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Quote: It could be a DOF issue.
Can you try the tripod at the same distance but use a longer lens to have the apple fill the frame?
Why do you think that would help, Mike?
My take, on seeing Harriet's full frame and noting that she used autofocus, was that it would be very difficult to lock AF on to the stalk. Also wondering why she used a shutter speed of ˝sec with flash? She doesn't mention aperture but I wonder whether, if the AE system was giving such a slow shutter speed, it was also giving maximum aperture (or was aperture priority being used with a very small aperture?). Final thought is that, although a tripod was being used, is it a really sturdy one and was a remote release also being used?
Try taking the apple -on-top-of-printer shot again, but from a slightly higher angle. Lay a finely graduated ruler next to the apple, such that you can see the graduations through the viewfinder. Take a series of shots using different apertures and you will be able to see the effect on the image of the ruler.
Ah , ok, actually I wasn't clear in my suggestion. what I meant was to lay the ruler alongside the apple with the 0 inches at the front and (say) 12 inches at the back. Rather like this:
piccy of ruler
Does that give you the idea?
LF - I did not mean that Harriet had focussed on the applestalk deliberately, just that it seemed to be in very good focus. And maybe this was because the AF had locked onto the front edge of the player and the stalk was, concidentally or otherwise, on line with that. If teh apple was placed a bit futher back from the edge then it pushes the top of the apple even further to the edge of the DOF.
In her last photo this still seems to be the case.
In her last post, Harriet has confirmed f8 which at these distances does not give a large DOF if you think about the size of the apple.
Harriet - you could get a matchstick or similar held vertically in a bit of plasticine/bluetak and place it on line with the centre of the apple (the top of the apple in the picture). Focus on that and take the picture. Is the top of the apple in better focus, and if so is the stalk in as good focus as seems here? If answers are 'yes' and 'no' respectively it is definitely a DOF issue.
My problem is finding a suitable ruler. No school children around at the moment, and all we have is a tiny little tapemeasure with cm and mm but it was too small to get anything of interest. One thing I have learned is that my tripod is untrustworthy, in the middle of my fiddling my camera almost fell to the ground. I have another more sturdy one on order and I was feeling a bit guilty about getting yet another but now I feel justified. I will be back, perhaps my granddaughter has a ruler that I can actually see, later on.
I will do this soon, I must add that models, here in this household, are not given due respect. My apple has gone so I will have to get back later. But I have some lovely white bluetack so that will do with some matches but now off to collect granddaughter. I have a large squash just given to me so it might be hired as a model, but no matchstick will measure up to that I am afraid.
Thanks again, I will be back but my normal life unfortunately is interfering with my hobby.
I have managed just a few minutes of peace and quiet for one last shot for today. No ruler but I had the idea that perhaps my gorillapod would give more or less the same effect.
I used flash, Shutter 1/60, f14 in aperture priority and focused on the spot just after the ballhead.
Now I am off. As Scarlett O'Hara said "tomorrow is another day" and perhaps I will do better then.
Harriet
Just as an afterthought about sharpness, I am still working on it but now with a D5000 with a katzeye focus lens, which seems to make manual focus much much easier. I have had a bad back for a time but I will get out and practice when I can be a bit more flexible.
I have been reviewing all the advice I have been given and it has been invaluable.
Harriet
I have already bought these but I haven't really been able to try them out yet, I twisted a nerve in my leg and I haven't felt like doing anything but now that I am on the mend I am going to really start on my search again.
I think that the camera I bought the Nikon D5000 which had a katz-eye installed will be a help too.
Harriet
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