unsharp images

I cannot get a sharp image on my K20D, i have tried high shutter speeds, autofocus, manual focus, shake reduction and a repeated all of this whilst the camera was on a heavy tripod. I even read the instruction manual.
Has anyone eles had similar problem and how did you resolve it.

Seamus - you will need to post some examples before anyone can really diagnose the problem.

Just state which lens you are using too!

Now that is serious.

Davex.

Yes we need samples, because there could be lots of reasons.

Jack.

thanks for the quick replies. 1. Where do I post examples. I use a sigma 28-300 1:3.5-6.3 and a sigma Ex 50-500 1:4-6.3.

Normally via a free picture hosting site such as photobucket and then link it here

See the instructions at the top of the Your Photos threads.

Post them here: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/view/your-photos-13

You'll need to upload them to a host site like photobucket or Flickr and paste links into the thread on here.

Perhaps you can tell us how you are using these lenses ?? what shutter speeds and apertures are you using, If you are trying to use them wide open at thier long end (300-500mm respectively)then you could get soft images, you really need to give us this info if you want any help.

Download this program Photome if you don't already have it and open one of your pics in it, it will give you all the exif info of the photo, including shutter speeds, apertures and focal lengths.

The Sigma 50-500 is quite a difficult beast to handle and it is easy to get blurred/unsharp pictures with it especially wide open at 300-500 mm it is very hard to handle because a fraction of a millimeter of movement at the camera end is a huge movement at the magnification level at those focal lengths.
But make absolutely sure that your 50-500 is in good order, there are some 'dodgy' examples out there. I had to return my first 50-500 to the shop to get a new one because it was completely out of order. I got a perfect focus confirmation from the camera but the images were all severly back focused by a huge margin.

Another thing, what is your definition of sharp? Do you look at a printed image or do you look at it on the PC/MAC at pixel level?
Do you shoot RAW or JPEG and which settings do you use?

More can be told after the examples are posted.

My apologies for a late reply. I have resolved the focus issues. When looking at the images I intended submiting, I notice camera shake on the fine catchlights. I have reset the tension on my tripod head. This has resolved the unsharp image problem.

Thanks for your support in this matter.

Seamus