Camera or Lens for Sharper Photos?

[Designer]

Interesting. Do you know what causes that extra sharpness?

Different lenses are constructed with different materials and designs, so it should be apparent that some will be "better" than others.

As to the rest of the story; I still suspect that what you are noticing is a very thin DOF, not an inherent lack of lens quality.

Of course, it could also be missed focus, so if we had an example with an intact EXIF, we could verify the point of focus.

Please post an example of a photograph that is not in focus so we will have something in common to view and discuss.

 

[stephanesaurus]

Yes, I realize. It just feels a bit like a guessing game when buying a new lens. I've provided a photo below taken with my EF 50mm f/1.4 though I never said that my photos were not in focus.

 

[Designer]

I could not read the focus point of the attached photo nor any of the other EXIF either.

The reason that your fisheye lens makes sharper images than your 50mm is that the fisheye has a much shorter focal length, so more of the photo is sharp. A wider lens has a deeper DOF than a longer lens.

My advice is to sell your 50mm and purchase a better one.

 

[stephanesaurus]

It was an unaltered photo, so that's odd. Anyway, the short focal length answers what I wanted to know. Thanks for your help!

 

[Overread18 6]

I wonder if fish-eye lenses have an inherent advantage since they don't have to correct for the circular distortion? If that's the case then chances are with a simpler optic setup and likely less elements it might be that they are simply able to achieve a higher level of detail retention than other lenses normally are capable of (at least without very high end optics and setups).

 

[Designer]

It was an unaltered photo, so that's odd. Anyway, the short focal length answers what I wanted to know. Thanks for your help!

I'm glad you understand. That is what I had been getting at in several posts, although apparently not very effectively.

 

[JTPhotography]

Sharpness is a deep subject. I have been into photography for over 20 years and I never stop learning new things about taking "sharp" photos. To blame a lens or a camera body is really an oversimplification. As is comparing the sharpness of a fisheye lens to the sharpness of an 80-200.

 

[stephanesaurus]

I'm beginning to see how complex it really is and that there is no clear cut answer. I am just starting out and didn't mean to place all blame on the equipment if that is how I came across. If you don't mind sharing, I'd love to hear any tips you might have whether on this thread or another link.

I wonder if fish-eye lenses have an inherent advantage since they don't have to correct for the circular distortion? If that's the case then chances are with a simpler optic setup and likely less elements it might be that they are simply able to achieve a higher level of detail retention than other lenses normally are capable of (at least without very high end optics and setups).

That is an interesting thought. The lens itself wasn't very expensive. Thanks for your input!

 

[Designer]

To me it's not overly complex. If I want a deeper DOF I can do one or more of the following:

Use a smaller aperture.
Use a wider lens.
Back up.

Do all three if it needs to change a lot.