SLR Question

[okietool]

It could be several reasons you're seeing this. Here is the EXIF data for each shot:
1) Exposure Time: 1/250 sec
F-Number: f/10.0
Exposure Program: Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating: 100
Lens Aperture: f/9.9
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
2) Exposure Time: 1/1600 sec
F-Number: f/5.6
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating: 3200
Lens Aperture: f/5.7
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern

Your ISO is set very high for the indoor shot (3200) so it may not be soft as much as noisy. It's hard to tell in these shots for sure after they have been resized for the web. The indoor shot is at 1/1600 sec at 3200 ISO which is a strange setting. Lower the ISO to get a crisper shot overall.

To really know if it's the filters or just your imagination shoot the same scene with the same camera settings both with and without the filter. Then compare those pics.

I think you made my brain explode.
I have no idea what most of those numbers mean.
I'm sure the camera is smarter than I am to start with, and it takes better pictures than anything else I have ever owned. So I may just have to be happy with what I have. My reading retention rate seems to be less tha zero these days, so books aren't a lot of help, but, I usually only take pictures about 5 times a year anyway (almost as often as I go to the range these days).
Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[gsarg]

I think you made my brain explode.
I have no idea what most of those numbers mean.
I'm sure the camera is smarter than I am to start with, and it takes better pictures than anything else I have ever owned. So I may just have to be happy with what I have. My reading retention rate seems to be less tha zero these days, so books aren't a lot of help, but, I usually only take pictures about 5 times a year anyway (almost as often as I go to the range these days).
Thanks for the help everyone.

Don't feel bad, it's confusing stuff (til you get the hang of it). You'd be surprised the results you can get from a small flash (in my case, Nikon SB-400) with it bouncing the flash off the ceiling indoors. Great results, without having the flashburn that can ruin your desired look. Good luck.

 

[1shot(bob)]

My apologies Okietool. One of the worst things ever invented was automatic cameras that do the thinking for us. The best thing ever invented was cameras that do the thinking for us. Either way, you do have to know a little about aperture, shutter speed and ISO to take pictures and get consistent results with a DSLR. Search those three topics on youtube and just learn the basics and your pics will improve greatly.
Or feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll help out any time.


p.s. stay in Av mode and learn to control your ISO and you'll do fine. High ISO if it's dark, low ISO if it's bright. That's 75% of what you need to know right there.

 

[338Shooter]

ISO is important. I got the hang of aperture and shutter speed very quickly. I'm still working on the ISO some, but I'm getting much better. I'm moving on to controlling the white balance myself now thus taking over the last automatic function on the camera besides the focus.

 

[1shot(bob)]

These guys are great and make it so easy to understand. I just goth their V-book and I will say it is the most simple and easy to understand when they teach it. You can probably learn most of it on their website for free.

 

[dx3]

If Nikon thought it needed another piece of glass to protect it, they would have put it there. Just my opinion, and you know what they say about those.

Well, Nikon sells filters as an add-on... They wouldn't make them if they weren't necessary.

I have no idea what most of those numbers mean.

Aperture (F number) - consider the smaller the number, the more "out of focus" the area around the focused subject will be. Considered depth of field. Note, you will be limited on your aperture by your lens. Portraits - you want the smallest f-stop your camera allows, and probably closer to f/8 or f/11 for landscapes. You can go all the way to f/22 if you want, but generally not advised. Also, the smaller the number, the more light available.

Shutter Speed - 1/xxx is the amount of time the shutter is open allowing light. The bigger the xxx number, the faster the shutter speed. Faster the shutter speed, the shaper the image.

ISO - the smaller the number, the more light is available to you. EG. Shooting on a generally bright day ISO 200. Shooting inside without a flash - 3200 (or 6400 if you are on FX ). The higher the ISO, the more noise (graininess your images will produce)

These are BASIC explanations in laymans terms, as I am sure some people here will try and argue with me.

p.s. stay in Av mode and learn to control your ISO and you'll do fine. High ISO if it's dark, low ISO if it's bright. That's 75% of what you need to know right there.

I politely disagree. On a digital camera you can delete at will. Force yourself to learn your settings, not just ISO. You will never learn how to take good pictures when you are relying on the camera to choose for you.

Regards,
Jonny

 

[1shot(bob)]

I politely disagree. On a digital camera you can delete at will. Force yourself to learn your settings, not just ISO. You will never learn how to take good pictures when you are relying on the camera to choose for you.

Regards,
Jonny

Taken as a standalone statement even I would disagree with it. Taken in context with the OPs statement it's totally correct for most situations. He rarely uses his camera and doesn't seem inclined to learn his camera the way a professional does. For simple snapshots, Av mode and ISO understanding is really all that's necessary. Learning the whole kit and kaboodle would be nice, but not in this instance. (my apologies to the OP if I misunderstood)

 

[GlocksInMySocks]

I used to sell camera's, when they would have this problem I would tell them to either chuck the filter or buy a new one. Even then, I usually use my manual focus so it didn't really matter

 

[1mathom1]

Wish I had purchased good filters sooner. Leaned against a rock in Colorado and now have a nasty deep scratch in my most used lense.

 

[dx3]

Wish I had purchased good filters sooner. Leaned against a rock in Colorado and now have a nasty deep scratch in my most used lense.

That's the only reason I have filters on my lenses... Although I have noticed a little vignetting on my 70-200 VRII with a filter...

Jonny