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k-play · 03-18-2013, 07:55 AM

This thread is something I look as a part of my learning curve.
Please feel free to give any kind of feedback. Many thanks in advance.
So here's the case: I can't seem to have the 'sharpness' in these pictures I took (I shot these in JPEGs ***).
I know it's not a macro lens, but still.. I hope my eyes (and expectations) are okay..

Any thoughts?

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

olypdd · 03-18-2013, 09:27 AM

Stooped over and shot these real quick with the 17-70 Pentax zoom in JPEG. Some minor editing is all. Sure is a versatile lens. These were in terrible diffused light but that seems to be ideal for shots like this.

olypdd · 03-18-2013, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by k-play

This thread is something I look as a part of my learning curve.
Please feel free to give any kind of feedback. Many thanks in advance.
So here's the case: I can't seem to have the 'sharpness' in these pictures I took (I shot these in JPEGs ***).
I know it's not a macro lens, but still.. I hope my eyes (and expectations) are okay..

Any thoughts?

Kplay- did you use spot focus? That's the first thing that comes to my mind. Also, if shooting hand held, you have to nail the focus right where you want it and squeeze off the shot like a sniper does a kill. I have a tough time stooping or kneeling and keeping still enough but if I get the shutter speed nice and high, it sure does help. Perhaps a bit underexposed....rather dark but otherwise a nice scene and bokeh. I see you used the same lens as I. Any focus issues with it otherwise or maybe just these?

k-play · 03-19-2013, 06:33 AM - **2 Likes**

Thanks Richard-olypdd. You are now officially my first PentaxForums teacher.

.
I didn't use spot metering, but I did use selected focus point (which I intended to be focused on the flower).
I tried to set the shutter speed high enough though..
Yes, it's not a great exposure. I just want to point out that lack of sharpness I got.
Surely there is a lot to learn and more experiments to do to get to know my camera better (it was a bit ambitious purchase..

)
But it will help a lot when people with more experience point out my incorrectness like you did. Thanks again for that.
Good to know that you are using the same zoom lens like mine (it means there's more to learn from you.. Yeah!)
Just hoping that my interest and skill in photography will grow more.

Regards,
Al

ps. I don't think there is a focus issue (so far) with my lens. Here's a picture I took a moment after the so-so flower. Any comments?
Not as spectacular as others have posted here though. But the color and contrast of images produced by this camera-lens combination is adequate for my taste.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

halfspin · 03-19-2013, 07:00 AM

Originally posted by k-play

Here's a picture I took a moment after the so-so flower. Any comments?

It's sharp enough for me to wince! Well done.

k-play · 03-19-2013, 08:17 AM

Thank you halfspin. Still learning here..

olypdd · 03-19-2013, 11:58 AM

Learning is most of the fun. I look at early shots and can't believe the dumb things I did, but that's how you learn. I am on the same journey, trying to learn and people on sites like this teach me a lot. I see a lot of keepers with the IIs. Your shots are beautifully composed. Keep checking that lens and see if it needs a service or replaced. It could be you're doing everything right and the lens isn't on board. Try another lens. Here's a couple I shot in BULB mode last night on tripod. Used the remote trigger.

Attached Images

**jbinpg** · 03-19-2013, 12:03 PM

Hi, Al. Two things determined the look of your photos:

1) Depth of field - The zone of focus is quite thin in your photos and is the main reason for the soft look of the images. A narrower aperture would have put more of the blossom in focus.

2) Exposure - ISO100,f4/,1/320s contributed to underexposure. I would have bumped the ISO higher since the latest K series cameras have minimal noise up to ISO1600. You will find this out for yourself when you get around to post-processing your images. This would have also allowed you to use a smaller aperture. One way to have overcome the flat lighting would have been to have used a touch of flash. Even the on-camera flash would have helped here.

Jack

olypdd · 03-19-2013, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

Hi, Al. Two things determined the look of your photos:

1) Depth of field - The zone of focus is quite thin in your photos and is the main reason for the soft look of the images. A narrower aperture would have put more of the blossom in focus.

2) Exposure - ISO100,f4/,1/320s contributed to underexposure. I would have bumped the ISO higher since the latest K series cameras have minimal noise up to ISO1600. You will find this out for yourself when you get around to post-processing your images. This would have also allowed you to use a smaller aperture. One way to have overcome the flat lighting would have been to have used a touch of flash. Even the on-camera flash would have helped here.

Jack

That spider shot looks nice and sharp. Nice all the way around!

**jbinpg** · 03-19-2013, 08:56 PM

Indeed. So we know what that camera/lens combo can do.

**Digitalis** · 03-19-2013, 09:23 PM

A young Koala:

Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG

k-play · 03-19-2013, 11:16 PM

Pardon me for interrupting nice photographs being posted yet again.
Richard and Jack, you guys rock!
I often hear that Pentax users are nice guys. So far I am experiencing that first hand.

.
Nice to know that there are people willingly share their thoughts, even in this advanced thread.
Thank you for your inputs and kind words, they are greatly appreciated (and surely will be practiced).

