Do I need to use L lens to achieve sharp picture?

[deTour]

Owner of 350D for > 1 year and has been using the kit lens to do all shooting. However the pictures taken using the kit lens has been disappointing despite using the following setting:

> AutoFocus
> Av model with apeture size F8-F10
> tripod (not the high end type though)
> timer to trigger shutter release
> ISO setting 100

The picture always turn out to be little OOF. Wondering it this the limitation of the kit lens? Upgrade to L lens? So just PP is enough to make the picture look sharp? Hope to get some advice. Thanks in advance.

[raptor84]

Possible cuase sinclude subject movemment, mirror slap vibration and/or the subject being too close to the lens.

Another cause might be that the lens and body are mis-calibrated but givine the small apperature i would suspect the first few reasons..

[ExplorerZ]

erm OOF? might be some problem with ur kit lens. as for blurrness there might be a few reason such as lousy optic/ not enough DOF/ OOF/ handshake blur. you gotta know which is the cause, if it is not enough DOF or handshake blur, it pointless even if you change to the most expensive lens.

[CasonLyn]

Originally Posted by deTour Owner of 350D for > 1 year and has been using the kit lens to do all shooting. However the pictures taken using the kit lens has been disappointing despite using the following setting: > AutoFocus > Av model with apeture size F8-F10 > tripod (not the high end type though) > timer to trigger shutter release > ISO setting 100 The picture always turn out to be little OOF. Wondering it this the limitation of the kit lens? Upgrade to L lens? So just PP is enough to make the picture look sharp? Hope to get some advice. Thanks in advance.

post some examples let us see?

[ianpaice]

Hi DeTour,

Maybe you have a bad copy? The kit lens is not so contrasty but sharpness is generally good when you stop down.

Two sample test pic with the kit lens (Ignore the poor composition, distortion and for being uncorrected, testing only)






Maybe you wanna try out my kit lens and compare to see if yours really off? If so, PM me.

[westwest1]

Originally Posted by ianpaice Hi, Maybe you have a bad copy? The kit lens is not so contrasty but sharpness is generally good when you stop down. One sample test pic with the kit lens.

looks ok to me....

[ortega]

Originally Posted by deTour Owner of 350D for > 1 year and has been using the kit lens to do all shooting. However the pictures taken using the kit lens has been disappointing despite using the following setting: > AutoFocus > Av model with apeture size F8-F10 > tripod (not the high end type though) > timer to trigger shutter release > ISO setting 100 The picture always turn out to be little OOF. Wondering it this the limitation of the kit lens? Upgrade to L lens? So just PP is enough to make the picture look sharp? Hope to get some advice. Thanks in advance.

what is the shutter speed?
could be due to camera shake

try a picture on a bright sunny day with the light falling on your subject
ISO 100
aperture F8
shutter speed at least 1/focal lenght
mount on sturdy tripod

if still OOF then try a different lens or Manual focus
BTW canon is known to be a little softer than nikon

best is to post a sample untouched picture for us to see

[wanzw]

TS can try take some photos at the settings with mirror lockup function. if still blur then is bad copy le.

[deTour]

Thanks all for the advice.

Quote: try a picture on a bright sunny day with the light falling on your subject ISO 100 aperture F8 shutter speed at least 1/focal lenght mount on sturdy tripod

Will try the above and post a sample picture.

[dr34mc4st3r]

you can always use photoshop USM

[Patryk]

make sure you've covered all your techniques first before you blame the equipment.

[+evenstar]

canon has this low pass filter in front of their sensors which is known to soften images a little

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by +evenstar canon has this low pass filter in front of their sensors which is known to soften images a little

which digital cameras don't have low pass filter?

[GmbH.]

Originally Posted by dr34mc4st3r you can always use photoshop USM

just wondering how did the film SLR users achieve sharp images from their L lenses then?

[panzerpunk]

Its called skill mah...

[dRebelXT]

Maybe you can try unsharpen mask.

[deTour]

Below is the sample picture taken with my kit lens with the recommended settings:

Aperture F8
ISO 100
Shutter speed 100
Picture taken with tripod
Date Time 13-9-06 1310hrs

#1 Original Picture - only resize such that <100K inorder put into CS gallery



#2 Picture with PP - Adjust level and apply unsharp mask

[deTour]

#3 Original picture without resizing

[raptor84]

Originally Posted by GmbH. just wondering how did the film SLR users achieve sharp images from their L lenses then?

Scan then USM. Of couse shooting with slides does help

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by deTour #3 Original picture without resizing

looks ok to me. i think what you are looking for is CONTRAST... not that much of sharpness.