350XT vs. Sony F717

[rmills]

I'm in the same boat the as thread starter in regards to my Sony F717 images vs. the 350XT images. What settings could be made in the 350XT to produce "Sony" like images straight out of the camera?

[DocFrankenstein]

Bump the saturation and sharpening in camera, and you're gonna be close to sony...

There are many programs which will cannibalize your images to look very saturated for you... so that's not a problem.

Good luck with whatever camera you choose. :)

[Pamela107]

Here is a sample photo I took of the neighbors dog.
I figured out if I set a white balance in general , that all my photos come out much better.
The only thing I did was unsharp mask , and © symbol.
I wonder if changing the setting in the parameter/sharpening on camera would be good too?
I havent tried that

[twalker294]

Yes the XT is capable of ruining your images just like the 717 does. However I wouldn't recommend it. If you bump up the contrast, saturation, and sharpness you will be losing detail and crippling the camera. Please, rather than turning everything up so that your images look like they do from the Sony, learn about post processing so that you can edit the keepers yourself and make them look like you want them to look, not like the camera is programmed to make them look.

Or not...it's your money...

Todd

[Mohawk]

First, I must ask why you even bought the Canon XT? Did you do any research as to what you were getting into? Photography for me is an escape, and a dSLR just makes it more interesting. I have been shooting with SLR's for many years, and now the dSLRs. This is a life long gig, you will never be perfect, but it is an adventure to say the least. Something that a P&S will never give you. It's kinda like golf, you just don't walk into your local PGA office and get the "card". It takes YEARS of practice! Good equipment helps, but it will not make you a photographer, or a golfer.

I hate to say this, but maybe you guys need to stick with the point and shoot cameras. A dSLR, is not a p&s camera, and was never meant to be! These new dSLRs are tools, just like the film 35mms, and tools in the wrong hands can be dangerous. There is time and study involved, with lots of practice! Then there is the post-proccessing, which is where your final images will blow you away. The new electronic lab, that's your job too. There are plenty of software programs out there, from free to mucho bucks.

Then there is the lens. This is not a cheap hobby for the weak at heart and wallet. The better "L" lenses will give you some incredible images compared to the "consumer" lenses. And not all Canon lenses need to have the "L" moniker, or red stripe, to make great sharp images. Do some research on lenses. It is better to have an inexpensive camera body with great lenses, then to have an expensive body with cheap lenses.

As far as your XT body, the images are going to look soft right out of the camera, as they are supposed to. I have a 20D and 1DMKII, they use the same basic 8mp CMOS censor that your XT uses. And I bet with the right lenses, aperatures, shutter speeds and proper post proccessing, that you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a $3400.00 1DMKII image and one from the $900 XT. You have the tool, just take the time to learn the camera. This is not something that will happen in a matter of hours. Buy some books regarding exposure, lighting and post proccessing. Do a search on Amazon.com under "exposure", and read the reviews. There is much to learn, as you have the rest of your life to figure out this dSLR thingy. Keep your P&S around for the less serious moments, I do.

And, If you must have the point and shoot "look" out of the XT:

Read your manual, shoot in high quality jpeg, and push the custom functions to the max, and back off for desired results. Sharpening, contrast, saturation, etc. Set the camera in P mode and shoot away. Hopefully, you will get your "Sony" image. This completly negates your purchase of an dSLR, no matter who makes it.

And I do apologize for coming across as a snob. I'm really not, I'm a truck driver! How could a truck driver be a snob? I have holes in my shirt and my glasses have a craked lens, been like that for months, but I can still see with them! All that I can compare this thread to, and the other one, is putting my step-son through truck driving school. He graduated, barely. He quit driving in a few weeks after getting a "job". I had him a good paying union job right out of school, he did not listen, never showed for the interview. $16 an hour to start, FULL bennies after 30 days, first raise in 90 days and an 8-10 hour work day. But noooooo....... He fell for the well endowed female "school" recruiter who was... "looking for farm boys to drive my trucks"! Hell, he wouldn't know which end of a cow to get milk from! He thought he knew better then the guy that has been in this racket for well over 15 years. I told him his first paycheck would be $183.64, I missed it by .13 cents, and that is know lie, he could not believe it! But what do I know? You can lead a horse to water... I am buying another truck soon, and need to find a driver, his loss, and I am out $5000.00! If it wasn't for his mother...

Just an analogy. I guess "you" could call me anal? But what do I know?

Mike

[Jackal]

I concur with Mohawk.

