BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Camera Lenses

Jordan		Can I Get Sharp 10x15 Prints? I bought a 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 Aspherical Macro HF lens along with my Canon GII and will be taking some landscape photos in the woods. I've never had one of my photos enlarged to 10x15 and was wondering if this lens would give me the sharpness necessary for this size with say a sharp negative film, such as Impresa 50? Thanks, Jordan To love this question, log in above October 23, 2004

Jordan		Sorry, I forgot to add that it's a Sigma lens. To love this comment, log in above October 23, 2004

Bob Cammarata		I think your prints will enlarge to 10X15 just fine with 50 speed film. A few tips to get the best enlargements with your lens: Don't shoot wide open or with the lens completely stopped down. The middle aperture settings will be sharper. Don't shoot at either extreme with the zoom. The best results will come from somewhere in the middle of the zoom range. Make sure that your focus and exposure are dead-on accurate. Bracket exposures to be sure. Use a tripod. To love this comment, log in above October 23, 2004

Shirley Pearce		Bob, is that true just for landscapes? Or for any type of work with a lens? I'm talking about the shoot mid-range answer. To love this comment, log in above October 28, 2004

Bob Cammarata		Shirley, Yes. Typically, zooms will function at their sharpest in the mid-range settings of aperture and focal length. (Even with primes, the sharpest working range will be around f-5.6 to f-8.) This is especially true for landscapes, where large reproductions are often the ultimate objective. Any deficiencies in focus and sharpness will be more evident, the more the image is enlarged. To love this comment, log in above October 28, 2004

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