Soft Focus Problem EOS550D

[Frosticles]

Am seeming to be having an issue with my focusing on my EOS550D. I am shooting in RAW & in AV Mode.

Have done a couple of test shots just now of my driveway. To me, they seem very soft pre PP.

Settings are as follows -

First pic -

Shooting mode - AV
ISO - 100
Focal distance - 10mm
Aperture - f11
Shutter Speed - 1/50 sec.
Hand Held

After PP in Lightroom 4

Second pic -

Shooting mode - AV
ISO - 100
Focal Distance - 22mm
Aperture - f11
Shutter Speed - 1/40 sec
Hand Held

After PP in Lightroom 4

The softness of my RAW pics is "Doing my head in".

All advice greatly received & listened to.

Kind regards, Kevin

 

[Davec223]

Are you happy with the jpegs?
Don't forget that raw files are just that and will need processing and in particularly sharpening as none is added to raw files in camera.

 

[Frosticles]

Are you happy with the jpegs?
Don't forget that raw files are just that and will need processing and in particularly sharpening as none is added to raw files in camera.

Haven't shot in JPEG for ages. Will have a go this afternoon & see what the difference is. This time though it will be using a 24-105L

Many thanks & kind regards, Kevin

 

[vetonbike]

Also try upping the shutter speed. Or use a tripod. To help eliminate the chance of camera shake

 

[nickjohnwatson]

Raw files are always softer and need sharpening up, they look fine after pp, I have to sharpen every raw file I take I wouldn't worry about it too much. As someones said up the shutter speed and use a tripod if you can. I presume those ones were taken with a 10-22? The 24-105 has IS so you might see a difference when using that

 

[gnirtS]

1/50th outside if theres any wind is going to be a bit soft especially with plants moving.

No 100% crops supplied so cant give it a proper look but i'd suggest something like F/8 and a shutter speed of 1/125 or so (up the iso) if handheld. Shoot in RAW+JPG and inspect the JPG. If the JPG looks soft as well there might be a problem, if it doesnt then its quite normal.

RAWs need sharpening by default (the camera automatically sharpens jpg according to your picture style settings).

If both JPG and RAW look soft then repost here with some 100% crops (and ideally use a tripod).

I set a LR "default" import with a sharpening of 55 and masking of 20 and adjust from there.

 

[Davec223]

Kevin, any update?

 

[Frosticles]

Hi Dave, Yes, been having a play. Have gone out specifically to take some pics of fast moving objects just to see how sharp I can get them. Don't think I've done too bad TBH. Also tried a test shot of my daughter with my new flash that arrived yesterday. Yongnuo 565EX. Bounced the light off the ceiling.
Hopefully going in the right direction

Pics of fast moving objects taken with 24-105mm L

Practicing back button focus & re-compose

Test pic using flash. Again, 24-105 L

 

[Davec223]

Are you happy with the sharpness now? seem ok to me

 

[Frosticles]

Much happier now. I may have to venture into full manual mode so I can play properly. Many thanks