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Archive 2022Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
p.1 #1Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Just got a 35 1.4 gm to go along with my A7iii. Love the lens and its sharpness however I’ve noticed some of my photos aren’t coming out as sharp as I’d like them to be. This is especially apparent at 1.4. I’m not sure if its me or the camera so I decided to do a test that I found online. I set these five batteries up in a diagonal with a battery space size space in between each one of them. I set spot focused (small) on the middle battery with the camera as close to parallel with it as possible, used my phone to trigger my shutter, and used AF-S. I can tell that it isn’t grossly back or front focused but is it correctly focused on the middle battery? It almost looks a little soft to me, but I could be wrong. I also took the added sharpness down to 0 in LR. Let me know what you think and if there’s anyway I should do the test differently.
9B4F2773-9FDD-4EAD-B495-D990BCC81BBD by John Smith, on Flickr
AF0710D0-24B8-4374-836C-2C9BDD228CE5 by John Smith, on Flickr
4DFACC6A-4063-4354-B109-43BD88A1FC99 by John Smith, on Flickr
A19B370C-2590-4E93-B7EC-9AC0D83B7C8B by John Smith, on Flickr
091639D5-CDBB-4106-9851-59988002FFC4 by John Smith, on Flickr
Edited on Aug 31, 2022 at 08:08 AM · View previous versions
9B4F2773-9FDD-4EAD-B495-D990BCC81BBD by John Smith, on FlickrAF0710D0-24B8-4374-836C-2C9BDD228CE5 by John Smith, on Flickr4DFACC6A-4063-4354-B109-43BD88A1FC99 by John Smith, on FlickrA19B370C-2590-4E93-B7EC-9AC0D83B7C8B by John Smith, on Flickr091639D5-CDBB-4106-9851-59988002FFC4 by John Smith, on FlickrEdited on Aug 31, 2022 at 08:08 AM · View previous versions
Aug 30, 2022 at 08:06 AM
p.1 #2Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Difficult to tell from these smaller sized images. But from what I see, the images do look soft.
Here's a random close-up of a bottle of pain balm, taken at f/1.4, with the 35GM. Focused quite close, and quite sharp.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-C6kWQKV/0/1788f3ba/X5/i-C6kWQKV-X5.jpg
If you could upload something bigger, like a 4K or 5K photo, to google drive or somewhere and post the link here, we can look.
Here's a random close-up of a bottle of pain balm, taken at f/1.4, with the 35GM. Focused quite close, and quite sharp.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-C6kWQKV/0/1788f3ba/X5/i-C6kWQKV-X5.jpg
If you could upload something bigger, like a 4K or 5K photo, to google drive or somewhere and post the link here, we can look.
Aug 30, 2022 at 08:44 AM
p.1 #3Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
@saaketham@ fulli-sizes are there if you follow the flickr link.
@OP, looks like something is wrong with the lens - 35GM retains most, if not all, of its sharpness even wide-open at MFD. Though, I never watch my photos with sharpness at 0
...
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 08:56 AM · View previous versions
@OP, looks like something is wrong with the lens - 35GM retains most, if not all, of its sharpness even wide-open at MFD. Though, I never watch my photos with sharpness at 0
...Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 08:56 AM · View previous versions
Aug 30, 2022 at 08:54 AM
p.1 #4Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
j4nu wrote:
@saaketham@ fulli-sizes are there if you follow the flickr link.
Ah thank you.
@saaketham@ fulli-sizes are there if you follow the flickr link.
Ah thank you.
Aug 30, 2022 at 08:55 AM
p.1 #5Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Thanks for the replies! So you all don’t need a 4k/5k image the Flickr ones work fine? Could this be a camera issue or is it likely to be a lens issue? I’m not seeing that sharpness like the bottle cap. Also would it be helpful if I posted the same photos with some default 40 LR sharpening?
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:00 AM
p.1 #6Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Here’s a close up with normal default LR sharpening and standard export screen sharpening. I also exported it as 3840 x 2560 image.
DSC06237 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06237 by John Smith, on FlickrAug 30, 2022 at 09:03 AM
p.1 #7Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
- The Flickr link works
- From these samples it does look like the lens is soft
- To test if it is the lens or the camera
- If you have another lens, perform the same test with the other lens on the same camera
- If you have another camera body, use the 35GM on it and take test shots
Also, please try taking some photos of the batteries without so much light in the background.
Maybe indoors?
- From these samples it does look like the lens is soft
- To test if it is the lens or the camera
- If you have another lens, perform the same test with the other lens on the same camera
- If you have another camera body, use the 35GM on it and take test shots
Also, please try taking some photos of the batteries without so much light in the background.
Maybe indoors?
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:16 AM
p.1 #8Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
I just took a photo of these flowers at f1.4. For the purple flower I focused on very center of it, and for the red flower I focused on the red and yellow bulb protruding from the center. They have normal default Lightroom sharpening and output screen sharpening on them. They also have LR lens corrections.
