[Noggin]

With my K-x, I took a picture about 9ft away - 1/6 at 2.8, ISO 200, 50mm just to test the sharpness.

I consider myself a newb so I guess I am expecting too much in terms of quality but I was hoping to see a pretty sharp image.

Experts?

[adpo]

try shooting at a higher shutter speed, 1/6s is really slow and is bound to induce a little bit of hand shake/motion blur

[Noggin]

I used my remote so that should minimise shake.

[aleonx3]

The image is soft because 1) the shutter speed is too slow for hand-held shot or 2) there is a front-focus error on the lens (needs micro-adjustment). I suspect that you could at least try 1/60 shutter speed using higher iso setting.

[causey]

When testing the optical properties of your lens, be sure to focus manually to eliminate any possible problem due to AF.

[pentup]

Did you hand-hold it, or use a tripod? Looks pretty good at that shutter speed if you were holding it. At the wide end of the zoom, the SR would have handled that, I'm sure. But at 50mm? No way.

[bobpur]

Hi

Problem is the f2.8, too much hype about " Wide Open " shots !
It is simple physics of lenses, they will only show their best properties in the Mid range. Usually starting at 2 Stops down.
The reasoning behind Fast lenses is the stopped down point will be still faster than slower lenses Full open.
Try the shot at f4 or f5.6, it will also end the focus problems.

[Noggin]

I was using a tripod with the remote.

Is there any way to remedy front-focus error or is it inherint in lenses?

The testing continues...

[adpo]

access debug mode in your k-x, from there you should be able to do a global AF adjustment. Just remember to set it back once you swap lenses

[causey]

I was using a tripod with the remote.

Is there any way to remedy front-focus error or is it inherint in lenses?

The testing continues...

So you used the remote to activate the focusing mechanism? This method does not warrant that the camera focuses correctly, especially in dim light.

[causey]

I was using a tripod with the remote.

Is there any way to remedy front-focus error or is it inherint in lenses?

The testing continues...

Don't jump to conclusions. You don't know whether the lens front-focuses. You haven't identified the root of the problem. It might be your testing procedure.

[allio]

Is that a 100% crop? If you're expecting any lens to look sharp wide open at 100%, then yes, you are expecting too much especially handheld at 1/6!

[Marc Sabatella]

If that was taken at 9ft and 50mm, then it is apparently a crop. You haven't explained how you, the photographer, controlled where exactly focus was achieved; it's fr to early to even think about blaming the equipment for anything. But for a crop taken of an image taken at f/2.8 at a very slow shutter speed (even with tripod), given the shallow DOF, that's probably not too far off what you should be expecting even if you did in fact take the necessary steps to guarantee focus was where you wanted it.

[Noggin]

Yes its a 100% crop. Im not really blaming anything more than getting a reality check on what to expect

I used the remote in focus mode I think tho I did a focus from that camera first anyway.

I appreciate the feedback a lot!

[Marc Sabatella]

Right, but which focus point did you select, and are you sure the subject completely covered the focus point? From the crop, it sure appears possible focus was on the amp, not the bass.