First pics.....new Rebel XTi

[Liz]

I finally got a little time in NY with my new camera. These are just a few of the shots - don't look at the composition as I was shooting anything I could find just to try out the camera.

The close up of the girl - and the sign are crops.

I'm very happy with the camera so far - not looking for critiques per se, but if you see a problem - fault of the camera - that I'm missing, please tell me.

ETA: girl shot with 24-105 IS - all others with 50mm/f1.4. I used minimal "brightness" and minimal "sharpening."

Liz

[natatbeach]

awesome colors...any adjusting or straight from the camera? how are you faring these days?
how was your move?

[Liz]

awesome colors...any adjusting or straight from the camera? how are you faring these days?
how was your move?

Thanks Nat.....I used minimal "brighten" and even less "sharpen" on a couple of them. Otherwise, straight from the camera. I'm amazed how good most of the images look straight out of camera which I really like since I'm not a computer person....I work on computers, I don't like playing with them.

Move - I haven't even begun looking for a place yet. I have 10 volunteers coming tomorrow to help us pack some things as we have 12 rooms of furniture - plus lots of other "stuff" and an office. We're going to sell a good bit of the furniture. We have until the end of December although the "official closing" is October 4th.......

Thanks for asking. Other than a few extra migraines, I'm doing fine.

Liz

[Liz]

These were all shot at Rockefeller Center. There was a large mirror type display which I tried to get a good shot of - to no avail......but it was interesting at any rate. I just couldn't get any type of good composition.

[Lara]

Beautious colors Liz. Nice sharp photos. You must be pleased!!

[Photo-John]

Looks good, Liz! Are you using the "Sharpen" filter or the "Unsharp Mask?" The cropped version of the flags has some haloing around the flag poles. I'm sure that's not the camera. But you might look at how you're doing your sharpening. Watch for haloing as evidence that you're oversharpening. It's easiest to see on sharp horizons. But I can see it around the flagpoles - and now you will, too

[Liz]

John - thanks so much.......

Sharpening - I have Elements 2. I've only used the "sharpen" tool under "filter." Never used the unsharp mask. Unfortunately, I don't like post processing.

I usually just use:
"brighten" - if necessary
sometimes - "contrast"
then I resize the image and give it one "sharpen" and that's it.

So ...... just one "sharpen" can oversharpen an image? I'm glad to know this and I had no idea it could cause halos.

Thanks......I'll try it without and look for halos.

I don't notice any front/back focusing - do you see anything like that? You had mentioned your XTi might have some front focusing. Your recent photos seem fine.

I really appreciate your input.....

Liz

Looks good, Liz! Are you using the "Sharpen" filter or the "Unsharp Mask?" The cropped version of the flags has some haloing around the flag poles. I'm sure that's not the camera. But you might look at how you're doing your sharpening. Watch for haloing as evidence that you're oversharpening. It's easiest to see on sharp horizons. But I can see it around the flagpoles - and now you will, too

[Liz]

John - is it me or is the "halo" still present here? Just resized from original - no post processing.

[Liz]

Thanks Lara.........so good to see you around.

Yes, I am so happy with this camera! I feel like I did when I bought my first DSLR, the Rebel 2000 - advice I got here from a few people like Steve (Asylum). I am just as excited.

I'm very pleased with the IQ - and the AF is very fast - and the shutter button is almost silent. It has a lot of nice features, like the 2.5 LCD screen and auto sensor cleaning. I loved the Rebel XT, so it was a hard decision. But I made the right decision. Funny, though, it was hard to give up the XT.

I hope you'll post some pictures one of these days - of your beautiful family.


Thanks for posting.

Liz

Beautious colors Liz. Nice sharp photos. You must be pleased!!

[Liz]

I did some researching about the halo effect and what causes it. I discovered that the Rebel 300D, 350XT and the 400XTi all have the default sharpness a little high. This can cause the halo effect especially if the background is light blue color (when the subject is a dark/black). This can be elimated by changing the sharpness to -1.

I feel better knowing this - that it's not a defect in the camera and can be resolved easily.

Liz

John - is it me or is the "halo" still present here? Just resized from original - no post processing.

[Asylum Steve]

I did some researching about the halo effect and what causes it. I discovered that the Rebel 300D, 350XT and the 400XTi all have the default sharpness a little high...

I can't see any obvious problems with your new camera. As for sharpening, what I would do is turn the camera sharpening off, then do a simple de-fuzz sharpening in photoshop using the unsharp mask, which despite its name is ps's basic sharpening tool.

Most if not all of ps's sharpening tools have adjustable parameters, so yes, it is very easy to over sharpen an image.

For the simple de-fuzz (which you should apply to all your pics), use unsharp mask settings of amount 100%, radius 1.0, threshold 0. This is a fairly gentle sharpening.

Some have recommended other numbers to plug in, but I've seen these amounts from more than one ps expert. If there is some problematic unsharpness, you should deal with that seperately...

Good luck with the new gear!

[racingpinarello]

Hi Liz,

Good stuff, and always I like your viewpoint. Very different than most, and always a refreshed look.

