Sharpening question...

[cookie88]

Hi,
I notice my portrait images still lack the sharpness of those posted here. I usually use Aperture priority 85-105mm f2-2.8 settings (shutter is usually 1/500 or faster). Images are in raw and rendered using Rawshooter with the default sharpness of 0.


Question:
1. What are your usual camera/application settings to improve sharpness? Of juz gotta improve my skill
2. Or maybe because my subject is my toddler daughter who wouldnt sit still for me to 'get it right'? Maybe I will try experiment on some still subjects.

 

[Drudkh]

What lens?

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

What lens?

better still... which camera?

for my 7D, i set jpeg to +2 for sharpness, yet dun find it sharp (even with tamron 90mm) cos i take product shoot... i like those razor sharp kind...

 

[Phildate]

Apply some Unsharp Mask in Photoshop

 

[eng_keow]

Try using higher iso (800) with smaller aperature f8.0 and above. This will allow you to shoot at higher shutter speed if you are using aperture priority.

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Try using higher iso (800) with smaller aperature f8.0 and above. This will allow you to shoot at higher shutter speed if you are using aperture priority.

den introduce grains and thus, need degrain, and become soft again.

and he did say speed is 1/500... which imho... quite fast already...

 

[Drudkh]

better still... which camera?

for my 7D, i set jpeg to +2 for sharpness, yet dun find it sharp (even with tamron 90mm) cos i take product shoot... i like those razor sharp kind...

Not jumping anymore?

some lens don't give that kind of sharpness you expect ma.
just like knives, some are super sharp, some are not that sharp. :sticktong

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Not jumping anymore?

some lens don't give that kind of sharpness you expect ma.
just like knives, some are super sharp, some are not that sharp. :sticktong

tis lens for Nikon bloody sharp... shoot normal also bleed liao... think shoot with +2 sharpness can become a lightsabre liao...

 

[eow]

try usm and sharpen edge

 

[Drudkh]

tis lens for Nikon bloody sharp... shoot normal also bleed liao... think shoot with +2 sharpness can become a lightsabre liao...

wah! didn't know got such lens 85-105mm f/2-2.8! :bigeyes:

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

wah! didn't know got such lens 85-105mm f/2-2.8! :bigeyes:

think u just flung your comprehension test today?

 

[Agetan]

I don't like over sharpen picture for portrait.

Normally I will apply USM at 100, 1.3, 0

Shoot at 0 sharpness or +1 if I don't have photoshop with me.

Hart

 

[Drudkh]

think u just flung your comprehension test today?

flung your head! i'm not refering to your nikon mount tamron 90mm la.

 

[cookie88]

To add on... my usual lens is Tamron 35-105 f2.8 (usually use A-priority at f2.8). Sometimes use 85mm f1.4 (usually use A-priority at f2). Latter is quite a new lens and only used 2x. Lighting mosting from flash in HSS mode; no sophisticated setup.

Tried 85mm at f1.4 but the depth is too shallow. Slight movement fr my daughter and its OOF. f2 seems a good setting.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

 

[Drudkh]

When you say not sharp, do you mean its OOF like back/front focus or do you mean soft?
Maybe you can post a sample photo or 2 at 100% cropped to show us?

 

[eow]

To add on... my usual lens is Tamron 35-105 f2.8 (usually use A-priority at f2.8). Sometimes use 85mm f1.4 (usually use A-priority at f2). Latter is quite a new lens and only used 2x. Lighting mosting from flash in HSS mode; no sophisticated setup.

Tried 85mm at f1.4 but the depth is too shallow. Slight movement fr my daughter and its OOF. f2 seems a good setting.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

how much u paid for yr 85mm f/1.4?

 

[cookie88]

I have posted the pics in my gallery...

PICT0209 is better but the face outline is a little soft. Probably because of the shallow depth of my f2 setting?

PICT0212 looks softer, not sure if its due to movement of the subject???


I got the 85mm f1.4G(D) in Japan for JPY88500. No tax, somehow ;p

 

[cookie88]

Found a new thread in dpreview that answered my questions. Will try it out and see. Thanks for all the replies...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=16617208