XSI vs 50D

[Kristey1975]

I currently have the Canon Rebel XSI, I don't feel like i am getting very consistent results. I've always heard that it's the lens that's important and not so much the camera. I have nice lenses, but still sometimes don't get the results I am looking for. I'm trying to see if this is operator error or will the D50 make more crisp photos? With the XSI, seems like I get alot of softness and sometimes slight blur. Please tell me your thoughts between the two cameras. Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

Can you post or provide examples? There are many things that may be giving inferior results. It's also be better to know what you're not happy with

[Kristey1975]

I have attached a photo I took over the weekend. This is unedited. Just doesn't look crisp to me. The face has a blur.....I focused on the eyes. When I tried to edit and sharpen, seemed to make things worse.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your time!

[inkista]

While a 50D might help you out, my gut feeling is this is a matter of technique and not equipment.

First thing you might want to do is check which AF points you were using, and what was actually focused on. I think ImageBrowser lets you do this. It looks like the fence might be what was focused on.

Secondly, check your shutter speed. That photo looks like it was taken in relatively low light. Motion blur could be happening if your shutter speed was too slow to "freeze" the action, or to eliminate camera shake blur.

The rule of thumb, with an unstabilized lens, is that your shutter speed should be 1/focal_length or faster to eliminate camera shake blur while handholding. That means if you're using a 200mm lens, you want to be at 1/200s or faster. And that's assuming you know how to hold your camera and support the majority of the weight on your left palm.

Thirdly, check your aperture. If it's the max. aperture of the lens, chances are good you'll get something sharper by closing down a stop or two.

Fourthly, did you post-process? Sharpening can make a serious difference.

Fifth, check your lens's minimum focus distance.

There are reasons we like having the EXIF information with an example, so we can point you to something specific.

[Kristey1975]

Originally Posted by inkista

While a 50D might help you out, my gut feeling is this is a matter of technique and not equipment.

First thing you might want to do is check which AF points you were using, and what was actually focused on. I think ImageBrowser lets you do this. It looks like the fence might be what was focused on.

Secondly, check your shutter speed. That photo looks like it was taken in relatively low light. Motion blur could be happening if your shutter speed was too slow to "freeze" the action, or to eliminate camera shake blur.

The rule of thumb, with an unstabilized lens, is that your shutter speed should be 1/focal_length or faster to eliminate camera shake blur while handholding. That means if you're using a 200mm lens, you want to be at 1/200s or faster. And that's assuming you know how to hold your camera and support the majority of the weight on your left palm.

Thirdly, check your aperture. If it's the max. aperture of the lens, chances are good you'll get something sharper by closing down a stop or two.

Fourthly, did you post-process? Sharpening can make a serious difference.

Fifth, check your lens's minimum focus distance.

There are reasons we like having the EXIF information with an example, so we can point you to something specific.

Thank you for your quick reply! I am pretty new to all of this and it's all trial and error for me.

EXIF Info:

TV - 1/250
AV - f 3.5
20mm
center weighted
ISO - 100

Do you think I should have bumped up the ISO? I'm having trouble with the metering modes (knowing when to use what). Is there any "rule of thumb" when to use what? Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

Yup, sounds like a photographer tune-up is in order

[Kristey1975]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Yup, sounds like a photographer tune-up is in order

LOL! You are right! Sometimes I end up with the most beautiful photo, then other times I wonder what in the world went wrong.

Glad I found you guys to help me out!