Not getting sharp photos ..... I have a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX DG HSM lens. When I am indoors and using a flash I get razor sharp photos. When I am outside sometimes i get...

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

I have a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX DG HSM lens.
When I am indoors and using a flash I get razor sharp photos. When I am outside sometimes i get good photos but nothing razor sharp and many times plain soft, especially when shooting foliage or flowers. Since I know the camera and lens are capable of razor sharp photos the issue has to be ME! Any suggestions? Any help here is greatly appreciated.

I usually have ISO set at 200 and lens in Aperture Priority 5.6 or 6.3 saved as RAW

The samples are untouched, no enhancements only converted to JPG from RAW by Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw.

INSIDE SHOT

(Download)

OUTSIDE SHOT

(Download)

picturesofdogs Loc: Dallas, Texas.

Shutter speed too slow.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

The flash stops action which helps with sharpness, whereas as outdoors the foliage & flowers are moving even in no wind. Try a faster shutter speed to stop action outdoors. I'd suggest at least 1/500 sec. Try several up to 1/2000 sec to see what works for you.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

faster shutter speed,

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

This picture appears sharp to me, but under exposed, giving it a flat, un-sharp appearance. Probably caused by the white background fooling the camera's meter.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

ecobin wrote:

The flash stops action which helps with sharpness, whereas as outdoors the foliage & flowers are moving even in no wind. Try a faster shutter speed to stop action outdoors. I'd suggest at least 1/500 sec. Try several up to 1/2000 sec to see what works for you.

Will give a faster shutter speed a try. Thanks!
Looks like letting the camera set the shutter is not always correct .........

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

SonyA580 wrote:

This picture appears sharp to me, but under exposed, giving it a flat, un-sharp appearance. Probably caused by the white background fooling the camera's meter.

Your right. The photo is a RAW image. If enhanced with Photoshop it does get more colorful and the sharpness can be increased but even so it still looks slightly soft when compared to my indoor images with a flash.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

In your image on download, the grasshopper IS out of focus,but the large green above is not... Are you using spot focus ?

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

No, I was using the middle cross hair setting.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

authorizeduser wrote:

I have a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX DG HS... (show quote)

In the grasshopper shot, check where your focus lock is - it appears that the stalk to the left is where focus was set, the grasshopper appears slightly out of focus.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Dngallagher wrote:

In the grasshopper shot, check where your focus lock is - it appears that the stalk to the left is where focus was set, the grasshopper appears slightly out of focus.

Appreciate the tip. Looks like I need to learn more about how to control the camera ....LOL

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

authorizeduser wrote:

Appreciate the tip. Looks like I need to learn more about how to control the camera ....LOL

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah Yas ! Learn de camera.... Words of wisdom........... Amazing what happens after that...

:thumbup: :thumbup: :-D

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

authorizeduser wrote:

I have a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX DG HSM lens. When I am indoors and using a flash I get razor sharp photos. When I am outside sometimes i get good photos but nothing razor sharp and many times plain soft, especially when shooting foliage or flowers. I usually have ISO set at 200 and lens in Aperture Priority 5.6 or 6.3 saved as RAW

Authorized - Like you I often shot with my camera set on Aperture Priority mode, but recently I started using Shutter Priority more frequently. Lo and behold, the sharpness of my images improved. Now that couldn't be because this old geezer has gotten shaky, could it? Lol.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

rjaywallace wrote:

Authorized - Like you I often shot with my camera set on Aperture Priority mode, but recently I started using Shutter Priority more frequently. Lo and behold, the sharpness of my images improved. Now that couldn't be because this old geezer has gotten shaky, could it? Lol.

Well considering I know for a fact that my camera and lens are fully capable of sharp photos I have to conclude that it is us humans who are just possibly making life for the camera harder. :shock:

Thanks, will give shutter priority a try. :thumbup:

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

authorizeduser wrote:

I have a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX DG HS... (show quote)

You need to remember that ANY image stored in RAW will need PP Sharpening to make for a sharp image. JPG's have been sharpened already when processed in camera, YOU need to sharpen RAW's when doing your processing.
For a good comparison, shoot a RAW plus JPG image of the same scene, you will find the JPG to be sharper every time if properly focused.