Still trying...

[clutchkiller]

Still trying to get some sharper images. I tried an increase with the amounts using USM on these. All were taken using one shot AF… I know the comps aren’t very good, I was just going for sharpness. And, none have been cropped.

I guess stopping down really does effect your DOF, lol. Pay attention to the 35mm equivalents and my aperture settings.

Shutter speed 1/320th, ISO 500, aperture f/8, Focal length 420mm (35mm equivalent 673mm).

Shutter speed 1/250th, ISO 500, Aperture f/8, Focal length 420mm (35mm equivalent 673mm)

Shutter speed 1/320th, ISO 500, Aperture f/8, Focal length 420mm (35mm equivalent 673mm)

Shutter speed 1/125th, ISO 400, Aperture f/10, Focal length 420mm (35mm equivalent 538mm)

 

[Aeonstar]

have you tried to use the depth of field preview button? lets you see what your DOF is not always something you can use in the field but when you are setting up a shot it can let you see what you will get...


Bill

 

[clutchkiller]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Aeonstar @ Feb 26 2007, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

have you tried to use the depth of field preview button?[/b]

Sometimes... when I can remember to do it. To tell the truth, I really can't see any difference when I try it, so I do not do it that often (maybe I'm checking it incorrectly).

Here's the cardinal image again with a much larger USM increase than what I would normally use. Does it look oversharpened?

 

[leod]

I think that they are sharp clutchkiller, and the second cardinal is a lot sharper. I don't think the 2'nd cardinal is over done, at least to my eyes. I have never felt comfortable using USM, but I am trying to start using it more, maybe as I get used to it I will feel better with it.

 

[clutchkiller]

Thanks Leod, I'm never sure just how far I can push the USM filter before the images start to look bad... or worse. Sometimes an over sharpened image looks worse than one that is too soft.

 

[foulshot]

These and your other post look much sharper. Well done Paul.

Have you got to the part of Kelbys book about sharpening for wildlife?? Some good starting points for the USM amounts. I'd say to watch out for "halos"l around your subjects when using USM, especially birds on a solid color background. I'll have to look at my USM numbers, I try to use it minimally and when I do use it it is the last step before I "save as".

 

[clutchkiller]

Thanks Zach, I think that I've tried every method of sharpening in Kelby's book (except edge and portrait sharpening).

I've tried one method of edge sharpening from the manual the came with my CS2 software. It's very subtle and almost unnoticable.

And... I have a book called "Photoshop CS2 Bible," and I've tried a few things in it. The book has a lot of info, mostly on the graphic design end... Kelby's book is much easier to follow.

 

[wtnhunt]

Those shots look pretty sharp to me too.

 

[billkay]

These are better. USM can help, to a point. Go back and look at your exposures though. In order to have no real worries of camera shake, your shutter speed needs to be at least the inverse of the length of the lens you are using. Your shutter speed is below that in all the pix. opening you up to the possibility of cam shake. ie. 500mm lens- 1/500th sec shutter, 14mm lens-1/15th sec shutter, etc

 

[clutchkiller]

Thanks Bill, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my 'sharpness' threads. Lan-lord gave kind of the same advice before... I try to remember to do that, but it's pretty easy to forget with a lot of things going on around me.

 

[billkay]

Right, wrong, or otherwise, my camera is always set to either Shutter Priority, (80%), or manual (20%) of the time. To me, I find shutter speed to be the most important element in my work. May not be true for you or anyone else, but it works for me.

 

[clutchkiller]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (billkay @ Mar 2 2007, 12:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

May not be true for you or anyone else, but it works for me.[/b]

More good advice. I have to remember that also when I try to give someone advice... I'm a lefty, so I usually do things arse backward, lol.

Oh, and thank you Wtnhunt. I'm sorry, I missed your post earlier.