Is the 300D (Original Digital Rebel) a crappy camera?

[cam94z28]

This was my first DSLR, and I've had a lot of use out of it. But I'm wondering now if the newer models will have better ability. My major problem is that with seemingly good lenses, I'm getting blurred images, even in low, but adequate light. After coming back from my moms graduation I was very disappointed. I used my Canon 55-250 f/4.0-5.6 IS. I even tried random people walking the stage so I had plenty of practice time. I tried Program mode, shutter priority, aperture priority with high iso, the preset "action" mode, even tried using my 430EX from more than 70 feet away (hoping to get dark but in focus images + RAW) and could not get an image that wasn't blurry. And I'm talking double vision blurry. I did randomly get a few winners, out of the blue, but I can't equate them to a particular mode or setting. Still, 3 pictures (out of 30-40 taken) of my mom getting her diploma is kind of disappointing. I'm not sure whether to blame low light + movement, the camera, the lenses, or a combination.

I'm wondering if an XT, or XTi would improve things much? I've seen online videos comparing various lenses focusing ability on a 400D (XTi), and my lens was much faster and more accurate.

Any ideas?

[WVCoalMiner]

What was your EXIF data on a few of the "Bad" pictures?

[Doug Pardee]

Speaking in general terms, the DReb/300D is not up to today's standards. It can still take good pictures, but the crippled controls (even with a hack installed) and the sluggish response put it at the bottom of the heap. At high ISO settings, the latest Digital Rebels produce significantly less noise than the DReb/300D does.

As far as auto-focus goes, the XT/350D and XS/1000D use the same autofocus system as the DReb/300D, except that you can control the AF mode. The other Digital Rebels use the improved AF system from the xxD series cameras. The main difference is when working with fast lenses (f/2.8 or faster).

If you can show us some photos, along with EXIF, we might be able to give you an idea what went wrong.

[cam94z28]

Originally Posted by WVCoalMiner

What was your EXIF data on a few of the "Bad" pictures?

I think I've determined that the shutter speed was set way too low, for whatever reason. I don't think I mentioned it but I didn't use any flash at all since I only brought the onboard flash, and I was too far away for it to have done anything.

As for the EXIF data....

This is from one that was horribly blurred. Obviously the shutter is set too slow for no flash, even with IS:
ISO100
Focal Length: 123mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure: 1/2 sec

For one that was just blurred enough for a "double-nose" effect, but still unusable:
ISO400
Focal Length: 200mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure: 1/5 sec

And Just for comparison's sake, here is one that came out perfectly sharp, with the exception of someone blurred walking into the bottom of the frame. This was a JPG, and the other two were RAW:
ISO400
Focal Length: 131mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure: 1/8 sec

I believe all 3 of the above were taken in the "action" creative mode, as they are JPG, and I normally shoot in raw. I did use the other modes, as I said, but the results were about the same.

[ncbcymtechie]

OK, for sure the first one has way too slow a shutter speed. Even with your Image Stabilized lens, a 1/2 second shutter speed is not acceptable for moving objects. Add to that your low ISO speed of 100 and the first one obviously has a poor setup for a picture.

As for the second and third pictures, both the ISO speeds are the same at 400, and you could probably even bump this up to 800 and get decent pictures. A 1/5 second shutter speed was probably still too slow for the IS in the lens to handle; my guess is the 1/8 second in the third picture was just enough to eke out a good picture. You're lucky you had IS in your lens, because these shutter speeds are way, way too slow.

Since you mentioned that you were OK with dark/underexposed RAW photos to do some light editing with, I would suggest using the Tv mode and setting the shutter speed at around 1/15 or some value in that area. Seeing as your lens/camera combo was able to handle 1/8 of a second, pushing a bit past that to a slightly faster shutter speed should give you better, more focused pictures.

In terms of things to blame, I would not blame the camera—I think I would tend toward "blaming" the lens and the low light. The 55-250 you currently have is good enough in decent light, but in low light the apertures of 4.0-5.6 just aren't wide enough to be of much use. If you're willing to spend $100 this Christmas, I would suggest getting the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. From your EXIF I know you didn't utilize that side of your zoom range, but I think you'll find that in many other low light situations (indoors at a family gathering, etc.) the wide aperture will be much appreciated, along with the wonderful bokeh and depth-of-field.

Lastly, continue reading up on camera basics. DPS has some great articles on exposure and such. Here's a link to the Photography 101 series and I highly recommend that you read about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure and stops to understand their relationship. The DPS posts on the exposure triangle—all three parts—should be of help in not only fixing your blur problem, but understanding that problem to prevent it from happening again in the future, whether it be through new equipment or changing settings or post production.

I hope this somewhat lengthy post helps, and have a merry Christmas!