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Post Processing
Advice Wanted to make sharper better quality photos/prints
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<blockquote data-quote="aroy" data-source="post: 645148" data-attributes="member: 16090"><p>First of all you must identify the reason for images not as sharp as you expect. Most of the time it is the technique, but limitation of lenses cannot be ruled out. I suggest that you perform a thorough optical test, as follows</p><p></p><p>1. Identify a planar surface with a lot of details - a fence is ideal, so is a naked brick wall. all else failing a fairly leafy tree would do.</p><p>2. Set up the camera on a sturdy tripod. This is essential to eliminate fuzziness due to hand shake. Use either RAW or JPEG fine for maximum resolution.</p><p>3. Mount your prime lens. Shoot at ISO 100 for the test.</p><p>4. Focus using AF and take a series of images at all apertures, starting from wide open to F/22, with VR (if there) off.</p><p>5. Repeat Step 4, but using Live view at maximum magnification with Manual Focus to get the focus spot on.</p><p>6. Repeat Steps 4 & 5 with Zoom lenses you use at 4 or 5 focal lengths starting at wide end, ending at long end.</p><p></p><p>Now sit on the computer and compare each image.</p><p></p><p>1. For each focal length you will notice that the lens has a sweet spot; at a particular aperture; where sharpness is maximum. That is setting you have to use to get razor sharpness.</p><p>2. In case the images are sharper with manual focus compared to AF, then your AF is off and you will have to fine tune the focus.</p><p>3. In case none of your images are sharp as you want, then search the reviews on the net for lenses which have better sharpness. Generally the sharper the lens the more expensive it is.</p><p></p><p>In my experience the best results are with images shot in RAW and then post processed. You do not need any expensive software, Nikon Capture NX-D does the job fine; at zero cost; for most of the adjustments. A RAW image will give you much better Dynamic Range which can be exploited to adjust the images for better sharpness, and you can always play around with sharpness and exposure controls till you are satisfied.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="aroy, post: 645148, member: 16090"] First of all you must identify the reason for images not as sharp as you expect. Most of the time it is the technique, but limitation of lenses cannot be ruled out. I suggest that you perform a thorough optical test, as follows 1. Identify a planar surface with a lot of details - a fence is ideal, so is a naked brick wall. all else failing a fairly leafy tree would do. 2. Set up the camera on a sturdy tripod. This is essential to eliminate fuzziness due to hand shake. Use either RAW or JPEG fine for maximum resolution. 3. Mount your prime lens. Shoot at ISO 100 for the test. 4. Focus using AF and take a series of images at all apertures, starting from wide open to F/22, with VR (if there) off. 5. Repeat Step 4, but using Live view at maximum magnification with Manual Focus to get the focus spot on. 6. Repeat Steps 4 & 5 with Zoom lenses you use at 4 or 5 focal lengths starting at wide end, ending at long end. Now sit on the computer and compare each image. 1. For each focal length you will notice that the lens has a sweet spot; at a particular aperture; where sharpness is maximum. That is setting you have to use to get razor sharpness. 2. In case the images are sharper with manual focus compared to AF, then your AF is off and you will have to fine tune the focus. 3. In case none of your images are sharp as you want, then search the reviews on the net for lenses which have better sharpness. Generally the sharper the lens the more expensive it is. In my experience the best results are with images shot in RAW and then post processed. You do not need any expensive software, Nikon Capture NX-D does the job fine; at zero cost; for most of the adjustments. A RAW image will give you much better Dynamic Range which can be exploited to adjust the images for better sharpness, and you can always play around with sharpness and exposure controls till you are satisfied. [/QUOTE]
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Advice Wanted to make sharper better quality photos/prints
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