Images look MUCH brighter on S30's LCD than on PC

[Stringrazor]

I have the LCD brightness set to the lower level too. Is this an anomaly with my camera or does it happen with other S30's (and other models too)? I suppose with experience I will be able to compensate but it does make it difficult to know if a shot was good until I upload it.

[stardis]

The images are not brighter on my S30's LCD than on the computer monitor. The opposite is true I think. I usually have the LCD turned to low brightness.

Do you think the monitor is displaying the image correctly? What do the prints look like when you print them out without doing any post processing?

I use PhotoShop Elements 2 and many times adjust the sliders in the Levels dialogue a little bit. But on well exposed pictures in good light, the image on the monitor is brighter than the image on the LCD and prints out on my Canon S820 printer faithful to the monitor.

[Stringrazor]

I just recently bought the S30 at Ebay and haven't printed anything taken with the camera yet. There shouldn't be any difference between uploading images via the camera's USB and simply using a CF reader, right? The S30 is still new to me and this was the first time I used my tower/CRT system to view images instead of my laptop. I'll compare how the images display on the camera, two laptops, main home system and CRT & LCD-equipped systems at work.

[stardis]

Sounds like you have some nice hardware. I really, really like my S30. Even if I upgrade to a digital SLR someday, I will continue using this camera until I have worn it out.

My camera settings in the menu are:
resolution: Large
compression: Superfine
file format: JPEG (usually)
ISO: 50
contrast: 0
sharpness: 0
saturation: 0

I use the Canon ZoomBrowser and Canon File Viewer Utility that seems to extend the Zoombrowser to handle RAW images. When shooting RAW images, the FVU will allow you to make changes in the contrast, sharpness, saturation and white balance (I think). I don't often shoot RAW.

I use a card reader to download the images, but I don't think that it makes any difference as to image quality or brightness. What I like about the card reader is that I can just take a handful of CF cards to the computer and download the pics (or just view if you wanted). I then put them back in the camera and format them; formatting will never hurt them. I buy the cards when they are on sale with rebates; I have bought 64 Mb cards for $14 US (pretty cheap).

Here is a link to my website if you want to compare anything. Most, but not all, taken with my S30.
http://www.pbase.com/zzcat

[Stringrazor]

Thanks for the info. I really like the S30 too. I'll play with it some more and see if I can figure out why at least one batch of images looked different when uploaded.

[Andy Somnifac]

I use a card reader to download the images, but I don't think that it makes any difference as to image quality or brightness.

The download method will have no effect on the image. The only time something will change is if you open the file in some editing program and change it, and save it. The difference is going to come from the fact that the LCDs most likely are not meant to be calibrated viewing devices. They will give you a rough idea of exposure, and will give you an idea on composition, but that is all. This is further compounded by the fact that very few people calibrate their monitors beyond what they "think looks good." Everyone's idea of "what looks good" varies, especially since our color memory is so poor.

Andy
www.somnifacient.us

[AndreyD]

If I am not mistaken in a manual to my camera I found information about camera monitor that says that it shows shots brighter then in reality.
I have to check my manual again.
But for sure, I noticed that this is true, images on camera LCD monitor look much brighter then on my laptop LCD monitor.

[stopbath]

Sadly my A70 also shows pictures much more brighter than they truly are.

The LCD is a 'rough guide' to the image. It does not truly render clarity or texture too well.