Close up but not macro

Hi chaps, I have a 550d, a 28-135 and a nifty 50 (and am awaiting the arrival of a 70-200) ... I quite like the idea of shooting still life stuff and am wondering if I'm asking too much of the lenses I have, ie am I getting too close ("Risingarms" in another section kindly helped me with the advice that the 28-135 needs a minimum of 500mm focus distance) - I've been using Canon's excellent EOS utility on my laptop - this helps a lot letting me see a nice big version but still when I get the image up to 100% it still appears a little soft ... any critical comments and suggestions would be most helpful ... best Roger

http://www.rogerburton​.co.uk/stills/eggtest.​jpg

Manual focus using Live View
Remote shutter release to avoid camera shake
IS turned off

Thanks shedberg ... yes to all of those ... !

What sort of sharpening are you doing in post? Are you shooting RAW or jpeg?

This was sharpened (but only a little) in DPP ... I just feel sharpening does what it says 'sharpens' if the original is a little 'soft' it isn't going to cure it and I feel this is soft, I don't know whether it's me, the lens or what ... thanks again for your help .. Roger

Just a word of caution...you mention waiting for a 70-200...if it's the f4 IS model it's a really great lens but at MFD it's not at it's best. I've actually found that putting a short extension tube on it and using the focus at mid range gives me the best result. But that might just be my lens....!

I'll second the softness of 70-200 f4 at mfd.