Olympus Focus

[TSGCo]

LSC, Thanks for the response. I don't know if you saw my response so I apologize as I get used to all of this.
The lenses are stock and I gave their breakdown earlier in a response to you. As I have experienced with the Olympus brand there is always that benefit to some of the other lens models.
I am ruling out some of those as I get used to digital and the lenses I prefer are not yet available for the Olympus brand in digital and auto-focus.
I am trying both options to try to get used to the way it operates and like you all have said about it's quirks.
The camera is maybe seeing something I am not and I am trying to see it before I get my eyes checked.
Thanks and I will keep trying.
Respectfully,
Marc

[SteveB]

If my memory is working this morning, I believe there is a dial next to the viewfinder with a "+ and -" this is the diopter control. Let the camera autofocus and then turn the diopter control dial and you should see the image getting sharper or more out of focus. Do not have your finger on the shutter button, you want the focus locked onto a subject so that you can see the difference in focus just by adjusting the diopter. There should be a point where the image in the viewfinder looks sharper than any other setting. Keep it there!
If you are just looking at your images on the camera LCD, keep in mind they are fairly low resolution, be sure to make the final judgement on your monitor and let's hope that is set properly!

Good luck,
Steve

[lsc1]

Hi Marc,

I confess I know nothing about Oly equipment as I am a Nikon addict. When I wrote of "manufacturers" I was discussing the variations on lens quality WITHIN every manufacturer's line. Nikon makes some really cheap, amateur lenses which give far different results in sharpness and bokeh from their Pro lenses. I suspect Oly does too. Your package lens may or may not be well suited to the critical sharpness you are looking for. Can you go to a good local store and shoot a few shots with the best Oly lenses to compare (isn't digital wonderful)? Also, every lens has a "sweet spot" aperature where it is most sharp. A large number are very good in the 5.6 or 8.0 range. Have you tried opening up a little from the shots at f16 to see if that helps? Also, posting a couple of your pics here might help.

LSC

[TSGCo]

Thanks so much for that! I may be a Nikon Addict by years end if things don't change around here.
I have not tried to shoot again with a different aperature and think it is a great idea.
Getting used to a new camera and brand is tough! I feel that digital has alot more quirks than I remember in SLR?
I am posting the image so everyone can see finally figured it out.
I want to see crisp clean lines and don't.
The earring had to be shot again because of a slight blur and I should not have to do that.
What do you think?
Respectfully,
Marc

[lsc1]

Well you ask what I think so this is my opinion. First, I think your lighting is excellent so thats definitely "right" with the pic.

As to sharpness - your initial post said you were shooting at f11. The pic appears very soft with the sharpest point being at or near the earing. That tells me you were focused in the right area but the lack of depth of field (sharpness) at f11 leads me back to my initial thought that the lens capability may not be up to your expectation. I checked out the kit lens you specified (extra $100) and I personally would not expect crisp sharpness from that lens although overall it did a pretty good job. But, if you want more, I think you'll have to spend more no matter what system you use.

Digital does have it's quirks but maybe the best quirk is the ability to see and fix things without spending $100 every cycle at the lab. If you're using Photoshop at all, this is a very soft image. If you haven't PS'd this, I think you can get it where you want it with some moderate sharpening.

Cheers,
LSC

[TSGCo]

Thanks LSC, It has been a few days now and I am starting to forget the settings but yes I think it was f11.
I started to look at other cameras and options since we last wrote. I also got a magazine last night that went over the higher F-stops and the issues with different lenses. you are most likely right. I have not had a chance to get the model back to see, but I amticipate that is most of the problem. I will keep you posted.
The next problem with that is due to the fact the Olympus has yet to unite the other lens manufactures with their system? That it is going to make me invest in a totally new camera system and try to get my money out of the one I just got or purchase a $1000 lens from Olympus?
That is not a hard choice to make at this point.
The lenses that come is the packages are like you say average for the price and quality to make it more appealing. I actually prefer Tokina lenses for film and always used them with no complaints.
Thank you so much for the time and for responding. As there is a current post about how much we all can learn and contribute, I really needed your input and everyone elses or I would have no direction to solve the problem.
I posted my first Critique "My first photo shoot in 20 years" If you get a chance to check it out I have an image for my company that is very focused and I would like you input of the feeling of the image.
Thaks again.
TSG

[lsc1]

Marc,

Checked out the 20 year photos and the second pic showed that the lens can be very sharp in the right conditions. As others suggested, I would opt for a tighter crop. The first pic looks like it could be salvaged with PS. If you want, send the orginal to me (lscarper at ix.netcom.com) and I'll see what I can do.

On a side note, the jewelry looks very nice, you certainly do great work there.

Cheers,
LSC