cannot achieve "crisp"

[lonegirl]

I took many photos this season for friends' family Christmas cards. They thought they were great, (and free ) but I felt like I never achieved that crisp, sharp image I want. Is it my lens? I am shooting with a Canon 30D 18-55mm lens.

 

[handicap18]

What were your settings (ie: shutter speed, aperture and ISO)? What focal length were you shooting at and how far away from subject were you. What focus mode were you using? Did you choose the focus area or did the camera?

Any images to show what you mean?

That particular lens is good, but not considered great. I like portraits with the 50mm f/1.8. Its very inexpensive (especially the Canon version) and is VERY sharp starting around f/2.8 or so and especially so at f/5.6.

 

[MICKEY88]

did you use a tripod..?

 

[Gdad]

Can you post an example?

 

[jann1033]

i agree with the tripod/other suggestions but that lens isn't usually spectacular. i have read they usually sell a pretty mediocre lens as the kit. i know i get lots sharper images with a good lens than i do with a mediocre lens.( so then it goes to just plain user error when i flub it )

 

[matthew_hull]

When you say the images are not crisp, are you looking at a 4X6 print, or at the computer screen at 100% ? Ofttimes when viewing an image on the computer at 100% zoom, the image may look fuzzy, but it will look just fine on a paper print.

 

[Groucho]

That's definitely not a lens known for its stunning image quality. You can get good photos out of it (as with any lens) but you'll probably have to keep it stepped down a bit - say, F8 or so. Presumably you're using a tripod anyway, taking Christmas card photos, so shoot in Aperture Priority and set it to F8 and see if you like the results any better.

But a prime lens (like the affordable Canon 50mm F1.8) will definitely go a ways towards giving you the sharper look that you're after - you will also be able to get away with using a larger aperture to get a nice small depth of field while still getting the subjects in sharp focus.

 

[lonegirl]

Thanks for responses. For many (though not the ones I included here) I did use a tripod. Keep in mind, neither of these families wanted posed portraits, just casual shots, so lots of me chasing little ones, shooting mindlessly. (never claimed pro-status, my friends just liked them)

Now I will see if I can post pictures successfully! Thanks for all the advice. Maybe Santa will drop that Canon 55mm 1.8 down my chimney. Merry Christmas!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Could you post your EXIF data? ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture?