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02/02/2008 12:28:52 AM · #1 |
I am looking for some sound digital camera advice.
I was an owner of a Cannon S1IS until recently. I had the camera for about 2-3 years and took some really good pictures with it. However, about a month ago the CCD failed. Cannon said they would fix it. However, what they sent back was the Cannon S5IS since they had no parts for the S1IS.
I was happy to see I got an upgraded camera but once I took a handful of photos I'm very disappointed in it. I'm not sure if I am doing something wrong but all of the photos seem to be extemely grainy. Perhaps it's just a poor refurb they sent me back.
(see some examples here: //s275.photobucket.com/albums/jj318/upmm019/)
Either way, I really need to have a camera that takes good pics. I'm no camera expert but also not afraid of manual settings either.
Any words of advice? Do I attempt the issue with the grainy pictures or go for a new camera? If so, what sort of camera's would you suggest?
Do you think the quality of the SD card would make a difference on the poor picture quality? I sorta have cheap SD card I'm using.
Message edited by author 2008-02-02 00:37:23. |
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02/02/2008 12:32:21 AM · #2 |
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02/02/2008 12:33:47 AM · #3 |
To be honest, at high ISO in gym lighting I'd expect noise from any Point and shoot camera.
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02/02/2008 12:47:11 AM · #4 |
I have the S5 and have been able to get some very good results, in spite of high ISO noise. (Mostly I do everything possible to avoid going to a high ISO) I think a lot of the issue with noise is the fact that more pixels are packed into the sensor, so even though resolution is greater, there is more noise at high ISO settings. What ISO are you shooting at?
Edited to add:
I looked at one of your shots on photobucket and the details show it was taken at ISO 800. Unfortunately, that amount of noise is fairly normal for the S5 at that ISO. In that light it may have been necessary, but you could try 400 and see if it gives acceptable shots. You can also remove a lto of noise in software afterwards. In particular, the noise showing on that red mat ought to clean up easily.
This photo of mine was taken in similar lighting conditions at ISO 400, with some noise reduction in paintshop pro:
Go team!
Message edited by author 2008-02-02 01:02:45. |
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02/02/2008 12:49:44 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by kswanson:
Do you think the quality of the SD card would make a difference on the poor picture quality? I sorta have cheap SD card I'm using. |
If the card were an issue, the files would likely be corrupted and therefor unreadable. A cheap card WILL NOT cause grainy images.
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02/02/2008 12:53:10 AM · #6 |
how do I find the ISO on the photos I took.
Most of the time I use auto. The photos I took this evening I had it at 800 |
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02/02/2008 01:01:39 AM · #7 |
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02/02/2008 01:03:20 AM · #8 |
See my edited reply above.
I never shoot in auto ISO. I always manually select that and I never shoot full auto mode. Normally I am in either program, Aperture priority or shutter priority. Manual for the tricky shots.
Message edited by author 2008-02-02 01:05:39. |
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02/02/2008 01:04:49 AM · #9 |
| Whats the purpose of the ISO and it sounds like the ISO that was used on these were too high, thus causing the "Noise"... is this correct? |
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02/02/2008 01:07:41 AM · #10 |
ISO is basically boosting gain, and just like with audio tracks, when you boost gain, you also boost background noise. Ona small sensor camera, the pixels are packed in tighter, and noise is more of a problem than on a larger sensor camera, or one with a lower pixel density. To a large extent the pixel race is for marketing specs. At a certain point overall image quality matters more, but sheer pixel count sells more consumer cameras.
One thing this site is all about is the fact thatit is the photgrapher, not the camera. It's fun to pit myself against people with way better equipment and show what i can do with lesser gear. Take a look sometime at what  liberty has done with a modest Kodak Z710. Great stuff. (Her profile shows a Rebel XTi, but she just got that very recently)
I sent you a PM, check your e-mail.
Message edited by author 2008-02-02 01:21:00. |
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02/02/2008 02:54:12 AM · #11 |
Here's a very good tutorial about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=45
I own the S2 IS (your camera's grandfather, so to speak). I'm sure the S5 is a very good point and shoot. Just get out of auto mode and you can do great things.
One rule with any camera is to use as low an ISO as possible. Only go higher if you can't get the shot you want with some combination of aperture and shutter speed.
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