Ooh, a question's just popped into my head - what were you focusing on, the droplets or the yellow part?

If it was the flower, the lens has focused way too far in front, if it was the droplet, it was pretty much okay.

Dan

Were you focusing on the droplets or the yellow part of the flower? Was the poppy head indoors?

1/125s sounds fine for a 90mm lens, but bear in mind that:

a) The reciprocal rule doesn't hold quite true with DSLRs - the crop factor means that a 90mm lens would need a shutter speed of 1/135s to 'guarantee' a sharp shot, handheld (I know you were using a tripod, but bear with me)

b) The reciprocal rule also only really applies to 'normal' focusing distances, macro work generally requires a higher shutter speed still.

c) You're in 'wet and windy' northumberland, how still was that flower?

Just thoughts that could have a bearing. Ideally, a like for like test would be carried out.

Dan

Not a problem at all, they're fine. Just doing an email back, and then will post something here.

Dan

EDIT: Shutter speeds do show in the full EXIF data (advanced), but not on the summary (Camera Data 1) window. :

Actually 4 pics from capabilities. Strangely, no shutter speeds showing (under file info in P.S. Elements) with these either.

Back in a minute or two.

Dan

Oh, look out, I've got an 18Mb file coming my way.

Dan

Okay Ken, here are your pics!



K20D, 90mm, f/8, ISO200 (according to partial EXIF data, no shutter speed)



Above pic resized to possibly be about the same amount of resizing applied to the sharp shot below.



*istDS, 90mm (EXIF not present - Ken?)

My first impressions are that there may be 2 or 3 reasons for softness. For a start, I think there is a plane of sharpness, running slightly forward of the droplet. However, this isn't as sharp as it might be (thinking of my own droplet shots with the K10D and Sigma 105mm), and I would put that down to a modicum of camera/subject movement. The light levels look very low, and I wonder what the shutter speed was.

If the focus point was supposed to have been on the yellow part of the flower, then it's a case of front focusing, which should be able to be remedied in the menu of the camera.

On the resized shot of the flower, I added a little USM. Ken, had you sharpened the original at all? In camera, or afterwards?

Any other thoughts anyone?

Dan

You're welcome.

I shall look out for them.

Lucky you! I'm in Essex, wet and windy too, but I'd rather be in a wet and windy Cornwall.

Dan

Hi Capabilities,

My question was aimed at Beginner - we posted at the same time. However, it may help. Ah, just seen his reply too (accompanied by the required number of exclamation marks).

So, the images are focused but not sharp, lacking in definition. And, Beginner, this is a direct comparison with your DS, using the same lens.

I have not got a K20D, or handled one for any length of time, but I did take a couple of very quick test shots with one in a camera shop several weeks ago, and the impression I got then was that it was fine, certainly comparable with my K10D. If I could find the pics I took I'd post them.

Can one/both of you post an example photo. Now rather than reducing it in size to fit, which quite frankly won't show anything, can you crop down the image so that we're looking at one small area of it at 100%? If you can't post images, feel free to email one to me and I can do it. Email address is on the contact page of my website here.

Finally, where are you both? You never know, there may be another K20D user just round the corner who may be able to help.

Dan

Are the shots in focus but soft, or out of focus?

Dan

AF-C focus mode is really meant for moving subjects, as the camera will continually adjust focus, and fire the shutter if it's got good focus or not.

AF-S will lock the focus, and only allow the shutter to fire when it considers focus is good. So if you're taking a pic of a flower or whatever, you're probably better to use this mode, and ensure it's focused on the subject. Using AF-C, the camera could refocus on something else at any time.

Dan