Noob In Need

[AdrenoJunkie]

I have several questions that have been plaguing me.

1. Focus: How do you guys get such crisp, clean, sharp images? It doesn't matter if I use auto or manual focus, or how I adjust DOF I just can't get the sharpness I'm after. Is there an equipment factor here?

2. Metering: What is the difference between spot and partial metering? And to use spot metering does the subject you want exposed for have to be in the center of the frame, or can you meter different spots?

3. File size: After PP when you save, what is the benefit, if any, to saving a larger file as opposed to a smaller one?


Canon Rebel XSi, 18-55mm IS Kit lens, Canon 70-300mm, Canon 60mm Macro

[OsmosisStudios]

1: Getting "sharp" focus isn't terribly accurate. Getting ACCURATE focus is important: how sharp something looks depends on the lighting of the scene and the sharpness of the lens. Your macro should be able of very sharp photos if it's used properly. I doubt it's an equipment problem. If you're shooting portraits, for instance, try getting a catchlight in the subjects eyes: that usually is a good indicator of proper focus.

2: Spot metering uses only the area under a focus point for metering where as partial uses that and the area around the focus point. You meter wherever you've set a focus point, whether that's the centre or a side point is up to how youve got the camera set up.

3: Depends on format, not size. Certain formats are Lossless, which means they dont lose quality as you save them. These are almost always larger files.

[SusanH1970]

Agreed with everything Adam said, but also wanted to add that for a photo to be in focus, shutter speed is also key. If you're shooting at too low of a shutter speed, you're likely to get camera shake which leads to blurry photos. A good rule of thumb to follow when shooting hand-held is to not let your shutter speed be a lower number than your focal length. For instance, if you're shooting a portrait with your 60mm macro (which is actually a pretty nice portrait lens btw) on your XSi which has a crop factor of 1.6, you shouldn't shoot lower than 1/100 SS (on the crop sensor 60mm is more like 96mm).