new rebel xt questions

[flam79]

Hi, i have a new rebel XT and i'm confused..

All my pictures seem to be coming out dark whether I use flash or natural light with low shutter speeds.

I took my camera to my brother's graduation and all the images came out dark and washed out looking and I always have to use photoshop to brighten it then enhance the colors using match color.

It does this even when I use the automatic setting which I should have to right???

it's annoying. Anyone know why this is? Maybe I don't have the settings correct or something.

Also, the viewing lense thing was blurry when out of the box and I had to turn the nob all the way to the negative side to make it clear. Shouldn't it be clearest in the middle?

[tonycortes]

i had the same experience with the view finder... its almost all the way to the negative side.. i'm so amateur in some areas lol

[liza]

Increase your ISO for starters. You need to read "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson to learn how to better utilize your equipment.

[flam79]

Increase your ISO for starters. You need to read "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson to learn how to better utilize your equipment.

Thanks for the suggestion.

But, when I choose "Auto" shouldn't it handle all that for me?

Also, in the "P" setting, even if i change the ISO, the defaulted shutter speed and Focal Point that is automatically set still leaves it dark.

[tim]

But, when I choose "Auto" shouldn't it handle all that for me?

Also, in the "P" setting, even if i change the ISO, the defaulted shutter speed and Focal Point that is automatically set still leaves it dark.

Nope, you have a DSLR now, you have to understand how they work to make good pictures, even in auto mode. If you don't want to do that return it and get a point and shoot, their auto modes assume you know less and take good pics in auto. That book that Liza recommended is worthwhile.

P mode only goes up to ISO400 I think, you'll have to go into a creative mode like Av to access higher ISOs like 1600. Have a read up on "exposure compensation" as well, probably on google.

[liza]

You need to learn the connection between ISO, shutter, and aperture in order to create decent images with a DSLR. Post processing is another thing you will have to learn as well, since DSLR images aren't processed in camera like a point and shoot. The learning curve is steep with this type of camera, but worthwhile when you finally master it.

[Livinthalife]

I remember my first couple hundredshots came out like real crap! Same thing, It`s learning. I used a film DSLR before, and a DSLR is similar but still different. Just remember practice makes perfect. checkout the book Liza reccomended, and expirement. Post some pics and everyone here can help guide you to producing the best pics possible ;)

[Curtis N]

There are two "automatic" settings. There is [green box] full auto, and there is [P] program mode. With [green box] you cannot change the ISO. That's set by the camera automatically. With [P] mode, you can select any ISO from 100 to 1600, but changing it is unlikely to solve your problem.

When the flash is used, in either of those modes, the camera will use a 1/60 shutter speed, and if your subject is too far away, the flash may not be able to provide enough light. This doesn't explain why your non-flash shots are underexposed, though.

It might help if you could upload one of the "problem" images, with complete EXIF data (all of the camera settings used to take the shot). I would also like to know what you mean by "low shutter speeds".

[flam79]

you guys are really awesome especially for offering to "guide" me as i post poorly taken pictures on this site.
Thanks for everyone that responded!

I will pick up the book suggested by Liza.