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 05/08/2015 06:18:19 PM · #1
Hello all,

So I looking back on some of my photos, I really want to get some better image quality in my shots. for most of them when I view them at 100% they seem more grainy than I want.

My question, is image quality more the camera body? or lens?

I've been wanting a new camera body (I have the Rebel XSi). I know that's a really old body, is that the reason why? Should I upgrade? I have lenses:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Or is it more of how I take the photo? Are there better ways than I am doing right now to make my photos better?

I'll upload some of my photos soon for reference, but I am currently at work.
 05/08/2015 06:46:52 PM · #2
Upload some examples and provide as much detail as possible about equipment, settings, and pprocessing steps
 05/08/2015 08:30:52 PM · #3
The trick is to not look at your images at 100%

Actually, I agree that we need to see samples and details to be able to offer any advice.
 05/09/2015 09:33:55 AM · #4
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
The trick is to not look at your images at 100%


^^^ +100

View the image as a whole, at an appropriate distance for it's size. A billboard will look grainy too if you look at it from a few feet away, instead of 50+ like it was designed for.
 05/09/2015 10:01:32 AM · #5
Originally posted by FromDaRock:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
The trick is to not look at your images at 100%


^^^ +100

View the image as a whole, at an appropriate distance for it's size. A billboard will look grainy too if you look at it from a few feet away, instead of 50+ like it was designed for.


I disagree with this kind of sentiment. I've had my photos exhibited, and 90% of people do not stay themselves at "the appropriate distance". They go "whoaa cool picture" and then stick their noise right in from of the glass to look at all the little details.
 05/09/2015 11:25:21 AM · #6
Originally posted by LanndonKane:
Originally posted by FromDaRock:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
The trick is to not look at your images at 100%


^^^ +100

View the image as a whole, at an appropriate distance for it's size. A billboard will look grainy too if you look at it from a few feet away, instead of 50+ like it was designed for.


I disagree with this kind of sentiment. I've had my photos exhibited, and 90% of people do not stay themselves at "the appropriate distance". They go "whoaa cool picture" and then stick their noise right in from of the glass to look at all the little details.


Yup, me too.
 05/09/2015 11:36:01 AM · #7
Originally posted by LanndonKane:
Originally posted by FromDaRock:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
The trick is to not look at your images at 100%


^^^ +100

View the image as a whole, at an appropriate distance for it's size. A billboard will look grainy too if you look at it from a few feet away, instead of 50+ like it was designed for.


I disagree with this kind of sentiment. I've had my photos exhibited, and 90% of people do not stay themselves at "the appropriate distance". They go "whoaa cool picture" and then stick their noise right in from of the glass to look at all the little details.


I have to agree also. If a photo does not stand up to me looking at it at 100% it gets deleted most of the time. Only keep for artistic reasons or if it's a first photo of a new animal for me.
 05/09/2015 12:44:16 PM · #8
Actually, I agree about the fine details. Even if only a web sized image, the unseen detail carries over to the entire image. This is why a DSLR shot looks better than one from a cheap compact, even at web size. But I don't obsess over it and don't own any really expensive lenses in a quest for sharpness.

I just couldn't resist the smartass response.

Message edited by author 2015-05-09 12:44:51.
 05/09/2015 11:32:38 PM · #9
Thanks guys,

Tomorrow I promise I'll post some photos so you can see. What's the best way to do that? Should I post them somewhere else and then share the link? or can I post them in my portfolio here in DPC?
 05/10/2015 01:42:55 AM · #10
Originally posted by Frakster:
Thanks guys,

Tomorrow I promise I'll post some photos so you can see. What's the best way to do that? Should I post them somewhere else and then share the link? or can I post them in my portfolio here in DPC?


Either
 05/11/2015 09:22:14 AM · #11
I uploaded them to my portfolio. How do I link to them in a message?
 05/11/2015 09:37:47 AM · #12
click the last icon above the reply box and put in the image ID.
 05/11/2015 09:38:43 AM · #13
also either re-upload with the exif intact or enter it for us.

Message edited by author 2015-05-11 09:38:51.
 05/11/2015 09:53:56 AM · #14
Originally posted by LanndonKane:
Originally posted by FromDaRock:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
The trick is to not look at your images at 100%


^^^ +100

View the image as a whole, at an appropriate distance for it's size. A billboard will look grainy too if you look at it from a few feet away, instead of 50+ like it was designed for.


I disagree with this kind of sentiment. I've had my photos exhibited, and 90% of people do not stay themselves at "the appropriate distance". They go "whoaa cool picture" and then stick their noise right in from of the glass to look at all the little details.


Yes but it is those fine detail that when reduced back down make even the zoomed out version look its very best. An image that is not sharp at 100% magnification will never look as good as one that is no matter what sharpening filters you apply to it. Same with noise. At the same time I am not suggesting photos that are not perfectly sharp at 100% or have noise at 100% are throw away photos. Just that it limits their use and how large you can blow them up.
 05/11/2015 09:55:57 AM · #15
To the OP, what ISO setting are you using? That makes the biggest difference on whether your photos have noise. Some cameras produce more noise than others. My 7D is awful I have to be really careful to use the right settings or I get noise. Also underexposing will give you lots of noise.
 05/11/2015 01:57:11 PM · #16
Originally posted by sjhuls:
To the OP, what ISO setting are you using? That makes the biggest difference on whether your photos have noise. Some cameras produce more noise than others.


for example, the XSi.
 05/11/2015 05:48:54 PM · #17
Originally posted by Mike:
click the last icon above the reply box and put in the image ID.


Where do I find the image ID?!?!?!
 05/11/2015 06:11:57 PM · #18
Just put the number only from the Image_ID between the thumbnail tags.
 05/11/2015 06:23:33 PM · #19
05/11/2015 06:24:31 PM · #20
I'll give the EXIF data when I get home...I'm at work again...I work a lot :( lol
 05/11/2015 07:14:37 PM · #21
Originally posted by Mike:
Originally posted by sjhuls:
To the OP, what ISO setting are you using? That makes the biggest difference on whether your photos have noise. Some cameras produce more noise than others.


for example, the XSi.


Mike, what would be a good body to look at to replace it with then? I can't break the bank with a 5D, but what would be something that would be upgraded where I can see a significant difference?

Message edited by author 2015-05-11 19:15:16.
 05/11/2015 07:20:16 PM · #22
Originally posted by Frakster:
Originally posted by Mike:
Originally posted by sjhuls:
To the OP, what ISO setting are you using? That makes the biggest difference on whether your photos have noise. Some cameras produce more noise than others.


for example, the XSi.


Mike, what would be a good body to look at to replace it with then? I can't break the bank with a 5D, but what would be something that would be upgraded where I can see a significant difference?


Why don't you get a used 5D (the original). They're cheap now.
 05/12/2015 12:06:15 AM · #23
Originally posted by sjhuls:
Also underexposing will give you lots of noise.

Expose to the right of the histogram. Just don't clip.
 05/12/2015 05:39:11 PM · #24
LanndonKane The XSi was release in 2008 and the 5D was released in 2005. Is that still a big step up from the XSi?
 05/12/2015 05:59:35 PM · #25
Originally posted by Frakster:
LanndonKane The XSi was release in 2008 and the 5D was released in 2005. Is that still a big step up from the XSi?

Yes. It's a full frame sensor that's famous for it's liquid-smooth rendering of tones.

But if I were you I'd see if I could swing a 70D, not worry about crossing into FF territory. 70D is terrific.
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