praetor Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) Of a project I'm currently doing... any tips to immprove sharpness? I'm using a Nikon D90. Maybe a macro lens? improve lighting? Project relevant questions? should I trim the outside CG more or should I keep them thick?? *decisions decisions* case mods so far: trimed cg, rebrush lugs, thinned lugs, reduce height of rehaut to 80%, reduce outer diameter of rehaut to get the correct interference. Inserts: gen 16800 on the wm9, gen vintage 16800 top, gen mk fat font insert bottom (got it for $165 -- bit the bullet so to speak) btw: how come my old 6.0 mm tube tool don't work? I had to use a rat tail file to get the tube in. Edited August 4, 2011 by praetor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Tripod, tripod, tripod! After that, the best way would be to shoot either full manual or aperture priority. The larger the aperture number the better depth of field you get so for those side profiles you will get the front and back of the case in focus. Better lighting could help, but it's mostly more about the stable platform for the camera. Also, for longer exposure times, it usually helps to use the timer or remote to trigger the shutter as just the action of using your hand to press the shutter can cause the smallest movement which will then mean fuzzy focus. What lens are you using now? Is it the kit lens (18-55mm)? Oh one other thing - the white balance settings are somewhat important as well. Check out this post I did on white balance settings and differences Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praetor Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thanks redwatch, too lazy to get the tripod in the basement...maybe next time. I'm using the standard lens kit. Didn't want to invest in anything yet. Tried to do focus stacking without a tripod is impossible as I just found out. I'm shooting in Raw and just winging white balance in photoshop. about the apeture thing... time to read the manual ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hmmm, get a Pentax? Seriously, though, with the zoom that came on my Pentax I have never had to use the macro lens I bought. Everything above is good advice and I really should dig my tripod out of the back of the closet (I think) someday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 If you ever get really serious about focus stacking, check out the StackShot from Cognisys, Inc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 your focus does seem a little soft. maybe try spot metering to make the case the exposure point. how do you like those klipsch ear buds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lantis Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 You're producing hard light making unnecessary shadows and loose detail. Try shooting in ambient lighting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 What you did looks good. But, as was said above, use a tripod (or something to rest the camera on). And, to prevent twitching the camera when you press the shutter button, use either a remote switch or your camera's timer to control the shutter. Mostly, it all comes down to lighting/angle & (lots of) practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Do you have a camera phone or anything that you could use to show us the setup of the shots? That always helps when trying to critique the lighting etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praetor Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 thanks guys. I'm using a desk lamp covered in paper for lighting. So that's: - spot metering - white balance card - ambience lighting - increase aperture - tripod. will work on it on monday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacher62 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I shot these pics with a Kodak EasyShare. That being said...the tripod's the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www_watch Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 When using a tripod and even more for macro shots, make sure you switch off the VR-system on the lens. It's contra-productive for this type of photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Once you've got a tripod or some sort of stable platform, lower the ISO! 1600 is way too high for stationary shots. Also, per red's suggestion, a higher F-stop will give you greater of depth of field and keep more of the subject in focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40232 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 I have shot jewelry for catalogs back in the days of the film camera. Lighting is everything. A quick fix if you don't have equipment is to shoot it outside. Use something like an umbrella to put you work in even shade so the light will be uniform. You can even take small white and/or silver card stock to reflect into the shadow areas or create your own highlights. Don't forget the other suggestions(smaller aperture(bigger f-stop), tripod, cable release, lower ISO, macro focusing) You should also try lock up the mirror to help with vibration. Also, use the manual settings and just bracket until you find the right exposure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 I agree- Lighting is crucial. The more light you have the better. I only use the tripod for lume shots, where stability is needed for longer exposure... But my camera is handheld otherwise... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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