Help with Technique

Here are two random shots I took since I got my new 40D/17-50.

The first I think came out ok but doesn't look as sharp as other photos I've seen with this lens.

The second definitely seems OOF or something, but it confirmed focus..

It came with a B&W filter on the lens, would that have an affect?

Thanks!

In Photobucket, you can upload up to 1024 pixels on a side. It would be a lot easier to see what you are talking about with a 1024x683 photo. It is very hard to judge what is OOF looking at such small pics.

I'll give that a try. I was originally going to do that, but I thought linking them directly would allow bigger sizes than putting them in the post. I guess not!

Sorry about that.

With apertures of 3.2 and 2.8, the depth of field is going to be very short.

The cookie needs more in focus...maybe an f/8 or f/14...so that the writing is in focus.

The hamster suffers from the same problem. The focus needs to be nailed on his eye and there's no room for error with the f/2.8. Even if you nail it at 2.8, some of the master will likely be OOF.

Ahh. You just posted the bigger pictures. (While I was writing the previous post.)
Thank you.

Now we can really see the focus situation on the hamster.

EXIF data is now gone. I wonder if the hamster was a victim of camera shake. I can't find a really sharp point in the frame.

cpam.pix wrote in post #13587462
With apertures of 3.2 and 2.8, the depth of field is going to be very short.

The cookie needs more in focus...maybe an f/8 or f/14...so that the writing is in focus.

The hamster suffers from the same problem. The focus needs to be nailed on his eye and there's no room for error with the f/2.8. Even if you nail it at 2.8, some of the master will likely be OOF.

Well, I didn't intend to get the whole cookie cake in focus in that first shot. I like that it is OOF then in then OOF again, but the in focus part doesn't seem very sharp to me...

The guinea pig one doesn't seem in focus/sharp anywhere to me. IIRC, I shot it at 1/40, f/2.8, but figured the pop up flash would "stop" the action at that shutter speed and the 1/40 would help illuminate the background. Do you think it may be camera blur?

I am also used to the 18-55 IS lens that was on my T2i so maybe I have the SS too low for handheld? Also, I have seen people use f/1.8 on sports shots/etc. and thought f/2.8 would have a decent DOF. In fact, I was kind of looking for the "portrait" look with the background OOF. Keep in mind I am very much a beginner, especially with flash so I'm just trying to find what works.

Thank you so much!

I don't remember if I used the flash on the cookie shot, but it was definitely fired on the guinea pig shot.

The first shot was: ISO 1250, 50MM, f/3.2, 1/60.

The second shot: ISO 1600, 50MM, f/2.8, 1/40.

PS: The pictures look much better in Lightroom than in this thread, but still not what I have seen others post in terms of sharpness/clarity.

kjonnnn wrote in post #13587784
I'd try with a tripod to rule out any movement by you at those speeds. I can't seem to find a focused area on either image.

Will do! I'll try to take a picture tonight or tomorrow with the camera just sitting on my desk on the timer to see if those are any better.

Well here is a picture I just took with the camera sitting on my desk (hopefully they will look better hosted here):

http://dl.dropbox.com/​u/38123737/IMG_9038.JP​G

In this image, the focus is on the 150 cal portion.

As far as the other images, they aren't cropped but I think photobucket shrunk them, then when I upped the resolution they "stretched" them? Not sure, just know they look better straight from my laptop.

They also look pretty noisy but I did no PP on them, so maybe that would help. A lot different from my T2i!

Good call. Here is a shot with ISO 100 and a smaller aperture:
http://dl.dropbox.com/​u/38123737/IMG_9041.JP​G

Same setting with filter removed:
http://dl.dropbox.com/​u/38123737/IMG_9042.JP​G

Well the filter came on the lens and I left it on for protection but it looks like its affecting IQ so I'll probably leave it off.

I think the pictures are ok but not as good as I would have hoped/liked. I was hoping the 40D/17-50 combo would give me better IQ in comparison to my T2i/kit lens that I planned to sell. I LOVE the ergonomics of the 40D but obviously IQ is important to me.

I was considering the nifty fifty but thought the DOF would be too shallow and the build quality was low. I was actually hoping the Tamron would last me a good while and a year or two down the road I could buy a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and maybe a prime. Along with the flash I will be getting soon I was hoping this kit would keep me happy for a long time.

I've looked through the sample thread for the Tamron 17-50 and their pictures come out much nicer and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or if something is broken? A lot of people rave about the Tamron 17-50 for the price...