HELP! 10D - Is it me or a problem with the camera??

[KarinaB1970]

I just purchased a used 10D from a local photographer. I am now having some focusing issues that I never had with my film camera. I cannot seem to get a sharp picture.

So, yesterday I took shots with both my film and the digital camera. Same settings, same focal length and just seconds apart. Not only is the focus an issue, but the overall color quality is disappointing. Any advice or suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated. I am now very nervous that something is not right with this camera.

Here is a link to a page displaying the high res images for comparison. The settings are also noted.

http://www.karinabrach.com/photos/EOS-Comparison/

Sample:

Here is a pic taken with my film camera:


http://www.karinabrach.com/photos/EOS-Comparison/images/film-pic-small.jpg

and here is a pic taken with the digital camera:

http://www.karinabrach.com/photos/EOS-Comparison/images/digital-pic-small.jpg

I have other photos as well. I have yet to get a sharp picture from this camera. Any thoughts?

[WestFalcon]

Your digital may be underexposed and you can adjust contrast in photoshop. They don't come out of the camera looking great all of the time. You have to do some post processing like sharpening(all require this) and color correction..maybe some light /dark adjustment too. Don't expect great stuff right out of the camera. 10d"s have focusing issues...some do anyway. If you shoot at f5.6 or smaller, these isssues should not affect you either.

[lomond]

I tend to agree with westfalcon on this. Most if not all digital images need some sort of post processing, even if its just a levels correction.
I loaded your images into Photoshop, did some levels, colour correction, sharpening etc. and I can't see a problem here.
A camera such as the 10D will look much softer than a "point and shoot" digital camera, due to the high amount of in camera sharpening of the latter.
However you can increase the in camera sharpening of the 10D in the camera menu or sharpen by any number of methods in Photoshop etc.
I would strongly recommend the latter.

Are these jpg or RAW ?
If jpg, what quality ?
What camera settings?
Check the in camera settings for sharpening.

For what its worth, when I bought my 10D, I had the same concerns you have now. I went through all the focus tests only to find there was nothing wrong with the camera.
In the end only you can decide if you're happy with it or not, however to my eyes the image looks fine.
Cameron

[timmyquest]

[quote="KarinaB1970"]

Sample:

Here is a pic taken with my film camera:


http://www.karinabrach.com/photos/EOS-Comparison/images/film-pic-small.jpg

and here is a pic taken with the digital camera:

http://www.karinabrach.com/photos/EOS-Comparison/images/digital-pic-small.jpg

I hope htis doesnt upset you, i'm only doing it to prove to you that you just bought a gem.

This is the image taken with the 10D.

I adjusted the contrast via levels, then bumped up the saturation, then sharpened it a tad.


© karinab1970
http://www.questphotos.com/october2004/smalldigi.jpg

[KarinaB1970]

Are these jpg or RAW ?
If jpg, what quality ?
What camera settings?
Check the in camera settings for sharpening.


Large jpg with the sharpening up one notch from the default within the camera.

I guess I just did not realize that most/all of the digital pics would have to be adjusted later in PhotoShop. Is this true with all digital cameras? Even the top of the line professional models?

One more question, yesterday AM when I had the camera out to take a few shots I noticed that around the bottom 2 buttons on the lower left hand side, there was some perspiration/condensation. I had taken the camera out of the house, not particularly warm, probably 65 degrees or so, and out into weather that was maybe 50ish. Is this normal? Is this from the temp change? The condensation did not appear until I was out for about 30-45 minutes. I just want to make sure its nothing to worry about.

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. I feel a little better now...but had no idea that digital pics needed adjustments (I just figured people did it to simply make a good picture great).

[Persian-Rice]

Are these jpg or RAW ?
If jpg, what quality ?
What camera settings?
Check the in camera settings for sharpening.


Large jpg with the sharpening up one notch from the default within the camera.

I guess I just did not realize that most/all of the digital pics would have to be adjusted later in PhotoShop. Is this true with all digital cameras? Even the top of the line professional models?

One more question, yesterday AM when I had the camera out to take a few shots I noticed that around the bottom 2 buttons on the lower left hand side, there was some perspiration/condensation. I had taken the camera out of the house, not particularly warm, probably 65 degrees or so, and out into weather that was maybe 50ish. Is this normal? Is this from the temp change? The condensation did not appear until I was out for about 30-45 minutes. I just want to make sure its nothing to worry about.

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. I feel a little better now...but had no idea that digital pics needed adjustments (I just figured people did it to simply make a good picture great).

Actually its even more work with a 1 series camera, because they do even less "in camera" proccessing. Make sure you are using either Adobe RGB or customize one of the extra settings to do nothing.

As for condensation, I sometimes get it on the On/Off switch from plain old breathing on it, no problems........

[defordphoto]

Timmy: Nice job! The 10D shot smokes the film shot!

[CyberDyneSystems]

I guess I just did not realize that most/all of the digital pics would have to be adjusted later in PhotoShop. Is this true with all digital cameras? Even the top of the line professional models?

Actually.. it is more the other way around...

It is the PRO Models .. specifically the DSLRs that will tend to require more post processing than the point in shoot.

The reason is that a "digicam" will do a lot of processing in camera.. the trouble with this is .. it takes control away from the photographer and puts it in the hands of the Camera manufactureres firmware authors...

So by default.. and good DSLR will spit out as close to a neutral image as possible.. leaving the creative choices to you.

You can.. if you want.. shoot jepg with the 10D and go in ato the "parameters" settings and boost contrast, saturation, and sharpening.. but these adjustments won't even come close to the type of results that you can get on your own..


...as Timmy's fine example illustrates.. it pays to Post process on your own.

[KarinaB1970]

I got it, thanks :) I didnt mean point and shoots, I was only referring to DSLRs. I understand that the pics could be adjusted in PhotoShop or the like, but never owning a DSLR before I did not know that this was the norm and that they should be. I really appreciate everyones feedback...I was nervous there at first, thinking I had a bum camera. :::Phew::: now I feel MUCH better!

[defordphoto]

Karina: The post processing is half the fun. You can really see your photos come to life.

[timmyquest]

Karina: The post processing is half the fun. You can really see your photos come to life.

I couldnt agree more. At first, when i hardly knew how to use PS, i found it annoying. However now that i at least have a little skill (the program is so rich and full of features that i doubt i'll ever "master it) i love going through my photos.

I will admit that post processing sports photos annoys me, but things like my cat picture (See: Share photos - "Cold as ice: my blue eyed friend) and the like is fun. It's nice to have the amount of control i have.

I work in a dark room doing reprints of old neg's and whenever i come across a print with a scratch in it (in the negative, which shows up as an annoying line on the print) my instincts say "just use the clone tool".

Digital is much more flexible then film. They each have their own place, but for most people digital makes much more sense.