Please stop me from throwing my DSLR in the bin!

jennyb · #1 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 06:52 PM

Sorry, this is really going to sound like a big moan. In fact, it is.

I usually use my DSLR in Av mode so that I can set the ISO for the light conditions and the aperture for the depth of field that I want and the camera does the rest. I have been so disappointed with my results recently that I tried an experiment - whenever I take some shots, I also set the camera to take the same shot with one of its auto modes, like landscape, to see what the camera chooses. I also take the same shot with my tiny point and click Casio. Horror of horrors, the best shots are coming out of the Casio! Perhaps I should sell the Canon (and put a lot of money in the bank) and stick to the Casio.

I really don't understand what I am doing wrong.

Here is an example - I recently went to Welford Park to photograph the snowdrops. It was a very, very dull day. Using my 60mm lens, I selected ISO 800 and F8 and got a shutter speed of 1/200sec. These pictures were awful with a green tinge to them.

Using landscape mode with the Canon and the same lens, the camera chose ISO 125, F5.6 and 1/80sec. These pictures were better than the Av ones.

Using the Casio, it chose ISO 200, F4.8 and 1/160. These pictures, although still very dull because of the light conditions, were the best.

This experiment was not the only example of the Casio producing the best results and I guess user incompetence is to blame.

I am really wondering whether I should continue trying. I seem to have a mental block where photography is concerned.

Jenny

LoveT · #2 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 07:37 PM

Jenny you have my sympathy

!

I don't own a Canon, and this is definitely a different problem to yours, but today I got my power grip back from the maker. The buttons on the grip never worked from the time I got the thing. I've been round in circles with it & the maker, and having been without the grip for a month I was glad to get it back - it still doesn't work

. Oh well, I'll do without the stupid thing then!

Sounds like you need some advice from one of those lovely Canon experts we have out there in the community - I'm sure one will be along any time now with words of wisdom for you.

Whatever you do, don't let your camera beat you

!

Thea

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 07:38 PM

If your photos had a green tint, I wonder if your White Balance was set incorrectly. Too often, I set it for one shot then forget to reset. The automatic camera settings would use auto white balance.

If I am unsure of what setting to use I take a first shot with the semi auto Program mode then take a look at the result, including the histogram, before using any of the 'clever' controls.

One other suggestion for your problem is how were you taking the exposure readings? Evaluative metering automatically takes readings around the scene and calculates the best settings for avoiding blown highlights while keeping the shadows dark. Partial or spot metering just measures the light at the centre, which can be giving the wrong setting if you don't know exactly what you are doing. I like partial metering but, if I have time, I take several readings around the scene before making manual settings.

When handholding, I usually give preference to shutter speed to prevent camera shake problems; but also keep an eye on the aperture and try to set the ISO as low as possible without compromising the other minimum requirements.

Just keep trying and analyse your rejects to learn what went wrong. You will learn more from the failures than from the successes.

glsammy · #4 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 08:12 PM

Jenny, there's nothing like looking at sample images to see what might be going wrong, especially if the EXIF information is there.
Can you upload a few so we can see them?

DaiTheDragon · #5 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 08:25 PM

Sounds like White balance issue. As Graham said upload some images so we can see what the prob is.

Dai

stephen p · #6 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 08:31 PM

Hi Jenny,

It does sound like a white balance issue. Agree with Graham, would be good to see a sample photo.

What are the picture qualitys like in good light?

Was you using a Tripod when you took the picture of the Snowdrops?

Regards,

Stephen

zan · #7 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 08:48 PM

DSLRs really make you work for the photo! Compacts are designed to be point and shoots, so you can get a great image straight out the camera without any further work. If you set your DSLR into a creative mode (portrait\landscape etc) it will take over some more aspects like having pre-programmed colour, contrast and sharpness which again make it so that you can take a pretty good shot straight out the camera.

If you set it to Av, Tv or Manual, you get much more control. This is either a good or bad thing depending on your point of view!

However, if you do have a white balance issue, try shooting in RAW and editting the file with the software that came with the camera. You should be able to adjust the white balance in the editor and see where your problem is. Alternatively, make sure your white balance is set to auto before you start shooting.

There's nothing like practise! But don't get disheartened - it's a massive learning curve at the start. Goodness knows I had enough issues getting to grips with mine when I got it. Post up some photos - there are ace photographers on here who will be able to help you

Zan

DavyG · #8 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 08:50 PM

Hi Jenny,

Do you photograph in RAW?

Doing so would allow you to adjust the WB in your pics using a RAW converter or Photoshop.

As mentioned above, seeing some examples would help.

Dave

Sorry Zan, we were obviously typing at the same time.

jennyb · #9 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 09:02 PM

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I was shooting in evaluative mode and with white balance set to shade. I have been told (or read somewhere) not to use auto. I was either using a tripod or balancing on a fence.

I have tried to get 3 photos which are exactly the same as a comparison.

Av Mode - ISO 800, F11, 1/25

Landscape mode - ISO 640, F5.6, 1/80

Casio - ISO 200, f5.4, 1/80

I resized them all to 800 wide and sharpened, but I have not changed anything else. I don't suppose the exif is still there.

Yes, I realise that practise helps, but I don't seem to be making any progress and get very disillusioned sometimes.

Many thanks for your help.

Jenny

zan · #10 (**permalink**) 19-02-2008, 10:00 PM

The major differences I can see are in the white balance in the first (Av) shot - looks like it'd been set too warm. Leaving it on Auto should help get it right, or you can remember to change it before you shoot.

To improve the dullness, you would need a longer shutter speed or smaller aperture. Aperture will also alter the depth of field. I don't know how much you know about this, so apologies if I sound patronising - I really don't mean to be! The wider the aperture (smaller F-number), the shallower the depth of field (DOF) will be (i.e. the less of the image is in focus). Anyway, the shot with Av (F8) has a middling depth of field; the front row of snowdrops is out of focus but the rest is good. The second one has a smaller DOF, but better white balance. The Casio has a smaller sensor in it, so has a wider DOF for any given F-stop which means all of this image is in focus and has good white balance. Changing the aperture is a great way of being creative with your shots.

Zan