How to get sharper images from Olympus 18-180mm lens?

[achanth]

I find this lens very useful. But how do we get sharper image? I tried changing contrast, sharpening and saturation. Haven't got the best combination yet. Any advice? Thanks.

[aryanto]

I use this heavily when traveling because it is light and 10x zoom.
It is not an indoor lense. It is outdoor under the sun lense.
Tweaking image after it is taken will not improve focus sharpness considerably so forget about it.
High ISO helps to avoid blurry image, but you have to be content with noise.
For indoor, lock it at 18mm and zoom with your leg, and add FL50 fash.

[viewwing]

given the range of this lens... well something Has to compromise... and sadly its the sharpness... i do not have this lens... but i suppose u can google and get the best aperture it performs in and use it at that point... but you'll never be able to attain the 11-22mm type of sharpness in your picture...

[dorts]

Sharpness is the trade off for it's range. So I guess you just need to ask some USM during your post-processing.

[nerfwings]

I used to own this lens. Dialing the aperature value up by 2-3 clicks should solve the problem with softness on the wide.

On tele the images are somewhat sharp, just that you have to have steady hands (Any super tele lens will have this problem). Cos your shakyness on full tele is magnified. Either follow the golden rule of 1/2x shutter speed where x is the focal length of the lens in 35mm so for good pictures on 180mm, you will need a shutter speed of 1/720. If not, use flash. The sharpness at the tele end is pretty good actually (i feel that its sharper than the 40-150) if the camera shake factor is taken out.

I feel that the major compromise on this lens is softness on the wide end...

Well my 2 cents.

[aryanto]

Hmm, ... probably wearing high index glasses (mine is 5+) has something to do with me accepting a bit more blur. hehe :P
Here are all sample pictures taken using 18-180 during Thaipusam 2008, Singapore. http://picasaweb.google.com/aryantos/Thaipusam2008
You can check if they are sharp enough for you and check the exif information.

I started from lunchtime (I run out from office and take a couple of shot around 1pm to 2pm) and later after work 5:30pm follow the crowd to the temple and end up going out at about 8:30pm. Flash use is the build in flash (I did not expect to go into the temple but got stuck with the crowd and got pushed in, cannot escape.)
Only using Olympus Master Raw Edit to make correction on exposure and gradation.

I would say this lense combined with E-3 is a lot better than previously when I use E-330. However of course if you can afford to own and have the stamina to carry 50-200 probably you will get better images, but the people queueing with you probably will like you a little less. For oly 18-180mm this lense is pretty compact. It is not that much bigger compared to sigma 30mm f1.4 and slightly smaller than oly 11-22mm.

[aryanto]

These are two sample photo I took using 18-180, the fun lense.
It is probably not the best image (I could probably get a better image using 50-200mm), but its small size allow you to sneak around and the range give you the reach, without disturbing the subject. It is a great candid lens (so long as it is outdoor and you have good light - not dawn/dusk/night).

She was probably bored and was playing outside Plaza Singapura. This is taken as I walked to Plaza Singapura to buy my snack after taking pictures of Thaipusam. Click on thumbnail to see larger picture.

[troyjbon]

I own the lens before sold it off few days later. Sold it for like $200 off buying price.

It offers soft results and I dont fancy that. Really must get that sunlight working for you when using the 18-180mm. Indoor? Switch to your kit lens. Works much much better....

For the price of 18-180mm, I recommend you guys get the 40-150mm and still can squeeze a second hand flash to go along with your kit.....

[achanth]

Thanks, snappers. Very useful comments and suggestions. One of the things I must try is the aperture, like you mentioned.

For those using 18-180mm lens and E3, is there a key difference?
I have just bought the 14-54 lens; the f2.8 really helps; sharper, better focusing at night.
Does the E3 help much in this case?

Just think of option of i) getting 50-200 f-2.8-3.5 lens (have to buy), using exisiting E510 or
ii) use existing 18-180mm, with E3 (have to buy)

What would you suggest? I find the 18-180mm lens sharper at f8 than 14-150mm, and the 14-150mm sharper at other ranges of telezoom.

Thanks.

[achanth]

Oh, yes, for travelling, the 18-180mm lens is fantastic; light yet long zoom. The 50-200mm seems pretty heavy!