Blurry and out of focus photograph around the edges.

[Alexalpha77]

Hi, I need help with finding the correct lens to use. I just bought my Alpha 7RV camera and a “FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS Full-frame Lens” to go together with it! my subject matter are large flat paintings that I’m trying to document and my pictures are always blurry and out of focus around the sides of my photograph. The in focus part is in the center of my picture. But as you look at the photograph, the closer to the edges or sides, it gets blurry And out of focus. Am I using an incorrect lens or a portrait, lens or something? How do I get steady detail across the whole piece or the whole photo? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Alex,

 

[Unframed Dave]

You could be using too wide an aperture.

You may need to experiment and find the best one to give more edge to edge sharpness.

A Google search will give you a lens review, this will tell you where to start the experiment.

 

[Tinopener]

Any chance of posting a picture that we can look at

 

[Richard A]

Any chance of posting a picture that we can look at

That certainly would be helpful. So would a bit more info. That lens, from reviews I have seen is a very solid, if not spectacular, performer and should give good results for what you are doing. Having said that, for your use case, I probably would have chosen a different lens.

What is your setup? Are you shooting Raw or Jpeg? Are you hand holding or using a tripod? As above, what aperture are you using and at what focal length? If shooting in Raw, what software are you using?

By the way, welcome to the forum.

 

[Alexalpha77]

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
• 71.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/8 sec
• ISO 100

Here is an example of what I mean. Let me try posting the photo again. Apparently it didn’t work the first time or I don’t know what I’m doing on the form. I’m new here. Let me try again.

 

[iamdlewis]

The vast majority of lenses will get slightly out of focus, have a slight curvature and be darker as you move to the edge and corners, the 24-105G has this issue. The good thing is that you have an A7Rv so you can just make the subject smaller in the frame and have more than enough pixels to do whatever you need.

There are lenses that minimize these effects and yes they will all be the very expensive ones. To see what these lenses are it will be best to view/read the very in depth reviews.

 

[Alan Clark]

You shot at the widest aperture, which will produce noticeable softening, so f5.6 would be better, and f8 beller still.

If you are not using a tripod then I would also use a higher ISO, even with image stabilisation.

 

[Richard A]

With the subject of the photo you have posted it is quite hard to determine the amount of softness around the edges. As mentioned above, stopping down the aperture to f5.6 or f8 would give some improvement but around 70mm should get you max performance for that lens.

I can't help you any further than that because you haven't answered any of my other questions...

 

[Alexalpha77]

That certainly would be helpful. So would a bit more info. That lens, from reviews I have seen is a very solid, if not spectacular, performer and should give good results for what you are doing. Having said that, for your use case, I probably would have chosen a different lens.

What is your setup? Are you shooting Raw or Jpeg? Are you hand holding or using a tripod? As above, what aperture are you using and at what focal length? If shooting in Raw, what software are you using?

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Hi Richard,
sorry for the late reply. I certainly appreciate all of the help. I’m Just a little bit slow on certain cognitive issues, TBI… Back to my camera issue. I have my settings set for raw and JPEG. For the example, the uploaded photo was a JPEG, using no tripod and the image stabilizer was on I believe?

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
• 71.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/8 sec
• ISO 100

In terms of software, I use infinity photo 2. The photo I uploaded was a non-processed JPEG. Ultimately, I’m Trying to develop using a raw photo because of the often many, different colors I am trying to match up with, or the original color palette. Seems like the raw format is even less effective for what I’m trying to do in terms of clarity in detail. Even slightly more blurry towards the edges. It happens to be less crisp and more blurry for some reason and looks somewhat darker and under exposed, I don’t know if it’s possible to upload a Raw photo on the form because of the size? for comparison purposes, I will try and see if it lets me. I will try from my other device when it’s available. Considering all that, which lens would you have preferred to use for what I’m trying to do?
Thank you

 

[PhotoRon]

1/8 of a second hand held can be a problem, even if Image Stabilization is turned on. You should be on a sturdy tripod, especially if you want to use ISO 100. Release the shutter gently so as no to move the camera at all as you press the shutter button. This is true even if the camera is mounted on a good tripod. 70mm is a good focal length, but as others have said, you need to be at /8 to f/11 for better corner-to-corner sharpness. Also be sure you have good, even light across the subject. Some type of continuous light source (actually you should be using 2 of them at 45 degrees to your subject, (to balance out any reflections from the painting's surface) one at either side of the tripod would be ideal. The light's color temperature can be a problem when trying to match colors also; I would try a custom white balance if you are not happy with the color rendition you are getting.