sharpness

Depth of field if the focus isn't quite on the subject?

Further away so a smaller presence in the frame so there are less pixels to capture detail giving the appearance of fuzziness?
 
-Paul- said:
Why does a subject that is further away form a camera somtimes seem less sharp than the same subject closer to it?
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Assuming the subject is properly focused, ie actually focused upon and not just within the zone of depth of field (which is 'acceptable sharpness' and not necessarily optimum sharpness) then there are a couple of things happening.

The first is that because the distant subject is recorded much smaller on the sensor, you're asking the lens to work much harder to deliver the same level of resolution/detail, and as resolution demands go up, so contrast goes down. Basically, while the image may actually have sufficient detail, it will be much more feint and doesn't look as sharp. This is lens Modulation Trasnfer Function (MTF) at work and it happens ragardless of pixel count.

The second factor is, depending on how much the smaller image is enlarged, sooner or later the sensor just runs out of pixels.
 
Hi Dust in the atmospher and heat haze have an efect on the sharpnes of the subject. The more atmosphear the more the efect.
 
faddius said:
Depth of field if the focus isn't quite on the subject?

Further away so a smaller presence in the frame so there are less pixels to capture detail giving the appearance of fuzziness?
Click to expand...

I took distant shots this morning and found they were not as sharp as I would like, so what is the technique for sharp distant shots?
 
At greater distances, camera shake becomes MUCH more pronounced, so unless your shooting in perfect conditions, your going to need a tripod or some other support (like bean bags for wildlife).
 
:bonk: I didn't take VR off and was on the tripod for sun up.
 
Lyonspride said:
At greater distances, camera shake becomes MUCH more pronounced, so unless your shooting in perfect conditions, your going to need a tripod or some other support (like bean bags for wildlife).
Click to expand...

Yes, very good point!

The earlier comment about atmospheric/heat haze at distance reducing contrast and making images appear softer is also true.
 
Hi,

If you are on a tripod, you should switch off any image stabilisation. This will improve sharpness, assuming you have a sturdy tripod and are using a remote shutter release/self timer. Might be an option to also use mirror lock-up.

Cheers,

Kenny
 
I took a photo of Lincoln Cathedral the other day from the village I live in. Straight line distance is around 5-6 miles and I used my 5D3 and Sigma 150-500 OS. It was a lovely, warm and clear day but the image was badly distorted by heat haze when I got it on the computer. I've taken similar shots on cooler but clear days and the image is far sharper with the same equipment so I guess the atmospherics (air quality, heat and wind) play a big part in determining how sharp the image comes out.
 
modchild said:
I took a photo of Lincoln Cathedral the other day from the village I live in. Straight line distance is around 5-6 miles and I used my 5D3 and Sigma 150-500 OS. It was a lovely, warm and clear day but the image was badly distorted by heat haze when I got it on the computer. I've taken similar shots on cooler but clear days and the image is far sharper with the same equipment so I guess the atmospherics (air quality, heat and wind) play a big part in determining how sharp the image comes out.
Click to expand...

I'm a birdwatcher and use a Kowa telescope 30x and as the summer draws on, the heat haze makes distant viewing a nightmare, same principles I guess.
 
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