Regards,
Al

martyd14 · 03-20-2013, 06:17 AM - **2 Likes**

K-5 IIs and the DA 18-55mm

http://www.martydrabicphotography.com/Nature/Niagara-Falls/i-mnRcMH9/0/X2/IMGP0356-X2.jpg

http://www.martydrabicphotography.com/Nature/Niagara-Falls/i-mkf22ks/0/XL/IMGP0352_hdr-XL.jpg

halfspin · 03-20-2013, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by martyd14

A Few from Niagara Falls

Very very nice shots! I wouldn't have imagined the kit lens could produce such nice images. I'm going to have to reconsider selling mine.

martyd14 · 03-20-2013, 07:15 AM

Very underrated lens. I love it for night photography. No chromatic aberration and very little lens flare. Not tack sharp but sharp enough and colors are always...well Pentax colors. Does have a problem with barrel distortion at 18mm and some light fall off too but will do until i can get that 15mm limited in my hands.

03-18-2013, 09:27 AM	#317
olypdd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Puget Sound Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 311	flowers Stooped over and shot these real quick with the 17-70 Pentax zoom in JPEG. Some minor editing is all. Sure is a versatile lens. These were in terrible diffused light but that seems to be ideal for shots like this. Attached Images

03-19-2013, 09:23 PM	#326
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	A young Koala: Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG

03-20-2013, 06:17 AM - 2 Likes	#328
martyd14 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Erie, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 67	A Few from Niagara Falls K-5 IIs and the DA 18-55mm http://www.martydrabicphotography.com/Nature/Niagara-Falls/i-mnRcMH9/0/X2/IMGP0356-X2.jpg http://www.martydrabicphotography.com/Nature/Niagara-Falls/i-mkf22ks/0/XL/IMGP0352_hdr-XL.jpg

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03-18-2013, 09:31 AM	#318
olypdd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Puget Sound Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 311	Originally posted by k-play This thread is something I look as a part of my learning curve. Please feel free to give any kind of feedback. Many thanks in advance. So here's the case: I can't seem to have the 'sharpness' in these pictures I took (I shot these in JPEGs ***). I know it's not a macro lens, but still.. I hope my eyes (and expectations) are okay.. Any thoughts? Kplay- did you use spot focus? That's the first thing that comes to my mind. Also, if shooting hand held, you have to nail the focus right where you want it and squeeze off the shot like a sniper does a kill. I have a tough time stooping or kneeling and keeping still enough but if I get the shutter speed nice and high, it sure does help. Perhaps a bit underexposed....rather dark but otherwise a nice scene and bokeh. I see you used the same lens as I. Any focus issues with it otherwise or maybe just these?

03-19-2013, 07:00 AM	#320
halfspin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 258	Originally posted by k-play Here's a picture I took a moment after the so-so flower. Any comments? It's sharp enough for me to wince! Well done.

03-19-2013, 08:17 AM	#321
k-play New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	Thank you halfspin. Still learning here..

03-19-2013, 11:58 AM	#322
olypdd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Puget Sound Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 311	Learning is most of the fun. I look at early shots and can't believe the dumb things I did, but that's how you learn. I am on the same journey, trying to learn and people on sites like this teach me a lot. I see a lot of keepers with the IIs. Your shots are beautifully composed. Keep checking that lens and see if it needs a service or replaced. It could be you're doing everything right and the lens isn't on board. Try another lens. Here's a couple I shot in BULB mode last night on tripod. Used the remote trigger. Attached Images

03-19-2013, 12:03 PM	#323
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Hi, Al. Two things determined the look of your photos: 1) Depth of field - The zone of focus is quite thin in your photos and is the main reason for the soft look of the images. A narrower aperture would have put more of the blossom in focus. 2) Exposure - ISO100,f4/,1/320s contributed to underexposure. I would have bumped the ISO higher since the latest K series cameras have minimal noise up to ISO1600. You will find this out for yourself when you get around to post-processing your images. This would have also allowed you to use a smaller aperture. One way to have overcome the flat lighting would have been to have used a touch of flash. Even the on-camera flash would have helped here. Jack

03-19-2013, 08:36 PM	#324
olypdd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Puget Sound Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 311	Originally posted by jbinpg Hi, Al. Two things determined the look of your photos: 1) Depth of field - The zone of focus is quite thin in your photos and is the main reason for the soft look of the images. A narrower aperture would have put more of the blossom in focus. 2) Exposure - ISO100,f4/,1/320s contributed to underexposure. I would have bumped the ISO higher since the latest K series cameras have minimal noise up to ISO1600. You will find this out for yourself when you get around to post-processing your images. This would have also allowed you to use a smaller aperture. One way to have overcome the flat lighting would have been to have used a touch of flash. Even the on-camera flash would have helped here. Jack That spider shot looks nice and sharp. Nice all the way around!

03-19-2013, 08:56 PM	#325
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Indeed. So we know what that camera/lens combo can do.

03-19-2013, 11:16 PM	#327
k-play New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	Pardon me for interrupting nice photographs being posted yet again. Richard and Jack, you guys rock! I often hear that Pentax users are nice guys. So far I am experiencing that first hand. . Nice to know that there are people willingly share their thoughts, even in this advanced thread. Thank you for your inputs and kind words, they are greatly appreciated (and surely will be practiced). Regards, Al

03-20-2013, 06:42 AM	#329
halfspin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 258	Originally posted by martyd14 A Few from Niagara Falls Very very nice shots! I wouldn't have imagined the kit lens could produce such nice images. I'm going to have to reconsider selling mine.

03-20-2013, 07:15 AM	#330
martyd14 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Erie, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 67	Very underrated lens. I love it for night photography. No chromatic aberration and very little lens flare. Not tack sharp but sharp enough and colors are always...well Pentax colors. Does have a problem with barrel distortion at 18mm and some light fall off too but will do until i can get that 15mm limited in my hands.

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