I was reading some threads here and on another site about sharpness in photos because I haven't been overjoyed with what has come off my camera so far and since I'm still new at this, wanted to make sure that if there wasn't anything else wrong with the camera/settings/etc, then it was probably my technique.
I came across a number of discussions on back focus, and what it meant. There were also some test that could be done to see if it's an issue on a particular camera, so I mocked up what I thought may be a good test, but I don't know enough about it to know if it's an issue for me.
I simply set my tripod up, and put amy guillotine from my study on a table outside. I then focused on the 15cm mark at various apertures to see what the results would be like. All shots are taken with my Nikon D3100, 50mm 1.4G prime, using single point focus. Sharpening has previously been set to 7 in Standard Picture Controls and is still on that setting.
This first image is at 1/500s f3.5. It seems to me that the focus area is from 15cm to 10cm. and I'm not sure that is ideal.
DSC_0356.jpg
This second photo is taken at 1/3200s, f1.4, and all the focus zone is from about 18cm to 15cm. Maybe front focus.
DSC_0357.jpg
This next one is at 1/100s, f8, and DoF is quite deep, but still, it looks like the focus zone is between maybe 21cm all the way back to 5cm.
DSC_0358.jpg
As I said, I read about this for the first time today, so I'd really like an opinion from those who know about these things to see if I have an issue. I have been really reluctant to put any photos up here as they really lack the sharpness that others have, and I haven't known how to correct it.
Thanks i advance