Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures.

In article <1161661271.751549.279290 DeleteThis @b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
"emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw DeleteThis @att.net> wrote:

> I just bought a Rebel XT and I just cannot get good indoor photos from
> it. I've only used it on "automatic", but I've used it with the
> built-in flash and with an external flash. All of my pictures look too
> dark and lack any vivid color. I've always been a huge Canon fan, so
> I'm really disappointed in this one. (My previous camera was a G6,
> which I sold to get the XT). Any advice would really be appreciated!

You bought an external flash without knowing how to use the camera yet?
I'd bet that you're using the flash for direct lighting, which always
makes terrible photos. Show us samples.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

> I've always been a huge Canon fan, so
> I'm really disappointed in this one.

You should be disappointed in yourself. Don't blame the tool because you
don't know how to use it.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

"emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw RemoveThis @att.net> wrote in news:1161661271.751549.279290
@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

> I just bought a Rebel XT and I just cannot get good indoor photos from
> it. I've only used it on "automatic", but I've used it with the
> built-in flash and with an external flash. All of my pictures look too
> dark and lack any vivid color. I've always been a huge Canon fan, so
> I'm really disappointed in this one. (My previous camera was a G6,
> which I sold to get the XT). Any advice would really be appreciated!

It's a camera, not a magic wand.

Post some samples, you'll get plenty of helpful suggestions.

If the external flash can tilt upward, try doing that so that the flash
will bounch off walls and ceiling creating a less harsh, more scene filling
light.

Try taking some without the flash, at least put the camera in P mode and
select the fastest shutter speed it offers (it will select the apropriate
aperture value for you) and see if the results aren't better.

Better yet, learn about aperture and shutter speed and use all of the
camera you bought, nut just the auto mode. It's not an instamatic.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

I'm not naive. I understand there's a learning curve with a dSLR and I
will eventually take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode.
That said, I still think I should be able to get decent photos in
automatic mode as well. I've tried it with the built-in flash, no
flash, the external flash straight-on, and the external flash bounced
off the wall. None of the photos have been properly exposed. I just
wonder if I somehow got a lemon. I think a camera this expensive
should take good photos in auto mode. Otherwise, it shouldn't have an
auto mode. Anyway, I appreciate all of your comments.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

On 24 Oct 2006 06:48:36 -0700, "emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw DeleteThis @att.net>
wrote:

>I'm not naive. I understand there's a learning curve with a dSLR and I
>will eventually take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode.
>That said, I still think I should be able to get decent photos in
>automatic mode as well. I've tried it with the built-in flash, no
>flash, the external flash straight-on, and the external flash bounced
>off the wall. None of the photos have been properly exposed. I just
>wonder if I somehow got a lemon. I think a camera this expensive
>should take good photos in auto mode. Otherwise, it shouldn't have an
>auto mode. Anyway, I appreciate all of your comments.

it seems evident that you are getting satisfactory results in
situations other than indoors, right?
If so, the camera is probably working right, you just aren't getting
enough light.
The EXIF info will tell you a lot about what's going on. Check it to
see what parameters the camera's using, and post it here, along with a
link to the photo it's from.
learn how to sett he optional parameters, and use thr P setting; Auto
often gets it wrong in less than ideal conditions, like indoors where
light is marginal.
We don't know what external flash you're using; it could be it's not
up to the job.
Post links to some examples, and include EXIF info, and we'll be able
to help much better.
--
Bill Funk
replace "g" with "a"
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

On Tue, 24 Oct 2006 06:36:43 -0500, Tony Rice <rtphokie RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote:

>"emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw RemoveThis @att.net> wrote in news:1161661271.751549.279290
>@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:
>
>> I just bought a Rebel XT and I just cannot get good indoor photos from
>> it. I've only used it on "automatic", but I've used it with the
>> built-in flash and with an external flash. All of my pictures look too
>> dark and lack any vivid color. I've always been a huge Canon fan, so
>> I'm really disappointed in this one. (My previous camera was a G6,
>> which I sold to get the XT). Any advice would really be appreciated!
>
>It's a camera, not a magic wand.
>
>Post some samples, you'll get plenty of helpful suggestions.
>
>If the external flash can tilt upward, try doing that so that the flash
>will bounch off walls and ceiling creating a less harsh, more scene filling
>light.
>
>Try taking some without the flash, at least put the camera in P mode and
>select the fastest shutter speed it offers (it will select the apropriate
>aperture value for you) and see if the results aren't better.
>
>Better yet, learn about aperture and shutter speed and use all of the
>camera you bought, nut just the auto mode. It's not an instamatic.

All of these have been good suggestions BUT....
the OP said he'd "only used it on 'automatic'"
One would think that if his G6 made satisfactory photos on "automatic"
he should .... as a brand new owner of a DSLR..... expect be able
to get satisfactory (I didn't say good) photos on "automatic" with
his Rebel XT. I don't think it's going to happen.
As the previous owner of a G5, I seldom used it on "automatic"
because I could do better with other settings.... even RAW.
(I don't get satisfactory photos on my Rebel XT/350D on
"automatic".)
The camera is brand new to OP so he has a lot to learn about it.
The learning curve for a DSLR is much steeper and more involved
than most P&S cameras. Many of us are still learning!

