Transitioning to a Rebel

[cageyjay]

After two years using a Canon Powershot S30 I have purchased a EOS Rebel. I used SLR cameras back in the 'film' days of the 1970 and wanted to upgrade.
It seems to me that the digital images of the Rebel are darker/more dense than those of the S30. I seldom digitally processed the S30 images except for cropping. I must process most of the Rebel's. No big deal, just different.
Also lense flare and ghosts. I could point the S30 at bright light source and not worry. The Rebel with different lense construction brings me back to the 70's.
I love the new camera almost as much as the S30. Since I have owned it the sky has been cloudy most of the time and/or the temperature frigid (below 0 celsius.).
I await warmer brighter weather for better experimentation.

Here is some of my experimentation (a few culled from many.)

http://www.cpinternet.com/~kjackson/camera/index.htm

Finally, some other pictures from the S30.

http://www.cpinternet.com/~kjackson/features.html

Ken

[eunger]

Ken,

First let me say those are nice shots that you took with the 300D. I was up in Duluth in the fall and I was kicking myself for not taking my camera with. As for your comment concerning darker images, you may just need to change the parameter that you shoot in. I know from my own experinece that the Adobe parameter will most often require some post processing. Using the other pre-programmed parameters may eliminate this issue. I too find that the images come out a little darker than I would like, but you have been able to work around this by bracketing and overexposing the shot a little.

[cageyjay]

I have been shooting with parameter 1. I notice the 'darker' images most in unusual light situations primarily. I suspect the light metering is different and I will have to get used to that.

Ken

[D Boone]

I typically find the darker images are more rich in color and like them. Are the images you linked to all edited heavily?

[drisley]

Canon designed it's SLR's so that they expose a little "to the left" on the histogram so that you don't blow the highlights. Highlight information is generally more precious than the shadows.
The dynamic range of the DRebel is much better than the S30, so you don't have to worry as much about the pictures being slightly dark.
As far as flare and ghosting, that has nothing to do with the camera, and everything to do with the lens you are using. This is where SLR's get expensive. The top of the line L lenses will almost never flare/ghost, even under the most extreme conditions.

[lucasdigital]

Great photos Ken!

I'm currently trying to decide whether to upgrade from my A80 to the latest incarnation of the Digital Rebel (DC350) or instead to go for one of the G series (G6 maybe).

Is the extra investment in the SLR worth while for someone will very little SLR experience and absolutely no conventional photography kit?

[cageyjay]

Thanks for the tip about lenses. I suppose that means I should keep emptying quarters from my pocket into my piggy bank every evening - or switch to dollars.

Please understand I am not complaining about the camera. I love it and recommend it. I am simply reflecting out loud about the difference in experience I am having with the two (the Rebel and the S30).

When reading about the camera, one reviewer remarked that cameras such as the Rebel are designed presuming after-processing will be done. A difference in philosophy, I suppose. the S30 I use is designed for 'snapshots' take a picture of things 'as they are' upload it to Walmart and get your 5x7's an hour later. (Although I did much more than that with it). This camera helps you to capture and present things 'as you see/envision' them.

By the way, where do folks get larger prints processed? While browsing in Brandenburg Photo gallery in Ely, it is pretty obvious that he, as a professional photographer, has a basement or workshop filled with pretty fancy, capable and expensive printing equipment. Where do amateurs go for getting larger prints. I plan to do some of that - gifts etc.

I suspect this topic begins to slop over into some other forum area, but I am finding the info I am getting here valuable.

Location of the images I am discussing http://www.cpinternet.com/~kjackson/camera/index.htm

Of all the pictures the Winter Rose Garden was most heavily processed. It was heavily overcast with real 'flat light' and not a day I would normally go to take pictures. However I had this new camera and .... I like a lot of things about that picture but would like more features in the snow. More processing. Next was the Ely Water Tower. Least processing the Neighbors Tree (simply removed a small lens flare). As I think about it, the pictures with lots of snow seemed to need adjustment of contrast, saturation and pulling everything other than the snow out of deep shadow. But, of course snow with its white reflective nature is always a challenge.

I used the yellow fireplug sticking out a snowbank in my front yard as an exercise. Wanted to get an image out of the camera which gave a vibrant color to the hydrant and preserved the texture/features of the snowbank. I had sun about 3 hours before sunset. I didn't succeed to my satisfaction. Not the camera's fault. However, I did discover the information feature which give the histogram of the picture and alerts you to overexposed areas. When curing the overexpose the snow ended up looking like asphalt. I haven't decided what to do: shoot for detail in the snow or vibrant color?

Finally, I decided to upgrade to this SLR camera when I realized photography had become a major past time for me. I spend lots of time outside, walking (with or without a dog). It provides lots of challenge and satisfaction. (Like raising children - and obviously like kids can drain a bank account quickly.)

[D Boone]

Mpix.com for big prints. Really quick, 3 days for my last print.

[eunger]

Wal-mart for prints I need quickly, otherwise ezprints.com. I know I am going to sound like an advertisement, but ezprints offers a wide variety of products including poster size prints.