It's Not all in the Megapixels

[Guyzerr]

Um Janie.... what exact model of camera do you have and what lens did you use?

 

[Guyzerr]

When it comes to night pics there is no way I can do it by hand. I need lessons on how to hold a camera steady

I realize this has nothing to do with the discussion but this way I can follow the comments

Hence the necessity of using a tripod.

 

[Alien Allen]

One thing I remember about music was you start at the end of the line and go with good speakers first. I am gonna guess that it is similar to picture taking that you start with a good lens? Assuming the camera is not junk.

I agree this teacher was a jerk. Instead of pitching a bitch about the quality of the camera you would think he would discuss how to maximize what she has to use.

But then being a prick I can kind of relate

 

[JanieDough]

Um Janie.... what exact model of camera do you have and what lens did you use?

ok ok - I had to go get it. I have a Canon Rebel T1i 15MP DSLR
with a Canon Ultrasonic Zoom Lens EF 28-90mm 1:4-5.6 II USM

and can I just say I know to use a tripod and a remote trigger or a timer
and I know it will be like comparing apples to oranges, but if I like the oranges a lot more than my camera then I will go buy me some mothafucking oranges!

One thing I remember about music was you start at the end of the line and go with good speakers first. I am gonna guess that it is similar to picture taking that you start with a good lens? Assuming the camera is not junk.

I agree this teacher was a jerk. Instead of pitching a bitch about the quality of the camera you would think he would discuss how to maximize what she has to use.

But then being a prick I can kind of relate

well apparently I like pricks

 

[Guyzerr]

I am gonna guess that it is similar to picture taking that you start with a good lens? Assuming the camera is not junk.

A good lens can and does make all the difference but I still wanna have my questions answered or as I said before carrying on is pointless.

 

[JanieDough]

I answered them right?

 

[Guyzerr]

These are sample pics shot by everyday people using your model of camera. There are only about 11,000 or so for you to look at. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=t1i+images

I have said it before but I trust this guys reviews and he has a lot of good things to say about your camera. http://www.steves-digicams.com/came...canon-eos-digital-rebel-t1i-slr-review-2.html

The more I think about what Francis said the more I agree with him so.... if I were you I would start by resetting the camera functions back to factory specs. You'll find that option in your menu. Secondly , you can fine tune the noise reduction in a few different ways. You're manual will outline it. Have you done that? If not then you should give it a whirl. If that doesn't solve your problem and you think you're doing everything correct then send your camera to Canon for repair while it's still under warranty. There's no point in you buying a box of oranges right now because initially you just wanted a cup of juice. You had a budget in mind and you stuck to it. You could buy a full frame camera like Sammy's but that opens up a whole new can of worms so imo you need to become very intimate with your camera and get to know every feature so you can take advantage of them.

When it comes to lens reviews I trust this site. It's doesn't have many nice things to say about your lens.... http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Canon-EF-28-90mm-f-4-5.6-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Regarding tripods and shutter release cords / remotes. Janie I spent $600 on a tripod. I have the release cord as well. It has taken me years to get in the habit of using them and even today I get lazy and don't drag 'em along. In other words... knowing how to use them isn't the same as actually using them..... if you know what I mean.

 

[skyblue]

what an anus,we buy our kit to suit our pockets

 

[JanieDough]

These are sample pics shot by everyday people using your model of camera. There are only about 11,000 or so for you to look at. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=t1i+images

I have said it before but I trust this guys reviews and he has a lot of good things to say about your camera. http://www.steves-digicams.com/came...canon-eos-digital-rebel-t1i-slr-review-2.html

The more I think about what Francis said the more I agree with him so.... if I were you I would start by resetting the camera functions back to factory specs. You'll find that option in your menu. Secondly , you can fine tune the noise reduction in a few different ways. You're manual will outline it. Have you done that? If not then you should give it a whirl. If that doesn't solve your problem and you think you're doing everything correct then send your camera to Canon for repair while it's still under warranty. There's no point in you buying a box of oranges right now because initially you just wanted a cup of juice. You had a budget in mind and you stuck to it. You could buy a full frame camera like Sammy's but that opens up a whole new can of worms so imo you need to become very intimate with your camera and get to know every feature so you can take advantage of them.

