Comments requested, please...

[gjtoth]

I'm still playing around with my Oly trying to attain the sharpest image quality I can whilst staying OUT of the "scenes" or reverting to "auto". Great fun but at the same time mildly frustrating. I appreciate your opinions of the sharpness/clarity of this shot. I'm not looking for composition in this... just clarity/sharpness and some suggestions as to what, if anything, can or should be done to get it even clearer than what it currently is. Bear in mind, I realize I am not going to achieve DSLR sharpness as that's impossible with a P&S. Thanx, y'all! Oh... the EXIF data is listed, too.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2185735079_637e8b3e42_b.jpg

Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/4.0999999046326
Focal Length: 18.6 mm
ISO Speed: 50
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Image Description: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution: 300 dpi
Y-Resolution: 300 dpi
Software: Bibble 4.9.9b
Date and Time: 2008:01:11 18:41:37
Exposure Program: Normal
Date and Time (Original): 2008:01:11 18:41:37
Date and Time (Digitized): 2008:01:11 18:41:37
Shutter Speed: 3/1
Maximum Lens Aperture: 12457083/4194304
Light Source: Tungsten (incandescent light)
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Compression: JPEG
Date Created: 20080111
Time Created: 184137
Image Width: 3052 pixels
Image Height: 1637 pixels

[dkippen]

Gary -

My suggestion would be to start your shutter speed at 1/125 and work your way down from there and just keep shooting. I think your shutter speed might be too slow. It looks like you have a light source coming from the left that might affect your sharpness as well. I too find it frustrating getting sharp images. It's a work in progress and I've been doing this since Sept. Let me know if this works.

[gjtoth]

Gary -

My suggestion would be to start your shutter speed at 1/125 and work your way down from there and just keep shooting. I think your shutter speed might be too slow. It looks like you have a light source coming from the left that might affect your sharpness as well. I too find it frustrating getting sharp images. It's a work in progress and I've been doing this since Sept. Let me know if this works.

Take a look at the EXIF on this one, Debbie. I find this much improved. I tightened the shot a little and went fully manual instead of "P" mode. Note that the threads in the sizing rings is now discernible and (to me) seems much more crisp. Thanks for you input, BTW. Much appreciated.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2186596522_76bf280d80_b.jpg

Camera: Olympus SP550UZ
Exposure: 0.2 sec (13421773/67108864)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 23.4 mm
ISO Speed: 50
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Image Description: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution: 300 dpi
Y-Resolution: 300 dpi
Software: Bibble 4.9.9b
Date and Time: 2008:01:11 19:30:00
Exposure Program: Manual
Date and Time (Original): 2008:01:11 19:30:00
Date and Time (Digitized): 2008:01:11 19:30:00
Shutter Speed: 1217359/524288
Maximum Lens Aperture: 12457083/4194304
Light Source: Tungsten (incandescent light)
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Compression: JPEG
Date Created: 20080111
Time Created: 193000
Image Width: 3067 pixels
Image Height: 1677 pixels

[dkippen]

Gary -

Much better and stay off that manual. You'll have more control over how your picture turn out.

[gjtoth]

Gary -

Much better and stay off that manual. You'll have more control over how your picture turn out.


Dontcha mean "P" or "Auto"? :confused:

[dkippen]

Yes I do - it's been a long day and the nite isn't getting any better - still working on re-installing programs from the computer crash.

[gjtoth]

Yes I do - it's been a long day and the nite isn't getting any better - still working on re-installing programs from the computer crash.

Welp... thanks for you help. Here's to hoping it gets better! Get some rest, kiddo. That software will be there tomorrow for ya.

[LensBaby]

Gary with the top photo did you try to put a little light on the right hand side of it? I see light from the left but what about the right? I really like the subject! (Maybe that isnt even what your after)

[gjtoth]

Gary with the top photo did you try to put a little light on the right hand side of it? I see light from the left but what about the right? I really like the subject! (Maybe that isnt even what your after)

I'm just going for ultimate clarity... that certain snap or crispness. Ya kinda know it when you see it or attain it. I think I'm soooooooooo close. I'll get it. I'm just trying different things in preparation for the Spring "first flush" of roses. Different lighting, distance, exposure, etc. This camera has so many options. I want to get and stay away from scenes and "auto". The closest I want to come to that is the "P" mode.

heh I never really gave much thought to the subject except to find something that had some very fine features in them so I could have something to judge the "snap" by.

[Snappers]

Gary, I think the second Photo is soooo Much better. Perhaps the first there is so much to look at but it appears that the focus was placed on the middle ring and the rest were sort of slightly out of focus wereas on your second photo, a much simpler arrey but all three rings are sharp in focus.

[gjtoth]

Here's a couple more on a rearranged set-up. EXIFs included. I bumped up to ISO 100 and played with the shutter and aperture.
I think this is pretty much what I'm looking for.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2187023187_17177740a1_b.jpg

Camera: Olympus SP550UZ
Exposure: 0.333 sec (11184811/33554432)
Aperture: f/7.0999999046326
Focal Length: 19 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Image Description: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution: 72 dpi
Y-Resolution: 72 dpi
Software: GIMP 2.4.2
Date and Time: 2008:01:12 10:32:26
Exposure Program: Manual
Date and Time (Original): 2008:01:12 10:00:34
Date and Time (Digitized): 2008:01:12 10:00:34
Shutter Speed: 13295629/8388608
Maximum Lens Aperture: 12457083/4194304
Light Source: Tungsten (incandescent light)
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Compression: JPEG
Image Width: 3080 pixels
Image Height: 2301 pixels


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2200/2187021495_a5dd232908_b.jpg

Camera: Olympus SP550UZ
Exposure: 0.167 sec (11184811/67108864)
Aperture: f/5
Focal Length: 19 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Image Description: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution: 72 dpi
Y-Resolution: 72 dpi
Software: GIMP 2.4.2
Date and Time: 2008:01:12 10:33:17
Exposure Program: Manual
Date and Time (Original): 2008:01:12 10:02:49
Date and Time (Digitized): 2008:01:12 10:02:49
Shutter Speed: 10842119/4194304
Maximum Lens Aperture: 12457083/4194304
Light Source: Tungsten (incandescent light)
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Compression: JPEG
Image Width: 3080 pixels
Image Height: 2301 pixels

[Snappers]

I think the first one is better. Not sure why though.

[LensBaby]

I like the first one better as well. It looks as if the second one has a little bit more lighting on it. (I'm not a young chicken anymore so my eyes are not the best.)