Sharpness inconsistency

bob_oi · 06-21-2016, 08:15 PM

Hello

I'm with 44mm/f1.9 Limited.

I am experiencing a strange inconsistency in sharpness of photos taken at identical exposure settings and shooting conditions. One image can be super sharp (the lens is truly superb), another right after - not so much.

I am not sure what to attribute this to - lens, camera or both. Is anyone experiencing anything similar?

Thanks

Adam · 06-21-2016, 08:23 PM

Shake Reduction? If it's on while you're shooting on a tripod, it can introduce blur. SR can also take a brief moment to arm, so make sure the little hand icon is present in the viewfinder when hand-holding. A good way to ensure this is to always half-press first.

rawr · 06-21-2016, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by bob_oi

44mm/f1.9 Limited

?? Is that some secret new lens Pentax is testing.

?

**pasorro** · 06-21-2016, 08:54 PM

The camera , is it a k5 sure

Wheatfield · 06-21-2016, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by bob_oi

Hello

I'm with 44mm/f1.9 Limited.

I am experiencing a strange inconsistency in sharpness of photos taken at identical exposure settings and shooting conditions. One image can be super sharp (the lens is truly superb), another right after - not so much.

I am not sure what to attribute this to - lens, camera or both. Is anyone experiencing anything similar?

Thanks

Pictures or it didn't happen

**Quartermaster James** · 06-22-2016, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by bob_oi

Hello

I'm with 44mm/f1.9 Limited.

I am experiencing a strange inconsistency in sharpness of photos taken at identical exposure settings and shooting conditions. One image can be super sharp (the lens is truly superb), another right after - not so much.

I am not sure what to attribute this to - lens, camera or both. Is anyone experiencing anything similar?

Thanks

Hello,

I do not have that particular lens, but whenever I have had a similar problem (and, believe me, I have

), it was neither the camera nor the lens at fault.

bob_oi · 06-22-2016, 09:39 AM

Sorry, it's K-1, I didn't mention, and the lens is 43mm of course.

Originally posted by Adam

Shake Reduction? If it's on while you're shooting on a tripod, it can introduce blur. SR can also take a brief moment to arm, so make sure the little hand icon is present in the viewfinder when hand-holding. A good way to ensure this is to always half-press first.

SR is off... But if it was on, is it operating when shooting stills?

---------- Post added 06-22-16 at 09:41 AM ----------

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

Hello,

I do not have that particular lens, but whenever I have had a similar problem (and, believe me, I have

), it was neither the camera nor the lens at fault.

At 1/500 what else can you blame?

**paulh** · 06-22-2016, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by bob_oi

SR is off... But if it was on, is it operating when shooting stills?

Yes. You should turn SR off when the camera is tripod-mounted or in some instances if you're panning a shot. Otherwise, keep it on.

Originally posted by bob_oi

At 1/500 what else can you blame?

Camera shake?

osv · 06-22-2016, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by bob_oi

At 1/500 what else can you blame?

autofocusing problems.

snostorm · 06-22-2016, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by osv

autofocusing problems.

Which implies either a mechanical problem with the lens or a calibration problem with the body/lens combination. Another cause at this shutter speed could be AF technique, which I think is what Quartermaster James was implying. Pentax DSLRs, with their relatively large AF sensors need more help from the shooter than some other AF systems with smaller and more discreet AF sensors.

Photographers who take the time to understand how an AF system works and learn how to work around their particular camera's AF system's quirks can get much more consistent AF performance regardless of which system is being used.

Scott

Adam · 06-22-2016, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by bob_oi

SR is off... But if it was on, is it operating when shooting stills?

That's what it's for. It stabilizes all your shots

bob_oi · 06-22-2016, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by Adam

That's what it's for. It stabilizes all your shots

Well maybe I should turn it on then

Thanks

Adam · 06-22-2016, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by bob_oi

Well maybe I should turn it on then

Thanks

Sounds like we've gotten to the heart of what caused the issue to begin with. Great!

