Canon Rebel XT RAW + JPEG

Maryb wrote in post #2385470
Please help!

I have no idea where to even begin to experienment with the settings. I love the camera most of the time, but most of my pictures come out overexposed. I always need to go into photoshop elements and redo the contract, color, etc. In reading through this forum (over whelming) I can already see that I need to start learning about the camera settings, other than auto modes and adjust the ISO speed, white noise, etc.

I was reading about camera RAW format and figured that maybe this is the way I need to shoot my pictures.
Maryb

Mary - welcome.

In fully automatic the Xt is a point and shoot. You should be getting more exposures right straight out of the camera than not. Before jumping into RAW I suggest you go back to basics, in the digital age the basic rules of photography have not changed. E.g. Holding the camera firmly; not shooting int the sun; use a tripod when appropriate etc... There are many threads in these pages on good techique, or look for a basic book on photography (digital or otherwise), camera magazines are also a great resource for tips on basic technique.

Also start experimenting with the semi-automatic modes (I would begin with Aperture priority - Av).

Use that wonderful little screen on the back after every shot - it is a fantastic source of immediate positive feedback. When I first started SLR photography I had to wait 2+ weeks to get any feedback on the pictures I had taken, and another 2+ weeks for another opportunity to retake the pictures that I got wrong. The greatest thing about digital is instant feedback whch has added a a ski-lift to the learning curve.

Keep practicing and use the delete key as much as you want - it's free!!!

Neil

Neil,

Thank you.
Your Advice has calmed me down. You are right, great advice. Honest, I feel so much better.

I need simple, clear advice. I appreciate and welcome take your suggestions.

Everyone here at the Forum are truly awesome!!!

Maryb

Maryb wrote in post #2385470
Please help!

I am a new canon rebel XT user and new to this forum. My past cameras, have all been simple point and shoot. Since buying my Rebel XT I only shoot in the auto mode. I have no idea where to even begin to experienment with the settings. I love the camera most of the time, but most of my pictures come out overexposed. I always need to go into photoshop elements and redo the contract, color, etc. In reading through this forum (over whelming) I can already see that I need to start learning about the camera settings, other than auto modes and adjust the ISO speed, white noise, etc.

I was reading about camera RAW format and figured that maybe this is the way I need to shoot my pictures. I tried setting my Rebel XT to Camera RAW format and I see where my camera is already set to RAW + JPEG. I did a test photo to download in RAW format, but when I did download the test photo it was still in JPEG. Is this because I need to set my camera other than "Auto mode"? I'm thinking that RAW does not work in "auto mode". Is this correct?

I would appreciate any help I can get. I really would like to be able to shoot in both RAW and JPEG formats and download both, then do my adjusting in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Thank you for reading this and your patience. I have so much to learn.

Sorry if this has already been addressed, I've done searches but could not find an answer to my problem (probably because it's so basic - but not for me.)

Sincerely,

Maryb

Hi Mary,
Just on this point - the XT (or 350D as it's known outside North America), has a bad habit of overexposing.
This is a known issue with the camera, and you can "bracket" your shots to ensure that you get a decent exposure each time.
I usually add in about 2/3 stop compensation to my shots when the camera overexposes.
Also, I suggest you start to learn how to read the histogram once you get into manual modes. The LCD screen never gives you an accurate indication of exposure when you take the picture (it gives a general impression only), so the histogram is vital information to see if your shot is exposed correctly.

AdamJL wrote in post #2399288
Hi Mary,
Just on this point - the XT (or 350D as it's known outside North America), has a bad habit of overexposing.
This is a known issue with the camera, and you can "bracket" your shots to ensure that you get a decent exposure each time.
I usually add in about 2/3 stop compensation to my shots when the camera overexposes.
Also, I suggest you start to learn how to read the histogram once you get into manual modes. The LCD screen never gives you an accurate indication of exposure when you take the picture (it gives a general impression only), so the histogram is vital information to see if your shot is exposed correctly.

Boy can I vouch for this advise. When I first got my XT I struggled with certain shots. The camera was spot on when the frame is fairly uniform in intensity, but put some summer sky in the pic and all he** breaks loose. I have kind of learned the quirk and when taking a photo which I know will give it trouble I either bracket, or take a quick glance at the histograms and make the appropriate adjustment.

gjl711 wrote in post #2399322
Boy can I vouch for this advise. When I first got my XT I struggled with certain shots. The camera was spot on when the frame is fairly uniform in intensity, but put some summer sky in the pic and all he** breaks loose. I have kind of learned the quirk and when taking a photo which I know will give it trouble I either bracket, or take a quick glance at the histograms and make the appropriate adjustment.

Be carefull with this advice, it is seldom correct. This is not film, while the sensors in Canon's current lineup are fabulous, they do not have the dynamic range that film had and it is VERY easy to blow out a sky while shooting a picture of your wife (for example). It's these highly contrasting lighting conditions that fool the internal light-meter and create under/over exposed photos.

In a case like this, if you meter correctly off your wife's face and an ultra-bright sky gets blown out because of it, the histogram will look horrible, especially if your wife's face does not take up a large portion of the frame. Making the histogram look better might fix the sky a bit, but it'll render your wife's face practically invisible (dark).

The correct answer here is to either use an incident light meter to get the correct exposure or make sure you have a very clear understanding of your camera's metering modes, what "18% gray" is, and make sure you meter off the correct item in your scene.

Bill

Bill Ng wrote in post #2399525
Be carefull with this advice, it is seldom correct. This is not film, while the sensors in Canon's current lineup are fabulous, they do not have the dynamic range that film had and it is VERY easy to blow out a sky while shooting a picture of your wife (for example). It's these highly contrasting lighting conditions that fool the internal light-meter and create under/over exposed photos.

In a case like this, if you meter correctly off your wife's face and an ultra-bright sky gets blown out because of it, the histogram will look horrible, especially if your wife's face does not take up a large portion of the frame. Making the histogram look better might fix the sky a bit, but it'll render your wife's face practically invisible (dark).

The correct answer here is to either use an incident light meter to get the correct exposure or make sure you have a very clear understanding of your camera's metering modes, what "18% gray" is, and make sure you meter off the correct item in your scene.

Bill

For those of us who don't have an incident meter, or who just aren't bothered getting one, bracketing is a great tool for adjusting.
And for those times a wife's face is perfect but the sky is blown or vice versa, then you use the histogram in conjunction with the LCD.