/1250SEC, at F/7.1, ISO 3200. I thought it may be dirty lens or fog on the lens but it didn't appear so. I cleaned my lens a few times and at a separate time under other conditions, I shot other photos with the same results. Not every photo is like this so it seems like a focus setting perhaps. This photo has center focus settings while I've also had this problem with wide focus as well. Anyone have any thoughts on what might be the culprit and what a good solution is?

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[thebeardedgroundsman]

I'm no expert but: It looks to me as though the photo is taken at an angle (ie: the top of the photo is further away than the bottom), the F stop is towards the mid to lower range so the depth of field is not very great. The sharpest part of the photo is about 1/3 up the photo so the focus dies of towards the top. I think if you had shot the photo at f/16 or even f/11, more of the image would have been in focus.

This would have slowed down your shutter speed but not to the degree that camera shake would have become an issue with 24mm hand held.

For a better understanding of depth of field etc. I have found the following website really useful - particularly the free on-line photography course:   https://chrisbrayphotography.com/tips/

[Commanderbrot]

Was this shot through a window pane? 

[ihavequestions]

On 1/20/2021 at 2:44 AM, Commanderbrot said:

Was this shot through a window pane? 

It was not. Doors off helicopter flight!

[paulowen_2000]

Easiest way to check is to mount camera on a tripod and shoot a brick wall. Make sure camera/lens is square to the wall. This will show up any issues with lens and will allow you to select focus areas to check.