Was hoping for sharper images...

Hi Nikonites,

I'm new to this forum and just posted something in the introduction section, but I do have a kind of urgent question. I'm using the D3100 for a few days now and I love it, but I seem to get images that are not as sharp as I expected... Below is an example of what I mean. Don't mind the mess :wink-new:

I took this picture in auto mode.



Here is another example. It just looks unsharp to me :grumpy:


Any suggestions on how to make them look sharper? Am I doing something wrong, a different mode maybe?

I have a great opportunity for shooting some nice pics tomorrow and I'ld like to make sure they look right.

Thanks for any tips.

Some things to think about. Is the VR enabled on your lens? Are you using proper technique in holding your camera (i.e. elbows tucked in) and pressing the shutter? Is your shutter speed fast enough? Did your focus lock on the baby's eyes?

Hi gwlaw99, thanks for your reply.

I've double checked and the VR is enabled. About the camera holding technique, That's all new to me
I assumed that the shutter speed is controlled by the camera itself in auto mode, or am I wrong? It seems that I can't adjust the focus point in auto mode, right?

Check your camera's settings. Go to menu<set picture control. Set it to standard and adjust it to give it a little more sharpness. It should do it. Don't forget that all raw files start up a little soft. They all need post processing sharpening. Looking at the baby pic, seems her/his hand is moving, maybe your shutter speed was too slow.

See your user's manual

If there is plenty of light, and or if I'm on a tripod/monopod, I shut off the VR for a sharper image.

I'm guessing both of these shots are in poor lighting.

Marcel said:

. Don't forget that all raw files start up a little soft. They all need post processing sharpening.

Click to expand...

At the moment I'm not shooting RAW, only JPEG.
The setting you mention was set as standard

What was your shutter speed? Typically the cause of soft focus images is due to a slow shutter speed. Depending upon your lens, I would say keep the shutter speed up around 1/160 sec or higher until you're convinced you can hand hold a camera steady enough for slower speeds.

There was indeed poor light. We haven't seen the sun in Belgium for about a month or so

Moon said:

There was indeed poor light. We haven't seen the sun in Belgium for about a month or so

Click to expand...

I remember that well while living in Europe.

While I am not an expert, I have observed that with better lighting comes a sharper image.

1/60 sec
5.6
ISO 3200

It must have been dark in there. 3200 is pushing it for this camera. Would have been better off shooting with the flash. Move the ISO/ASA down to 400 or no higher than 800. Using the kit lens keep the shutter speed to at least 1/60 for now. The one question I have is are you shooting in JPEG FINE or RAW? If RAW then you are going to have to do a lot of Post Processing to sharpen it up. If you are shooting in JPEG it can be sharpened up in the camera. There is a place to fine tune the sharpness,contrast etc in the menu. I don't have my camera with me right now but you can look it up in the Manuel. User's Manual - D3100 - Guide to Digital Photography

Dave_W said:

What was your shutter speed? Typically the cause of soft focus images is due to a slow shutter speed. Depending upon your lens, I would say keep the shutter speed up around 1/160 sec or higher until you're convinced you can hand hold a camera steady enough for slower speeds.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. But isn't the shutter speed controlled automatically in auto mode?

I checked the details on the baby picture:

Aperture: F/5.6
Exposure: 1/60
ISO: 3200
Flash fired
Auto mode

Moon said:

Hi gwlaw99, thanks for your reply.

I've double checked and the VR is enabled. About the camera holding technique, That's all new to me
I assumed that the shutter speed is controlled by the camera itself in auto mode, or am I wrong? It seems that I can't adjust the focus point in auto mode, right?

Click to expand...

There are plenty of tutorials and youtube videos detailing how to hold a camera properly. It isn't very hard to learn, but it is important. If you do not know how to use anything except auto mode, try using the "sports" scene mode. It will increase the shutter speed. You might want to read some basic photography tutorials as well. Digital Photography Tutorials

You can move the focus point just by moving the arrow keys on the back. Make sure you go into the settings and select "single point AF."

I'll try that sport mode as well. I'm learning by doing at the moment. My dad is a pretty good photographer and he agreed to teach me the A P S M modes (lucky me)

Thanks for all the replies by the way. Now I'm sure it's me and not my camera

I was reading this thread and was unaware that the picture control can be tweaked. I am using a D3200 and increased the sharpness in Standard picture control. It made a a dramatic difference for the better. Thanks for that tip. I will have to experiment with the other variables and see what they do.

After you run through all of the great responses for adjustments; one thing I've noticed with this camera is that the focal plane is pretty precise. At least more than I'm used to ;-)

It may be best to set your AF on single spot. Use the middle spot for auto focus and then re-frame the shot if you want before you snap it. This way at least when you take a look at the picture, you'll know where the focus should have been and maybe see if it's the camera or not.

Cowboybillybob1 said:

I was reading this thread and was unaware that the picture control can be tweaked. I am using a D3200 and increased the sharpness in Standard picture control. It made a a dramatic difference for the better. Thanks for that tip. I will have to experiment with the other variables and see what they do.

Click to expand...

Be sure to do it in each "picture Control" I set all mine to a much higher number that way no matter what mode I use it is set.