It's easy to oversharpen, but that's easily correctable. The images are very nice, and that's what's important.

Loren

[schrackman]

Woo hoo! New pics from the XTi! These are looking pretty good, Liz. Quit making me drool!

Can't wait to see more.

[adina]

Looks good Liz!

Hope your move goes well, and I sympathize with the migranes. But it's nice to see you had a chance to get out.

adina

[Liz]

Steve,

Thanks for checking out the pictures, and for the advice/information. I want to begin using Unsharp mask using your suggestions for starters. So far I've just used the Filter sharpen which I haven't heard good things about - but I do very little pp and it's easy.

I do love this camera.....it's my favorite of any I've ever owned....

Liz

[Liz]

Thanks Loren,

The subjects here weren't exactly what I was looking for, but I didn't have much time and was basically trying out my new XTi. However, it was a good test and I've learned some things here. Hopefully I'll get out another day this week to do more.

Liz

[Liz]

Thank you Ray. I'm hoping to get out another day this week to find more interesting subjects! This is an awesome camera so I'm looking forward to taking more time, learning more about what to do right and having more fun. I don't do a lot of post processing so need to know what to do with the camera to get the best I can to begin with.

Liz

Woo hoo! New pics from the XTi! These are looking pretty good, Liz. Quit making me drool!

Can't wait to see more.

[Liz]

Thank you Adina. We haven't done much about trying to find a new place to live as we've had to concentrate on helping the residents find some appropriate places to live. We have 2 more residents and a baby still living here. We may take one or two along with us when we move. However, it's going well. I'm basically over the "panic" stage now. Being peaceful is half the battle.

I've decided to schedule one full day or two 1/2 days each week for photography - helps to keep me balanced!

Liz

Looks good Liz!

Hope your move goes well, and I sympathize with the migranes. But it's nice to see you had a chance to get out.

adina

[Liz]

Thanks Gene.....

These photos are basically testing-the-camera-for-the-first-time pics - not so great on composition. I hope to get out again Saturday - NYC of course. And yes, I agree, it would be wonderful to have another gathering in NYC.

The Rebel XTi is awesome. I'm psyched about having this camera. I was hesitant to buy it, but as soon as I got it in my hands and tried it out, I knew I had made the right decision. It has so many nice features and is just a great camera. My favorite of all the cameras I've owned.

BTW - it's great seeing you around more often lately.


Liz

Liz:

Your pictures with your new camera are really good. It feels like you are doing whatever you can to entice us back to New York! :smilewinkgrin: If only I had the time....

This new Rebel XTi is impressive. I'm still shooting with my 10D and it serves me well but, I am strongly tempted by the XTi.

I look forward to your next post.

My Best Regards to You,
Gene

[Old Timer]

Beautiful colors from the new camera Liz. If you are getting those result straight from the camera you don't have to worry much about post processing. I sure hope that your plan to take a day out each week works out. I can't think of a better therapy for a hectic life than to get out with the camera. Glad your so please with the new purchase.

[Liz]

Thanks OT.....

Yes, it's a great camera.....makes me want to get out even more! I do as little pp as possible, but some is almost always necessary. I'm going out again tomorrow - maybe even later today.

Liz

Beautiful colors from the new camera Liz. If you are getting those result straight from the camera you don't have to worry much about post processing. I sure hope that your plan to take a day out each week works out. I can't think of a better therapy for a hectic life than to get out with the camera. Glad your so please with the new purchase.

[coachgns]

Thanks Gene.....

These photos are basically testing-the-camera-for-the-first-time pics - not so great on composition. I hope to get out again Saturday - NYC of course. And yes, I agree, it would be wonderful to have another gathering in NYC.

The Rebel XTi is awesome. I'm psyched about having this camera. I was hesitant to buy it, but as soon as I got it in my hands and tried it out, I knew I had made the right decision. It has so many nice features and is just a great camera. My favorite of all the cameras I've owned.

BTW - it's great seeing you around more often lately.


Liz

People who don't know think of NYC as nerve shattering, stress-inducing, etc. But what a great place it is to get lost in yourself - to clear the mind. You have the right idea about setting aside some days for photog, and in getting to NYC to shoot - AND DESTRESS!

I like the pics from the XTi. Makes me think maybe I shoulda waited for that instead of getting the 30D. NAH - maybe not.
But was thinking of getting that new Rebel for an artist friend for her birthday, and this is convincing me it's a good idea.

[dmm96452]

...Move - I haven't even begun looking for a place yet. I have 10 volunteers coming tomorrow to help us pack some things as we have 12 rooms of furniture - plus lots of other "stuff" and an office. We're going to sell a good bit of the furniture. We have until the end of December although the "official closing" is October 4th.......

Thanks for asking. Other than a few extra migraines, I'm doing fine.

Liz

Hey, Liz. Congrats on the new camera. The shots look great.

I had a vacation planned for around this time but had to cancel. I was going to stop by and help out along the way. I still have vacation days that I have to use before the end of the year. I can't think of a better way to use them then coming up and lending a hand any time between now and the end of the year that you could use it. I have family fairly near by (Middletown) that I can stay with while there.

Let me know.