tack sharp images - help needed to save sanity.

[tomorrowstreasures]

subject: tack sharp images.


Those of you who are active on here know that I am yearning to take tack sharp images.

This is what I have to work with.
Canon 5D, Canon 40D
some off brand memory cards (will fill in brand name when i get home)
Canon L series lenses - prime 85mm f/1.2; zoom 70-200mm f/2.8 IS; zoom 70-200mm f/2.8; 10-?mm f/3.5? wide angle
Canon 50mm f/1.8
canon 70-300? f 4.5
canon 2x580II flash heads + sensor thingie for remote wireless flash
tripod

(I am terrible at remembering what i have.)

Psp X2
Picasa
PS Cs3

books, books, books, did i mention books on all of the above minus the lenses.
scott kelby training videos (4 of those puppies) titles?

any way -

the point is, i read, read, read, but am not getting the results i want.
i want to pp like Ed- my new bff, and have tack sharp output like Michael.

I am not asking too much am i????

any one who may want to make and upload training videos to link from here to youtube - PLEASE, PLEASE do!!!!

[tirediron]

Sharpness isn't something that happens in post; sharpness is captured in the original image. You've definitely got the gear, no question, so if you're not getting sharp images, it's either a fault with the gear (Unlikely IMO) or an issue with technique. Can you post one or two of yours which you feel aren't sharp enough for viewing?

[Travis]

Yes... you definitely have the gear...

If you are mostly shooting soft the problem is either -

1. Your hand holding technique

2. Your selection of aperture/shutter/iso

3. Your focal selection

and if your still shooting jpeg then also -

4. Your in camera sharpness settings are too passive

Post some examples with exif if you really want if pinned down..

[Marko]

My instinct is shutter speed and how you are holding the camera.
BOTH make a monster difference.

I've said this several times but in my experience I was able to shoot slower on film. I find that 1/60 is often too slow for shots I had no trouble with with film.

I'd recommend experimenting with faster shutter speeds to see if it helps.

[Iguanasan]

...This is what I have to work with.
Canon 5D, Canon 40D
some off brand memory cards (will fill in brand name when i get home)
Canon L series lenses - prime 85mm f/1.2; zoom 70-200mm f/2.8 IS; zoom 70-200mm f/2.8; 10-?mm f/3.5? wide angle
Canon 50mm f/1.8
canon 70-300? f 4.5
canon 2x580II flash heads + sensor thingie for remote wireless flash
tripod...

Drool, drool, slurp, slurp, drool.

[tomorrowstreasures]

ok. so it IS me - THAT is a a huge relief!!!! i would MUCH rather it be my fault than the gear!!! with the amount i have invested in equipment, i was terrified that i went the wrong direction. i will upload some images here in a bit to see if they can be pp to clean them up.... at which point, maybe a few more hints?

[kat]

ok. so it IS me - THAT is a a huge relief!!!! i would MUCH rather it be my fault than the gear!!! with the amount i have invested in equipment, i was terrified that i went the wrong direction. i will upload some images here in a bit to see if they can be pp to clean them up.... at which point, maybe a few more hints?

You are not alone! I'm glad you asked this question!!! Can't wait to see how this thread progresses because it will be great info to me!!!

[tomorrowstreasures]

how do i do that >>>>> Post some examples with exif if you really want if pinned down

[tirediron]

how do i do that >>>>> Post some examples with exif if you really want if pinned down

Best thing would be to post a couple of hi-res examples (full resolution images) on say PhotoBucket or Flickr and just post the links here. That way we can look at them in detail.

[GregL]

You are not alone! I'm glad you asked this question!!! Can't wait to see how this thread progresses because it will be great info to me!!!

I was also going to raise a question about this. It's really one of the things that I want to try to achieve this year in my photography. Tack sharp images.

I don't have the gear that tomorrowtreasures has (just jealous...really I am ) but I think my gear is good enought to make the issue - me.

One question I have right now is, I use auto focus completely. Is that part of my problem? I do try to be selective about the autofocus points.

Not trying to steal your thread tomorrowtreasures - I think you've hit on a issue dear to the heart of many of us.

thanks