Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

This was my first day out with my new SX50. It is a wonderful little camera, with the emphasis on 'little'. There are a lot of controls on that little body, and it is awkward to hold it without the base of the thumb coming into contact with some of them. I'm getting better...

Somehow, I turned on the auto exposure bracketing, and couldn't see how to turn it off - the manual is pdf only, so i didn't have it with me. I figured since I was taking 3 shots of everything *anyway*, why not try my hand at this.

This was shot handheld, and there may be some ghosting visible - another shot the same day had a horse with 2 noses! I would appreciate any comments...

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Bloke,

From your description of the action of your camera, the SX50-HS has gone into HDR mode without exposure compensation.

I could not find Ghosting in the image you attached, but I did find the posted image looks like there was no compensation between the exposures.

What is happening with the camera is, it seems it has chosen to make several image captures without adding and removing exposure values between all the exposures; then automatically merging all the exposures into one final image. The ghosting you have seen is caused by movement of some kind between the exposures, and the camera including the movement into the merge.

This is what happens when a computer device takes control over Human interactions. Automatic errors.

You will have to print your PDF User Manual into a booklet form as small as possible, and carry it with your camera for future reference, or order a printed version from Canon USA.

The camera you have is an excellent choice, but you will have to thoroughly study, and understand how all the controls work to make the best pictures it can deliver.

Michael g

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

No, I did the hdr in software on the PC. The camera went into bracketed mode, so every time I hit the shutter, it would take 3 shots with 1 stop difference between them. It was handheld. Let me see if I can find the originals...

Oops, looks like I sent 2 copies of one of them...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Let's try again...

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Bloke,

This last time you uploaded the image files for viewing, not for download. This stripped out all the image information the camera saved inside the image file.

Your ghosting was caused by camera movement during the three exposures, you will need to mount the camera on a tripod to make HDR captures. (It would also help to have a remote shutter release cable to prevent minor camera movement at the instant you press the shutter button). You will also have to be very sure there is no subject movement in the scene while making the 3 exposures. (If your HDR processing software has the tools to erase offending subject movement, you can try editing out cars, people, animals, and swaying trees during the HDR merge process).

Michael G

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I'm sorry, I thought I had checked the box again...

I know that I need a tripod. I have one, but it isn't a good one... That will be upgraded as soon as finances allow. I also have the cable release. It's just one of those things I want to try a bit more. I didn't expect these to be great, because like I said, it was just that the camera was taking the bracketed exposures. I tried to keep it still, but when you look at the 3 shots in quick succession, you can see that there is movement. Once I get myself set up, I will do more of these. Here is the one I was talking about, with the horse that has 2 noses... He moved a bit between the exposures, and I must have too, if you look at the top bar of the gate.

Given the obvious flaws, though, I still like this one!

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Bloke,

This image has two problems; the horse moved during the three exposures, and the camera moved during the exposures. Look closely at 100% size, and notice the green rail at the bottom.

If your HDR software can show you three previews in Thumbnail images you will be able to preview all three exposures and see the movement between the three. If your HDR software will allow you to remove image content from an individual image you can remove most of the movement (select the over-exposed image first)

After the merge the ghost may be gone.

Another thing you can do, while waiting for the tripod, connect the remote shutter release, place the camera on a sturdy support (car hood, tree stump, fence post, something that will provide 3 point support), and make your three exposures with the shutter release cable. Make sure you set Exposure compensation for at least .63Ev.

Have a real good time, you will have a lot to learn.

Michael G

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Oh yes, I know that! My last 'serious' camera was a Canon A1, back in the 80s... I'm pretty good in the darkroom, but the digital world is just, well, different!

I'm not going to spend a lot of time working on these first couple ot attempts. I like them, especially for handheld images, but there are too many things to put right for them to ever be 'good'. I just wanted to put them out there as an introduction, so to speak

Thanks for the tips.

kaerophil Loc: Oxford, CT

It looks like all three exposures are too bright, so they are not capturing a blue sky. Try resetting so only one shot is slightly overexposed, one is underexposed, and one is on a normal setting.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Yeah, these were 1 stop apart, but taken by the auto-bracketing in camera. I turned it on by accident...

Jim McDonald Loc: Ellsinore, Mo.

Love my canon 50, hate the location of the timer...always seem to hit it. Might check out the Powershot SX50 cheat sheet available on Amazon from PhotoBert...it's about $15.00, but is a good summery of the manual. Small print, but my 68 year eye
(only got one) has no trouble reading it. Lot's of info on a laminated sheet.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Ordered one yesterday, for around $10. I can't find any books written about the SX50, which is surprising, seeing as how popular they are - they even have them in my local wallmart! That was what actually made my decision for me - it had a battery and was 'live', so I was able to check out the zoom and the general feel of it. Even a 'dummies' book would be useful. I have a bunch of those for all kinds of fields, and they are a good first step before spending huge amounts on some of the more techy books.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Probably the best place to look is at Amazon.com.
Search for: books canon SX50

You might try eBay as well.

Since it is a relatively new release not too many authors have had time to research, test, write, and publish a comprehensive user book on this camera. You might find the most valuable resource on the CD that came with your Canon camera. It should be in PDF format so you can copy the files to your PC, then make printed copies for reference in the field.

Michael G

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Amazon was the first place I looked, but there is nothing close. If they don't have it, then there won't be anything used for people to sell on ebay.

The manual which came with the camera is *only* on pdf, which makes it hard to read through. If I zoom in enough to make reading it comfortable, then I only get a part of a page. It is also close to 300 pages in length, which makes printing it out somewhat problematic - not to mention the size it would be! I have read on here of people getting it printed out small and bound at Staples. I will look into that, but my closest Staples is quite some way off, so that will have to wait until I get over that way.

I am actually one of those people who likes to *read* the manual, but I need a book in my hand to do that.

They have been out for over a year, for what I understand, which is plenty of time for aftermarket books to appear. I guess people maybe think it is too much of a niche market or something.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Bloke,

Check with your local Staples store, they may accept PDF attachments by e-mail, and print them to your specifications, then mail the printed copy back to you via USPS.

Michael G