ALL OUT OF FOCUS!

merv

merv

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Mervyn
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I want opinions on a load of 'out of focus' photographs presented to me for an opinion as to what has gone wrong. Before you all think they're mine, they're not but i have been asked to do them again.
They are all, about 200 of them, pictures of small fragments of ornamental stonework from a derelict building of local architectural interest. They were all shot with an Olympus C160 camera and every goddam one is out of focus. Shutter speeds range from 1/5 to 1/80 of a second and obviously some of these speeds are too slow. The camera was hand held with ISO 50 and f2.8.
The focal length given in the 'properties' was 5mm - this seems very very short. If I knew how to upload a few photos I would for you all to see!
Any opinions please:bang::bonk:
 
At a guess they are all close up shots?

It sounds like they have been taken under the minimum focal length so are all oof. Either use the macro mode in the camera or take them from further back.

The 5mm would be correct if it's a very small sensored p&s which it looks to be.
 
Impossible to give opinions on pictures we cant see... well not impossible but pretty useless without the pics i am afraid...


BEST GUESS
shutter too slow.. iso needed upping
 
If they're photos of small things, on a 'macro mode', the depth of field is probably pretty narrow, so only a small part of the thing is in focus, and the rest isn't. Handholding at 1/5 of a second when macro is involved is just a disaster in itself, and will lead to a fair bit of blur.

The 5mm focal length isn't a cause for concern, the sensor is much smaller than film/dslr, hence the focal length is shorter to give the same effect. Hope that makes a bit of sense!
 
The minimum focus range for this camera is given as 50cm- was the person shooting the photos too close? Rob
 
merv said:
If I knew how to upload a few photos I would for you all to see!
Any opinions please:bang::bonk:
Click to expand...

If you don't have a flikr or similar account you should go to "galleries" in TP and simply follow the instructions on how to upload photos to your gallery.

Then...once you've done that - you need to click on each image and copy and paste the url for the linked image using the "insert image" icon.

I'm afraid no one could really give you a realistic assessment of what is wrong with the images without seeing them.
 
Thanks all. Yes they are all close up and I think they were probably inside the minimun focus distance. Will try to figure out uploading some photos. Thanks for the help
 
Oly C160 is a cheap entry-level fixed lens (5mm) compact.

Problem is either focus at too close distance, or AF failure in low light, or (most certainly) camera shake. Quite possibly all three.

From what you've said, I would be amazed if any were sharp. Was the flash broken?
 
are you sure they are meant to blur because the wide 2.8 aperture means that only a minute detail will be in the picture, also wider aperture should mean faster shutter or higher ISO which yours are neither. if i was you i would keep to around f4 at a 1/200 with 400 ISO and that could do the trick.
 
Tell your friend to use a professional photographer!

This is one of the occassions that shows the worth of your local photographer. The "I've got a camera, so I can take my own pictures" brigade oftne produce disappointment when they try to do something themselves that they are not geared up for and do not know the techniques involved.

My son has a cricket bat and ball - he can't bowl like Anderson, and he can't bat like KP though. Just because you have the gear, does not mean you can produce the goods.
 
That's not your fault for writing badly...it is purely the readers fault for not buying the book!
 
Thanks all. Have redone them with D300 on tripod and manual exposure in natural light indoors in a building with roof lights :lol:and results are great. As you say use decent gear (provided of course you can use it)
 
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