Vet4scuba

It’s all in the glass.......

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

A "Sharpen" tool does not improve lens focus or lens resolution.

Sharpening an image actually improves acutance, not resolution. The image will look "sharper" but is not. Sharpness in terms of resolution is how many contrast transitions can be recorded, but acutance is how quickly the transition occurs.

Acutance is increased by changing pixels along contrast transitions to make the dark edge darker and the light edge lighter. It causes haloing and other negative effects as well. It does not improve resolution but increases perceived sharpness up to a point.

Higher resolution due to a sharper lens or better focus allows finer detail to be recorded. There is no software that increases resolution after the fact.

Note that the use of a Bayer Color Filter Array blurs contrast edges, and therefore a Sharpen tool to enhance acutance is always beneficial on images generated using Bayer arrays (almost all digital cameras).

It is also true that when an image is defraction limited an "Unsharp Mask" Sharpen tool can remove at least 2 fstops worth of defraction, which may greatly improve visibility of the resolution in some images.

Hence a combination of both good focus with a high resolution lens and post processing with different Sharpening tools is essental to high quality images from digital cameras.

sathca Loc: Narragansett Rhode Island

The shortcut is a great lens!

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

That is step 1.

Step 2 is equally important but with distinctly different effect: proper use of Sharpening tool.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I was in agreement with you until I came to your ending. So, you are saying that if my brother had purchased the best-available FD lenses in the 1980's when he purchased a Canon AE-1 Program camera, he'd still be satisfied with it today???

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

You will always get better results from better glass. Always
There is only so much soft ware can do and most of that only corrects softness created by things other than the lens. Like AA filters on the sensor.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

If he is shooting with that AE-1 he should still be very satisfied.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

I'm not familiar with that particular Canon camera, or the "Earlier" Canon lenses, but there are many photographers out there that still swear by some of the older lenses.

They have to be used as manual focus lenses on the newer bodies, but they're still getting really exceptional shots with those older lenses.

So, by investing in the best quality lens that you can afford, you are investing in your future. Quality does matter in the long run.

bcrawf

Think of sharpening an image in which the subject matter has a very short depth of field, with its closer and farther detail blurring into puffy fuzz. You can sharpen that image, but the soft parts will not gain detail, though there might be an impression of it in the parts which were closest to being sharply focused. Enhanced crispness can seem like enhanced detail.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

What about the most modern cameras that have an AA filter simulator instead of an actual AA filter?

Jim Bob

Is there really a difference? Yes. Is it a difference that..."most non pixel peeper people" will appreciate? Probably not, especially considering the explosion of decent cell phone cameras.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

It is not only sharpness, but microcontrast, various types of optical aberrations, vignetting, lens speed, flare resistance and a few other things.

That being said, if you are shooting in good light stopped down to f8 or so in many situations the difference will often not be too obvious on smaller prints and computer screens.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Then you need to do some research before you make such blanket statements. In 1987 Canon introduced their new EF mount which totally replaced the FD mount. FD lenses can be mounted on a modern camera {and provide infinity focus} only via an adapter which includes a lens. Ultimately, this move made Canon the dominant company, but most people who stayed with Canon completely replaced all their lenses, even the great ones.

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

Killjoy!!!!!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Only if he were still shooting film - in fact, he moved to digital in 2005.