So it's obviously the Glass - DPChallenge Forums

01/16/2009 10:49:16 AM · #1

I am trying to buy a camera to take unbelievably clear crisp in focus pictures 90% of the time at close range and maybe 20 feet away. I won't be making posters at all since most of the pictures go straight to the web. What my conclusion is from reading so far is that all I really need is a 6-8 megapixel camera with the infamous L glass 1.4 or 1.8F to take some great close range shots. And yes I know it's all about the photographer.... I'm looking to buy a camera soon and see no reason to get a 23 megapixel camera if all I really want is a super sharp picture. Currently I have a sony t-200 which puts out 1/3 of my shots out of focus.

Sincerely, Newbie.

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/16/2009 10:51:59 AM · #2

Sharpening in post-processing really brings out the 'sharp' for Web photos. For simple web photos my point & shoot camera, plus some good post-processing is pretty sweet.

ETS: Here's a shot from my point-n-shoot hanging out of a car window at 100kmph. Pretty darn sharp, I think.

Message edited by author 2009-01-16 10:55:09.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

01/16/2009 10:59:18 AM · #3

I'm with Slippy. For the web, sharpness is mostly about doing a good job of sharpening in post processing, not about the camera. You can't make a blurry shot sharp, but pretty much any camera and lens will give you an image that is tack sharp at web resolutions.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/16/2009 11:39:06 AM · #4

You may be more likely to find yourself freaked out when you shoot with a 23MP camera, because when you look at the result at 100%, you'll likely find that it magnifies any imperfections more than anything.

Wenders11

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/16/2009 11:52:41 AM · #5

You don't need L series glass to get a sharp closeup. I don't own any L series lenses and I get sharp closeups with my regular lenses just fine. Like the others said, some of it has to do with the post processing. I usually sharpen everything in Photoshop. Having good equipment and knowing how to use it is important, but knowing how to properly post process your photos has something to do with it as well.

Message edited by author 2009-01-16 11:54:20.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/16/2009 11:15:10 PM · #6

What kind of camera / lense / photoshop was done to get these pics?
//cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190278443227

Message edited by author 2009-01-16 23:15:59.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

01/16/2009 11:50:13 PM · #7

Originally posted by enginyr:

What kind of camera / lense / photoshop was done to get these pics?
//cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190278443227

Those images aren't really razor sharp. Download the exif viewer plugin for firefox and you can look through all the images to get the shot info. They were shot with a 5D. Many of the ones I looked at were shot with the 17-40 F4L.

Mike_Adams

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/17/2009 12:48:52 AM · #8

The images you linked to were much more about lighting then post processing. Great lighting makes good images AMAZING.

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/17/2009 09:19:08 AM · #9

Originally posted by enginyr:

What kind of camera / lense / photoshop was done to get these pics?
//cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190278443227

Whoa, pretty sweet auction! I like how nearly half the bids happened in the last the last few minutes, pretty intense when your bidding with that much money.

The photographer may have been using a couple of big softboxes, or maybe just light coming through a garage door.

What a coincidence I posted a shot of a yellow Mazda earlier. I think my shot is pretty decent compared to the Lamborghini. :-)

01/17/2009 11:11:51 AM · #10

there is some affect the guy is using making the shots very soft or maybe its photoshop?

FireBird

01/17/2009 11:41:11 AM · #11

Yup, screw the yellow, overpriced lamby. I want that red Camaro, or the yellow one in one of the photographs. For someone trying to make nice images to sell a car they had some serious fail going on.
You need a softbox at least the size of the car to get a really nice image.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/17/2009 12:06:03 PM · #12

Hey it looks like all you guys are using the 40d. What are your opinnions on the 20d with a nice IS or L lens.

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

01/17/2009 12:24:45 PM · #13

Originally posted by fir3bird:

mmmm I want the lambo

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/17/2009 01:27:12 PM · #14

Originally posted by fir3bird:

....You need a softbox at least the size of the car to get a really nice image.

I saw a great video of someone shooting a car in a dark room. With the camera on a tripod and the shutter open, they walked around the car holding a flash with a small softbox, firing the flash repeatedly. The final product was very nice, and I was very impressed with the technique. I've been meaning to try it myself ever since. It was like painting with light, with a flash.

Adamsw216

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/17/2009 01:34:31 PM · #15

Originally posted by enginyr:

What kind of camera / lense / photoshop was done to get these pics?
//cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190278443227

Wow.... wow.... I can only... wow... that is a beautiful car

01/18/2009 03:46:27 AM · #16

Originally posted by Patrick_R:

Originally posted by fir3bird:
Yup, screw the yellow, overpriced lamby. I want that red Camaro, or the yellow one in one of the photographs. For someone trying to make nice images to sell a car they had some serious fail going on.
You need a softbox at least the size of the car to get a really nice image.

mmmm I want the lambo

Link?

01/18/2009 03:47:12 AM · #17

what are your thoughts of the canon xsi?

surfdabbler