can't get the sharpness

[vpkb]

can someone help, i've set it to parameter 2 but no help...i'm using the kit lense (18-55)

http://home.dc.rr.com/phalsmrtwo/wash5.jpg

[RafaPolit]

Resizing pictures tends to eliminate bluriness or unsharpness, and therefore its not so clear to me what is exactly your complaint (jpeg compression doesnt help there either). There is some softness in the tire, but apart from that, it looks sharp to me. Can you post a 100% crop of your area of concern?

[tim]

I don't see the problem, it looks plenty sharp to me. Set the lens to F8, make sure the shutter speed's over 1/250th if you can without going over ISO 400. Buying a new lens isn't likely to help, unless you have a dud. Try another lens if you can find someone who'll loan one to you.

[vpkb]

this shot was taken with AV mode, set to F3.5, i'm using the kit lense (18-55 3.5-5.6) isn't f5.6 max?

i've seen much shaper pics other people take, but if you guys say this is a sharp pic, then i'm happy

[robertwgross]

this shot was taken with AV mode, set to F3.5, i'm using the kit lense (18-55 3.5-5.6) isn't f5.6 max?


That f/3.5 is wide open at the short end, and f/5.6 is wide open at the long end.

However, that is not what you want to be using. You want to be using an aperture out in the middle somewhere to get the sharpest detail. Start with f/8 or f/11 or f/16 and look around.

---Bob Gross---

[Mohawk]

Purchase this book:

Understanding Exposure
Revised Edition
by Bryan Peterson

You can get it at www.amazon.com

Then go here: http://www.photoworkshop.com/

Click on the "Digital Learning Center". It's on the mid left side of the page.

Mike

[Sugrat]

Purchase this book:

Understanding Exposure
Revised Edition
by Bryan Peterson

You can get it at www.amazon.com

Then go here: http://www.photoworkshop.com/

Click on the "Digital Learning Center". It's on the mid left side of the page.

Mike

Yes, get that book if you are starting out, it helped me out....

[lancea]

One simple thing - the depth of field isn't going to be sufficient to get everything in that shot "in focus". But it looks pretty good to me. Take some shots of flat things with lots of contrast and see how sharp they look. When reviewing your shots make sure the "active" focus point was where it should have been.

Reading these forums it's pretty easy to start worrying too much about sharpness. I know I did at first.

[condyk]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

That shot looks so damn decent I might get my kit lens out the box for the first time and actually try it out. Did you do any post processing in Photoshop/Elements? That would improve it further and is needed with most images.

Your reflection in the bumper looks like you're wearing a Batman Cape :lol: Maybe you were!

[David1943]

Taken with the Kit Lens wide open by an inexperienced photographer, that's really a very good picture.

Stop down the lens to f8 or f11 and I think you'll notice an improvement. Some people don't like the Kit Lens but, IMHO, it isn't as bad as some say.

Bear in mind also that many of us post process our images and apply sharpening in Photoshop or whatever.

Happy snapping, David :)

[EOSAddict]

I thought Parameter 2 was no in camera sharpening (unless totally different on a 20D!)? I could be wrong as don't have manual or camera with me.

Parameter 1 applies some in camera sharpening (+1?) if you are shooting JPEG.

[Little Fish]

I'll confirm that Parameter 2 is no sharpening and Parameter 1 is a plus 1 on contrast, sharpness and saturation. Very sharp of you to catch that.

[robertwgross]

Your reflection in the bumper looks like you're wearing a Batman Cape :lol: Maybe you were!

Yes, but it isn't just any Batman Cape.

It is the Canon "L" Cape with Batman logo.

---Bob Gross---

[KevC]

Sweet, I love SW20s!

For maximum sharpness, bump the aperature down to f/8 or f/11. Shoot at 18mm, cars look funky cool with a wide angle. (it's also where the kit lens is sharpest I believe). Keep your shutter speed above 1/125 to make sure it's not camera shake.

Good luck!

[sam bailey]

The problem is the wheel center caps are missing, throws everything else off.

[lostdoggy]

I think you've looking at too many pro car photos. If you want sharper shot go with what is already recommended and get some friends to hold some reflectors like big white or silver boards to bring some more light to the car and it'll be even sharper. Photography is all about light and composition. Shoot RAW and work in TIFF 16 and apply some USM and it'll explode on you.

[lostdoggy]

Here are shots taken with a cheap Sigma 28-300 lens.

[wiselion]

If thats blurry to you then you are already an unbelievable photographer.

[davidfig]

If you really want to check bluryness. Then I suggest that you put the camera on a tripod and set mirror lockup if you have it. This way you can separate shake from the equation.

[fotogeek]

I've found the 18-55 to be a pretty soft lens. That's just from my experience though. The resized picture looks good, but 100% crop tends to be fairly soft on that lens. Try taking some shots zoomed in a bit and see if they get sharper.

http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/efs18-55/

[ron chappel]

As the others have said ,it's a great photo!
It helps that cars like this tend to look good no matter what lens took the shot:) but it is still very good!
About the only improvements possible would be to stop the lens down more as recommended by others -that would kill two birds with one stone.Both depth of field and overall sharpness would improve.
Other than that you can play with contrast in photoshop.Increasing contrast has an effect on apparent sharpness but be carefull it's not overdone as it tends to look all wrong then

[vpkb]

thnx for the tips, i'll try a higher f stop..