DSC06241 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06240 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06239 by John Smith, on Flickr
Edited on Aug 31, 2022 at 08:09 AM · View previous versions
DSC06241 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06240 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06239 by John Smith, on FlickrEdited on Aug 31, 2022 at 08:09 AM · View previous versions
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:18 AM
p.1 #9Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
In the last image of the flower, the focus seems to be slightly behind.
I don't know if it's back-focusing or your hands shaking ever so slightly.
Maybe someone else can jump in with some suggestions.
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 09:22 AM · View previous versions
I don't know if it's back-focusing or your hands shaking ever so slightly.
Maybe someone else can jump in with some suggestions.
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 09:22 AM · View previous versions
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:20 AM
p.1 #10Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
I did notice that actually. I’m going to do the same test with my Tamron 28-200. Should I do it at 28mm or 35mm?
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:22 AM
p.1 #11Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Might as well try several focal lengths on the 28-200.
Preferably on a tripod, using your phone to take the image or using timer on the camera.
Preferably on a tripod, using your phone to take the image or using timer on the camera.
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:24 AM
p.1 #12Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Something is definitely off. The flower shots almost do not look like 35GM.
Keep in mind when shooting with the Tamron, that closer to MFD the lens will most probably get softer (as is with many zooms).
Here are a couple of my old 35GM shots wide open , for reference (SooC):
DSC00664-c1-19 by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC00699-c1-13 by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC01082-c1-41 by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC04141-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC07624-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC04394-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC05455-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC05457-e by Jan U, on Flickr
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 09:43 AM · View previous versions
Keep in mind when shooting with the Tamron, that closer to MFD the lens will most probably get softer (as is with many zooms).
Here are a couple of my old 35GM shots wide open , for reference (SooC):
DSC00664-c1-19 by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC00699-c1-13 by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC01082-c1-41 by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC04141-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC07624-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC04394-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC05455-e by Jan U, on Flickr
DSC05457-e by Jan U, on Flickr
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 09:43 AM · View previous versions
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:26 AM
p.1 #13Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
I feel the battery expiry date may be clearest on those batteries.
Aug 30, 2022 at 09:30 AM
p.1 #14Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Here’s test shots with my 28-200. I did the same thing with the minimum aperture at a variety of focal lengths, AF-S, and used my phone to control the shutter. No tripod but it was sitting still on a table.
DSC06243 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06242 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06245 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06244 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06248 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06249 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06247 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06246 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06250 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06243 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06242 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06245 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06244 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06248 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06249 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06247 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06246 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06250 by John Smith, on FlickrAug 30, 2022 at 09:58 AM
p.1 #15Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
On the battery shot it's clear to me that the focus for the middle battery was on the edge, which looks sharp (the date and the small words next to it, plus the small word "alkaline" on the other edge are perfectly sharp) so I see it as perhaps an issue of expectations. Focus will always prefer contrasty edges in my experience, especially if the focus point is too large to avoid them completely. If you really wanted to guarantee the sharpness of the center of that battery you'd have to use manual focus.
Aug 30, 2022 at 10:02 AM
p.1 #16Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Sorry is that for the battery shots with the 35mm or the 28-200? With the last test and the 28-200 I set the focus point right on the part of the battery that switches from copper to black for the best contrast.
Aug 30, 2022 at 10:04 AM
p.1 #17Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Swimming_trouble_718 wrote:
Sorry is that for the battery shots with the 35mm or the 28-200? With the last test and the 28-200 I set the focus point right on the part of the battery that switches from copper to black for the best contrast.
I was referring mainly to the second image in your original post, which I assumed was taken with the 35GM. There is a nice sharp area in that image... just not exactly where you wanted it to be. The camera apparently preferred the contrasty, bright right edge of that battery
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 11:28 AM · View previous versions
Sorry is that for the battery shots with the 35mm or the 28-200? With the last test and the 28-200 I set the focus point right on the part of the battery that switches from copper to black for the best contrast.
I was referring mainly to the second image in your original post, which I assumed was taken with the 35GM. There is a nice sharp area in that image... just not exactly where you wanted it to be. The camera apparently preferred the contrasty, bright right edge of that battery
Edited on Aug 30, 2022 at 11:28 AM · View previous versions
Aug 30, 2022 at 11:23 AM
p.1 #18Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Gotcha. Yes that was shot with the 35gm as I focused on the copper/black transition point and the Du of Duracell
Aug 30, 2022 at 11:27 AM
p.1 #19Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
The Tamron shots look better, but also the DoF is more forgiving. It seems that the GM is misfocusing a bit, as noted by others. Backlit shots might make the lens/camera struggle, but the flower shots should be ok then...
Aug 30, 2022 at 11:27 AM
p.1 #20Is my lens/camera focusing correctly?
Two more images taken with the 35GM of flowers outside. I’m staying with family right now and don’t have a tripod but I used chairs, a countdown shutter, AF-S, steadyshot off, and used the focus magnifier to make sure I was focusing on the protrusion from the center of the red flower and the yellow center of the purple flower. Made sure I looked for areas of contrast to focus on.
DSC06259 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06260 by John Smith, on Flickr
DSC06259 by John Smith, on FlickrDSC06260 by John Smith, on FlickrAug 30, 2022 at 11:30 AM