Sharpness distance: For a good sharp photo, how far away can you go to still expect fine detail in the face/eyes? Maybe I’m expecting too much but I would think eyes should be able to...

Frostbyte

For a good sharp photo, how far away can you go to still expect fine detail in the face/eyes?
Maybe I’m expecting too much but I would think eyes should be able to still look sharp from quite the distance.

I’m using a 5dm4 85mm1.2f lens.

John Sh Loc: Toronto, Australia

Unfortunately your question has only one answer, it depends! on so many things. There is no simple answer, or formula, that can resolve this issue.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

John Sh wrote:

Unfortunately your question has only one answer, it depends! on so many things. There is no simple answer, or formula, that can resolve this issue.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Frostbyte wrote:

For a good sharp photo, how far away can you go to still expect fine detail in the face/eyes?
Maybe I’m expecting too much but I would think eyes should be able to still look sharp from quite the distance.

I’m using a 5dm4 85mm1.2f lens.

Consider posting an example, storing the original, and let us see what you're seeing.

Frostbyte

I attached but I guess it didn’t keep the file. I don’t have the raw on my phone. Just the edit.

(Download)

John Sh Loc: Toronto, Australia

Looks like the focus point is in the word 'Female" on her shirt. You need to focus on the eyes then recompose. Also a smaller apertures setting would help. No Exif with the shot so I can't be more helpful than this.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

John Sh wrote:

Looks like the focus point is in the word 'Female" on her shirt. You need to focus on the eyes then recompose. Also a smaller apertures setting would help. No Exif with the shot so I can't be more helpful than this.

Same comment. We'd have to see a version of this image from the camera, with the EOS-specific EXIF data full in-tact, to provide more insight.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

I'm seeing the basic exif data (exif viewer in firefox).
Shooting at f1.2 your focus has to be spot on for the eyes.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Personally, I see absolutely nothing wrong with this photo. It looks sharp enough to me. What exactly don't you like about it? Extreme sharpness isn't always your friend when doing portraits.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

John Sh wrote:

Looks like the focus point is in the word 'Female" on her shirt. You need to focus on the eyes then recompose. Also a smaller apertures setting would help. No Exif with the shot so I can't be more helpful than this.

That is where he was looking when focusing.

Frostbyte

Maybe I was off. I try and have it in the fine focus setting where there is a dot in the square. Then have that in the eye. But sometimes I click too fast. Maybe I was off.
I wasn’t sure how far away you could be to still have sharp focus. It’s only really noticeable when I zoom way in. Still getting the hang of it all. Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Frostbyte wrote:

Maybe I was off. I try and have it in the fine focus setting where there is a dot in the square. Then have that in the eye. But sometimes I click too fast. Maybe I was off.
I wasn’t sure how far away you could be to still have sharp focus. It’s only really noticeable when I zoom way in. Still getting the hang of it all. Thanks.

You might scroll through this Flickr pool for the EF 85L II for examples of distance, focus and EXIF data, if posted.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/canon85mmf12/pool/

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Frostbyte wrote:

For a good sharp photo, how far away can you go to still expect fine detail in the face/eyes?
Maybe I’m expecting too much but I would think eyes should be able to still look sharp from quite the distance.

I’m using a 5dm4 85mm1.2f lens.

Post a sample to illustrate what you are talking about more clearly.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Gene51 wrote:

Post a sample to illustrate what you are talking about more clearly.

Are you unhappy for some reason with the photo he posted about half way down page 1?

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

The image looks fine to me.

Mike