Pictures are not sharp with 30D

[spv79]

I have a canon EOS 30D and two lenses, 50mm f/1.8 and 18-55mm (kit lens). I have tried many shots and pictures are not that sharp. I use autofocus. Also I get the pictures darker. I have a minolta film camera (505Si) that gives better picture that I believe. Anyone know what is the reason ? What all setting do I have to make to get a sharp and bright picture ? Most of my photos are indoor photos, with built in flash.

[kcuf2]

any pics to show us ur problem?

[The Oracle]

could you accidently switch to manual mode on the lenses?

[djork]

show us some pictures at 100% crop

[Snowcrash]

Originally Posted by spv79 I have a canon EOS 30D and two lenses, 50mm f/1.8 and 18-55mm (kit lens). I have tried many shots and pictures are not that sharp. I use autofocus. Also I get the pictures darker. I have a minolta film camera (505Si) that gives better picture that I believe. Anyone know what is the reason ? What all setting do I have to make to get a sharp and bright picture ? Most of my photos are indoor photos, with built in flash.

1) what film are you using with minolta film (fuji xtra 400?)
2) and what iso you set on your camera?
3) any pictures to show?

[jdredd]

Originally Posted by spv79 I have a canon EOS 30D and two lenses, 50mm f/1.8 and 18-55mm (kit lens). I have tried many shots and pictures are not that sharp. I use autofocus. Also I get the pictures darker. I have a minolta film camera (505Si) that gives better picture that I believe. Anyone know what is the reason ? What all setting do I have to make to get a sharp and bright picture ? Most of my photos are indoor photos, with built in flash.

couple of tips to ensure you ahve bright pictures..

first, try and use central AF point if you can. especially in dark conditions, where the other AF points i find tend to hunt a little.

are you shooting raw or jpeg. if you shoot jpeg, can up your picture styles sharpness maybe to 3 or 4.

make sure you have a reasonable shutter speed i.e. at least about 1/75 seconds for your 50mm (based on 1/focal length rule). if this isnt enough to expose the picture properly, then open aperture to widest and or up the ISO... dont forget, your 3200 ISO is there for a reason...

remember, for most lenses, the sweet spot comes in from around F5 and up.

apart from that, its really hard to comment without seeing the picture.. but i take have never hadany problems getting sharp pictures with both my 50mm and kit lens.

[gryphon]

Originally Posted by spv79 I have a canon EOS 30D and two lenses, 50mm f/1.8 and 18-55mm (kit lens). I have tried many shots and pictures are not that sharp. I use autofocus. Also I get the pictures darker. I have a minolta film camera (505Si) that gives better picture that I believe. Anyone know what is the reason ? What all setting do I have to make to get a sharp and bright picture ? Most of my photos are indoor photos, with built in flash.

NPNT!
Cant tell wats wrong without pics, also need EXIF info

[kiwi2]

Hi spv79,

I'm sure you are not a newbie to photography, given u've had good experience with a film camera. And I also assume you don't own some faulty 30D or lenses. Is DSLR is something u are new to?

If that's the case, I can empathize with your situation. Moving from film to digital, you will feel that your images are never as sharp as what u got from prints made from films and slides. Did u shoot in RAW or jpg for your 30D?

If in RAW, I can reassure u that if u do not do post processing, the sharpness of the images are usally not optimal. Yes, even if u use expensive L lenses. In fact, you might wonder why the heck u were foolish enuff to spend big $ on a cam body + lenses and get peanuts when even a compact digicam can do better!

But that's the problem (for new photographers into digital) or an advantage to the exprienced. Cos RAW allows you more freedom to decide how u want to manipulate your images, which includes sharpening. For prints, the sharpness and colors are adjusted by the print labs.

If you shoot in jpg, try increasing the sharpness level in your 30D. See if it helps.

Pls do tell me how it goes...

[sanalc]

I have some pics at www.flickr.com/seema_pv.

[sanalc]

I am not a newbie, and also not an expert, just shots for fun. You may say newbie to DSLR.

Pls correct the above link http://www.flickr.com/photos/seema_pv

The photos taken inside home are darker compared to film. I used only jpeg.

[sanalc]

spv79, are u also facing the darkness in picture ? I also have similar issues that you have notified. Is film ISO not comparable with DSLR ISO ?

[spv79]

Oh, you too got the same problem ? I thought I was the only one.
I haven't posted my pictures yet, will post soon somewhere. I am a newbie to digital, but have been using film for 6 years, but not a professional.
I use only jpg, haven't tried raw yet.
I even compared the color of photos with Nikon D70 and the D70 is more pleasing.

[raptor84]

@sanalc Your pics do look pretty ok in terms of expposure to me. Perhaps its your monitor that needs calibrating? I also notice you have a tendency to shoot wide open at ISO 400 even in daylight. You can try stopping down to 2.8 and using ISO 200?

[raptor84]

Oh yes one mroe thing when shooting in jpg you shloud set the image quality to fine and not economy as it really loses quite a bit of detail that way.

[kive]

so does this in camera adjustment of picture sharpness function avail on 20d?

[raptor84]

Yes it is, just look under your parameters. Its mor importatnt when shooting JPG since it will affect the final output but for RAW you can fine tune it later.

[kive]

Originally Posted by raptor84 Yes it is, just look under your parameters. Its mor importatnt when shooting JPG since it will affect the final output but for RAW you can fine tune it later.

right will go take a look after work now in office lolx thanx for the information.

[spv79]

Now its better, getting used to digital ! thanks for all suggestions