Hi Guys - Newbie With Question

[M3Golfer]

Hi all,

I have been away from 'proper' SLR photography for a while now, 'making do' with a Canon Ixus 50 camera which I bought about five years ago. Recently, I bought my Wife a Panasonic FX33 digital compact and myself a Canon 40D with 17 - 85 lens.

My Wife is an artist and I want to shoot some of her work, usually at a distance of around 4 feet. I have disappointedly come to the conclusion that my Wife's £199 camera is better for this task (mainly indoors) than my Canon, despite me trying many different settings.

I always use a tripod and slow(ish) shutter, and also use the camera on timer to ensure no movement. I am wondering now if it is simply that the 17 - 85 lens isn't that good for this particular task. I am learning a lot about the camera and trying many new things as I learn new tips. For example, I have tried placing the camera in live view mode, zooming right in and adjusting the focus manually, but still with the picture viewed at 100% it does not look as good which I find baffling given the difference in sizes of the lenses and price!

This culminated recently with me getting so convinced there is something wrong with the camera (or lens) that I took it to Jessops in Basingstoke for them to look at. They were VERY helpful and spent 45 minutes with me behind the counter comparing my camera with one of theirs. If anything, mine was the slightly sharper picture comparing two side by side!

I would appreciate anyone's comments about anything I have written, or even if someone thinks I am being a clot!

I should finish by stating what a fantastic camera the FX33 is, even in very low light. I recently photographed a portrait indoors and compared the photo with the original and it was just about bang on. My Canon 40D by comparison was not impressive, with greys having a browny tint etc. Again, I find it curious that even with the Canon using a pre-set function, given the lens and price difference, there should not have been such a difference in the result.

I should also state I HAVE been able to take a variety of very impressive outdoor shots with the Canon (even with my lack of skill!), so I am not dissing the 40D overall.

[JTL]

My Canon 40D by comparison was not impressive, with greys having a browny tint etc. Again, I find it curious that even with the Canon using a pre-set function, given the lens and price difference, there should not have been such a difference in the result.This is a white balance problem. Don't use auto white balance...set a custom white balance based on the lighting you're shooting under. White balance is covered on pages 67 through 71 of your user guide.

Also, the FX33 has the image sharpness turned way up by default. The Canon 40D does not. This is not a fault but an intentional design decision which allows the photographer more control over the final image. If you want sharper and more P&S-like images out of your 40D, create a custom Picture Style that has higher sharpness, contrast and saturation. This is explained on page 65 of your user guide.

In addition, the 17-85 IS is an notoriously soft and low-contrast lens. I would have advised you to get the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS for your shooting stituation. It may be expensive, but it is a much more appropriate tool for your job.

[M3Golfer]

Thanks very much for your prompt reply and advice. I guess I should also have pointed out that part of the issue is the loss of clarity towards the edges on the shot. If I were simply printing the image to A4, it would not be an issue but because the whole picture will be scrutinised at 100% of largest image size (galleries want to be able to do this before accepting work), I don't believe the pictures are of good enough quality. If it were not for this, I would take your advice and explore the possibilities further. I have called Jessops in Camberley UK and they have stated I have a 28 day returns policy. I have said that I want the camera but am wondering if there is any flexibility on changing the lens etc (the camer came with the lens as a kit). I will see what happens. Either way, they appear to be being very helpful at this stage.

The other reason why I wanted a lens such as the 17 - 85 is that I like airshows and pictures of planes in flight etc, which is where the zoom aspect comes in. If there is anything you can recommend which you feel would be worth looking at with that in mind please let me know. It could be that you are bang on and my best option is the lens you have recommended, and that I get another lens with zoom at a later date.