Ok now....

[crystalb]

actually most of them were with full auto, now that I look at them again....

[crystalb]

First pic is full auto portrait with AF point on left eye
1/60
F5.6
ISO 400

Second pic is Manual, auto focus AF on left eye
EXIF same as first

Third pic is Manual, manual focus AF on right eye
EXIF same

Fourth is another manual focus, AF right eye

[Mad Aussie]

Tripod as well???

At only 1/60th and f5.6 you've gone against our reccomendations of using higher shutter speeds (to decrease movement) and higher f-stops (to increase depth of field) and at ISO 400 you've used a low light situation ... again not what we reccomended.

And the result ... not bad at all!! Considering that shooting at 1/60th is very low for shooting people that can hold still, and way too low for a baby that's awake, I'm amazed these are as sharp as they are!

I'm assuming these are SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) ?? No sharpening?

[crystalb]

not touched, just resized.

[crystalb]

Ya, I pushed it a bit. and didn't use a tripod either.
But I have never been much of a rule follower...

I'm kinda at the point of giving up on clarity, I'll make my own style of pics called 'approximately distinct' or something like that......

[Mad Aussie]

But those are really good, especially considering you took them handheld AND against all the advice! I wouldn't expect them to be much sharper than that. You can expect to have to do some sharpening on digital photos as a rule anyhow. Even more so if they are RAW images as those have no in camera sharpening like jpg's usually do.

Looking at those I'd say it's your technique that needs work. In these shots you were totally focused on not moving the camera at the time of shooting, and it worked. I'd say the way you hold the camera/lens (support it from beneath), the way you push the button (squeeze don't push), the way you hold your tongue (wiggle don't poke), the way you hold your breath (actually seriously ... try taking a deep breath and expelling it ... at the moment it's all gone ... take the shot) and if al lthat doesn't work then I might as well start telling you to wear different coloured bra's because I'm out of ideas!!

[Bambi]

and if al lthat doesn't work then I might as well start telling you to wear different coloured bra's because I'm out of ideas!!

I recommend black......

[Mad Aussie]

lace ... I like lace

[crystalb]

check and check.....now I just have to work on the tongue

Thanks again for your patience and expertise

[Mad Aussie]

The tongue is so important!