How can i get my pictures sharper?

johnnelly6as

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8 Dec 2011 - 4:22 PM

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Hi guys, as you might have guessed from the title i'm having difficulty with getting tack shapness throughout the whole of my landscape shots. I'm using f16+ but just can't seem to get the same shapness all the way through, just wondered if anyone could give me some advice?? John

justin c (e2 Member)

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8 Dec 2011 - 4:44 PM

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Use a solid tripod, a remote release (or your camera's self timer), mirror lock up. Carefully manually focus on the hyperfocal distance using Live View if you have it. Don't use f16+, use f16 at the very most, less if possible, to minimize the effects of diffraction.
That should be a good starting point but remember that the distant parts of a scene will never appear as critically sharp and detailed as your foreground, it's just not going to happen due to the increased distance between lens and subject/part of the scene, atmospheric conditions, etc.etc.

dcash29

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8 Dec 2011 - 5:10 PM

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Quote: Some info re equipment used would be useful.

Plus jpg or raw and what processing you do

Overread

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8 Dec 2011 - 5:28 PM

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In addition to Mike's links I'd recommend these as well (note check the bottom of the page once you're finished as most have several pages of the article to read)

Sharpening

Depth of field page 1
Depth of field page 2
Note I've specifically linked page 2 of that article as well since it deals with hyperfocal focusing which is of great use for landscape work

cameracat (e2 Member)

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8 Dec 2011 - 6:11 PM

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Quote: hes using the canon 18-55m, Personally I found this a very soft lens

Not unless he got a Nikon to Canon lens mount adapter.....

The fairly cheap Nikon 18-55mm lens also found in kits, Is not bad at all, Certainly around the f/8 to f/16 area, As justin has said don't go smaller than f/16 or you will run into diffraction.

As others have said, We need more detail though, Like are you using an ND filter of any kind, If so what kind etc.

User_Removed

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8 Dec 2011 - 7:32 PM

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The D70 is brilliant - the 18-55mm was a poor replacement for the fabulous 18-70mm that shipped with the D70 and the D70s originally. The 18-70mm is readily available for 'not a lot' elsewhere.

User_Removed

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8 Dec 2011 - 10:45 PM

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A pleasure John - enjoy that camera.

Nick_w (Critique Team)

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21 Dec 2011 - 11:47 AM

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Justin nailed the main points.

Also check the quick release plate is tight, the tripod head is sturdy enough. Get a cable release ( they are only a couple of quid on eBay). Get in to the habit of zooming in to check the display. Other than that hyperfocal distance, F11-F16 for full frame, crop sensor max about F13 (the higher the pixel count the worse defraction is, also lens dependent). Ensure the tripod legs are stable and tight.