The grain pattern.
So far the issue is only partially solved. I did adjust my loupe as per Bob's suggestion, and that was helpful. The focus tests also seemed to come back ok. However, I am still loosing more images that I would care to loose when I make portraits. The problem is not systematic, so I am having some help tracking it down. For what it is worth, I am being careful to focus with my head right side up (not upside down, as I often compose my photographs) so that my eyeglasses are definitely in the correct position for my eyes when focusing. Grinalip, have you found anything else that helped?
Hi Bob, thanks, I am working with a 135mm lens, generally stopped down between f8 and f16. I shoot at a variety of distances, and what I've noticed is that the closer photographs (head and shoulders) tend to be very crisp, but those a bit farther away (full body / environmental) are where the focus tends to be a little bit off. I focus on the eyeballs.
What lens? 135mm is too short for a head and shoulders shooting full frame 45. You will have fore shortening exagerate noses, chins, foreheads, etc.
I found that for me the easiest way to adjust my loupe was to just take a pencil and write an "X" in the middle of the frosted side of the ground glass. This gives a target that makes for easy focusing of the loupe. I can use that X to quickly double-check the loupe in the field. Also, I use gaffer's tape to keep my loup properly focused--and, yes, the tape has left hard residue on the loupe after being there for a few years.
Keith
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