Help for a newcomer (Page 2): I disagree these pictures are not sharp at all, yes they could be sharper using PP, but they are not sharp enough to start with, at least in my book. They...

Rich Maher Loc: Sonoma County, CA

MWAC wrote:

quote=senad55verizon.net C'mon, everybody, let's ... (show quote)

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

Bryn wrote:

I have been using a Nikon D40X with the 18-50mm kit lens for a couple of years but about 2 months ago I bought a new D5100 body. Since then I have been struggling to obtain images that look as sharp as I got on the old body and wonder what I am doing wrong? I have included a couple of typical pics from the new camera

I have downloaded your specs to help figure things out.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

Bryn wrote:

I have been using a Nikon D40X with the 18-50mm kit lens for a couple of years but about 2 months ago I bought a new D5100 body. Since then I have been struggling to obtain images that look as sharp as I got on the old body and wonder what I am doing wrong? I have included a couple of typical pics from the new camera

I have downloaded your specs to help figure things out.

jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

(New to posting here.) I agree with MWAC. At least on my computer, the boys face is not sharp! The eyelashes are a blur. Single area would have brought the boy into sharp focus like the swing set. I don't think there is anything wrong with her camera.Adjusting the focus setting could well be the answer to her problem and is the first thing I would do if I had the same problem.

Bryn Loc: Connecticut

Thanks to everyone for all your comments and suggestions.
I am amazed at the amount of help that people give on this site.
Have attached the picture of my grandson after sharpening with the high pass filter in PSE9.
I also realized that he was running towards me in the shot and is actually in the air and I only used 1/300 for the shutter speed
which could affect the sharpness.
I thank you all for replying to the "young lady" but, for the record,
I am a 75 year old man -- but thanks for the help anyway!

Pic with high pass sharpening

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

The sharpening certainly helped, but compensating for focus problems with sharpening isn't necessarily the answer to your problems with your new camera. It should be capable of taking photos that are at least as sharp as your older camera. You should probably set up some controlled shots with both cameras using the same lens. If you're not getting the same results with the D5100, you should adjust the diopter setting. Otherwise, it sounds like a trip to the camera hospital.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

75! But are you cute! :);)
Erv

Bryn wrote:

Thanks to everyone for all your comments and sugge... (show quote)

Bryn Loc: Connecticut

Thanks for the reply.
I don't understand your comment about adjusting the diopter setting? I thought that was to adjust the sharpness in the viewfinder only. The picture was obtained using autofocus by the camera itself so I don't believe the camera uses the viewfinder.
but I may be wrong.

crazy4thread Loc: Minnesota

ace-mt wrote:

I agree that multiple focus points is your problem. Luckily an easy fix. Just change to single point. I got an excellent piece of advice once, that has really helped me. I was told to practice moving the focal point until I could do it without taking the camera away from my eye. Easier than it sounds, and it comes in handy.

Excellent advice! Thanks for sharing :)

Dback4430 Loc: Lockport Il

Bryn wrote:

I have been using a Nikon D40X with the 18-50mm kit lens for a couple of years but about 2 months ago I bought a new D5100 body. Since then I have been struggling to obtain images that look as sharp as I got on the old body and wonder what I am doing wrong? I have included a couple of typical pics from the new camera

These are the actual focus points that your camera used . Maybe this will help you

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Bryn wrote:

Thanks for the reply.
I don't understand your comment about adjusting the diopter setting? I thought that was to adjust the sharpness in the viewfinder only. The picture was obtained using autofocus by the camera itself so I don't believe the camera uses the viewfinder.
but I may be wrong.

I may have missed if you said you were using autofocus. Dback4430 was able to show the actual focus points. When manual focus is used, you can get thrown off if the diopter setting in your viewfinder isn't set to your eyesight.

ace-mt Loc: Montana

Dback4430 wrote:

Bryn wrote:

I have been using a Nikon D40X with the 18-50mm kit lens for a couple of years but about 2 months ago I bought a new D5100 body. Since then I have been struggling to obtain images that look as sharp as I got on the old body and wonder what I am doing wrong? I have included a couple of typical pics from the new camera

These are the actual focus points that your camera used . Maybe this will help you

Thats cool! Didnt know that you could do that.

Dback4430 Loc: Lockport Il

ace-mt wrote:

quote=Dback4430 quote=Bryn I have been using a N... (show quote)

YEp . its in the metadata tab you just click on the little square then crop it a little to see the one in red . Then take a screen shot . This is in aperture 3 . I know that you pros have a handle on ps . One day when i grow up , i may use lightroom a little