i think there's no need to use the 50mm unless you actuallywant to... the 24-105 is VERY sharp at mid-range focal lengths, especially if it's stopped down to f/8 or so. you shouldn't need to go any smaller than that to get ample DOF. (FYI, if you set the lens at 50mm and f/8, at a distance of about 20 feet, you'll have a total acceptable DOF of 16 feet - 5 feet in front, and 11 feet behind - so your blur problem isn't a DOF thing.) if you're using the tripod, turn off the IS and if you don't have a remote shutter release, use the camera's internal self-timer. that will eliminate any possibility of camera movement from you touching the camera to press the shutter.

Awwww shucks, beacher...I was going to recommend the same website. I have one of these hoods on order. Do you have one? If so, how do you like it? One thing I'll need to remember is to take an older pair of glasses so the good ones don't get boogered up from looking through the viewfinder!

Hello Good People,
I've been taking pictures of stuff for many years but lack the "professional" edge. About 90% of the shots are of various buildings & conditions I look for during inspections. I try to take close-ups so I can get as much detail as posible but lighting isnt always handy.
The remaining 10% is mostly the natural World, critters & such.
Now I'm getting near the time to replace an aging Canon Powershot S2 IS & would really appreciate any suggestions.

In Totem Pole, draw a line from the top left corner (Where my eye first came into the frame) to the bottom right corner (Right through the statue's right eye - center of interest), then go from the middle of that line to the upper right corner - right through the left eye - bingo - Golden Triangles ! In the sailor's knot, just the opposite - the line leads from upper right to lower left, then from the center of that up to the upper left - through arms of the knot - another good pic! The clam is like the first - the eye goes into the space between the top and bottom halves of the shell from the left, and circles in a swirl all the way back to the beginning! Better than 3-points, better than triangles!