sharpness difficulty

[griffithimage]

try as I might, I'm still having trouble getting razor sharp images of my tank. Any input would be appreciated.

I'm using a canon 1ds mark 1 shooting at 200 iso mounted on a very good tripod using a cable release. My lens is 90 degrees to the glass (not starfire) and I have the pumps turned off.
Jpgs are reasonably sharp small but when developing the raw images, sharpness is a real issue when trying to print 8x10. (even with sharpening). As I see other people's images that look sharp, what am I not doing that other people are?

 

[BlueCorn]

When RAW processing there's more than one type of sharpening that should be done. In the processor you need to account for the inherent blurring of the image that occurs during capture. During editing I also do some selective/creative sharpening (mostly edges and done via smart objects & masks). Finally, during output the image should be sharpened for the medium it's headed to; i.e. inkjet, screen, canvas.....

If the JPGs are sharp but the RAW isn't, it's definitely a problem with your workflow.

 

[griffithimage]

Hi, the jpgs are not particularly sharp either, they look a little better when small. I'm using PK sharp to sharpen and it is a 3 stage process. How much does the tank glass affect critical sharpness? Would starfire make a big difference?

 

[Misled]

You avoid mentioning the tank. Is it a bow front or anything different? When shooting is the lens perpendicular to the glass? I really don't know PK sharp, but perhaps post a pic so we can see.

 

[griffithimage]

You avoid mentioning the tank. Is it a bow front or anything different? When shooting is the lens perpendicular to the glass? I really don't know PK sharp, but perhaps post a pic so we can see.

the tank is regular glass - 10 gallon so pretty thin. I'll see what I can find to post.

 

[Misled]

Also what lens??

 

[griffithimage]

Also what lens??

canon 100 macro

 

[Misled]

I'm guessing you've already taken pics of other things and they're ok??? If so, it may be the quality of glass used in a ten gallon tank. They are normally cheap and the glass really can't be that good. Go to a LFS or try shooting a friends tank. You really don't need to take a tripod to a LFS to test it. Go to say 600 ISO and use a fairly high aperture. The sharpness should still be good at the focus point, but your DOF won't be that good.

 

[maroun.c]

Are you sure its not a lense issue? what lense are you using and are you using it wide open or at which apertures???

 

[yachtdr22]

I am having a similar difficulty of getting crisp clear shots with my new Cannon EF100 IS USM on my tri-pod mounted, T3i set on macro.
I am able to get some images crisp, but not all especially soft tissue like clams. no flash

I am certain it is a "nut loose behind the wheel" but was hoping for recommendations before i start...

thoughts?

 

[Recty]

Show an example. Most likely it's your shutter speed since you state soft tissue... soft tissue that moves with the current requires a pretty high shutter speed to get perfectly sharp shots of.

You can also turn off the pumps for the tank 5 minutes before starting to take pictures, that helps tremendously.