My uncle has seen my pictures and now he wants the same camera I have. I think I should warn him that he's going to have to learn how to do some post processing with these cameras to get those kick ass images. I picked up on the post processing super fast and easily like if I've done it all my life. Mostly because I was into 2D and 3D design already. :p

[DocFrankenstein]

Warm welcome to mohawk. The guys fits right in. :)

[Mohawk]

AHHH, a few truck drivers here, eh?!

Mike

[micklemuk]

Mohawk, very well put across.

[Sherpa]

[QUOTE=Mohawk]These new dSLRs are tools, just like the film 35mms, and tools in the wrong hands can be dangerous.

Wtf are some of you people on? Almost every question asked on this forum is met with a condescending reply. Why reply if you have nothing constructive to say?

[Mohawk]

Sherpa,

What was condensending in my reply? He (they) want p&s images out of a camera that was not designed as such! If you want "Sony" like images, stick with Sony. What's your point?

Mike

[Pamela107]

Well I take Mikes reply a little insulting , I have a photo explaining that I found, if you set the proper white balance, etc... the photos wont need so much post processing.
I thought the memebers on this site were polite, in the past. What the heck is going on here.

Mohawk : Ive been a successful Professional photographer using Mamiya 645 medium format equipment for 15 yrs. .I always left processing up to my lab, now times are changing and we have to do this our self. With practice we will get it right. It doesnt mean we should give up and throw the towel in , so to speak.

A member is asking about two cameras vs each other , doesnt mean that any of us should buy a point and shoot.

This site is to help each of us, you post didnt help mills, or me, for that matter. With a reply that would help mills out.

Pamela

(Your not from MI , are you?)

[Mohawk]

Pam,

I did offer help. I told him/her/all to buy books, educate themselves. One can only get so much off of these forums, be it here or elsewhere, you know that. Did you wake up one day, and run out and buy a Mamiya system after a few shots on the old Kodak 120? Essentially, that is what rmills has done. They went from an automatic camera, to one that is not so automatic, but they want the same results. Do you not see a problem here? Did you just "stumble" into your medium format photography? Come on. Times are changing, photography is now available in your phone! People today are wanting instant results, like rmills, who started this thread. If you gave rmills use of your Mamiya, what would you expect? I think that there would be allot of questions? But, I would not expect rmills to run out and buy a medium format camera after using a p&s. But that is exactly what they have done! No research, no examination, nothing. Sorry I come across as a bit gruff, but you have to admit I am right. And nothing against rmills, they were either mis-informed, or simply led down the primrose path to something that is not so instantaneous.

Mike

Oh, I am just a little north of Chelsea.

[Mohawk]

Warren,

I have still have "Vinyl", that's records (LP's) for you CD folks. Nice Denon TT to play them on. The watch is solar, and the only "pin hole" around here is ME! Just ask my wife! Got to laugh at ourselves, because we are truly interesting creatures, even if our lenses are cracked!

Mike

[Mohawk]

Pam,

Not to be a jerk, but have you ever driven a pick-up? What would you do if I threw you into a 70 foot long semi, 30 tons of weight, with NASCAR type shifting? Do you think you could get it down the road in rush hour traffic in Detroit?

Just a thought.

Mike

[BobL]

I'm leaning towards mohawk on this one, these days everyone wants to be an expert in minutes, and when they can't they often just blame their tools.

My other time waster is a well known coffee website. Everyday there is some "eeedjet" who has spent a lot of money buying the latest and greatest coffee machine asking "How do I get my coffee to taste like $tar$".

Remember, more than half the population think they are above average

[Pamela107]

Mohawk

Your right, it would take an adjustment period, it just I guess the way you came across, maybe a little gruff, as you put it. I thought you were directing what you said toward me. Or I just shouldnt get up at 430am , maybe too early for me.

Now that I had coffee- :)
All photos need some type of post processing of some kind, film or digital. Every day is a learning experience, in Photography.

Did you get a pm from photoguy?

By the way, I drive a 3/4 ton Suburban, and have driven a semi. :)


Pamela

[DocFrankenstein]

Group hug everybody? :lol:

[jobber73]

These new dSLRs are tools, just like the film 35mms, and tools in the wrong hands can be dangerous.

People don't kill people, bad photos kill people! ;)

[twalker294]

Wtf are some of you people on? Almost every question asked on this forum is met with a condescending reply. Why reply if you have nothing constructive to say?

I think we ARE being constructive. We are trying to tell him that the XT is a different camera and it requires a different approach and workflow but that if he puts in the time to learn it, it will produce images that will blow the Sony away.

