10d question: custom settings

[supernaut]

i own a 10d with 24-85usm, 70-210usm, 100 2.8 macro usm and a tokina 24-200.
and i also own a powershot g2.

now my problem is, that i think that the images shot with the 10d are a little bit too soft compared to images shot with the g2.

i've allready raised internal sharpness (+2), kontrast (+2) and saturation (+1). but i'm still not really satisfied.

can you recommend settings?
which are your expiriences?


best regards,
werner

ps: i know that i don't have "L" optics...

[plato]

I upgraded to the 10d from my Canon S40 as well, and at the beginning I had the same complaint - that compared to my compact digital, the 10d images seemed very soft. I also tried upping the sharpness and contrast from within the camera, and I still wasn't satisfied.

Later, I realised that moving up to the DSLR meant that I would have to accept a different way of shooting and a different way of processing my pictures. They don't come straight out of the camera ready for display on your monitor screen (they do print out pretty ok without post-processing though, imho).

Once I learnt how to use Photoshop to do my postprocessing, I found that the pictures I got were way better than anything my S40 could come up with.

These are the general steps I use for sharpening my pictures after picking out the 3-4 that I think are worth keeping (I shoot jpeg and at best quality):
Step 1: Unsharp Mask, 150%, radius 1.0
Step 2: Resize picture to desired size and dpi
Step 3: Unsharp Mask again, 80-100%, radius of between 0.4 and 1.0, depending on size of picture

These steps are necessary because the DSLRs don't use as much in-camera sharpening as the consumer digicams, and the advantage is that this gives more control to the photographer during the post processing. Photographers (enthusiast or pro alike) can be a picky lot, and what seems just right to one may be deemed overly sharp to another, so it makes sense for the camera to leave the sharpening to the photographer. If you have a lot of pictures to process, you could create a photoshop action to automate the process.

Some people don't like the hassle of post-processing, but then the only solution as I see it would be to go back to using the consumer digicams and allowing the camera to do the sharpening for you, but at the expense of the (potential) image quality of the DSLR.

Ok, hope this helps.

[supernaut]

thanks for your answer.

the things you wrote corresponds to what i expected :(

i have no problem with photoshop - it's part of my daily work.
but i would have been glad when i could have avoided the unsharp masking in most pix and instead of that tune the internal settings of my 10d.

don't get me worng - i love the 10d and the photos done with it are great.

[ssim]

My first lens with the 10D was also the 24-85 and I found it to be soft in certain environments. As I acquired more lenses I felft they were not quite as sharp as they should be. I had contacted Canon and they had me take my into the service center. I took them in and they calibrated the camera to all my lenses, 6 at that time. I had it back in 4 days. The difference was amazing.

When I got my 10D, I was so anxious to get a lens I bought the 24-85 based on price. Since then I have decided that I would get nothing but "L" glass and IS if it is available. I replaced this lense with the 24-70 and while I've only had it a few days the first images are much better.


I have not used the in camera sharpening as my shots were never that soft that it couldn't be easily fixed in photoshop.

[scottbergerphoto]

I use "0" settings in camera. In Photoshop I use USM 200-300, 2, 0 and back off as needed. The 10 D requires alot more sharpening that a G2 which as a point and shoot uses more in camera sharpening.
Scott

[AliasMoze]

Have you tried Highpass sharpening? It's a pretty good technique that really sharpens, and the result seems really smooth. The reason I like Highpass is that it tends to deal with edge sharpness, and of course edges are what help us see something as sharp or blurred.

If you want, I'll post the steps. I apologize if you all already know this.

[AndrewEllinas]

I'd be interested in learning more about Highpass sharpening.

Andrew

[AliasMoze]

The steps:
1. Duplicate your main layer (the photo, by default the Background layer).
2. Select the new duplicate layer and goto Filters/Other/Highpass
3. Highpass will look really funky, but either adjust it until you see just the edges you want sharpened or just put in a value of 10 and hit OK.
4. Make sure the duplicate layer is still selected, and change its layer mode to Soft Light.
5. Test it out by toggling the duplicate layer's visibility on and off.
6. If the sharpen is too strong, adjust the duplicate layer's opacity.
7. When you're done, flatten if you want/need to.

[AliasMoze]

BTW, here's another way to sharpen:

1. Convert your color photo to Lab Color.
2. Select just the Lightness Channel.
3. Unsharp Mask using whatever settings you like.
4. Convert back to RGB.

A much less clumsy way to use USM than just applying it to all the color information in your image.

[supernaut]

thanks for the hint with high-pass sharping.
never tried it before - but i see that it works well.

[kufel]

Tehre is a plug-in called Focal Blade, I would love to hear from you, guys, how it works for you. Apparently it is much better than anything else invented for sharpenning to date.
Also - do you find that saturation and contrast needs upping as well? I use Capture One and do sat. and contrast there. Are there any advantages of doing it in PS instead? (other than having those settings in a separate layer for undoing later, that is)

[lightandlife]

I am afraid no amount of sharpening will improve pics from a low quality lens. If it were possible, all these guys who buy L lenses must be wasting tons of money.

First get a good lens. Then you will not so much worry about sharpening.

[kufel]

I have a good lens, only one good, though. And I am still getting v. soft pics. I took advice from someone posting at different thread and phoned Canon, they told me to bring camera and lenses for calibration. I am going to try this.

[lightandlife]

I understand. But before sending your 10D to the shop, try removing the UV filter and see if focusing improves. See CDS' thread.

[kufel]

I don't use UV....

[kufel]

And I don't have to send it to the shop, I live where Canon Canada has headquarters, 20 min. away, so not a big deal for me.

[Belmondo]

I came across this link to Sports Illustrated. This is their recommended settings for the 10D. I just found this and haven't studied it, so I can't comment on the value of this, so decide for yourselves.

http://www.siphoto.com/?canon10D.inc