I have been experimenting with some still life shots. The things I am photographing are very small and have a lot of detail. For some reason I just cant get the clarity I want with it. I don't think the lighting is the problem. If anything it may be a little(a tiny bit)overexposed. I have tried and tried to get a good focus but everything keeps coming out soft. I am using a tripod and a remote so it can't be that.
Any suggestions? It just may be that my lens is not capable of taking this detailed of shots. I wish I could share my photos but I am going to be submitting them in an upcoming challenge.
While you are not using a real sharp lens I don't think that is the main issue. I would love to see an example and I am wondering what setting you are using in camera?
Also, you lens (the 18-55 listed in your profile) doesn't really do well with Macro shots. I would suggest at least picking up the 50 1.8 with some cheap extension tubes. Most of my macro shots use this type of setup.
giantmike I just got a 50mm for Christmas but while I was helping my 7 year old with the junior photographer challenge she accidentally dropped my new lens and it broke completely in half, I am still a little sick about it. I only used it a couple of times, now I am looking for a new one (maybe used). I agree that lens would have been better, I didn't like the idea of using my old lens but it is all I have right now.:( I will watch that video and see if it helps.
jminso I will PM you the final shot I have so far and the settings.
If a new lens you got for Xmas broke in half, send it back to Canon. You DO have a warranty. Can't do any harm to try.
R.
Maybe I will try sending it back just to see what happens. I called and they said the warranty does not cover drops, but it seems like a lens should last longer than a couple days. I have accidentally dropped my other lens a couple different times and it survived just fine. So this is either an extremely cheap lens or I was just extremely unlucky.
I have been experimenting with some still life shots. The things I am photographing are very small and have a lot of detail. For some reason I just cant get the clarity I want with it. I don't think the lighting is the problem. If anything it may be a little(a tiny bit)overexposed. I have tried and tried to get a good focus but everything keeps coming out soft. I am using a tripod and a remote so it can't be that.
Any suggestions? It just may be that my lens is not capable of taking this detailed of shots. I wish I could share my photos but I am going to be submitting them in an upcoming challenge.
Mirror slap is sometimes a problem with this situation. I'll assume that with the tripod mount and remote, you are using a somewhat small aperture and slow shutter speed. If it's in the range of 1/4s to 1/2s, then mirror slap could induce vibrations. I'd recommend experimenting with your mirror lock up function to improve the sharpness of details.
There is also the possibility that you may be within the nearest focusing distance of your lens. While the focus may lock on to the subject, if you're closer than the closest focusing distance, the subject may blur.
eta: giantmike mentioned the mirror slap problem, too, as I was typing.
