I am restless and discontented at this stage


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I'll be honest, I've never used zoom browser to do post work, so I can't answer honestly or in a useful manner.

As mentioned in my PM, it's a well-know fact that CCD-based systems give out inherently spectacular looking JPEG results straight-out-of-the-camera. Are they actually better, I can't say because it all depends on what the final output is going to be, what the shooting conditions are and also, even with those cameras, some sort of post production work is necessary, so what sort of post-processing style is involved also plays a huge part in the perceived final results.

You could always learn the ehemz 'more fanciful' LOL! post-production techniques which are applied even, and I believe, in other koffkoffbrand-basedsystemskoffkoff, or you could learn more about post-processing techniques AND your system, and simply crank up the shrpness and contrast levels in your camera's settings' menu for now! :bsmilie:

You could choose NOT to learn the basics of post-processing, but that's one huge and very powerful tool that you would be depriving yourself of.

I'll put it as honestly as I can, with no offense to anyone: It doesn't matter which brand or model you use UNLESS you're shooting in a very specific set of circumstances that's in one way or another, particularly demanding on the equipment.

EACH and EVERY brand and model will have their strengths and weaknesses, and you'll have to get intimately familiar with them in order to get optimal results under different shooting situations.

Having said that, some cameras and lenses are designed with a bias towards this or that tyoe of shooting or shooting situations, even though manufacturers would love you to believe that every product that rolls off the deisgn-board can do everything well!
 

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Take special note about point number 6

http://enticingthelight.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/15-truths-about-photography/

Actually, just take note of all.

Since you mention you are a newbie, I have a hard time understanding how you have already come into the quick conclusion that the lens is faulty.

I just picked up SLR photography a couple of months ago myself, and was somewhat disappointed the raw equipment did not had me "instantly level up". But instead of stating I made the wrong decision of buying inferior equipment, I realise I have ahead of me volumes of photography and lighting topics/techniques to study and learn before I acknowledge that I have used all the limits of the equipment I presently own. There are still plenty I have not even realised yet, let alone mastered.

This is one of reasons why I strictly refuse to buy L lenses at this stage; my skill is no where close to absolutely requiring that quality. My use of L lenses have only provided marginal improvements so far. So my course of action is practice, not purchase.

It is not necessary to purchase a top-grade guitar to learn how to play chords. Just grab an entry-level model, and concentrate on learning techniques and increasing experience. And enjoy the moments of slowly improving in photo output.

:thumbsup:
 

hi Dream Merchant
Thanks for the postproduction work. I use the supplied Canon software ez-zoom browser to do any post production work. I do not have any of the software you mentioned. Is the canon software sufficient?

Check the noise reduction settings by default : i suspect that luminance noise suppress may not be set at zero.
(Anyway, you were out of focus and your tiger has moved his head. You did not tell if there was or was not a protection glass window in front of your lens...)

Please take and post a full exifs picture of outdoor well lit stationnary objects.
 

:thumbsup:

You right in your agreement.

I'm afraid I may have gotten a bit caught up in the technicalities.

Learn the basics. No amount of technology can replace a good, solid foundation, but limited familiarity with the technology used will also present a slow-down or sometimes, stumbling block. It's just the way it is.
 

I had the same problem with my 40D initially. Then started to use RAW instead of JPEG and select my own focus point. Then I realized it's not my DSLR. The problem was with me.
 

You may think I am crazy, I seriously entertain thoughts on getting the 5DMKII to end this situation .. 50D is an interim upgrade and I suspect I may not be contented either.

i think the user is not compatible with the camera!!!
 

goto your camera, activate the "show focus point" and post a screen grab.

then again..i think yr shutter speed too slow for 154mm.

donno why are we so caught up with *sharp*sharp*sharp*

what is the use of a sharp pic to the viewer when the compo and distracting backdrop spoils the photo?

have u tried onboard "sharpening" by pushing yr existing picture style sharpness by 1?

just me 2 cents. :D
 

You right in your agreement.

I'm afraid I may have gotten a bit caught up in the technicalities.

Learn the basics. No amount of technology can replace a good, solid foundation, but limited familiarity with the technology used will also present a slow-down or sometimes, stumbling block. It's just the way it is.

i just think u damn free!! ;p
 

i think the user is not compatible with the camera!!!


yeah..once..i am so frustrated about my 400D too...













cos it is too good for me!! it don't deserves me. :cry:
 

Recently I just bought the Canon 500D with two lenses - EFS 18-55mm and 55-250mm. Been shooting a bit for a month. I just cannot stomach the less than ideal sharpness. I believe my handheld technique is good enough to take sharp photos but the results rather not to my liking.

Please do not flame me guys .. maybe as my first dslr is already a Canon 500D, I somehow saw its limitations .. maybe the lenses not good enough?

