BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Focus Problems (Blur)

Photography Question 

Bobbi Lephart
 

Image Sharpness: Equipment or User Problem?


 
 
While taking group pictures, I am always having a problem with the picture being out of focus only on the lower left hand side. Any suggestions?


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March 31, 2005

 

Michael H. Cothran
  There could be any number of things happening here. To start with, you should determine if the problem is technical or user error, or both.
Tape a newspaper page to a wall outside, put your camera on a tripod, line it up as parallel to the paper as you can. Shoot it at as many different f-stops as you can. If the corner in reference is blurry, you have a technical problem, possibly a lens element that has slipped. You should still notice a decrease in blurriness as you stop down your lens. If the images are all OK, then look to user error, and figure out what you're doing wrong.
Michael H. Cothran
www.mhcphoto.net


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March 31, 2005

 

Bobbi Lephart
  I will try that. Thank you


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March 31, 2005

 

Maria Melnyk
  I don't really have an answer, but I've noticed this problem in older photographs. Could it be the older equipment that was used?


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April 06, 2005

 

Maria Melnyk
  I don't really have an answer, but I've noticed this problem in older photographs. Could it be the older equipment that was used?


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April 06, 2005

 

anonymous A.
  If the group isn't lined up parallel with the film/sensor then you have to have enough depth of field to keep the closest and furthest people sharp. The simplest way is to focus on someone about 1/3 the way from the closest to the furthest (DOF extends about twice as far behind the actual point of focus as it does in front). You should still use the smallest apperture you can(large f number).


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November 19, 2005

 

Ariel Lepor
  Do you use a Kodak? Kodaks are known to have the left part of their photos a little out of focus. Otherwise, maybe you should make sure you don't use bad quality or dirty lenses, which may cause parts of the image to be blurry.

Ariel
ScrattyPhotography


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July 04, 2006

 

Dale M. Garvey
  I had the problem with a D200 Nikon which only showed up it extreme enlargements. Turned out it was the camera which Nikon repaired. You can try different lenses to rule out the lens.


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February 14, 2007

 
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