Was the T2i a mistake?

merlin2375 wrote in post #10660311
Samples with exif would help

^ this.

It may well be that there's something amiss with the camera somewhere, but it's better to rule out technique first of all. Please post a few pics with exif info intact to see if it's an equipment problem or something else.

You are aware that AI Servo does not lock focus? It relies on the ability of the photographer to hold the AF point on the moving subject for long enough that the camera has the time to go through a calculate, check, recalculate feedback loop. Actually I find shooting bikes and cars on track it needs to be glued to a certain part of the subject, for instance the riders faceplate. It's not easy and the failure rate can be very high while the trick is learnt. A smooth panning motion is also important.

I also only use the centre AF point, it's the most sensitive.

Here are a few. They just seem to lack the crazy sharpness and clarity that many have on these boards. Maybe that is my biggest issue, comparing my photos to others on here.

NothingRemains10 wrote in post #10660387
Here are a few. They just seem to lack the crazy sharpness and clarity that many have on these boards. Maybe that is my biggest issue, comparing my photos to others on here.

Are these straight of the camera? If yes these are great are great...i would love to have those kind of shots..my equipment could not get that close unless I crop.

You are just being to hard on self-critique. The ones that you mostly saw on this boards are usually post-processed to get the best look.

None of those are bad, you are being far too hard on yourself. Never forget that we tend to show the world our best shots, not our worst.

AI Servo is the wrong choice for the first two and at least in the first shot, the grass directly behind the bird seems sharper than it does. That might just be due to AI Servo, or could indicate other problems. At least one shot was against the light and internal lens reflections have caused a problem while the last one appears to have been shot through glass because there is an odd angled reflection at top dead centre?

We all have shots that we wish we had done differently, hindsight is a wonderful thing. But if you can figure out the reason a particular shot did not quite make the grade, then next time it has a better chance. I like to think I learn every time I go out with the camera.

I would say those pictures look great.
Especially for a first time digital user.

mikerosal:

The only one with any editing is the Osprey with open wings. I just brightened it up a little.

You have to learn how to use Av, Tv, ISO and focusing.

I have 500D as my step up from small, nice and simple Fuji FinePix.
I’m very pleased with pictures 500D is taken. And some other people have the same kind of opinion about some of my pictures taken with 500D with very basic lenses.
The only mode I’m using is M, between 100 and 400 ISO selected manually with selected focusing point if I need to get main object sharp.
Very first days I tried to use 500D in Auto, Sports... and it was nothing but crap.
My wife taking portraits of our kids in Portrait and Auto and it is very good.
But once she is trying to take outdoor pictures – lots of them are crap as well.

Lowner wrote in post #10660426
None of those are bad, you are being too hard on yourself. Never forget that we tend to show the world our best shots, not our worst.

AI Servo is the wrong choice for the first two and at least in the first shot, the grass directly behind the bird seems sharper than it does. That might just be due to AI Servo, or could indicate other problems.

Well what am I supposed to do? Switch focus modes also? What mode would be better?

Well in the first picture, the bird isn't moving so using One Shot would be ideal, with a manually selected focus point on the eye of the bird. Keep your aperture reasonable to keep the whole shot in focus (as desired) and your shutter speed high enough if you're handholding the camera.

And yes, switching focus modes is normal...

The moose, buffalo and deer shots are all against the light and therefore present a low contrast subject for the camera to lock onto, i.e. is dificult especially in Servo mode. I have shot motorsport on more than one occasion and high contrast cars and motorcycles are much easier to 'grab'.

Also low contrast images always look soft even if they are sharp.

"The only one with any editing is the Osprey with open wings. I just brightened it up a little".

ALL digital captures are softened slightly by the low pass (AKA anti-aliassing) filter in front of the sensor. So ALL digital images need post-processing attention, even if only to compensate for that.

I treat sharpening as a three stage process, once to compensate for the low pass filter, another for any "creative" effects and lastly just before printing.

Also you can either preset your JPG product in your picture styles or use a post process to sharpen to taste as in these two versions of your shots:

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Let's see what happens with the moose with a bit of contrast and USM

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