To all the experts, Help!!

[Kaizenchua]

Hi guys,
I have been reading abt how great is the contrast and sharpness of the D70 kit lens, but the photos I got from it are far from acceptable leh. The photos are not blurred, ( as in camera shake), but it seems that they are not sharp at all. I read abt the D70 being prone to rear focusing, but I am not sure whether mine is suffering from it not. One example is posted below. I certainly hope it is due to my inexperience and not the camera or kit lens problem. Is this the kind of sharpness we can expect from the kit lens without post processing or I am missing out on sth? All the experts out there, help!!! Thanks in advance.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...94319875wBjXeA

[F5user]

go to a camera shop, ie: perhaps the camera workshop, ask them, shoot there and then WITH a DIFFERENT lense.. and see see look look

[bAa]

seems like a mistake in focusing. the other shots look fine to me. this for instance looks sharp to me, at least at this size.

bear in mind that the kit lens can be a bit soft wide open too.

[Picard]

...worth...

I had 'soft' pictures with my kit lens and I was not sure if it was back focusing or...but generally with my other prime lenses I was not too happy with the sharpness so I did the following just to assure myself:

1. Got a good filter (at least a HOYA)
2. Choose 'SHARP' from the camera's picture quality menu
3. Update the Firmware (a 10 minute job at Nikon)
4. Check for back focusing (a 5 day job at Nikon)

Now, I'm totally happy but I'm not too sure if it's because I got used to it.

Note: It is known that for the kit lens it is sharpest from F8 onwards but having used a 28mm ~ 105mm F3.5~F4.5 before that's no surprise.

Generally, the Kit lens is a multi purpose lens and great for trips and general photography so...as long as you align your expectations it should be ok.

Hope it helps.

[ComB]

Originally Posted by Picard ...worth... I had 'soft' pictures with my kit lens and I was not sure if it was back focusing or...but generally with my other prime lenses I was not too happy with the sharpness so I did the following just to assure myself: 1. Got a good filter (at least a HOYA) 2. Choose 'SHARP' from the camera's picture quality menu 3. Update the Firmware (a 10 minute job at Nikon) 4. Check for back focusing (a 5 day job at Nikon) Now, I'm totally happy but I'm not too sure if it's because I got used to it. Note: It is known that for the kit lens it is sharpest from F8 onwards but having used a 28mm ~ 105mm F3.5~F4.5 before that's no surprise. Generally, the Kit lens is a multi purpose lens and great for trips and general photography so...as long as you align your expectations it should be ok. Hope it helps.

Ur pic is sharp.Maybe ur focusing point u set at centre.
It only focus at centre,front or rear subject.Any thing at side will not as sharp as centre.IMHO

[bAa]

Originally Posted by Picard 1. Got a good filter (at least a HOYA) 2. Choose 'SHARP' from the camera's picture quality menu 3. Update the Firmware (a 10 minute job at Nikon) 4. Check for back focusing (a 5 day job at Nikon)

Seriously the filter doesn't really affect the sharpness that much. Just the amount of flare and ghosting you can expect.

[Kaizenchua]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Ya i am gonna check with Nikon to see if mine has backfocusing.Another thing is that I checked out photos form iamasaint and his are unbelievably sharp. Is it because of his postprocessing skills or his lens? So if I were to shoot the same scene with a 50mm prime lens, will the photo turn out to be that sharp or has it got to do with postprocessing? Pardon me if the question sound stupid k? cos I am really disappointed with the sharpness of the kit lens and I am wondering if I should get a prime lens to go with it?

[espn]

Originally Posted by bAa Seriously the filter doesn't really affect the sharpness that much. Just the amount of flare and ghosting you can expect.

Yes it does...

[stout]

Originally Posted by espn Yes it does...

U must be joking, fungus in side a lens will not affect a lens sharpness, how can a good hoya affect a lens sharpness!!!

[espn]

Lately a lot of Cash around, CS must be doing well, and PolarBears not hibernating, and Minoxmans walking around with maces. And LimCBs nothing to do. And now a ABC Stout. CS should clear some clones around here

[adamadam]

Originally Posted by espn Lately a lot of Cash around, CS must be doing well, and PolarBears not hibernating, and Minoxmans walking around with maces. And LimCBs nothing to do. And now a ABC Stout. CS should clear some clones around here

Explain the poem! hehe

[iamasaint]

Hi kaizen,

I'm not too sure if you're the same person who has emailed me on my yahoo account. But to answer your questions, the sharpness of the lens does depend very much on the glass thats on the lens. The range of lens that I use are the 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 17-40 L and 70 -200L and the 24-70mm 2.8 (Tokina). These lens have allproved to be very sharp. But having said that on my 10D (I also use an EOS 1N film body), the pictures tend to be less sharp. I believe you have to do a certain amt of sharpening for your digital photos. Even the primes and Ls need sharpening....altho you can get away with it on a 4R print. In fact Scott Kelly, whom I've read perhaps all of his PS books, did mentioned in one of his books that he will never not sharpen any of his digital image.

The other thing to take note of which is related in some ways is the fact that these prime lens are "fast" and "bright" lens. This will enable you to shoot at higher shutter speeds and hence prevent any lack of sharpness due to handshakes. Try shooting at at least 1/60 for a start. The speed does contribute to the sharpness of a pic.

Do hope this helps.

Cheers!

[Kaizenchua]

Thanks all for your help.

To Kelvin: Yup I am the one that emailed u on yahoo regarding sharpness of photos. Thanks for your advice, I realised that the correct amount of sharpening can do wonders to your photos.

Will be trying out the advice given by fellow Cs.. Cheers!