Camera Problems - flash, lens????

[ldelacruz]

I think you should start with the basics and buy a few books on light and exposure. Learn to see the light and how it is affecting your subjects. In the mean time learn how to maniplulate your camera settings to increase and decrease your exposure. A camera needs a lot of light!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Wendy poke around the site here, there is a lot of info on basic camera usage here with some outside links.

Please try this, if you have a tripod use it if not get a chair to set the camera on. Take something with printing on it and place it about 10 ft from the camera, set the camera on full auto with a delay timer of at least 10 seconds, be sure that the item that you are taking a picture of is in full sunlight and not shaded then shoot a couple examples of the item (lp album cover, coffee table book, larger printed box). (the 10+second delay is to eliminate camera shake) then post the pics here so that we can look at them and figure out if the camera is acting up or not.

Some cameras have a second battery, little flat one similar to those that go in watches, and if those go dead they can effect the camera at times so check in your manual if it does and it may need replacing.

[thehatguy]

Rotate photos before you post them.

John

[wjzachary]

Sorry about the rotation problem, my first time posting pics.

I will try the camera on the chair thing. I have taken a digital photography class and am planning on taking one in the spring, but I swear something is going on with the camera.

I don't think that there is another battery but I will double check this. Thanks for all the help.

[rwzeitgeist]

Originally Posted by wjzachary

...

I don't think that there is another battery but I will double check this. Thanks for all the help.

If your Digital Rebel is the early one, also known as the 300D, the online manual says a CR2016 lithium battery powers the clock. That battery may also maintain settings when the main battery is not in the body, although the manual makes no mention of this.

The lithium battery lives in the battery compartment right next to the hinge. The manual says it should last about 5 years. In the online PDF manual the replacement procedure appears on page 33.

Bob

[wjzachary]

Thanks Bob,

I do have the 300D. It is only about 2 years old though and still holds a charge well.

I will check try and find out if it controls the settings for anything else. In the meantime, I am going to reset default settings and some other things so I can start fresh maybe.

Wendi

[ldelacruz]

I am afraid you are spinning your wheels! From the pics you posted there seems to be nothing wrong with your camera, lens or flash. Cameras are not perfect and you have to know how to manipulate them to get the desired end result.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Wendy that button battery has nothing to do with your rechargeable battery, it keeps all of the information active in your camera even when you are swapping out your regular camera battery and sometimes when those get low they can effect the camera, it is a non-rechargeable battery and usually runs less than $10.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by wjzachary

...My sister has a Nikon and her photos always seem perfect. ... Thanks

There you go!

[wjzachary]

I know that I have to manipulate settings, I understand that. But, I am telling you that i am not getting as clear and crisp pics as I used too. I haven't changed anything, that is why I am neeing help.

The pics with the 100-300mm zoom are way more crisp. I am just wondering if it could be the lens since I have had it so long.

[ldelacruz]

Do you have examples of the 100-300? The lens you think is bad is it the Tamron used in the 3rd photo?

[wjzachary]

Yes, it is the one in the 3rd photo. Just not as sharp! Second one is with my friends new Canon 18-135mm IS lens

I will get examples tomorrow of the 100-300 and post them. It is a Canon lens only about 3 yrs old as opposed to 10.

[ldelacruz]

What are the specs of the 100-300? The Tamron? Is the 100-300 yours?

[venchka]

To know for sure:
Camera and lenses on a tripod.
focus at one point.
Same settings everytime
switch lenses and take the same picture, same aperture, same distance.

[ldelacruz]

Wayne gave you a good test. Like he said make sure to use manual for all settings except for focus. Use one focus point.