'Muddy Pics' and out of focus

[silverfoxcc]

I have given up on this problem. My Canon 350D has always seemed to have a problem. sometimes i think i am too picky, but the pics, compared to others i have seen, appear to be flat and muddy, no punchy contrast, and when vieed on the camera screen, out of focus.
It is a standard 350 with the 28-55 lens.
I have tried various aperture/speed/iso combinations and this has been taken with a tripod at the same location, all within minutes so the light variation was neglible.Results didn't show a noticable difference
It was sent back via Canon to the service centre at Elstree? but they said it was ok.
Any ideas where i might be going wrong?

[14-7]

Any pics to see what you mean?

Most photos out of DSLRs require a bit of a curves boost to give that bit of extra punch.

What settings are you using on the camera? Bear in mind a 350d isn't exactly a modern camera either.

[K12beano]

I think we need examples with settings - including what you've set in the camera if allowing the camera to process or what PP you are doing.

[RobDickinson]

There is so much that can go wrong to produce a poor image that its hard to pinpoint anything without examples.

The 18-55 lens isnt the best, but should do OK stopped down to f8 or f9

[LongQ]

Can't comment on out of focus but 'muddy' could just be related the colour space.

Someone I know made the same observation about a 450D. He gave it to me to try and quite honestly it seemed fine other than being set in Adobe RGB colour space rather than sRGB for the jpgs.

Nothing wrong with the Adobe space as such but it does tend to look 'muddy' when displayed on a regular monitor which is expecting sRGB.

Something to check perhaps? You should be able to tell from the file name.

Also have you got a filter in the lens? If so, what is it?

[markmullen]

K12beano said:

I think we need examples with settings - including what you've set in the camera if allowing the camera to process or what PP you are doing.

Upload some pics you're not happy with, full size with the exif data intact (eg don't use Export For Web in Photoshop) and we'll have a shufty.

[K12beano]

LongQ said:

..... but 'muddy' could just be related the colour space.

That's a point - and, equally, I'm sure we've all accidentally left the WB on the wrong setting! Fluorescent anyone!

[Simpo Two]

No photos - no diagnosis.

[LongQ]

K12beano said:

LongQ said:

..... but 'muddy' could just be related the colour space.

That's a point - and, equally, I'm sure we've all accidentally left the WB on the wrong setting! Fluorescent anyone!

Nope. Never. Always use AWB and shoot RAW.

However AWB can produce some very different results shot to shot depending on what is in the frame at the time ...

[silverfoxcc]

Thanks for the offers, i will dig some out asap. Dealing with a car that needs tlc at the moment!
I agree it isnt cutting edge technology now

[RobDickinson]

Still the 350d is capable of sharp and colourful clear images.


Sumner Sunrise by robjdickinson, on Flickr


lyttleton by robjdickinson, on Flickr

[silverfoxcc]

Rob,
I can only dream of pics like that!!
also have a sigma 70-300 so will knock up some current stuff with that, when i get a sunny day! hopefully Tues

[Kermit power]

As others have said, it's very difficult to comment until you actually post up some photos, but in the meantime, what sort of post-processing are you doing on them? Most DSLRs will produce fairly muted, slightly fuzzy photos before you process and sharpen them.