D50 - what settings?

[Platinum]

Just got my d50, and I am slightly underwhelmed by the photos on the 'auto' setting; landscapes are not crisp at 100% for example.

Are there any of the default settings I should change to improve things?

Do I need to adopt a different technique, to what I was using with my point & click?

Thanks. P.

[sstein]

If its anything like the D70, the auto setting is awful.

Put it in either A (aperture), S (shutter) priority or full manual.


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Stuart

[Platinum]

sstein said:

If its anything like the D70, the auto setting is awful.

Put it in either A (aperture), S (shutter) priority or full manual.


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Stuart

Ah, that has put my mind at rest. Will try the manual settings tomorrow.

[imperialism2024]

Platinum said:

sstein said:

If its anything like the D70, the auto setting is awful.

Put it in either A (aperture), S (shutter) priority or full manual.


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Stuart

Ah, that has put my mind at rest. Will try the manual settings tomorrow.

P(rogram) seems to work pretty well for me, and I believe all the metering and stuff is the same between the D50 and D70. You may have to play with exposure compensation, though.

[GetCarter]

I find Mrs Gets' D50 over exposes a tad... so as mentioned - exposure comp.

Also, I've yet to find a digital camera that doesn't benefit from post processing (a little sharpening, and sometimes some contrast).

The best thing you could buy for landscapes is a gradated ND filter - which will keep the sky blue and pick out the clouds. Cokin do the filter and holder for about £15.

Steve

[chris.mapey]

Platinum said:

Just got my d50, and I am slightly underwhelmed by the photos on the 'auto' setting; landscapes are not crisp at 100% for example.

I think it may not be your camera or settings...

Don't forget that dSLR pictures are not sharpened in the camera. If you have recently changed from a compact, most compacts apply a degree of image sharpening in the camera, hence the pictures appear (almost artifically) crisp & punchy.

If you want to achieve the same, use a program such as the ubiquitous Photoshop (or PS Elements) or Paint Shop Pro X (what I use)

You can then add a small amount of sharpening to crisp up the images.

There are many reasons why most dSLR's do not apply any sharpening in the camera, as it leaves the photographer the option to add an appropriate level, rather than a "one amount fits all" approach of a compact camera.

All digital images are by nature slightly unsharp, as the pixels on the sensor record different colours in slightly different places, hence the need to apply a degree of post capture sharpening.

Hope that helps

Chris

[imperialism2024]

Platinum said:

landscapes are not crisp at 100% for example.

I just saw the 100% part...

It's best recommended not to look at your photos at the 100% size. You'll be disappointed every time if you're looking at so few pixels. So, it might just be how you're viewing the photos.

[dinkel]

OK, I've an 8 mpx cam. What sharpen specs must I use in PS to get the brilliant results? As a staring point that is . . .

And agreed, I always beef the pics up a bit. The D70 / 50 was a real bitch. I'm far more content with my Olympus E300. Only have to adjust a tiny bit in PS . . . But that's all personal IMO.

[GetCarter]

I use 'unsharp mask' in PS - radius 0.1 or 0.2 then play with the amount and threshold. I also often only sharpen parts of a pic (trying to avoid the sky)