Jack Mac
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

"emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw.RemoveThis@att.net> wrote in news:1161697716.020391.306560
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> I'm not naive. I understand there's a learning curve with a dSLR and I
> will eventually take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode.
> That said, I still think I should be able to get decent photos in
> automatic mode as well. I've tried it with the built-in flash, no
> flash, the external flash straight-on, and the external flash bounced
> off the wall. None of the photos have been properly exposed. I just
> wonder if I somehow got a lemon. I think a camera this expensive
> should take good photos in auto mode. Otherwise, it shouldn't have an
> auto mode. Anyway, I appreciate all of your comments.

I agree that auto mode shouldn't exist, if just for this reason. Moving
from a point and shoot to a SLR takes some getting used to.

If you bought a SLR solely because "it takes better photos" I'd suggest
considering taking it back and looking at a high end point and shoot
instead.

If you bought it to explore more creative photography and getting into
capturing the scene the way you want by making use of adjustment of
shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and different lenses (and that's a
reasonable order to explore these things in), then you made a good
choice.

I moved from a Canon G3 to a Canon Rebel XT and couldn't be happier. I
had some previous SLR experience but had been using a point and shoot for
many years. I learn a little more with every memory card I fill up. I
learn alot more with every photo I share with peers and ask for feedback.

It's possible that you have a lemon but not very likely. Take the camera
back to the store where you bought it and ask them to take a look. Take
some photos in a controlled environment and then compare them to reality.
Are the colors acurate? How is the exposure? Look at the histogram
(press the info button when viewing the photo), what is it telling you
about exposure? To understand what this graph is telling you take a look
at this:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-
series/understanding-histograms.shtml
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

"emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw DeleteThis @att.net> wrote in news:1161697716.020391.306560
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> I'm not naive. I understand there's a learning curve with a dSLR and I
> will eventually take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode.
> That said, I still think I should be able to get decent photos in
> automatic mode as well. I've tried it with the built-in flash, no
> flash, the external flash straight-on, and the external flash bounced
> off the wall. None of the photos have been properly exposed. I just
> wonder if I somehow got a lemon. I think a camera this expensive
> should take good photos in auto mode. Otherwise, it shouldn't have an
> auto mode. Anyway, I appreciate all of your comments.

Something else to consider...

Taking the same photo of the same scene with similar settings with a SLR
and a point and shoot camera can produce surprisingly different results.
Straight out of the camera, you may even find the point and shoot produces
"better" results than the SLR.

This is because many point and shoot cameras do some sharpening of the jpg
in camera. SLRs dont. SLRs are designed to provide maximum flexibility to
the photographer.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

<emrlaw DeleteThis @att.net> wrote in message
news:1161697716.020391.306560@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I'm not naive. I understand there's a learning curve with a dSLR and I
> will eventually take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode.
> That said, I still think I should be able to get decent photos in
> automatic mode as well. I've tried it with the built-in flash, no
> flash, the external flash straight-on, and the external flash bounced
> off the wall. None of the photos have been properly exposed. I just
> wonder if I somehow got a lemon. I think a camera this expensive
> should take good photos in auto mode. Otherwise, it shouldn't have an
> auto mode. Anyway, I appreciate all of your comments.
>

Try to put your camera on "P" (to take the photo with flash, you have to
open the flash by pressing the flash button on the left had side of the
flash), then the white balance (WB) at "automatic", try also white balance
on "Flash". Try taking the flash with ISO 100, then 200... Remember that on
the XT, once you've chose the WB, or the ISO... you have to hit the "Enter"
key, otherwise it remains as it was. You didn't say how far you were from
the subject or whether the room was dark or partially lit... Just a few
ideas. Marcel.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

On 24 Oct 2006 06:48:36 -0700, "emrlaw@att.net" <emrlaw.DeleteThis@att.net>
wrote:

>I'm not naive. I understand there's a learning curve with a dSLR and I
>will eventually take the time to learn how to use it in manual mode.

I bet you played with buttons and dials and in the process you set the
exposure compensation to under expose the images. You need to learn
what every button and dial does, and when and why you would want to
use each one. That's the only way to get the tool to work for you.

>I think a camera this expensive should take good photos in auto mode.
>Otherwise, it shouldn't have an auto mode.

This sounds like a driver who expect the car to drive itself when the
driver sets the cruise control.

jc

--

"The nice thing about a mare is you get to ride a lot
of different horses without having to own that many."
~ Eileen Morgan of The Mare's Nest, PA
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

emrlaw.RemoveThis@att.net wrote:
> I just bought a Rebel XT and I just cannot get good indoor photos from
> it. I've only used it on "automatic", but I've used it with the
> built-in flash and with an external flash. All of my pictures look too
> dark and lack any vivid color. I've always been a huge Canon fan, so
> I'm really disappointed in this one. (My previous camera was a G6,
> which I sold to get the XT). Any advice would really be appreciated!

Canon is know for it's neutral (flat, washed out looking) image
renditions. The vividness produced by some other cameras is considered
cartoony by some Canon shooters who prefer a more natural image.
Nothing preventing "revamping" those images in PS though.
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures. 

Derek Fountain <nomail.TakeThisOut@hursley.ibm.com> wrote:
>> I've always been a huge Canon fan, so
>> I'm really disappointed in this one.

>You should be disappointed in yourself. Don't blame the tool because you
>don't know how to use it.

Why do you folks assume that. In any of the "automatic"
modes, the camera takes care of everything, including
white balance and popping the flash.

The resulting photos, if the subject is not too far away,
should be reasonable. If they are very unreasonable, something
strange is going on.

---- Paul J. Gans
 >> Stay informed about: Canon Rebel XT - Can't get good pictures.