I am using a Canon 40D with 24-105 f4L. I having sharpness issue with this camera. The pictures look very soft with neutral setting. I have to jack up the sharpness to maximum to get a good one. Anyone encountered this problem before? If so is it a problem with the camera? I also tried with 50/1.4 and the same end result. Does increasing the sharpness to maximum affect the picture in any other aspect?
I mostly shoot out-doors. What sharpness setting do you think will give me a great landscape and portrait pics?
I shoot raw, so can't speak for those of you using in-camera processing. But I will say that I remember a line from a Scott Kelby book I read last year...
"How many digital photos require sharpening in the processing stage? All of them!"
Try using some software (Canon's Digital Photo Pro came with your camera) to add the sharpening. It's a rare thing when the camera is at fault for this.
On 40D I use mostly standard picture style, user defined set as follows: sharp(6), contrast (1), sat(2), tone(0). The image quality I get out of JPGs defined that way is adequate, but not as sharp as 1DMkIIN or 20/30D similarly set.
So it would appear that the overall in-camera sharpening might have been somewhat weakened in 40D.
You can see what the default settings are for each Picture Style, and what each one is tuned to reproduce. You can also compare against Standard.
You asked about sharpness for landscape. Well, the Landscape Picture Style has sharpness set at High.
You really have only two options. Either sharpen in-camera, or sharpen with software. But you will need to sharpen at some point. Most of us sharpen in software, because it's typically more effective than the in-camera. I think at high-ISO especially, using in-camera to apply a lot of sharpening will likely make the noise worse than using software.
If for now you want the camera to do most of the work, start by going out and shooting some images with the camera set on RAW, or RAW+jpg. When you process the RAW images in DPP, you can apply each Picture Style and adjust the settings until you like what you see. Then you can set the camera up that way to match the results.
I use only JPG. I have not tried with RAW and I am not in to post processing (yet!). See below for sample images with neutral setting and with highest sharpness. I also included 100% crop that showcase the difference. (using 24-105mm f4L)
For me these picture will show that the photos are very soft at neutral. Also the color tone of image with highest sharpness seems to be different that of neutral though all the settings were the same.
I shall try to see from RAW if there is any noticeable difference and will upload more pics. Below are the original resolution pics
Thanks for all your suggestions. I really want to find out why.
I dont think this is the IS problem though. I have this issue also during broad daylight. And I really take my time to compose the shot.
I have only two lens 50/1.4 and 24-105 f4L. Both have the same issue. I just bought a new 70-200 f4L IS which I will get it by beginning of next week just for the reason that my photos aren't sharp enough. Will let you know if there is any huge difference after trying it out.
My portraits are not in plain background as I usually take them outdoors. I use my 50/1.4 primarily for them but I keep my aperture setting f/3.5 or higher.
If you want to test the sharpness of your camera fill the frame with that monk thing.. Your camera is not sure what are taking a picture of. The focusing system will pick the closest object like the butt of your sword. Besides you are shooting wide open but expecting everything to be in focus....
I agree with Elton & mulengak above me. I'd like to see the same type of test shot taken outdoors in decent lighting. If you are unsure of the RAW processing part, I'd be happy to help. Take a better shot, and email me the CR2 file (email on bottom of post). I'll run it through a simple processing & conversion and either post or return the photo to you. Either way, don't blame the equipment just yet.
Neutral is set for low sharpness at default, is it not? If you wish you can change the sharpness settings for that picture style. Neutral was designed for shooters who wish to post process their images and want to start with low saturation, low contrast, low sharpening...
Large Aperture
Allows more light to reach the image sensor, and enables you to use a fast shutter. Faster shutter speed will help freeze action and minimizing the effects of camera shake hence reducing blur.
Fast shutter speed provides a shallow depth of field allowing you to isolate the point of interest from the background by making the background blurry which is ideal for taking portraits.
Small Aperture
Loosely translates into the opposite of the above. It allows for a slow shutter speed on a brightly lit scenario. The major advantage of a small minimum aperture is increased depth-of-field. It increases depth-of-field. A Small Aperture is ideal for depicting motion and allows you to take landscape pictures with what is plainly referred as infinity focus (foreground to background sharp focus).
Try taking your test subject at f/2.8 and f/8.0 (Keep the same ISO and focal length) compare the results and then post the images here. You might want to consider using a tripod.
wow! that DOES say something about the two cameras. I love the 5D 2.
I shall send the daylight picture today this time not wide open. I have tried it before in daylight and I can say the problem exists.
Infact, I am leaning towards a focusing problem with my camera (not user error). When my camera focuses a point (object) and I use live view to zoom into the focus point (center), it remains out-of-focus. I have to manually rotate the focus ring to bring it in focus. But that does not explain why I am getting a good shot with my highest sharpness setting. Anyone have this issue?
