Sharper images
Sep 17, 2013 09:02:34 #
Hi, I'm somewhat new here. I read a lot of the posts, and they have been very educational as well as helpful.
I shoot with a Pentax K-x and sigma telephoto 70-300 af, and macro. When I first got the camera a few years ago, I was very impressed with the crispness and detail of the higher megapixels from my previous point and shoot digital cameras. I always shoot in manual, but use af. Lately, I've been progressively disappointed by the "soft" focus in my photos. The camera is now in the shop to have the sensor cleaned as I noticed a couple dust spots on my photos. Is it possible there is also a film on the sensor that is taking away the crispness and sharp focusing? Any thoughts?
I shoot with a Pentax K-x and sigma telephoto 70-300 af, and macro. When I first got the camera a few years ago, I was very impressed with the crispness and detail of the higher megapixels from my previous point and shoot digital cameras. I always shoot in manual, but use af. Lately, I've been progressively disappointed by the "soft" focus in my photos. The camera is now in the shop to have the sensor cleaned as I noticed a couple dust spots on my photos. Is it possible there is also a film on the sensor that is taking away the crispness and sharp focusing? Any thoughts?
Sep 17, 2013 09:12:56 #
Sep 17, 2013 09:24:29 #
Sep 17, 2013 09:48:22 #
I have been post sharpening, which is what made me aware of a problem. As to the in camera sharpening; I'll check that when it comes back from the shop. I wasn't aware of that setting. Thanks.
Sep 17, 2013 09:49:15 #
I'll get a couple photos off my computer tonight when I get home and post them.
Sep 17, 2013 13:18:10 #
budcmor wrote:
I'll get a couple photos off my computer tonight when I get home and post them.
Meant to say welcome before, sorry. Just so you know, if you press the quote reply tab, we know who you are replying to when you answer, thanks.
Sep 17, 2013 19:02:36 #
budcmor wrote:
I have been post sharpening, which is what made me aware of a problem. As to the in camera sharpening; I'll check that when it comes back from the shop. I wasn't aware of that setting. Thanks.
Even if sharpening is turned on you might be able to increase it. Nikons let you do that in the Picture Controls.
Doesn't your camera do the image stabilization in the camera vs. in the lens? If so there might be something going on there. For example might it have gotten turned off also?
Sep 18, 2013 02:18:38 #
budcmor wrote:
Hi, I'm somewhat new here. I read a lot of the ... (show quote)
Pages 140 & 228 of your manual.
Sep 18, 2013 06:33:18 #
budcmor wrote:
Hi, I'm somewhat new here. I read a lot of the ... (show quote)
Did you ever think of checking you lens, and or having it cleaned.
Sep 18, 2013 07:29:07 #
My first digital slr was a pentax k100d, at least 2 versions before my kx. My Sigma 70-300 APO DG worked perfectly with the K100d, but not so well with the KX. The photos are still very good (after some PP sharpening) but still not quite as good it seems as with the K100d. A friend suggested that the move from a 6mp camera to a 12mp camera might make some lens issues more obvious, but that was just a guess. In any event, that lens is still my most used. You should be very please with your results once you work out the bugs.
Sep 18, 2013 08:48:26 #
Hi, I'm new here myself, welcome. Just a thought, have you changed camera cards lately? I read that they're good for thousands of reformats, but I had a similar problem with both cameras I was using after about a year, so I changed cards and noticed the images were a lot cleaner.
budcmor wrote:
Hi, I'm somewhat new here. I read a lot of the ... (show quote)
Sep 18, 2013 09:04:18 #
budcmor wrote:
Maybe this is just a question of perception. It's quite possible that, in the last few years, you've become progressively more critical of your images and what was acceptable when you first got the camera/lens is now less acceptable.Hi, I'm somewhat new here. I read a lot of the ... (show quote)
It sounds like you have the budget 70-300mm lens; perhaps the issue lies there rather than with the Sensor. Another possibility is the AF accuracy, maybe the AF Sensor or mirror is misaligned; this can happen after a bad knock.
Sep 18, 2013 09:10:04 #
Peekayoh wrote:
Maybe this is just a question of perception. It's quite possible that, in the last few years, you've become progressively more critical of your images and what was acceptable when you first got the camera/lens is now less acceptable.
It sounds like you have the budget 70-300mm lens; perhaps the issue lies there rather than with the Sensor. Another possibility is the AF accuracy, maybe the AF Sensor or mirror is misaligned; this can happen after a bad knock.
It sounds like you have the budget 70-300mm lens; perhaps the issue lies there rather than with the Sensor. Another possibility is the AF accuracy, maybe the AF Sensor or mirror is misaligned; this can happen after a bad knock.
This is what i was going to say...
There are also techniques that result in sharper images, lenses have their weak spots and their strong suits and lots of small details far off generally isn't it for pixel peeping.
Filling the frame, making sure your focus point is accurate, stopping down a stop or two, all will help with sharpness.
And was was said...that's not a killer lens for sharpness.
Sep 18, 2013 09:21:24 #
You should post an example with the EXIF data intact for a more detailed analysis.
Sep 18, 2013 09:56:33 #
Since you have always used manual focus and recently began using AFyour problem is probably within the camera body where AF focus points are selected. Make certain your focus point is nailed to your subject. Go to the camera menu and check your focus points. Also if your Pentax has the ability to fine tune your lens to the camera sensor you should perform this procedure as well. There are several focus calibration charts like Jefferys available online for free. The process of fine tuning lens to body requires a tripod and a little effort but pays big dividends.
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