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10/04/2006 04:14:51 PM · #1 |
I am trying to determine what the deal is with my 30D. It is my first DSLR so I am unsure if my expectations are too high, or if there is actually a problem. Two things:
1. My focus seems very shaky. It locks just fine, but the images lack crispness to them. I know the thing to do is the Kirbic focus test, and I'm going to, but it will have to wait until Friday. I'm too busy with school.
2. My image counter started at 600 plus. I think. The first files saved on the card started numbering themselves in the 0600's. Is this normal? I'm wondering if someone bought this and returned it, and then it was reshipped as new.
Purchased from Buydig. I am mostly interested in an answer to the second question until I can get that focus test done. But I need to evaluate fast so I can process a return if need be.
All help vastly appreciated.
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10/04/2006 04:17:29 PM · #2 |
1 - They aren't going to look as sharp as a point and shoot unless a) you tell the camera to apply some sharpening if you are shooting in jpeg or b) you sharpen them yourself later if you are shooting in RAW
2 - it's used :( |
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10/04/2006 04:26:28 PM · #3 |
1.) What Routerguy said... also, it will depend significantly on the lens in use. Try some tripod-mounted shots with one of your primes at f/8 or so, and gauge sharpness from that. Don't try to judge based on kit lens pics shot wide open 8-0
2.) Was the card you used previously unused? It's possible it picked up numbering off the card. Not highly likely, IMO, since it started at about 600 (you'd likely have a much higher shot count from an existing camera) but possible if you had tried that card in other "demo" cameras at shops, for instance. If you're sure this couldn't have happened, then it's likely that it was bought, tried out (but 600 shots???) and returned :-P |
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10/04/2006 04:29:22 PM · #4 |
The CF card I was using had been used in other cameras, but the last image shot on the card was numbered higher (though not by much) than the starting spot for the Canon.
Edit: And it used a different letter prefix than the Canon files.
Message edited by author 2006-10-04 16:29:51.
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10/04/2006 05:02:23 PM · #5 |
| I think that the numbering can be picked up from the card. We used a card that had been in the 20D in our new 400D and that started numbering at 2500 or something, which was the same range as that card. Bit annoying, like. |
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10/04/2006 09:28:12 PM · #6 |
Bump in hopes of definitively answering Question 2.
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10/04/2006 09:47:39 PM · #7 |
I searched and could not find any info on the image count. However, if it is bothering you, why don't you call Buydig and ask them about it? If they can show you that the image count is a "card" related problem then you're ok. If they can't explain why your shots started off at 600, then they owe you about $100 - $200 IMO.
As far as the sharpness is concerned, I sometimes think my lens, camera, tripod, eyepiece, air density or some other strange occurance causes me to get bad focus! I find that if I use a fast shutter speed, use f8 or above and use a tripod, I still get blurred sometimes. I think that the type and direction of light you use also can make a shot seem more OR less sharp also.
Kenskid
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10/04/2006 09:54:52 PM · #8 |
Interesting you mentioned the image count, as I had the same concern when I started using my 30D, except the image count was up near 4000!
It was obvious the camera was brand new, and couldn't possibly have taken 4000 images, and I confirmed that it had got the image count from my CF card, which had previously recorded 24,000 (shows as 4000 on card)images on my 300D. |
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10/04/2006 10:12:45 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Army of nOne:
Bump in hopes of definitively answering Question 2. |
Doesn't look like you are going to get a definitive answer. I bought my 30D and took the card straight out of my 350 - it started at 0001. |
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10/04/2006 10:34:04 PM · #10 |
My 30D started at 0001, however I always format my cards before taking them out of one camera and putting them in another. I'd have to guess that if you didnt format its possible that you got the number from the card. I've heard of it happening alot.
As far as the shots not being sharp. what settings are you taking these shots with? Are you shooting in raw or JPEG? If shooting in JPEG what picture mode are you using? These are questions that need answered. But in reality, all dSLR photos will not be sharpened and saturated and contrasty as a good P&S because what you get from the camera is essentially a negative that needs processed. The give you so much more control over what the final image is like. But if you want them straignt out of the camera you can play with the settings, make a custom user settings and shoot it all day long and print or upload straight from the camera with just resizing.
MattO
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10/05/2006 02:22:33 AM · #11 |
I totally messed up my numbering because I used a card that I had been using to test cameras with for months at shows and second hand stores. Somehow, my number got up to 70-1100 or so by the time i started. I think that number came from a second hand 10D that I played with the 35-350L (sWEEt lens btw)
I think I've got the numbering sorted out now though. Been a while since my camera is still in safe storage and not at my home.
it's possible that buydig has a card that they use to test at the factory or possibly Canon does too... I don't know their policy. When I bought my PDA, I specifically asked them to pretest all of the features before they sent it as it was going far overseas. Does buydig have a similar policy?
they might have just taken one or two shots with a common CF card just to test for defects...
As to the softness, that's something you are going to have to learn to deal with because it's actually a positive feature of the 30D. it has to do with leaving more work in the hands of the end user. I believe that earlier cameras started with their sharpness at 0 which wasn't actually 0, it was more like +3. To get 0, you had to turn the sharpening right down. It can be tricky to judge, but you can apply a fair bit of sharpening to images that are taken with a sharp lens and get exceptionally sharp results. Images that are taken with a soft lens really can't take that much sharpening in my experience. I notice this difference with my S2 IS to my 30D.
-3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 on the S2 might be roughly equivalent to
0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 on the 30D this appears to be the new standard and I think the 400XTi also uses the new standard.
it is possible to set it up to get sharp results straight from the camera if you want though. Push that sharpness setting to +3 to get results similar to a 0 setting on a Rebel or +4 for a common 'slightly sharper' result on the Rebel.
Also, I find that the 50mm is susceptible to bad performance with the 30D when you get a bit farther from the subject. Just my experience (with three copies of the lens). I was told by Canon service that the f/1.4 performs much better. I only use the 50mm for shots as close as torso framing or closer.
Message edited by author 2006-10-05 02:24:48. |
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10/05/2006 02:42:47 AM · #12 |
If you had an image left on the card from your other camera, it will start numbering accordingly. In other words if you left image 599 on the card and put it the new camera, the next image will be 600. Somewhere in the manual it will tell you about file numbering. My 5D came from the same place your 30D did and it started at 0001 but I always format my cards too.
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10/05/2006 03:59:17 AM · #13 |
| I would call Canon and ask them. Are there any warranty forms in the box? |
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