Rebel XSi / 450D Users Unite

I sold my Sony Alpha and I bought the XSI last Thursday and I love it so far. I just wish I could get sharper pics. Here's one of the first shots with the 50mm f/1.4. I love the amount of light the lens lets in, but I wish it could have been sharper. I'd appreciate any tips.

Lastly, why is it that the photos look amazing in the preview, but then dimmenish when you view them at full size? It is just me?

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j00sten wrote in post #6129956
I agree. It does look like the lens is front focusing quite a bit. Being that the "error" is consistent is a good thing as it can be fixed. Your best bet would be to send the lens and maybe even the camera to get the focus set. The 50 f/1.8 can be a tad soft wide open, and a slow shutter speed can contribute to some blurring. The general rule for shutter speed is 1/(focal length)*1.6 for crop cameras, so ideally it should be 1/80 or faster. Get the lens adjusted by canon 1st, then see if that improves things a bit.

FYI, my camera is experiencing some front focusing as well, but I didn't notice it until I started using my 50mm prime. The lens itself is fine as I've tried it on a 20D and the focus is spot on. Luckily it's only about 1", so a minor focus adjustment is all that's needed. When I'm going to have some downtime I plan to send my body out for a focal adjustment.

I spoke with B&H today and since I'm still within their limited return time frame I'm going to exchange the lens today. If the front focusing is still happening then I'm going to have to send the body off to Canon for evaluation. Cross your fingers this works!

bradttu wrote in post #6130534
I love it so far. I just wish I could get sharper pics. Here's one of the first shots with the 50mm f/1.4. I love the amount of light the lens lets in, but I wish it could have been sharper.

When shooting with very large apertures, your depth of field can become incredibly thin. The part that's in focus (her hair) appears to be extremely sharp, at least at the size you posted. The exif data appears to be stripped, so it makes it harder to make a positive assessment, it looks like missed focus and a thin depth of field.

Her fingers are completely out of focus and this is with f/1.4!

Jacc wrote in post #6130998
Her fingers are completely out of focus and this is with f/1.4!

Well if the hair on the side of her head is 3 inches closer to the lens than her fingers are, that would be about right.

It looks to me like her hand was moving -- the face as a whole appears to be in focus, just her hand is blurred. In other words, in low light, you still have to deal with a slower than optimal shutter speed, or a very wide aperture with a very narrow DOF!

tonylong wrote in post #6131180
It looks to me like her hand was moving -- the face as a whole appears to be in focus, just her hand is blurred. In other words, in low light, you still have to deal with a slower than optimal shutter speed, or a very wide aperture with a very narrow DOF!

Thanks for the tips, guys. It wasn't a planned shot, I was just playing around with the new toys! She was watching her favorite cartoon when I was shooting. I'll keep playing with it.

Thanks everyone!

griptape wrote in post #6130815
The exif data appears to be stripped, so it makes it harder to make a positive assessment, it looks like missed focus and a thin depth of field.

Here's the exif data. I guess Picasa strips it????

Exposure Time = 1/50"
F Number = F1.4
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2008-08-14 18:05:27
Date Time Digitized = 2008-08-14 18:05:27
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 5.63 TV
Aperture Value = 1 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 50mm
Maker Note = 8580 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time = 0.3"
Subsec Time Original = 0.3"
Subsec Time Digitized = 0.3"
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = Uncalibrated
Exif Image Width = 4272
Exif Image Height = 2848
Focal Plane X Resolution = 4865.604
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 4876.712
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal

Sorry i took so long to get back, I had to go look at them again to see which lens I did use, They were taken with a canon 100-400L, with a x2. As for the ID it just kinda stuck with me since I work for NASA. No astro shots, although I would love to get in to that, but I do enjoy night photography Heres a few from this weekend in Kemah.

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khukri wrote in post #6128785
That bird grabbing fish is a deadly shot, Hyun! You have a good trigger finger!

And some nice shots by Stargazer too. What lens did you use for for those birds, SG? (With a ID like SG77517, you sure sound like an exotic object out of the NGC catalogue! Do you do a lot of night shots or are you into astronomical photography?

The very best and thanks for sharing your pictures!

http://soniccameras.co​m …450873263eafb9d​a060d12ad0

This seems to be the best deal, unless someone PM's me with something better

NationYell wrote in post #6132660
http://soniccameras.co​m …450873263eafb9d​a060d12ad0

This seems to be the best deal, unless someone PM's me with something better

It seems too good to be true. I'd pay the extra $$$ for peace of mind.

NationYell wrote in post #6132660
http://soniccameras.co​m …450873263eafb9d​a060d12ad0

This seems to be the best deal, unless someone PM's me with something better

I'd stay clear of this "deal":

http://www.resellerrat​ings.com/store/Sonic_C​ameras

If you don't want to get any unexpected expense or faulty equipment, buy from trusted vendors (i.e. B&H, adorama, 17photo.com, jr.com, etc.)

stargazer77517 wrote in post #6131396
Sorry i took so long to get back, I had to go look at them again to see which lens I did use, They were taken with a canon 100-400L, with a x2. As for the ID it just kinda stuck with me since I work for NASA. No astro shots, although I would love to get in to that, but I do enjoy night photography Heres a few from this weekend in Kemah.

Hey, I got a NASA t-shirt. Is that close enough? Which UWA lens do you shoot w/ stargazer? 10-22mm canon? Great shots btw.

bradttu wrote in post #6130534
I sold my Sony Alpha and I bought the XSI last Thursday and I love it so far. I just wish I could get sharper pics. Here's one of the first shots with the 50mm f/1.4. I love the amount of light the lens lets in, but I wish it could have been sharper. I'd appreciate any tips.

Lastly, why is it that the photos look amazing in the preview, but then dimmenish when you view them at full size? It is just me?

Where was the focal point for your shot? At f/1.4 the DOF can be very thin as others have stated. The ribbons on top of her head seem in focus, yet her eyes are out of focus. I'm guessing you were positioned at around 10 o'clock (12:00 would be the direction she's looking). It would explain why the hair and ribbons were in focus but her eyes were out of focus.

From your exif data, you could do a couple things. Try shooting at ISO 800. The quality of this camera is good at both 800 and 1600, so don't be afraid to increase the ISO. Upping the ISO to 800 would allow you do either reduce your shutter time to 1/100 OR reduce your aperture to f/2.8. The quicker shutter speed would help w/ constant movement (when do kids ever sit still?). The aperture change can give you a wider DOF to bring more bits into focus. A combination would help too, such as 1/80 at f/2.0. That's the best thing about digital photography. You can manipulate all these parameters and take "test" shots to learn how to get better pictures w/o worry.

j00sten wrote in post #6132855
I'd stay clear of this "deal":

http://www.resellerrat​ings.com/store/Sonic_C​ameras

If you don't want to get any unexpected expense or faulty equipment, buy from trusted vendors (i.e. B&H, adorama, 17photo.com, jr.com, etc.)

I was going to say the same. That price is a little too good to be true.

There's a sticky in the equipment forum listing problem vendors - you might want to check it out.