who has the T3 / 1100D ?

Are you focusing and recomposing with the center point or using the outside points?

Either of those could be a reason for soft images. The outside points are less accurate the center obviously. And if you're recomposing, it's possible you're slightly changing the focal plain when recomposing thus causing soft images.

Yea, I've been trying both ways. Center point and recompose as well as outside points. I step down few stops so I don't think I'm missing the focal plane. Even dead center shots with no recompose comes out soft. I think I'm expecting too much from a T3, but I think the only real way to test is using a different body and do back to back tests. Also I haven't tried manual focus so that will be next.

I'm going to look back at shots from when I had the T3 -- check for soft images.

Oh and are these all shots, or just low light shots?

smaeda wrote in post #15587160
Yea, I've been trying both ways. Center point and recompose as well as outside points. I step down few stops so I don't think I'm missing the focal plain. Even dead center shots with no recompose comes out soft. I think I'm expecting too much from a T3, but I think the only real way to test is using a different body and do back to back tests. Also I haven't tried manual focus so that will be next.

Might be worth renting another body to give it a shot. Either from your local shop or an online rental company.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15586536
Damn I feel very bad now, the one I got did not have any rubber on it all just molded textured plastic, and good placement of shutter button .... wonder if they changed what they were shipping I am extremly sorry and will stop recomending as a decent 3rd party grip.

It may have been the buy, I'll take some pics of mine, is yours rubber on the bottom part of the grip where the tripod mount is? I wasn't trying to come off as mad at you lol it's life, I've contacted the seller through Amazon, but I don't like their return deal as much. We'll see if I can get a decent one now lol

The button on this one barely presses and it's located up by your 2nd knuckle on your finger when holding it lol

smaeda wrote in post #15586763
Sorry, I'm not really trying to blame the equipment here. I apologize if it seems I'm coming off negatively. Just trying to understand why I'm getting the soft images, and not so great AF. Could you give me suggestions on what I'm missing? I'm always eager to learn new things. I've been using the 100mm f2. The exif data is in my flickr. Shots taken in manual mode.

I'm just saying i've had great results. I agree the autofocus is pretty crappy when dark and trying to focus on something dark, but i'm pretty sure that will be similar for just about all cameras from what I've noticed? I'd work on your focus points, less ISO and finding a 'sweet' spot with the f-stop with that lens.

CJCMarquez wrote in post #15587175
I'm going to look back at shots from when I had the T3 -- check for soft images.

Oh and are these all shots, or just low light shots?

Day time shots are great. Also if I use my speedlight, it is great as well. It's the low light conditions at events were they don't allow flash is where its suffering. I'm forced to increase ISO and use wider aperture. I stay around 1/80-1/100 on shutter speed to try and avoid motion blur on my part. The subject isn't really moving around that much either. I'm sure these conditions are what is creating soft images but I wonder if upgrading to a 60D will improve these shots, or not really.

smaeda wrote in post #15587679
Day time shots are great. Also if I use my speedlight, it is great as well. It's the low light conditions at events were they don't allow flash is where its suffering. I'm forced to increase ISO and use wider aperture. I stay around 1/80-1/100 on shutter speed to try and avoid motion blur on my part. The subject isn't really moving around that much either. I'm sure these conditions are what is creating soft images but I wonder if upgrading to a 60D will improve these shots, or not really.

Don't want to post images that aren't from the T3 but here's link a couple links.

All of these have little to no noise reduction.

ISO 6400
http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157631909562740

ISO 3200
http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157631909298243

ISO 1600
http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157632091527383

ISO 1000
http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157631909562740

Anyone else have issues with dust on their sensors? I live in a dusty apartment... been running into a ton of dust issues

CJCMarquez wrote in post #15587741
Don't want to post images that aren't from the T3 but here's link a couple links.

No flash was used in any of these correct? Makes me want to grab the 60D. Was there a noticeable performance difference in the AF when you upgraded?

trewyn15 wrote in post #15587779
Anyone else have issues with dust on their sensors? I live in a dusty apartment... been running into a ton of dust issues

Couple times already. Didn't realize till I looked at the pics on my computer. Wish the t3 had a self-cleaning sensor.

I didn't use flash in any. Center point AF was about the same (a little better in low light) but the outside was way better -- very accurate and it helped with focusing and recomposing because you can confidently use the outside point (thus camera is moving less side to side).

No knock on the T3 though. I loved the camera when I had it. I just wanted better AF performance and frame rate/buffer because I do take some basketball photos, and I needed better video capabilities. The swiveling screen is a plus.

I have a T3 (first DSLR) when I bought it had very little knowledge of photography in general. I've found it a more than adequate tool for everyday photos to what I deemed more thought out compositions. I also feel it still has much to teach me about photography and with my growing knowledge can now say I am comfortable reaching for it and confident I can usually make a few decent shots with proper planning.

My chief complaints as I've grown up with it are slow fast-shutter performance of fps I believe. It is very slow in this regard and I've experienced some "missed" shots especially when shooting children or other fast/continous moving subjects. The kit lens (18-55mm) has what I deem to be severe distortion at 18mm so much so that it's hamstrung some shots I spent time on to the point that I am now looking to purchase an Ultra Wide to use in its stead most likely 10-22mm efs. I've shot some timelapses as well and the camera has boggec down and slowed performance after 600-700 succesive photos, not sure if thats a memory card issue or camera processor? Maybe a more seasoned user can say. Night time higher iso use has been decent 800 jumping to 1600 has shown some noise effects but nothing post-processing couldn't handle.

I have the kit 18-55mm, 35mm f/2 love this lens! 50mm 1.8 great value lens focusing ring leaves much to be desired here but its a capable lens nevertheless, 75-300mm III hasn/t had much use to be truthful so I can't say one way or the other.

All in all if I could go back in time to point of purchase I feel comfortable with it. Thats not to say I wouldn't love to have a full-frame with a compliment of wonderous lenses but the T3 has performed well for me as a self-described freshman to the hobby. Sure pros both in mind and pay-grade will find it lacking but for the average joe to obsessive hobbyist I see no reason to not take advantage of any potential frugal deal with regards to the T3.

Hope this helps

50mm 1.8

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smaeda wrote in post #15587679
I stay around 1/80-1/100 on shutter speed to try and avoid motion blur on my part.

But what is the focal length you are using? Because for example if you are using the 50 1.8 that is the minimum speed at you can take. And at that speed you really have to hold the camera really stable. And even if you are careful about that, i bet that 2/3 of the photos are not sharp. That's why i love lenses with IS.

Got a Bower Grip today, I will report back with pics and install...from camera phone...
Here is the Bower:

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smaeda wrote in post #15587879
Couple times already. Didn't realize till I looked at the pics on my computer. Wish the t3 had a self-cleaning sensor.

completely agree, I got a little SensorKlear sensor cleaner pen deal, I have another cleaning kit coming to clean it better, what did you use to clean it? The SensorKlear cleaned some big spots but i don't have the tool to magnify and see what i'm cleaning lol a louge? or something like that, can't remember lol