I still use lenses from the 60's70's/80's on my Nikons, so they *should* last a long time with proper care. Has it been dropped or jarred violently at any point? I am thinking a lens or the motor got knocked slightly out of alignment. Have you tried to manually focusing your lens if you use autofocus? Could be the autofocus has just changed it's spot for focusing and all you have to do is go into the menu and change it back or to what you want.
Also do they seem fogged or does temp changes effect it? Lenses are essentially a vacuum inside so only drastic temp changes would noticeabley affect your images (YMMV). If even slight temp changes cause it to fog or condensation on the inside, you have a crack in the housing. I doubt that is what is happening based on your description though.
Thank you for your great explanation, it may be that my autofocus has simply changed. I'll test it in manual and see if I notice a difference. If so, I'll do as you suggest and check in my menu and adjust accordingly.
It hasn't been dropped or jarred, nor has it been through any temp changes (Southern California rarely sees drastic temp changes).
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide me with such detailed advice, I really appreciate your help. :-)
I have used my kit lens, 28-135mm, for uncountable shots and I noticed the pics I shoot with it are never as crisp as my new lenses! I thought the same thing as you, Patty. I just thought it was worn out and I never use it anymore! I'm going to try using @shadesofgrey suggestion.
I noticed this with my kit lens as well. I thought perhaps it is because I have added better glass to my collection and my kit lens isn't the same quality. (?)
Also, as dumb as this sounds, make sure it's dust free and not smeared. I once thought I had an issue, only to notice that the lens was smeared (don't know how it got that way), and another time it was simply dusty. You shouldn't have to worry about fungus in San Diego. I have one lens that I really need to send in for repair, since it was dropped a couple of times. I didn't notice any changes right off, but now realize that it is blurry on one side, more than the other (decentered).
Another thing to check is if you think it is in focus, but the pictures aren't is the dioper adjustment on the viewfinder. They can get changed (done that, too. Most annoying when you use a lot of manual focus lenses).
I'm another that uses old lenses, though all of mine are from the 80's.
Can I just add to the discussion all lenses have what is known as a sweet spot, even your kit lens. People are so quick to shrug off their kit lens without learning how it works best. I only had a Kit lens on my Canon and I got some super sharp images with it. Your diopter is the first thing I would check as I am always knocking this out of sync on my Pentax, I do it so much that when I see a soft image it is the first thing that I check. Just look through your viewfinder at a white wall and adjust it until the focus grid/lines are at their clearest.
Eddie, appreciate the diopter suggestion. As I wear glasses and tend to shoot with and without them, I am constantly adjusting my diopter to fit both visions. I wish it was as simple as the diopter, but a great suggestion for those that have the same "soft focus" issues with any of their lens.
This particular lens isn't a kit lens, it's one I purchased to allow me a better range to work with (15-85mm vs the kit lens 18-55mm), as a "walk around" lens. My kit lens was always a good little lens. But like my earlier camera, it went to my daughter to encourage her new passion for photography too.
@socalgal@orangecrush@tctime There is a caveat that kit lenses aren't usually as high quality as other lenses. That being said, you will probably notice a difference between a kit lens and higher quality lens, but you shouldn't notice a difference from one day to the next in the same lens unless another variable has changed.
I always forget about the diopter because I set mine and never touch it, but that is another thing to check. Thanks to the others for mentioning that!
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Also do they seem fogged or does temp changes effect it? Lenses are essentially a vacuum inside so only drastic temp changes would noticeabley affect your images (YMMV). If even slight temp changes cause it to fog or condensation on the inside, you have a crack in the housing. I doubt that is what is happening based on your description though.
It hasn't been dropped or jarred, nor has it been through any temp changes (Southern California rarely sees drastic temp changes).
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide me with such detailed advice, I really appreciate your help. :-)
@shadesofgrey
Another thing to check is if you think it is in focus, but the pictures aren't is the dioper adjustment on the viewfinder. They can get changed (done that, too. Most annoying when you use a lot of manual focus lenses).
I'm another that uses old lenses, though all of mine are from the 80's.
This particular lens isn't a kit lens, it's one I purchased to allow me a better range to work with (15-85mm vs the kit lens 18-55mm), as a "walk around" lens. My kit lens was always a good little lens. But like my earlier camera, it went to my daughter to encourage her new passion for photography too.
@ayearinthelifeof
I always forget about the diopter because I set mine and never touch it, but that is another thing to check. Thanks to the others for mentioning that!