SIGMA 50MM MACRO - Sharpness Failure

[Particles Of Light]

Sorry the image is so big but that's how I post them at Flickr. I've been testing the Sigma 50mm Macro today. I got it this afternoon and it seems I have a problem with sharpness (at least with the Nikon D40). This image is fine since I had better light to work with but I think I might have to pull out the small tripod to take some low light condition shots. The thing is, this is an f/2.8 lens...even if I shoot with an ISO 800 I don't get the sharpness I'd like. I don't want my images too sharp either but it seems the Sigma 50mm Macro may give me a problem. Let's see what I get tomorrow when I shoot in better light and with my tripod.

[jdepould]

Use a smaller aperture. Flickr lets you link to smaller images too.

Picture Size **Please Read Before Posting**

[matthewchj]

Whatever in the picture that is whithin the uber-thin depth of field seems to be sharp enough to me.

[thekevinmonster]

Originally Posted by jdepould

Use a smaller aperture. Flickr lets you link to smaller images too.

Picture Size **Please Read Before Posting**

I second jdepould - the picture's plenty sharp, it's just mostly out of focus because the depth of field is like [ ] this deep. If you bumped it up to F/4 even you'd probably see a difference - F/8 would probably be where the lens really picks up (for some reason most are really sharp at around F/8?)

You *will* need a tripod if you can't increase the amount of light - that was handheld at 1/10th of a second? Wow.

[baseballboy828]

"(for some reason most are really sharp at around F/8?)"

Usually f/8 to f/11 is the sharpest range, purely because it's near the middle range. Buy a real macro lens the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR and you'll notice that it's sharper wide open. The cheaper lenses (w/ the exception of the 50mm and 85mm primes from Canon and Nikon) are less sharp and need to be stopped down more than a sharp pro lens.

You really need a tripod for macro work. If you are really going to work with composition carefully, it's an absolute must. I know people will tell you you can get away without it, but at least have one. If you are doing anything serious, the tripod will come with you. You don't need a very expensive one considering that the D40 and 50mm macro lens will be very light.

[Particles Of Light]

Thanks all. Thank you baseball for that tip.

[HSM]

After reviewing your digital info on FLICKR...you shot at f2.8 and ISO 800. I'd expect that kind of depth of field (DOF) with an f2.8 setting. You should try the same shot with an aperature between f2.8 - f8. This is super easy if you set your camera to Aperature Priority (A) and let the camera automatically expose for the correct speed. You'll also want to use and ISO setting closer to 100 or 200 for less grain and sharper colors.