Digital Rebel Camera Settings

[photo441]

Hey Folks, Iwas wondering which camera setting you guys use the most. Parameter 1, Parameter 2, and so on and so on....

Thanks Again,

Photo441

[bauerman]

Photo441 - I don't use any of the preset parameters - as I did not like the results. Play with some of the "SET 1" and "SET 2" options and move the settings around to where you want them. I have bumped up the saturation, contrast and sharpness to try to replicate the images I had been getting from my G5. It's not there - but alot closer and I don't have to do as much post processing. You'll find your best settings eventually.

[Willie]

bauerman, what settings have you arrived at to get close to G5? I also have G5 and find my pics from XT not as sharp or vivid as my G5. I am shooting in Parameter 1, but I also tried custom setup with sharpness turned to max.

[bauerman]

Willie - my SET 1 has the contrast, sharpness and saturation at the max - with the color tone at the last setting just before the max. This seems to work for me. I also recently purchased a Canon 50mm F1.8 and the sharpness out of this lens is amazing compared to what I had been using.

[photo441]

Hey thanks, I just have the lens that came with the camera. My pictures are just not as sharp as I want them to be. Thanks again for all the great info.

Photo441

[tim]

RAW! In only shoot JPG when I have space issues (which I solve by buying more cards), or when I need a 25 shot buffer. Parameters don't make any difference when you shoot RAW, everything's done in Photoshop or RawShooter.

[Tshoe]

Hellashot, if you have nothing constructive to add DON'T REPLY.
Some of us "non-pros" may be looking for some fresh answers not old news.
Some people may have found settings that could improve our pictures since the topic was brought up the last time.

[bikerider]

As Tim said, RAW capture is the way to go for maximum information and control over the end product,
Roger.

[bauerman]

RAW also has its disadvantages as well - to each their own. I always just shoot in Large Superfine JPEG and get great results......

[lostdoggy]

I haven't heard anybody mentioning the fact that DSLR are setup by manufacture uncorrected, ie no auto color adjusting and no USM (Unsharp Mask). There are good article written on this subject. Try luminuos-landscape.com. I guess the reasoning behind this is the believe that DSLR user prefer to do it them self. I personally shoot in RAW because it allows me additional room for a second chance of otherwise lost moment. In RAW you are given a chance to change Whitebalance and Exosure. As far as color and such I take care of it in PSCS. Of coarse not everyone could be bother with all the additonal post work. There is definitely nothing wrong with experimenting and sharing your experience. That is why I'm reading this Forum. For creative info.

[photo441]

Hey thanks guys! I downloaded RAWshooer yesturday and it works great. I think my lens has a lot to do with it. Does anyone know the differences in the EF 50mm 1.8 for around $50 and the 50mm 1.4 for $200? What is the big difference?

Thanks,
Photo441

[bauerman]

Photo441 - rather than getting into that discussion in this thread - there are a plethora of threads regarding the ups and the downs of the 1.8 vs. the 1.4. Just do a quick search of the forum posts and you will have plenty of reading material on that subject.

[photo441]

Hey I realize many people ask the same questions on here over and over again but its a real pain in the a## to do a search. Sometimes you find what you want sometimes you don't. So I appologize for my annoying seemingly repatative posts but if someone cares to answer my question instead of just saying "Hey why don't you go do a search" I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks for your time,
Photo441

[Belmondo]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/rules.php

Please pay particular attention to rule 4-8. It's one of our "Don't Be A Jerk" rules, and it really applies here.

[photo441]

Sorry, I am just a little frustrated thats all... its me not you guys. I just wish I could get one good photo out of this camera.

[Jon]

Sorry, I am just a little frustrated thats all... its me not you guys. I just wish I could get one good photo out of this camera.
Belmondo's post was, I believe, aimed not at you, but at the people who said "Do a search." without pointing to any particular thread(s) or offering any additional information.
I tend to run at +1 sharpness and +1 contrast, +2 saturation on my 20D, if that's any help.

[Belmondo]

Belmondo's post was, I believe, aimed not at you, but at the people who said "Do a search." without pointing to any particular thread(s) or offering any additional information.
I tend to run at +1 sharpness and +1 contrast, +2 saturation on my 20D, if that's any help.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Jon. You are absolutely right. It's a reasonable question, and the asker is entitled to an answer. If people don't feel like answering, it's really much better to say nothing.

[photo441]

Hey thanks! I thought you were thinkin' I was being a jerk. I just wish people would not reply if they don't have something constructive to offer. I think this is one of the best forums out there for Digi photography.

Photo441

[Titus213]

Sorry, I am just a little frustrated thats all... its me not you guys. I just wish I could get one good photo out of this camera.

I would really encourage you to try to get to RAW shooting. It allows much latitude in the post processing, which will generally be required (IMO). You can make that Digital Rebel act just like your G5 but then what's the point? The camera is capable and frustrating but I'm sure you'll get it in time.

To answer the original question - I use AdobeRGB and shoot RAW. My RAW converter remains that which came with the camera - despite a desire to use RawShooter it will not run on my machine because of the age of the PC. So I convert RAW to JPG and edit in PhotoShop which I am beginning to really enjoy.

[bauerman]

Hey I can talk about the 1.4 vs. the 1.8 all night - but there is so much other information out there that you should read.....the forum is an archive - not just a live Q and A session....and thank goodness it is. I have benefited much from the archives of old discussions over and over again. I'm not sure that I would deem my post "jerk" material either way.......

Here is a great link on the difference between the 1.8 and the 1.4:

http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

I would give that a read. I have the 1.8 and could not be happier with its performance. Sharp pictures and great color to my eye.

p.s. I also think that it helps to start a new thread when a topic changes - then we don't have a lens discussion buried in a camera settings titled thread - does that make sense?