Trying to learn the 40D - Youth baseball...

I'm having some trouble learning my new 40D. I was just getting comfy with the XTi. I have a lot to learn. CC is always welcome, please keep in mind I am still new at this... and I know I am struggling

-first my son...

IMAGE LINK: http://ajuwva.blu.live​filestore.com …YARWESg/chuckie​6-28-1.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://ajuwva.blu.live​filestore.com …g-VKcA/chuckie6-28-14.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://ajuwva.blu.live​filestore.com …zhkmmTiw/calvin​5-28-2.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://dvsuda.blu.live​filestore.com …5v1vj8fjw/matt5​-24-11.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://2tqsaq.blu.live​filestore.com …lTqzVRrVQMTg/IM​G_7631.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://2tqsaq.blu.live​filestore.com …NEI2oU5Jh6nQ/IM​G_7666.jpg

The shots of your son should be made warmer. When shooting a game, I set my WB to shade to give it some warmth. It's like a built in warming filter. I really like that you have the face in each shot. I shoot HS baseball and softball, those batting helmets sure get in the way of a lot of god pictures.

If you were comfortable with the XTi, don't be intimidated by the 40D, the photographic principals are still the same. We'll help you to improve.... and spend your money!

Mike R wrote in post #5622313
The shots of your son should be made warmer. When shooting a game, I set my WB to shade to give it some warmth. It's like a built in warming filter. I really like that you have the face in each shot. I shoot HS baseball and softball, those batting helmets sure get in the way of a lot of god pictures.

If you were comfortable with the XTi, don't be intimidated by the 40D, the photographic principals are still the same. We'll help you to improve.... and spend your money!

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your help! I will try that next time. I used cloudy setting on mt XTi before and the pics turned out warm, but some were a little too yellow. Maybe shade is better!

You all have taught me to spend my money well so far LOL....and you all have been very helpful to me. I have learned a lot. I also appreciate the fact I post my pictures here no matter how horrible and I get help instead of being scolded and made to feel like crap.

caroleigh wrote in post #5622342
Thanks Mike, I appreciate your help! I will try that next time. I used cloudy setting on mt XTi before and the pics turned out warm, but some were a little too yellow. Maybe shade is better!

You all have taught me to spend my money well so far LOL....and you all have been very helpful to me. I have learned a lot. I also appreciate the fact I post my pictures here no matter how horrible and I get help instead of being scolded and made to feel like crap.

I agree that cloudy can be a bit too warm at times.

There is no other forum like this one. I drifted around a long time before landing here.

I am in the same boat as caroleigh, I had my BB shots for baseball down and then got that wild hair to spend money and upgrade to the 40D. So far I have been kind of disappointed that when shooting in the exact same conditions my 40D shots are "off" compared to the XTi.

Same lens, same (or very similar settings) and same shooting conditions...

40D:

Dizzle wrote in post #5639813
I am in the same boat as caroleigh, I had my BB shots for baseball down and then got that wild hair to spend money and upgrade to the 40D. So far I have been kind of disappointed that when shooting in the exact same conditions my 40D shots are "off" compared to the XTi.

Same lens, same (or very similar settings) and same shooting conditions...

Help!!!

Was it the same field and the same time of day? Remember that the lighting can change very quickly during the course of a game.

Different field, same time of day though.

It just seems as if it was much harder to get a good shot than usual. I don't know, maybe I am feeling pressured (by myself) to take better photos since upgrading and spending the money...more than likely it.

My portrait shots have improved, but I think that may simply be the 17-70 lens I picked up more than the body upgrade.

I plan on picking up the "nift two fifty" 55-250 IS lens for the "play around" sports shooting I do so hopefully that will help a bit. I can't justify the 70-200L as I am not doing this sports shooting thing with any seriousness right now.

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Have you picked one of the picture styles which might increase saturation or contrast? Playing around with those can cause the 40D to process the jpegs somewhat differently than the XTi, and playing with those can also get it to capture images more toward what you're accustomed.

I'm in the process of learning my 40D, and its idiosyncracies compared to my Olympus E-1.

caroleigh wrote in post #5622009
I'm having some trouble learning my new 40D. I was just getting comfy with the XTi. I have a lot to learn. CC is always welcome, please keep in mind I am still new at this... and I know I am struggling

-first my son...

IMAGE LINK: http://ajuwva.blu.live​filestore.com …YARWESg/chuckie​6-28-1.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://ajuwva.blu.live​filestore.com …g-VKcA/chuckie6-28-14.jpg

...another kid on the team (shot while practicing)

IMAGE LINK: http://ajuwva.blu.live​filestore.com …zhkmmTiw/calvin​5-28-2.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://dvsuda.blu.live​filestore.com …5v1vj8fjw/matt5​-24-11.jpg


http://2tqsaq.blu.live​filestore.com …lTqzVRrVQMTg/IM​G_7631.jpg

Firstly great shots ...
secondly i know what you mean...I was just getting proficient with my 400D
i felt really comfy with it and new it well ...so well that i thought it was a little limited so like you i got the 40D and wow it's a great camera but there is a lot to learn especially with the different control wheels and joy stick....
If i had my time again i would go straight to a 30 or 40 d just so the controls at least would have been familiar...

johngpt wrote in post #5640560
Have you picked one of the picture styles which might increase saturation or contrast? Playing around with those can cause the 40D to process the jpegs somewhat differently than the XTi, and playing with those can also get it to capture images more toward what you're accustomed.

I'm in the process of learning my 40D, and its idiosyncracies compared to my Olympus E-1.

I personally haven't...maybe I will spend some time this week doing just that to see what I can get.

I am learning the controls fairly quickly...just a matter of when to use the front dial and when to use the big rear wheel

Dizzle wrote in post #5639813
I am in the same boat as caroleigh, I had my BB shots for baseball down and then got that wild hair to spend money and upgrade to the 40D. So far I have been kind of disappointed that when shooting in the exact same conditions my 40D shots are "off" compared to the XTi.

Same lens, same (or very similar settings) and same shooting conditions...

40D:

XTi:

Help!!!

I also upgraded from an XTi to a 40D. Haven't had too much of a problem learning all the new tricks. As for the two pictures above. The 40D shot has the sun at the players back with a blue shirt. The XTi was shot with the sun in the front and an all grey uniform. Thats going to give two completely different meter readings.

Excellent points ohiofalcon. Quite different metering situations. You've a discerning eye.

ohiofalcon wrote in post #5646617
I also upgraded from an XTi to a 40D. Haven't had too much of a problem learning all the new tricks. As for the two pictures above. The 40D shot has the sun at the players back with a blue shirt. The XTi was shot with the sun in the front and an all grey uniform. Thats going to give two completely different meter readings.

YES!!! Now that I look back at the two photos...jeez...what a dope I am!!!!

XTi was with the sun at my back facing west in the mid morning....40D was facing southeast in the early afternoon...yeah, totally different conditions. I think I had it stuck in my head that the situations were similar cause, well, my kid plays a LOT of baseball games so they all run together.

Hopefully I can have the 55-250 this weekend and just start out fresh and see what I can make the 40D do.

Thanks much!!!

I'm in the same boat... went from an xt to the 40D last week, and I seem to be struggling a bit.

I am really starting to think its just getting used to new buttons, portait styles and features ilovemycamera.

Today I just went out and took pictures, no agenda or intended subject...just take pictures like I know how to and see what I got. Much happier today with what I got. I think it will take a bit of tweaking to get things set just how I like, but once I find that sweet spot it should be good to go.

Wishing you luck!!!