new Canon EOS
Dec 21, 2012 23:06:48 #
Cricket2010
Loc: Washington
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
Dec 21, 2012 23:51:23 #
With a totally different type of camera, you will need to spend lots of time practicing with the focus and exposure.
Dec 22, 2012 00:46:23 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
I am not a professional by any means but when i downloaded the picture of the horse and zoomed in the face was very crisp and clear. If you are referrring to how it softens toward the back end of the horse and into the background, this is probably due to the Depth of field (DOF) This area of focus will vary according to different settings. Google Depth of Field and you will find a ton of info on how to make a small part of your picture in focus verses having the whole picture in focus. This is a very simplified explanation. But all in all i think the picture of the horse is beautiful! Merry Christmas
Dec 22, 2012 02:29:46 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
I like both pics........the only comment about number 1........bad hair day
Just joking
:thumbup:
Brenda
Dec 22, 2012 05:37:48 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
The depth of field of a P&S is greater than that of a DSLR, due to small sensor/short focal lenght lens. With the DSLR, focussing on the right point and using smaller apertures for good DoF is much more important. The horse picture shows crisp focus on the middle of the nose and fence wire. This is typical of auto-selection of focus point, where the camera chooses the nearest point.Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
I suggest the following (assuming you are using the viewfinder):
- set camera to Av mode, with aperture around f/11.
- set focussing to single point, in the middle of the frame.
- aim the focussing point at the clearest eye (which should be best in focus) and press the shutter button down half way,
- recompose the image and press the release down to take the picture.
Later on, try back-button focussing (search UHH for this), where you can set the focus independantly of the shutter, but don't worry about this at first.
Dec 22, 2012 05:56:47 #
You should post your exposure data. I downloaded the picture and as was said above, the issue is definitely shallow depth of field. You were probably close to wide open. Look at the barb wire. It is sharp around the nose but the sharpness falls off to either side. Likewise about the horse itself.
A big difference between p/s cameras versus slr's is the focal length of the lens. In the former, it is very short so you have a lot of depth of field. Ergo, everything is in focus in spite of yourself. Not so with slr's. You now have a very nice and powerful camera that we give you many fine pictures. You just have to learn how to use it.
Bood luck.
A big difference between p/s cameras versus slr's is the focal length of the lens. In the former, it is very short so you have a lot of depth of field. Ergo, everything is in focus in spite of yourself. Not so with slr's. You now have a very nice and powerful camera that we give you many fine pictures. You just have to learn how to use it.
Bood luck.
Dec 22, 2012 07:23:54 #
Hi Cricket 2010. I agree with other comments about a shallow depth of field. However, you also appear to have used the ponies nose as your point of focus. When photographing people and animals, it is always preferable to focus on the eyes.
Dec 22, 2012 07:37:45 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
Your Depth of Field at F5 and being close to subject has reduced even further.
1.Increase F5 to F11 to F16 at close range
2.Shoot F5 but Step back a few metres to increase DoF if you want to keep background blur but include more infocus
3. Use your Zoom lens 10m+ from further back and zoom in using F5
Hope this helps
Dec 22, 2012 09:03:12 #
Agree on the pony. Use a higher f-stop to deepen the depth of field.
The trees, is almost the same issue. It appears that you were focused on the green fencepost. It is about the sharpest object, along with the barbed wire that is attached to it. If you were in auto focus, that is what it grabbed. As you used 'Canon EOS' in your title, suggest you look at your book under Focusing/AF Point Selection, or that is what it is called in the 60D book. That may help in what the camera is selecting as your AF point.
From the looks of the pony, it appears to be a willing model, you will just have to shoot some more, and don't forget the carrots and sugar cubes.
The trees, is almost the same issue. It appears that you were focused on the green fencepost. It is about the sharpest object, along with the barbed wire that is attached to it. If you were in auto focus, that is what it grabbed. As you used 'Canon EOS' in your title, suggest you look at your book under Focusing/AF Point Selection, or that is what it is called in the 60D book. That may help in what the camera is selecting as your AF point.
From the looks of the pony, it appears to be a willing model, you will just have to shoot some more, and don't forget the carrots and sugar cubes.
Dec 22, 2012 12:00:50 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
Need to know what camera & Lens and how you have it set up for shutter speed, RAW or jpeg image, etc, plus if you are doing any processing of the image in the computer. Need more info before we can help.
Dec 22, 2012 12:28:16 #
In the horse shot the upper barbed wire (and consequently the same "plane" of focus on the horses "snout?" is in focus.
It appears that you focused on the barbed wire when you should have focused on the horses eyes.
Are you using the center "red dot" focus point or all of them or what?
It appears that you focused on the barbed wire when you should have focused on the horses eyes.
Are you using the center "red dot" focus point or all of them or what?
Dec 22, 2012 12:30:39 #
abc1234 wrote:
You should post your exposure data.
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T4i
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Shot at 41 mm
Exposure:
Auto exposure, Program AE, 1/64 sec, f/5, ISO 125
Flash:
Off, Did not fire
Focus:
Unknown (256), with a depth of field of from 1.13 m to 0.76 m.
Dec 22, 2012 14:02:00 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
Photo #1
Focus on the eyes and not the nose. Use a longer lens.
The exif data shows 41mm (at f/5) which will distort a horse portrait or for that matter a human portrait.
f/5 will will give you about 12" DOF at 5 to 6 feet away which is not enough to get the eyes in focus if you focused on the nose as it appears. 85mm at f/8 at 12 feet will give you ~2 feet DOF and cut the distortion while hitting the sweet spot of the lens. The whole head will be in focus.
Photo # 2
Exif data shows the same settings (41mm at f/5). Here again there is insufficient DOF. This is a landscape shot which has no central subject and needs to be sharp throughout. Using f/16 or f/18 would greatly increase the DOF. Focus about 1/3 into the scene, use a tripod, mirror up and remote shutter release or timed release for sharpness.
DOF tables are available:
http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html
BTW Nice shots...keep practicing, analyzing and improving. :thumbup:
Dec 22, 2012 14:35:15 #
Cricket2010 wrote:
Always had a point and shoot.This is a little difficult to figure out. Like the picture but it still doesnt seem crisp and clear. any suggestions? :?:
Two things come into play here as I see it. Yes you're correct about the DOF in the first shot. DOF, as you seem to understand, is strictly a lens issue and has nothing what ever to do with the camera. This, as you will discover as you continue learning about your camera, is a matter of skill development and understanding and proper operation of lenses given the lighting conditions during the shoot.
Second switching from P&S to dslr is never easy if you have no dslr experience. I've been shooting them in film and now digital for well over 30-years so it's a matter of course for me. For you however it'll take lots of practice, experimentation and just plane study on camera and lens operation.
So many seem to think the camera does everything for them. With the
"pocket toys" as I like to call them that's true. But dslr cameras are designed for serious photographers who understand what these cameras are about so learning and skill are important.
Good luck. Once you learn to operate both camera and lens you'll never go back to a pocket toy.
Jan 11, 2013 08:39:17 #
Congratulations on your new camera!! As you practice more and learn more about your camera you will love it! I have a T1I and still am trying to figure it all out. I am having a blast, and am finding this website very helpful.
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