How do I tell if its the camera or me?

[48Valves]

A while ago I bought a second-hand 7D and have a Sigma Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens.

I am aware of the low light graining issues with the camera and appreciate that the lens isn't the last word in quality. However, I just don't seem to be able to get the kind of sharp images that I feel I should with this kit. Most pictures seem soft or slightly out of focus.

I am new to this kind of kit but have read up and applied settings suggested on other forums. I'm mainly taking pictures of the kids doing sport and them when out and about. I'd like to do a bit of landscape at some point but haven't got that far yet.

So what I'm asking is. Is there a way to tell if the camera/lens is just not up to my expectations, too old or worn, or if I am doing something wrong.

Thanks

[48Valves]

Thanks all. I’ll put some images up tomorrow.

[48Valves]

z06tim said:

May also be the quality of the screen you are viewing on. I'm sure you've checked that though?

Screens should be fine. 4k (ish) in the laptop and Dell ultrasharp on the desktop.

Here is a link to some photos I took on Saturday rather than me uploading them here. You can see the exif then.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/60725640@N02/with/37...

Thanks

[48Valves]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to look at the pictures.

I do shoot in RAW and JPG. I need to find some time to get to learn Lightroom. But I would like to use PP to enhance images rather than be correcting faults.

I'm not taking the photos to sell. I just share them with the other parents. I've wanted to get into photography for a while an this was my way in if that makes sense. They are acceptable for sharing as candid photos and the other parents thought they were great. But I wasn't too happy with them and would like the pictures to be better than what I can take with my 10 year old Lumix Bridge or my phone.

Ideally, I would like one lens to cover a decent focal range so as not to need to change lenses or carry 2 when out and about. But I realise that is going to be both expensive and a compromise. I have been looking at getting a Canon 70 - 200 L lens, but I convinced myself I needed the mk2 f2.8 with IS and funds just won't run to that just yet with a trip to Disneyland in 3 weeks. I did consider the mk1 70 - 200 f4 without IS which can be had for £350ish and sell it on at a later date without losing too much on it.

I still need to get to grips properly with the AF system but I'm getting there slowly. I deliberately got a camera without too many auto features to make me learn to use it. And it is certainly doing that

[48Valves]

FurtiveFreddy said:

OK, but if you shoot in RAW it's inevitable you will have to correct some elements such as distortion and sharpness, because the image coming direct from the sensor needs some processing before you even start on the 'enhancements'.

Once you've got basic settings for your camera, though, you can automate most of those initial corrections and batch process them before you do anything else. You're only trying to do what the camera does when it does it's internal processing when creating a .jpg.

Just don't look at an unprocessed RAW image and think it's bound to be better than a .jpg out of the camera. It probably won't be.

I generally look at the JPGs first and then have a tinker in LR to see if I can improve the picture. I do struggle with the white balance and noticing things like the purple and brown tint mentioned earlier on account of being colour blind

[48Valves]

Thanks again.

Sigma lens has gone back and will be replaced by a canon 70-300 L.