landscape photography problems.

[surfg1mp]

I have recently been trying to take some landscape pictures, but can;t seem to get the image totally sharp throughout the picture.

I have tried using small apertures like F16 up to F22 and been told to focus 2 3rds into the image and fire with a remote. The camera is mounted on a tripod. I have been doing this but the background of the image is always pretty soft. do i need to focus to infinity or is there something im doing wrong.

Please help.....

Oh the equipment is a nikon d60 with sigma 18mm-200 non IS

regards lee

[gordon g]

Use mirror lock-up if you can. Check DOF on depth of field preview if your camera has it. Also, search on-line for details of hyperfocal focussing techniques, this will probably make the biggest difference.
Another factor is using too small an apeture, which increases overall DOF, but also decreases overall sharpness as you begin to suffer from interference from diffraction. (Again - search on sites such as luminous landscape for technical details.)

[surfg1mp]

Thanks for the reply. i will look into hyperfocal now....cheers

[surfg1mp]

ok found this very useful......

http://www.barbeephoto.com/articles/...hyperfocal.htm

[graham harcombe]

There's a lot of good reading there, thanks Lee.

Graham

[Peter Waites]

That's as good as I've seen on the subject Lee. Thanks for sharing it. Now don't we wish for a DoF preview on the D60?

[surfg1mp]

Thats true....but i think we can get by without it. I think it would be easier if the lens had the hyperfocal focusing marks on the barrel. Focusing 1 1/3 into the image seems to be a little hit and miss.

[andy153]

Excellent info Lee, Thanks - I use Expoaperture2 discs.

[prostie1200]

Hi Lee


Appreciate your dilema, but feel that part of you problrm is due to your lens.

The 18-200 is a good walk about tool, but for highly defined landscape photographs prime lenses are more suitable, say 35mm D or the 50mm 1.8D.
I know useing these lenses means more work in positioning yourself to frame the picture you desire, but the result will be much more satisfying.

I shoot Nikon and for landscape shots use Apature priority and Matrix metering, it may also help to dial in some negative ev to avoid birning out the highlights.

Good luck

[surfg1mp]

Thanks for the advice guys what are expo discs andy?

Im saving at the moment for the af-s nikon micro 60mm, not for this reason as its mainly for prtrait and macro, but being as you've said a prime lens will do better for lanscapes ill try it on that too....although it maybe a little long on a cropped sensor...! will find out huh.