Images not sharp enough/noisy/whatever

[h1ho]

Hello, I've noticed my images aren't sharp enough or they're noisy, etc. Now, I don't think I've done something wrong, but correct me please: Shooting at ISO 100, using tripod, shooting usually at f8 or f11 (however the pictures i'll link are at f22 as i recall - but i still notice the same amount of unsharpness at f8). I often use a polarizer filter which can reduce the sharpness but I doubt it's the main problem (i'll try a few shots without filter later).

My question is: Am I doing something wrong, or its just my kit lens (which is obviously not as sharp as the expensive ones). I'm going to upgrade my lens anyways (not becouse of the sharpness), but first i'd wantto know what I am doing wrong.

http://i45.tinypic.com/js116c.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/2qunfxf.jpg

Thanks.

 

[MLeeK]

I'm really not seeing your issues in those.

 

[cgipson1]

please post the shots.. not going to follow links!

 

[shefjr]

^^^^ that

 

[Solarflare]

These are not full resolution, and I cant see any issue.

Well the second picture is probably overexposed - bright lights in an otherwise dark scene is problematic.

 

[amolitor]

Looks like you have some crud on your sensor and maybe a stuck pixel, in the night shot.

At f/22 you're gonna experience a little softness. Your kit lens is probably gonna give you a bit of softness. Not a LOT, but maybe that's what you're seeing? The evening/morning photo looks quite nice to me, sharpness-wise. The night shot is a little softer, but a long exposure can give you that. I assume you used a tripod? Vibration can still sneak in, though.

 

[h1ho]

Thanks for the comments, trying to answer...
For those people who said there's no problem, thanks, makes me feel better.
Actually I dont think I've a problem with the night shot, just wanted to link a different picture.

Solarflare: what do you mean with full resolution?
amolitor: I do and did use a tripod, actually the night shot is quite sharp imo, much sharper than the morning one.

I've found what my one of the biggest problem was and it's called chromatic aberration. Actually i've never heard of it, atm reading about it, if you know how to avoid/fix it, let me know! (I know many softwares can reduce it, eg. Lightroom).

 

[MLeeK]

Get a better lens. THere is some measure of fix in LR/ACR but it's not exactly all that great. Helps.

 

[ABPPhotography]

Upgrading your lens will help for sure.. These are certainly longer exposures at F22, are you using a remote shutter release? If not, you might be getting a little camera shake from pressing the shutter. I agree with your original sentiment that you'd like to see more clarity in these images, I thought that as well. Are you using AF or MF? If AF then it might be off in your lens, try manual. If MF, try auto, maybe you need glasses

 

[rokvi]

Also if your raising the exposure in post it will mess with it as well.

 

[imagemaker46]

I think the first looks pretty good, looks sharp. The second looks like there is a tiny bit of camera shake, even on a tripod, long exposures can get a bit of ground movement. It may also just be a filter issue.

 

[Andrei_316]

The first picture looks pretty sharp, you can probably get good results with better glass