Tütgenmühle (another abandoned mill) - HELP NEEDED

Another abandoned mill near me. A very photogenic site but I am struggling with grainy/unsharp photos lately. Would really appreciate any insight as to why my photos lack that sharp, crisp detail that I see from other users here.

Yes SF, terrible affliction if anything… I would try to help
but I know not much of the gear you use.

Are you sharpening your photos?

Nikon Shooter wrote: Yes SF, terrible affliction if anything… I would try to help
but I know not much of the gear you use.

Canon 600D
18-55mm
Tripod

The lighting on the day was actually very good. Trying my utmost to move away from taking photos on auto all the time and use the manual settings. In this case (iirc) shutter speed was set to 1/400, aperture to f13 and iso to 3200. RAW. I'm thinking maybe the higher shutter speed and aperture are the cause. When you zoom in there is absolutely no sharpness/clarity, just a very grainy image devoid of detail.

Scotty wrote: Are you sharpening your photos?

No.

To me ,  your ISO sounds  like the culprit for the 'grainy' effect .  Could  you come down in ISO ? ,  say 400 or 800 ,   especially since  " lighting on the day was actually very good " and camera was on tripod .   That  would still enable  a respectable and useful shutter speed and aperture .

Also ,   are  you using auto-focus or manual focus ,  and  (in particular no#2 )  were you focusing on the building or the bush in front of it ?  The focus seems 'lost' .

db3348 wrote: To me ,  your ISO sounds  like the culprit for the 'grainy' effect .  Could  you come down in ISO ? ,  say 400 or 800 ,   especially since  " lighting on the day was actually very good " and camera was on tripod .   That  would still enable  a respectable and useful shutter speed and aperture .

I did what NS suggested a while back put the ISO on auto. Its keeps jumping to high values. Also (noob question alert) if I reduce the ISO to say 800 does that mean I will need a slower shutter speed? Maybe 1/100 instead of 1/400?

db3348 wrote: That  would still enable  a respectable and useful shutter speed and aperture .

What is a 'respectful' shutter speed and aperture? Is there a target value or range to aim for?

db3348 wrote: Also ,   are  you using auto-focus or manual focus ,  and  (in particular
no#2 )  were you focusing on the building or the bush in front of it ? 
The focus seems 'lost' .

I was trying to get it all in (and bungled it massively). Using manual focus.

Esseff wrote:

Scotty wrote: Are you sharpening your photos?

No.

You just answered your own question. I'm guessing you're shooting RAW?

If you're on a tripod and it's a static subject like this, then you can go as slow as you want with your shutter speed (unless the trees are moving a lot and you want them sharp too). I'd reduce the shutter speed to a speed that allows you to use the native ISO (probably 100). A shutter speed of 400 would be enough to freeze most moving subjects, so you definitely don't need to go that high with a building. The other thing to be careful of at when using a slow shutter is camera shake, so I use a delayed shutter, so that when you take a picture, you're not accidentally moving the camera when you press the button.

Also you might try taking a number of photos at different apertures to check which ones come out sharpest. Lenses will typically have a range where they're sharpest.

Scotty wrote: You just answered your own question.

I assumed you meant do I sharpen them in PP. No I didn't. Not sure how that answered my own question... 

Scotty wrote: I'm guessing you're shooting RAW?

Yes

Piechura wrote: If you're on a tripod and it's a static subject like this, then you can go as slow as you want with your shutter speed (unless the trees are moving a lot and you want them sharp too). I'd reduce the shutter speed to a speed that allows you to use the native ISO (probably 100). A shutter speed of 400 would be enough to freeze most moving subjects, so you definitely don't need to go that high with a building. The other thing to be careful of at when using a slow shutter is camera shake, so I use a delayed shutter, so that when you take a picture, you're not accidentally moving the camera when you press the button.

Also you might try taking a number of photos at different apertures to check which ones come out sharpest. Lenses will typically have a range where they're sharpest.

Helpful. I use a two second delay on the shutter. I will try a lower ISO and increase decrease the shutter speed. It kinda makes sense actually. Thanks.

I could possibly attempt to answer you concern under the
condition you would share the RAW files for appreciation.

Nikon Shooter wrote: I could possibly attempt to answer you concern under the
condition you would share the RAW files for appreciation.

I can't attached it here. Too large. I will pm you a dropbox link.

Sorry SF, your PP is somehow faulty. See your DB!