Indulge a fool

Hello folks. Here's the greenest of the photographers who got himself into some trouble. Please try not to laugh. I had some extra money and decided to purchase an slr camera (partially the result of viewing an image board where the regularly submitted work is astounding.) The camera arrived only a few hours ago and I obviously exhibited some confusion with the controls. The issue is that all of the images are coming out extremely soft, I would say even out of focus. I am using the most automatic of the shooting modes (the one with the green rectangle) and the images look tack sharp in the viewfinder. They are horribly blurry on the display. I doubt it is the result of the camera shaking as it picks 1/60 and im holding the camera with a grip of utmost furor. The problem is probably in the person holding the camera, and I realize I should get some more familiarization before I post, but I just want to be certain that I dont need to RMA the product. I consider it a wortwhile investment just as long as it is not defective. (Im sure these sort of posts irk you photographers to no end, im trying to have fun with an slr camera and dont realistically hope to make quality artwork.)
Give me some instructions and Ill go ahead and carry it out on this end. Im refreshing the page.
The camera is a 30d with a 17-40mm lens. Ergonomics is unbelievable Id like to add.

I would recommend doing some searches on here, reading your manual, and experimenting with your camera a lot. Experimenting on your own is more meaningful learning than being told what to do. Getting a book on what an SLR is would also be good.

First, with the 17-40 you can't use the on camera flash (as I assume you are if it's always at 1/60), and that's beacuse the lens is wide, but long, and it will cast a bad shadow. Next, go outside to shoot some test shots, that will give you a better idea. I've seen some outrageously blurry 10D+17-40 shots that were done at 1/60 with the on camera flash, so I really think that it's just an issue of the flash not freezing your motion very well. You might try putting it in Av mode and selecting an aperture of f/4 to f/5.6 and shooting outside.

Do you have the lens in auto focus mode?

Then read the manual thru a couple of times trying each function as you go. It's an outstanding kit and unless you truly have a bad unit is capable of some terrific images.

This is sound advice, but its a tad tough to experiment when I cant get a single image in focus. I will do all you say as soon as I can isolate my results entirerly to my lack of skill. <---- in response to hellashot, havnt read the other ones yet

I'm with Dave, make sure the lens isn't in manual or stuck in between the two. do you hear the lens focusing?

Titus213 wrote in post #2387062
Do you have the lens in auto focus mode?

aye, the lens focuses quick and sharp, af mode very clearly

tsaraleksi wrote in post #2387059
First, with the 17-40 you can't use the on camera flash (as I assume you are if it's always at 1/60), and that's beacuse the lens is wide, but long, and it will cast a bad shadow. Next, go outside to shoot some test shots, that will give you a better idea. I've seen some outrageously blurry 10D+17-40 shots that were done at 1/60 with the on camera flash, so I really think that it's just an issue of the flash not freezing your motion very well. You might try putting it in Av mode and selecting an aperture of f/4 to f/5.6 and shooting outside.

aye, the little flash is popping up and going off
this is good news, but im still having some of the same problem with the camera on a tripodlike bedside table

Read your camera manual (couple of times), read everything on THIS site, read all the FAQs and Stickies, learn how to POST your pictures and ask a lot of questions!

And welcome to POTN!

treeshugger wrote in post #2387087
aye, the lens focuses quick and sharp, af mode very clearly



aye, the little flash is popping up and going off
this is good news, but im still having some of the same problem with the camera on a tripodlike bedside table

Definatly try it again with it set to P or Av mode, so the flash doesn't come up. Also remember that when it can be jarred by your movements even when on the table.

treeshugger wrote in post #2387087
aye, the lens focuses quick and sharp, af mode very clearly


aye, the little flash is popping up and going off
this is good news, but im still having some of the same problem with the camera on a tripodlike bedside table

Couple of things.
Is there any place in the picture where it seems to be focused? Perhaps not where you intended to be in focus, but somewhere, anywhere?

Pressing the shutter half way to make sure you are focusing on the AF point you want to use?

Try using the self timer to eliminate any possibility that you are not shaking the camera. Just because you are using 1/60 doesn't mean it will be sharp!

Try to shoot some pics outside in more forgiving light. Does this give you better results?

What ISO setting are you using?

Set your ISO to 1600, camera to AV 5.6, One Shot mode and try a shot. It would help to post the result here...seeing what you are getting will make it easier to tell if there is a problem with camera or lens...or if it is a simple case of not being used to the camera.

Thanks for your help all. I managed to get some images with decent focus with the self-timer on the table. So commences my research. If all doesnt go well you may see my at the classifieds. Its a pity my schedule rarely has me outside in the daylight. Ill post some pictures tomorrow evening. My photobucket will never take one of these 2.5mb jpegs though. Do you all size or crop or compress?

Woolburr wrote in post #2387144
Set your ISO to 1600, camera to AV 5.6, One Shot mode and try a shot. It would help to post the result here...seeing what you are getting will make it easier to tell if there is a problem with camera or lens...or if it is a simple case of not being used to the camera.

if youll hold on two minutes . . .
its pitch black outside and my studio lighting is a desktop swivel-head though

does anyone know what these ridiculously large .cr2 files are?

treeshugger wrote in post #2387156
if youll hold on two minutes . . .
its pitch black outside and my studio lighting is a desktop swivel-head though

I don't think it's such a good idea to base your judgement on pics taking in that kind of lighting environment. You are not giving your 30D a fair shake.

But in any event, you definitely need to stabilize the camera pretty good...because even a tiny shake will result in soft output. You have it on the desk which should be sturdy enough, if by pressing the shutter you are not a) shaking the desk b) shaking the camera c) both. So it's best to use the self timer however annoying that is.

Buying a tripod is also highly recommended if you will be doing this kind of shooting indoors.

With a stabilized base, you can be pretty liberal about your settings. You can use slower shutter speeds (if subject is still) etc...if the subject is moving then you want much faster shutter speed so you might want to jack up the ISO a bit. Maybe you can also look into shooting in RAW mode so you can do some noise reduction post processing. Much more flexible when shot in RAW mode.

But don't set your expectations too high. There's just a physical limitation to all this. You are shooting in not-so-good lighting so you need to be careful with your settings, technique, etc...

If you are tempted to sell...then really, try to take a day off, or on the weekends, on a nice sunny day, take it outside for a spin. It just might change your mind!