With SR on you can use crazy slow shutter speeds hand-held in low light, i.e. 1/6s. Try it out

06-21-2016, 08:15 PM	#1
bob_oi New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 6	Sharpness inconsistency Hello I'm with 44mm/f1.9 Limited. I am experiencing a strange inconsistency in sharpness of photos taken at identical exposure settings and shooting conditions. One image can be super sharp (the lens is truly superb), another right after - not so much. I am not sure what to attribute this to - lens, camera or both. Is anyone experiencing anything similar? Thanks

06-21-2016, 08:23 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Shake Reduction? If it's on while you're shooting on a tripod, it can introduce blur. SR can also take a brief moment to arm, so make sure the little hand icon is present in the viewfinder when hand-holding. A good way to ensure this is to always half-press first. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-21-2016, 08:41 PM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by bob_oi 44mm/f1.9 Limited ?? Is that some secret new lens Pentax is testing. ? Last edited by rawr; 06-21-2016 at 08:54 PM.

06-22-2016, 12:21 PM	#11
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by bob_oi SR is off... But if it was on, is it operating when shooting stills? That's what it's for. It stabilizes all your shots Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-22-2016, 01:36 PM	#13
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by bob_oi Well maybe I should turn it on then Thanks Sounds like we've gotten to the heart of what caused the issue to begin with. Great! With SR on you can use crazy slow shutter speeds hand-held in low light, i.e. 1/6s. Try it out Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-21-2016, 08:54 PM	#4
pasorro Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 132	The camera , is it a k5 sure

06-21-2016, 09:24 PM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by bob_oi Hello I'm with 44mm/f1.9 Limited. I am experiencing a strange inconsistency in sharpness of photos taken at identical exposure settings and shooting conditions. One image can be super sharp (the lens is truly superb), another right after - not so much. I am not sure what to attribute this to - lens, camera or both. Is anyone experiencing anything similar? Thanks Pictures or it didn't happen

06-22-2016, 07:17 AM	#6
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Originally posted by bob_oi Hello I'm with 44mm/f1.9 Limited. I am experiencing a strange inconsistency in sharpness of photos taken at identical exposure settings and shooting conditions. One image can be super sharp (the lens is truly superb), another right after - not so much. I am not sure what to attribute this to - lens, camera or both. Is anyone experiencing anything similar? Thanks Hello, I do not have that particular lens, but whenever I have had a similar problem (and, believe me, I have ), it was neither the camera nor the lens at fault.

06-22-2016, 09:39 AM	#7
bob_oi New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Sorry, it's K-1, I didn't mention, and the lens is 43mm of course. Originally posted by Adam Shake Reduction? If it's on while you're shooting on a tripod, it can introduce blur. SR can also take a brief moment to arm, so make sure the little hand icon is present in the viewfinder when hand-holding. A good way to ensure this is to always half-press first. SR is off... But if it was on, is it operating when shooting stills? ---------- Post added 06-22-16 at 09:41 AM ---------- Originally posted by Quartermaster James Hello, I do not have that particular lens, but whenever I have had a similar problem (and, believe me, I have ), it was neither the camera nor the lens at fault. At 1/500 what else can you blame?

06-22-2016, 10:13 AM	#8
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,301	Originally posted by bob_oi SR is off... But if it was on, is it operating when shooting stills? Yes. You should turn SR off when the camera is tripod-mounted or in some instances if you're panning a shot. Otherwise, keep it on. Originally posted by bob_oi At 1/500 what else can you blame? Camera shake?

06-22-2016, 10:28 AM	#9
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by bob_oi At 1/500 what else can you blame? autofocusing problems.

06-22-2016, 11:36 AM	#10
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Originally posted by osv autofocusing problems. Which implies either a mechanical problem with the lens or a calibration problem with the body/lens combination. Another cause at this shutter speed could be AF technique, which I think is what Quartermaster James was implying. Pentax DSLRs, with their relatively large AF sensors need more help from the shooter than some other AF systems with smaller and more discreet AF sensors. Photographers who take the time to understand how an AF system works and learn how to work around their particular camera's AF system's quirks can get much more consistent AF performance regardless of which system is being used. Scott

06-22-2016, 01:30 PM	#12
bob_oi New Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam That's what it's for. It stabilizes all your shots Well maybe I should turn it on then Thanks

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