Another way to sharpen a lot ...

Many editors allow one to use Unsharp Mask (USM) selecting pixel radius and amount at least ... but only once, for example RawDigger. Doing it again in those editors replaces the old USM adjustment with the latest one.

Other editors place new adjustments on top of older ones; so it is that, in those editors, USM can be applied several times which brings an advantage or two. For example, if one has captured an overly soft image, it can be rescued by selecting a largish radius and a lowish amount; which increases local contrast rather than actually sharpening edges. Then go USM again at a smaller radius but larger amount ... and again, say one or two more times reducing the radius and increasing the amount each time.

Here's an image with USM applied to a selection in the middle four times: 5px, 3 px, 1.5 px, 0.7 px. Amounts somewhat exaggerated for the purpose of illustration:

Comments welcome ...

Halos were caused by exaggerating the amounts.

Same selection, lower radii and amounts rescued this overly soft image:

Of course, halos can be avoided by being much more careful with choice of radii and amounts than I was in this thread. In other words, the method itself does not always cause halos.

One is lucky iwhwn using autofocus if the focus point stays where you expected, both my Nikon and Leitz devices have a nasty habit of moving the focus-and spot- metering point when the camera is handled. (Yes faffing around wth the buttonry can replace the point) but usually one wishes to concentrate on the motive, not to study symbols in the viewfinder, hence an occasional need for sharpening.

Also, if using auto optics and not bothering about specifying aperture, the depth of focus may turn out to have been too shallow.. This can be slightly rectified, but a better alternative is to have full control of the process before the snap by using manual lenses. Time spent before pressing the shutter button (if the situation allows) may be less than that needed to rectify the picture afterwards..

p.

Indeed, I often used to get very good micro-contrast results from old M42 lenses mounted on my Lumix DC-G9 and using IBIS and peak focusing. I don't shoot much these days though, due to ill-health.