Crystal Clear Picture

I own a 10D and am very happy with it but..........I want a crystal clear picture and I am just not real happy with it. Would I need to get more mp to get the sharpness that I am looking for? I am especially refering to the portraits that I shoot. Any advise?


10D
canon 20-35
canon 28-135
canon 75-300

You want sharper pictures or higher resolutions? The two really have nothing to do with each other.

I would suggest you buy a nice prime lense. Perhaps the EF 85 f1.8 . Also you may need to tweak the pictures a bit in your photo editing software.

That is a good question? Sharp Picture or Higher Resolution. I guess I want it all.

re@te............EF (INVALID EMAIL) 85 f1.8 / because this is a faster lense, it would be clearer. Thanks, I have been thinking about that. Wasn't sure which lense to purchase, but wanted a faster lense for Portraits. They can be pretty expensive.. I will check it out.

None of the lenses you have are known for their top performance tho' I've only owned the 28-135 IS myself (wasn't too keen but many like it). You should get at least some good shots from them tho' under decent conditions.

You could try the 50mm II 1.8 which is an ultra cheap and a very sharp lens. As CRE@TE says you could try the 85mm 1.8 too, or the 50mm 1.4, both of which are really very nice indeed.

I've seen some really great shots taken with the 10D, so my guess is it's either you, your lenses or your post processing

Condyk ....thanks...I am going to look at purchasing one of the lenses that you suggested. I'll get back to you on my results....

Are you using any usm in your PP?
If not, start.

Also for overall better image quality, you'll have to look at some L glass.......I can't wait to make THAT jump myself.

50mm 1.4 is a good portrait lens

Or you can get a tripod and shoot at F11, See what that does for ya.

Personally, If you are not happy, I would get the 50mm 1.8. It that cures your problem then you know in which direction you need to go (better glass). If not then you should look at technique and post processing. This at least will only cost you $70, far less than you have already invested. If it works then by all means sell it and buy a more expensive lens (85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4). Just trying to save you some $$$ and aggrevation while you try and figure out what the problem is.

-- Scott.

Sodigital,

Are you shooting JPG or RAW? If you are shooting JPG, what are your parameters set to? If you are shooting RAW, what are the details of your PP process?

A 50mm 1.8 lens should give you tack sharp images, as good as any "L" series lens. There are too many variables that cause images to be soft. Can you post some examples and exif data?

Darren

Amen to that, a very wise post Scott.

1. Do not buy any more equipment. I know this opinion probably seems crazy, as everybody else here has recommended a new lens. But I think there is nothing inherently wrong with what you have.Canon does not sell any DSLR bodies or lenses that are not capable of producing a sharp photo when used properly (except perhaps their "soft focus" lenses, and other lenses if they're defective). Until you determine specifically what is going wrong, I think you might get just as unsharp pictures with a brand new lens. I don't know your level of expertise, but there's a lot of technique involved in getting a sharp pictures on a DSLR, especially if you are "pixel-peeping" at 100% on your monitor.
   
2. Take a digital photography class if you're not already very familiar with how to use the AF system, how to avoid camera shake, and how to do post-processing.
   
3. Post sample pictures here, and provide details on how you took the picture, especially camera settings. Somebody might be able to point out some changes that would help.
   

I totally agree with you.