napaguy99 0 #1 March 8, 2006 I just got an XT and there seems to be an issue with the print quality. The first few pix I printed off are amazing, sharp and clear. That was a few weekends ago. Now I print off a few pix from another weekend's jumping and they just aren't as good. They seem a bit fuzzy and don't enlarge well. The only difference I can see is that the original (good) pictures were shot in Portrait mode whereas these new ones were shot in Sport mode. Any ideas on what's going on? The printer settings all seem to be the same so I'm guessing it must be something with the camera. The pictures all look nice on the computer. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #2 March 8, 2006 From an online resource: Quote Portrait mode selects a wide aperture to blur the background of the subject. The pop-up flash is automatically controlled. Sports mode tries to optimize for the fastest shutter speed possible to freeze action. The pop-up flash cannot be released, and the continuous shooting mode is activated, tracking the subject using the centre AF point. *** Can you supply EXIF info for the various shots? That would help a lot. Both modes are selecting a wide aperture, so the shutter speeds should be reasonably fast for both modes. The center AF point selection for the Sport mode could be what's biting you in the butt. If your subject isn't directly in the center of the frame, you could be out of focus on the main subject. *** The Auto mode of the Rebel XT handles everything. The camera uses its 7-point wide area autofocus, and when the shutter release is pressed halfway the camera automatically picks the closest subject at one of the 7 AF points. With the Auto mode, the camera sets most photographic parameters and controls the opening of the flash as well. This may very well be your best choice in this instance. If you have the chance to do some testing with fun jumpers, I'd recommend trying shots in full auto (green box) on one jump, then try portrait mode and see which you prefer.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflydrew 0 #3 March 8, 2006 I would strongly suggest getting away from the Canon Sports/Portrait mode and turn the dial around to shutter priority! Keep it on the 7 point focus, and set the metering mode to the middle option. ISO 100 for sunny days and 400 for overcast. Keep the quality at RAW, and the camera in burst. Although some people say manual focus is the way to go, I stick with auto focus... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base935 0 #4 March 8, 2006 I've had excellent results with Sports mode and manual focus. Couldn't this be a problem with autofocusing?Gravity Research Institute Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflydrew 0 #5 March 9, 2006 it's probably the center point focusing shooting right past the subject... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
napaguy99 0 #6 March 9, 2006 Here's the crappy, later pix settings: File Name IMG_1459.JPG Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT Shooting Date/Time 3/3/2006 4:21:10 PM Shooting Mode Sports Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800 Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0 Metering Mode Evaluative Metering Exposure Compensation 0 ISO Speed 400 Lens 18.0 - 55.0 mm Focal Length 18.0 mm Image Size 3456x2304 Image Quality Fine Flash Off White Balance Mode Auto AF Mode Manual focusing Parameters Settings Contrast Mid. High Sharpness Mid. High Color saturation Mid. High Color Space sRGB Noise Reduction Off File Size 2764 KB Custom Function C.Fn:01-0 C.Fn:02-0 C.Fn:03-0 C.Fn:04-0 C.Fn:05-0 C.Fn:06-0 C.Fn:07-0 C.Fn:08-0 C.Fn:09-0 Drive Mode Continuous shooting Owner's Name unknown Camera Body No. 1220725676 and the earlier, better looking pic's settings: File Name IMG_0717.JPG Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT Shooting Date/Time 1/28/2006 11:48:24 PM Shooting Mode Portrait Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1250 Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5 Metering Mode Evaluative Metering Exposure Compensation 0 ISO Speed 100 Lens 18.0 - 55.0 mm Focal Length 18.0 mm Image Size 3456x2304 Image Quality Fine Flash Off White Balance Mode Auto AF Mode Manual focusing Parameters Settings Contrast Mid. High Sharpness Mid. High Color saturation Mid. High Color Space sRGB Noise Reduction Off File Size 2386 KB Custom Function C.Fn:01-0 C.Fn:02-0 C.Fn:03-0 C.Fn:04-0 C.Fn:05-0 C.Fn:06-0 C.Fn:07-0 C.Fn:08-0 C.Fn:09-0 Drive Mode Continuous shooting Owner's Name unknown Camera Body No. 1220725676 In response to the comment by Base935: "Couldn't this be a problem with autofocusing?" I had the camera on manual focus with the focus ring taped down for both shots. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #7 March 9, 2006 Its possible that you are getting some additional noise from the higher ISO speed in sports mode. would it be possible for you to post the images for comparison? You don't need to necesarily post the full images but if you'd like to... you can email them to me and I'll host them on my website for a bit... When printing the photos did you resize them at all or did you just crop and print at the full resolution? There are a ton of variables beyond camera settings that can affect printed images. Sorry... Just throwing out ideas. Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #8 March 9, 2006 Quote I had the camera on autofocus with the focus ring taped down for both shots. Is this a typo? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #9 March 9, 2006 Quote I would strongly suggest getting away from the Canon Sports/Portrait mode and turn the dial around to shutter priority! Keep it on the 7 point focus, and set the metering mode to the middle option. ISO 100 for sunny days and 400 for overcast. Keep the quality at RAW, and the camera in burst. Although some people say manual focus is the way to go, I stick with auto focus... I agree Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
napaguy99 0 #10 March 9, 2006 Quote Quote I had the camera on autofocus with the focus ring taped down for both shots. Is this a typo? ltdiver yes "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
napaguy99 0 #11 March 9, 2006 You can check out the pictures at Yahoo . The first one is the one I think has better quality resolution while the second one is a bit fuzzier. Let's not discuss the group's exit or camera angles just yet, eh? I didn't do any resizing. I printed them full resolution with no cropping. "Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #12 March 9, 2006 It looks like there may be a little bit of noise in the sports mode pic, possibly from the higher ISO. I don't know if 1/800 sec is a good shutter speed for skydiving or not. The sports mode shot is a fair bit lighter than the portrait mode shot - more sky in the frame. That can be a lot harder to get a pic from, as well. I wouldn't be dissatisfied with either shot, in my limited experience...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottyInAus 0 #13 March 9, 2006 Quote Here's the crappy, later pix settings: Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800 Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0 and the earlier, better looking pic's settings: Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1250 Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5 My guess is that it may have been caused by the slower shutter speed, slight blur as the shutters is open for longer. I PERSONALLY, set the cam to AV and set the aperture value to 5.6, on a reasonably sunny day I get about a 1/1200 shutter speed. Just my $0.02 worth, take it as you will. Cheers, Jason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #14 March 9, 2006 Thanks... I agree with mnealtx both of those shots seem really nice. The sports mode shot does seem to have a bit more noise... I tend to think that's more or less what you are seeing in this case. During daylight you can probably shoot @ an ISO of 200 (I prefer that on bright days shooting outside...) and it should reduce the CCD noise. having said that... at the Yahoo! resolution (they aren't actually showing the full resolution on my screen...) the noise isn't really noticable.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
