Newbei bought a 35mm without VR

[analog.universe]

It does appear that there is camera movement even in the tripod shots. Try putting the camera on the floor and doing the test? Maybe just try handheld outside at like 1/1000?

If you can't get a sharp image outside in bright sun, at 5.6, 1/1000 of a barcode 5' away, then it really sounds like there's a focusing issue with the lens. Trying to get sharp 100% crops is tricky business however... you're really pushing a number of variables to their limits, and you need to get them all right to actually get the result you're looking for. This is a pretty nice article on achieving critical sharpness: Getting the Pixels Right by Thom Hogan

 

[Rosshole]

Let's get back to the beginning before all of the bar code photos... OP, what are you trying to find out, if your lens is a bad copy, or if you are not using optimal settings?

EDIT: I think that the post above is a great idea.

 

[subscuck]

I really don't want to read thru all of this again, but have we ever determined the make and model of the OP's tripod? I seem to recall him saying he could see the camera bobbing around a bit on the tripod. This may be the only issue he's having. A little instability and slow ss's will definitely lead to blur. I'd suggest setting it on a table and using the timer, or go outside under bright light and do it handheld.

 

[MTVision]

Let's get back to the beginning before all of the bar code photos... OP, what are you trying to find out, if your lens is a bad copy, or if you are not using optimal settings?

EDIT: I think that the post above is a great idea.

His original problem/? was that he bought a 35mm without VR and he thinks that shake is causing the barcode to be blurred.

 

[MTVision]

I really don't want to read thru all of this again, but have we ever determined the make and model of the OP's tripod? I seem to recall him saying he could see the camera bobbing around a bit on the tripod. This may be the only issue he's having. A little instability and slow ss's will definitely lead to blur. I'd suggest setting it on a table and using the timer, or go outside under bright light and do it handheld.

He never said the make of the tripod. Just that it was 60.00. I have a cheap vivitar tripod and if it shakes it's not noticeable in the picture with my 50mm on it.

 

[Josh66]

I really don't want to read thru all of this again, but have we ever determined the make and model of the OP's tripod? I seem to recall him saying he could see the camera bobbing around a bit on the tripod. This may be the only issue he's having. A little instability and slow ss's will definitely lead to blur. I'd suggest setting it on a table and using the timer, or go outside under bright light and do it handheld.

As far as I know, the OP has not stated the specifics on the tripod... There was at least one shot that looked to me to have camera shake...

All of the variables need to be eliminated to find the root cause of the problem, and the tripod is one of those variables...

 

[Ron Evers]

Thanks, good move Overread.

 

[RichardsTPF]

Thank you for all your advice and help. I am really glad to see so many people help me out.
Sorry I forgot about my tripod. It is a BENRO A150EXU.
I bought my D90 and 18-200mm over a month ago. After seeing so review/thread about sharpness of the 35mm, 50mm prime lens, I bought this 35mm f1.8G a week ago. To get a idea of the decent sharpness, I took several pictures of bar-code with both lens. The result is disappointing. My first thought was the non-VR function and my setting could be wrong. Through previous discussion I learn a lot about DOF (I thought I knew it until yesterday) and front/back focus issue. Looks like it is not DOF problem. I am going outside to take couple more pics with my camera on the ground.
If it's my setting, I want to figure out what's wrong and avoid repeating mistake. If it is not my setting, could it be the equipment? I don't want to spend hundreds of $ on it.

Sonama, I can get sharp bar code image at 1ft and 3ft away. the blur appear when I try to shoot at 5' and 6'.
Analog, I shot at 1/4000s two days ago, still get the same result. I will do it again. tanks for your link, definitely will read it.

 

[MTVision]

It does appear that there is camera movement even in the tripod shots. Try putting the camera on the floor and doing the test? Maybe just try handheld outside at like 1/1000?

If you can't get a sharp image outside in bright sun, at 5.6, 1/1000 of a barcode 5' away, then it really sounds like there's a focusing issue with the lens. Trying to get sharp 100% crops is tricky business however... you're really pushing a number of variables to their limits, and you need to get them all right to actually get the result you're looking for. This is a pretty nice article on achieving critical sharpness: Getting the Pixels Right by Thom Hogan

Could the reason the pictures look like they do be due to the crop? If the picture was taken at 6ft and the barcode is under 2"?

 

[subscuck]

It's within the realm of possibility that you got a bad copy of the lens. It does happen. Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, etc., all let some bad lenses slip out from time to time. I'm assuming you can return or exchange the lens, and if none of our suggestions resolve your issue, I would exchange it for a new copy. If you say you had the same issue at 1/4000th, I'd start thinking you have a defective lens.

 

[Josh66]

I don't want to spend hundreds of $ on it.

Assuming that it is faulty equipment and not user error (which can be fixed), you shouldn't have to pay a dime. It sounds like it's still pretty new, so it should still be inside the warranty period (double check when that ends though, just to be safe).


It might even be worth going back to wherever you bought it and exchanging it for a different copy... It would at least be one more variable you could eliminate...

 

[subscuck]

Could the reason the pictures look like they do be due to the crop? If the picture was taken at 6ft and the barcode is under 2"?

It's certainly possible, but I'm not sure in this case. People who judge sharpness at 100% crop are referred to as "Pixel Peepers". Pics generally will look softer at 100% crop, but the OP's examples are showing some pretty extreme softness. More important than pixel peeping is how sharp the pic is at the size you're actually printing at.

 

[Ron Evers]

Could the reason the pictures look like they do be due to the crop? If the picture was taken at 6ft and the barcode is under 2"?

My shots were treated the same way & are not so bad as the OPs.

 

[subscuck]

My shots were treated the same way & are not so bad as the OPs.

That's why I'm starting to think defective lens. While you would expect them to be softer at 100% crop, you wouldn't expect them to be that bad.

 

[Josh66]

Yes, much too soft for a 100% crop compared to any lens I have ever used (and not all great lenses, lol).

Right now, I'm thinking 'really' crappy tripod, or defective lens(es). If nothing improves hand-held in bright light ... well, that eliminates the tripod...