You may think I am crazy, I seriously entertain thoughts on getting the 5DMKII to end this situation .. 50D is an interim upgrade and I suspect I may not be contented either.

Again, your kind advise but dun blow me ok! Thanks :D
sorry for the OT..UPZ!
 

Hi TS, before I upgrade my lens, I'm using my 450D with kit lens 18-55mm very extensively and I must say that the results produced are really good and reasonably sharp.

Although soft at certain apertures, the kit lens is definitely a sharp lens overall. The 450D is an equally capable camera. Your 500D is equipped with better ISO capablility, so I would expect an even better performance.

Planning to change your current gears just after one month of usage might be a bit rash. I think maybe you should continue to shoot more, understand your equipments better, and see whether you can improve on the picture quality.

Below are 2 photos I took with my 450D and 18-55mm IS kit lens.

#1. Av 5.6, Tv 1/500, ISO 400, no flash, no sharpening done.
18-55mm_shot2.jpg



#2. 100% crop. No PP done, no sharpening. Av 5.6, Tv 1/500, ISO 400, no flash.
18-55mm_shot.jpg
 

goto your camera, activate the "show focus point" and post a screen grab.

then again..i think yr shutter speed too slow for 154mm.

donno why are we so caught up with *sharp*sharp*sharp*

what is the use of a sharp pic to the viewer when the compo and distracting backdrop spoils the photo?

have u tried onboard "sharpening" by pushing yr existing picture style sharpness by 1?

just me 2 cents. :D

i think a gd point made here. well we ourselves r usually our own worst critics, and to think of it could perhaps be much better to focus on the the objects u shoot and the ideal composition, instead of worrying too much that sharpness is like perfect at 100%. at the end of the day no one is gonna even going to look at a photo w/ a boring subject which is EXTREMELY sharp, as compared to an exciting subject which is like slightly soft n blur ...
 

i think a gd point made here. well we ourselves r usually our own worst critics, and to think of it could perhaps be much better to focus on the the objects u shoot and the ideal composition, instead of worrying too much that sharpness is like perfect at 100%. at the end of the day no one is gonna even going to look at a photo w/ a boring subject which is EXTREMELY sharp, as compared to an exciting subject which is like slightly soft n blur ...


i never fret about sharpness ever since i saw this guy's work. and he shot with a leica.
 

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5) Cropped, curves, colour, High-Pass 2.5 Overlay

562394513_AhvWV-XL.jpg

562399002_rsbkm-XL.jpg




I suspect using a higher shutter speed and smaller aperture will help and especially if the files are exposed carefully with a 'towards the right' RAW shooting style. Some may complain about noise - it's one of the maladays of tech expectations. Noise can always be managed in post-processing if it's well-controlled at the beginning.

TS, as discussed in PM, digital DSLR files need to be post-processed with some sort of procedural workflow. It's a very different route than that when using a point and shoot camera, or cameras with CCD sensors. :cool:

Hope this helps some.

IMHO, there's a slight handshake too. :think:
 

i never fret about sharpness ever since i saw this guy's work. and he shot with a leica.

There's no excuse for poor understanding and mastery of the technicalities, yet at the same time, many have become enslaved to the tools and techniques.
 

There's no excuse for poor understanding and mastery of the technicalities, yet at the same time, many have become enslaved to the tools and techniques.

in an ideal world, i'm sure we would all aspire to be technical and artistic photographers par excellence at the same time. but i suspect some photographers (e.g. HCB) have discovered that focusing on the artistic at the expense of some technical sloppiness (zone focusing / unsharp images) yielded more satisfying images to them in the long run. no matter, sharpness will continue to be mainstay of the photography industry for many years to come. and i will be the first to admit that i am still far from mastering all the post processing skills and techniques to yield the most technically perfect image possible from my camera's sensor and my quivering hands. :cool:
 

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in an ideal world, i'm sure we would all aspire to be technical and artistic photographers par excellence at the same time. but i suspect some photographers (e.g. HCB) have discovered that focusing on the artistic at the expense of some technical sloppiness (zone focusing / unsharp images) yielded more satisfying images to them in the long run. no matter, sharpness will continue to be mainstay of the photography industry for many years to come. and i will be the first to admit that i am still far from mastering all the post processing skills and techniques to yield the most technically perfect image possible from my camera's sensor and my quivering hands. :cool:

In my opinion, it is not hard to master the technical aspect of photography. Why not get that straight and he can then focus on the artistic part of photography for the rest of his life?
 

honestly..u have $$ go ahead and BBB..

but stay with the kit lens for awhile more..

then u will truly appreciate the "power" of the "pro" lens..

and rem to go FF too. :D
 

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