When it comes to lens reviews I trust this site. It's doesn't have many nice things to say about your lens.... http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Canon-EF-28-90mm-f-4-5.6-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Regarding tripods and shutter release cords / remotes. Janie I spent $600 on a tripod. I have the release cord as well. It has taken me years to get in the habit of using them and even today I get lazy and don't drag 'em along. In other words... knowing how to use them isn't the same as actually using them..... if you know what I mean.

well I do use them :mad they live in my car so that even if I decide to do pictures on a whim I have them.

and if I don't have them - like at a party or something - I set my camera on the table with a timer.


But thanks guyzerr. I will try to do that this weekend and I was aiming to buy a lens this year for my christmas present, but I don't know if I will have the money.

 

[skyblue]

just a thought on these night shots etc.....are you photoshopping at all?

 

[freakofnature]

So I have been trying to do manipulations in photoshop, and I was having issues because of the difference in grain when shot in different ISO's.

Which I didn't think would be SO badly & drasticly different. Not to mention I may as well have used a cell phone to take some of the pics because that's how shitty the grain is.


I brought them and my camera to my teacher who is a professional digital artist - he takes digital photos and compiles them to build an image from the background up. He knows his stuff.

Basically he told me my camera was crap. The censor in it is apparently shitty, and that's why I get such a high grain which is making for some really horrible prints. I mean HORRIBLE.

I am really upset because I spent a good $400?? maybe $600?? on my camera w/o lens. I have a Canon Rebel which according to my teacher is crap. and it has 15MP!!!!

He says megapixels don't matter - that some 5MP point and shoot would take better photos than my rebel because it has a better censor.

He recommends Nikon 40D or something.


My question is this - is there any truth to what he was saying? Are the Nikon censors in their lower models better than the one in my Canon? Because Nikons are cheaper and I will switch teams if it means I can get a clear image.

It's driving me crazy because I love doing low light shots or night photography, and they all look like SHIT!!!

I have a Nikon D40 and, like you, I enjoy night photography. I have found my camera to be worthy of the task. The photographer (me), not so much. I have nothing to say about Canons because I've never had one but they have a good reputation.

 

[sammy39]

Just for fun, me and PinkPorridge decided to test our cameras against each other...just to make very clear, this isnt a Canon VS Nikon debate...these 2 cameras aren't even on the same level as each other...just wanted to see what you get out of a full frame sensor vs a non-full frame sensor.....

 

[sammy39]

i know these are big but they need to be to see the grain. if they cause problems let me know and ill delete them.

 

[JanieDough]

damn woman! Thank you

The last two pictures are what mine look like at ISO 400.

I will post tonight.

 

[sammy39]

No bother...yeh, Im actually really surprised at the quality at that level...not that I would ever use an ISO that high!!

 

[Guyzerr]

damn woman! Thank you

The last two pictures are what mine look like at ISO 400.

I will post tonight.

Janie if that's as bad as they are then I think you've blown it out of proportion and could clean most of it up with a photo editor and a bit of practice. You can't compare your camera to a Canon 5D Mark 2. That body alone is around $2000.00. She also has a decent lens bolted on the front.

I'm still waiting for one of your examples just for shits and giggles.

Edit.... I want me one of those Canon 5D Mark 2 now.

 

[JanieDough]

But Guyzerr, I am in a class full of people who just like me, have "Average" cameras. And their prints are better. It can't be just in my head. I have valid issues, and can't figure out how to fix them.

Here are examples and the info. I can upload more, but I wanted to make sure I was doing it right first.










both were taken with tripod and trigger button

 

[pinkporridge]

may i make a suggestion?

since you are shooting at 2 seconds anyway id put the ISO down. id have a long expose but id also have a little flash from the direction of the light source to freeze the model.

 

[JanieDough]

ok. what do you think of the grain though? is it horrible? or reasonable?

 

[pinkporridge]

depends what you want it for.. if it was a payed job and it was for say and advertising client.. it wouldn't be acceptable. if it is for a friend whos looking for some fun pics. its great. but even with your cam there are ways around it.

i suggest you start using off camera flash. (especially if your doing portrait.)
you can get a flash gun for around £100 and wireless triggers for £25 (you'll need to look into prices at your side of the pond.)
infra red triggers are not the best you can buy but there cheap and they do the job. this lets you control a flash that is not attached to your camera. if you got a tripod and remote, you can even do it your self. normally i drag poor sammy39 along to hold the flash and what ever i decide diffuse or reflect it form.

ill have a quick look for an example.