Thanks for this information. I usually use manual focus. I recently tried using auto focus with a single auto-focus point but on the birdies at the distance I'm shooting, every time they would bob their little heads or move slightly, the auto-focus would go bonkers trying to determine and adjust to a new focus point. So, I reverted to manually focusing (not to say that I don't occasionally switch it back to auto). I usually use f/6.3 when shooting birds, but sometimes set it at f/8 or f/16 if it's a really sunny day. I'll go back through my photos to find the ones where I used a smaller aperture and see if the focus was appreciably better. Maybe I'm just not analyzing my results thoroughly enough. (So very much to learn!!!!)

If it turns out that I do need to have the camera/lens calibrated, is that something that must be done by Canon or might the local camera shop be able to do that?

Neither pictures are great. The first one need more light and lacks detail. The second one is either slightly our of focused or not shot at a fast enough shutter speed. These problems have nothing to do with the camera. It is strictly the person taking the pictures. How did you get to 1200mm? If you are using one of those cheap telephoto lenses, throw it away. Shooting 1/160 of a second at 1200mm is way to slow. If you think you can hand hold a camera with a 1200mm or 400mm lens, you have not learned anything about the basics of photography. You are trying to do some way beyond your technical skills and want to blame the camera.

Hi all! We're going to Disney World the second week in December, and at first I wasn't planning on taking my DSLR because they can get up and walk off so easily (and not necessarily at the parks either!). My first thought was to just get a decent P&S that I could keep in my pocket, but to get one that I could adjust some manual settings I'd be looking at around $300 I figure. So instead I decided that I could just get a lens that I could just leave on my camera the entire trip for around the same amount, and just make sure my camera doesn't leave my sight. This way I can be building my collection with something that will get more use than a P&S :) Right now I have the 18-55mm and the 55-250mm lenses that came with the camera. The 55-250 is my favorite, but you have to get back so far sometimes to get everything in the picture, even at the 55 length, that I'd like to have something a little shorter. I do like the amount that I can get in the picture with the 18-55, but I prefer the quality of my pics with the 55-250. That being said, I'm thinking something where the shortest length would be maybe 18 or a little longer. It doesn't have to zoom as far as 250 though, I'd be happy with that. I don't have to have to have the Canon brand name (I know several people here use Tamron and Sigma), and I'd like to stay in the $400 or less range. I know everyone says you should master what you have before getting anything else, and I agree, I just don't want to be carrying around a ginormous camera bag and changing lenses every time I turn around. I have a Kodak z990 that could do everything, but I don't like it (even though I plan to take it as a back up or for my hubby!).. LOL! I'm open to all suggestions though, so don't hold back :)
Thanks in advance!!