Precise focusing in the dark?

[wbrook13]

Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Exposure: 124 seconds
Aperture: f/16.0
Focal Length: 24 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

This is yesterday's Space Shuttle Discovery launch. It was my 1st time to see a launch from closer than 85 miles, and didn't know exactly what to expect. WHAT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!

I did the best I could to focus this precisely, but it isn't as sharp as I think it should be. Any suggestions welcome. I had it on manual focus, with the IS turned off, used a cable release, etc.

Do y'all think an aperture of f/22.0 would have helped? I know I could have left shutter open longer if I would have shot at f/22; but don't know if that would help the sharpness . . .

[kstiltne]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the focus in this shot, even at larger sizes. My only suggestion would be cropping it just below the horizon...I don't feel the water reflection adds much.

[statichash]

I agree the shot is great! What an experience; it must be amazing to witness first hand even from that distance. I like the suggestion of the crop to bring more focus to the upper portion of the image. TFS

Cheers!

[wbrook13]

Originally Posted by kstiltne

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the focus in this shot, even at larger sizes. My only suggestion would be cropping it just below the horizon...I don't feel the water reflection adds much.

Thanks for the response. I'll see what it looks like after cropping

[wbrook13]

Originally Posted by statichash

I agree the shot is great! What an experience; it must be amazing to witness first hand even from that distance. I like the suggestion of the crop to bring more focus to the upper portion of the image. TFS

Cheers!

Thank you for your comment & suggestion. I'll try cropping below horizon.