Do you think we aren't being constructive because we aren't blowing sunshine up his skirt? Is that what people come here for or do they come here for honest answers?

Todd

[lostdoggy]

I can remember when I started to shoot photos. It was a long time ago when I came across a Pentax SLR with no built-in-meter and screw mount lens. I can't recall the Model. I'm also not that old. I learn from trial and error how to properly expose the film and because funds are limit and film and processing is expensive for a young kid Trial and error was very brief. Today I'm teaching my 9 year old daughter to take pictures with a point and shoot digital camera and I don't expect her to do any processing. But, in time she will learn how to do it. Because digital is relatively cheap compare to film base photography letting her shoot to her hearts content is easy. I must say is pretty good at it. My expectation is little because she is still young and limited in computer skills even though she been thru at least three computers since she was 4 years old. What my point is this, only you can deteremine what your limitation is. If post processing is not for you then its no point in beating a dead horse. If you are looking for a new experience then post processing is where it is. When I first started to shoot photo I did my own processing. That means long hours in darkroom and inhaling toxic fumes from the chemicals. Even to this day when I think about thesmell gives me a headache. Today we just turn on the computer pull up the image, for me in PS CS, make a good effort attempt to create art from the capture image. I don't look for any accollade from anybody but myself. I'm not looking for a new career. What I'm looking for ais personal enjoyment. So, if it pains you to post-process then DSLR is not for you. Its not the camera its you. Phtography is an art form. DSLR is like painting on a blank canvas. P&S is like painting by numbers. The guideline is there just have to follow the numbers.

[micklemuk]

i also had a the same sony model as you, and i also went the dslr route, and for the first 2 weeks was slightly dissapointed, but stick with it as now the dslr is blowing the sony out the window..

[daaaveman]

Mohawk. Welcome to the forum. I, for one, have been reading this forum for a couple of years and there is no end to the un-informed questions that arise. I was asking them myself when I first started. I found this forum when I was trying to learn what exposure is. It's been a long road but I bought a 10d and loaded CS and away I went. Several thousand images later and I actually got a few I am proud to have hanging on my walls. It ain't easy though. It definitely ain't "point and shoot" if you will. It's a blast though. I see images from my friend's Sony and my wife's Kodak p&S and some of them are very sharp. But none of them touch the potential image that can come from a DSLR with good glass and some post-processing. Not that I'm regularly producing outstanding images but I know the potential and am striving for it.

This reminds me of some of the questions I get from lay-folks on a regular basis: Does it do video? Can it record sound? How many times zoom is it? You paid HOW MUCH for a lens that doesn't even zoom? They often snicker and walk away, thinking me the fool. I have the upper-hand though - I know I'm a fool.....but I have a killer camera! We need bumper stickers - "It's a DSLR thing.....you wouldn't understand."

Again, welcome to the forum. Keep the stories comin. And keep on truckin!

[Mohawk]

Pam,

Sorry to come across the way I did, it was a long week, as they all are. What was the PM from PhotGuy, I must have missed something?

Glad you know how to shift! You looking for work?

Mike

[Mohawk]

This reminds me of some of the questions I get from lay-folks on a regular basis: Does it do video? Can it record sound? How many times zoom is it? You paid HOW MUCH for a lens that doesn't even zoom? They often snicker and walk away, thinking me the fool. I have the upper-hand though - I know I'm a fool.....but I have a killer camera! We need bumper stickers - "It's a DSLR thing.....you wouldn't understand."

I know what you mean! I could have bought a third or fourth truck for what I have in my photo gear, I am now kicking myself! Damn "L" glass, I had to buy one, just one! It's all my mothers fault! And boy is my wifey-poo p-ssed! My last hooo-rah! I should have stuck to golf...

It's an expensive thing...

And big trucks are cheap!

Mike

[mdude85]

group hug? mohawk is absolutely right here and was not being rude in the least. you turned his constructive comments into an insult and then tried to rectify the non-situation with some sort of peace-offering. wtf?

the bottom line is if you want to get images that look like they came out of a P&S camera, then get a P&S camera. You know much about cars? Anyway, the McLaren F1 is a very fast car, but it's not very smooth since it's so powerful. Some people go out and pine for the F1 and then come back and say that it's not as smooth as my Lexus, which costs I don't know 5% of the price. So if you want the smoothness, get the Lexus and forget the F1! The F1 needs to be driven correctly to provide the maximum results. See?

[Pamela107]

Thankyou Mohawk

Not a problem , we all have those days, No im not looking for work. Ty
PM sent


Pamela