sharp image problem - The Photo Forum

dazeymay · 03-19-2008, 04:31 PM

I purchased a Nikon D80 in May and absolutley love it! but i have been noticing lately that my images are slightly out of focus. I can't seem to get them sharp! I'm really hoping for some advice!

Big Mike · 03-19-2008, 04:35 PM

Welcome to the forum.

It's fairly hard to judge this type of thing with web sized images....or without some more information.

The first image doesn't look that bad...but it does look like you focused on the wall, rather than on the guys. If you did focus on them...it could be possible that you are experiencing back focus.

Phranquey · 03-19-2008, 04:45 PM

May seem like a no brainer, but.... is your focus selector locked. If it is not, it is very easy to hit the multi-selector pad, sending your focal points to a different location every time you touch it.

JerryPH · 03-19-2008, 07:23 PM

Also, you could do a test and see if the lens is front or back focusing or not. Do a search for FOCUS CHART on google. Download the focus chart and see if your lens is not focusing or not. Followthe instructions as closely as possible for best results.

Edit:
I hope you don't mind, but I downlaoded the JPG you posted and tried out some smart sharpening on it. There was a LOT of room for improvement. So, my question is... did you by chance disable the in camera JPG sharpening? Are you shooting RAW? If in RAW, what are you using to post process your pics? With Adobe Camera Raw, you can get some amazingly sharp pics!

BTW, after the test, I deleted your picture, in response to your desire to the fact that you do not want your pics edited... but I needed to find out or not. I hope that was OK with you.

dazeymay · 03-19-2008, 11:21 PM

Thank you so much for all of your great advice. I will check out that focus chart. I have been shooting in jpeg not raw, mostly just for space on my card. i should try raw maybe?

JerryPH · 03-20-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by dazeymay

Thank you so much for all of your great advice. I will check out that focus chart. I have been shooting in jpeg not raw, mostly just for space on my card. i should try raw maybe?

Playing with RAW, you get a better quality output in post processing. What I would do first is check your camera settings first.

- Is in camera sharpening turned on?
- If not, turn it on, try it out, is it to your liking?
- If no, switch to RAW format files and sharpen in post processing.

Post process sharpening using Adobe Camera Raw (comes with photoshop), can get you some VERY sharp pics.

christopher walrath · 03-20-2008, 11:36 AM

Check your batteries. Low power can through off the focusing mechanism as well.

03-19-2008, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
dazeymay TPF Noob! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	sharp image problem I purchased a Nikon D80 in May and absolutley love it! but i have been noticing lately that my images are slightly out of focus. I can't seem to get them sharp! I'm really hoping for some advice!

03-19-2008, 04:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 17,618 My Photos Are OK to Edit	Welcome to the forum. It's fairly hard to judge this type of thing with web sized images....or without some more information. The first image doesn't look that bad...but it does look like you focused on the wall, rather than on the guys. If you did focus on them...it could be possible that you are experiencing back focus. __________________ Edmonton Wedding Photographer Blog

03-19-2008, 04:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phranquey I spend too much of my life on TPF! TPF Subscriber Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 516 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	May seem like a no brainer, but.... is your focus selector locked. If it is not, it is very easy to hit the multi-selector pad, sending your focal points to a different location every time you touch it. __________________ Wherever you go, there you are.

03-19-2008, 07:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
JerryPH TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 3,920 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Also, you could do a test and see if the lens is front or back focusing or not. Do a search for FOCUS CHART on google. Download the focus chart and see if your lens is not focusing or not. Followthe instructions as closely as possible for best results. Edit: I hope you don't mind, but I downlaoded the JPG you posted and tried out some smart sharpening on it. There was a LOT of room for improvement. So, my question is... did you by chance disable the in camera JPG sharpening? Are you shooting RAW? If in RAW, what are you using to post process your pics? With Adobe Camera Raw, you can get some amazingly sharp pics! BTW, after the test, I deleted your picture, in response to your desire to the fact that you do not want your pics edited... but I needed to find out or not. I hope that was OK with you. __________________ * Just a very enthusiastic "kinda-sorta" amateur with a Nikon * Photography 101: - a picture you place in an album - a photograph you frame and place on your wall Last edited by JerryPH; 03-19-2008 at 07:37 PM.

03-20-2008, 07:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
JerryPH TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 3,920 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by dazeymay Thank you so much for all of your great advice. I will check out that focus chart. I have been shooting in jpeg not raw, mostly just for space on my card. i should try raw maybe? Playing with RAW, you get a better quality output in post processing. What I would do first is check your camera settings first. - Is in camera sharpening turned on? - If not, turn it on, try it out, is it to your liking? - If no, switch to RAW format files and sharpen in post processing. Post process sharpening using Adobe Camera Raw (comes with photoshop), can get you some VERY sharp pics. __________________ * Just a very enthusiastic "kinda-sorta" amateur with a Nikon * Photography 101: - a picture you place in an album - a photograph you frame and place on your wall

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03-19-2008, 11:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
dazeymay TPF Noob! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Thank you so much for all of your great advice. I will check out that focus chart. I have been shooting in jpeg not raw, mostly just for space on my card. i should try raw maybe?

03-20-2008, 11:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
christopher walrath I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 853 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Check your batteries. Low power can through off the focusing mechanism as well. __________________ Thank you. Christopher A. Walrath CREATIVE IMAGE MAKER MAGAZINE JANUARY 2009 ISSUE ONLINE NOW! creativeimagemaker@comcast.net Christopher A. Walrath Photography Massive Dev Chart PLEASE SUPPORT THE TPF MENTORING PROGRAM.

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