How can I get sharper tabletop still-life photos with a Nikon D5100 and kit lenses?
Asked 9/10/2016
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I’m photographing tabletop still lifes (flowers and small objects) with a Nikon D5100 on a tripod using a remote release, usually outdoors on overcast days. I mainly use the 18-55mm kit lens, shoot RAW, and work in aperture priority. I’ve tried different apertures, but my images still don’t look as sharp as I want after editing. I’d like prints up to 16x20 inches.
Is the softness likely caused by the camera, the 18-55mm lens, or my technique? What settings and focusing methods should I try to get the best results from my current gear? If I do upgrade, what type of lens would make the biggest difference for tabletop still life work?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
10
It's not you, it's the lens.
The kit lens is extremely soft wide open and remains noticeably soft until F/6.3 at least. Around F/8, it gives better results but never gets tack-sharp. Stopping down further only goes so far since you will already pass the diffraction limit at F/13.
For this type of work, it is best to get a macro lens which is designed to give uniform sharpness and little distortion. Nikon makes a few and so do third-party makers like Sigma and Tokina. Considering that you are shooting from a tripod, you can control framing and do not need a particularly bright lens, only one which is sharp. There are Nikkor 40mm and 60mm macro lens which Nikon calls Micro and are worth considering. Both these are F/2.8 lenses and will give very sharp results between F/4 and F/5.6.
Keep using the tripod, this is essential for getting maximum sharpness. Use a low ISO such as 100 to 400 to get the cleanest images and good dynamic range. Make sure your subjects are still. So shield them from the wind as much as possible.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Your D5100 is capable of good results; the main limitation is likely the 18-55mm kit lens plus technique. For tabletop still life, that lens is often soft wide open and improves when stopped down. Try working around f/8; f/11 can also help for depth of field, but going too far (around f/13-f/16 and smaller) can reduce sharpness from diffraction.
To maximize sharpness with your current setup:
- Use the lowest ISO.
- Make sure both tripod and subject are completely still.
- Use live view to focus carefully.
- Compare both lenses around 55mm and see which is sharper.
- Apply proper sharpening in post, including output sharpening for print.
- Make sure your print file is exported at appropriate resolution (around 300 ppi).
If you want a noticeable upgrade, a dedicated macro lens is the best fit for this kind of work. Macro lenses are designed for flat, close subjects with high sharpness and low distortion. Nikon’s 40mm or 60mm Micro lenses, or similar third-party macro lenses, are strong options. These tend to be very sharp around f/4 to f/5.6 and are well suited to tabletop photography.
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