Menges88wrote:I agree re holding technique.Many people who purchase dSLRs for the first time come from a P&S, so they are used to holding the camera at arms length, using one hand, or holding the camera with a hand each side of the camera (nothing to support the lens, especially heavy lenses). I see alot of dSLR users holding the camera like this.I always thought, and correct me if I am wrong, that the left hand should really be under the camera supporting the lens; the right hand used to control the shutter and adjusting other settings while looking through the viewfinder. Breathing technique can also be important, especially at lower shutter speeds without IS. Holding a camera sounds simple, but there is more to it than first time camera owners realise.

R Johnswrote:I won't argue with you about your assesment, but I do believe that we need to be careful how we identify one group of photographers from another. I'm not saying that you are wrong, in fact there are a lot of clueless folks out there taking pictures (myself included sometimes). Although, I do believe it does not have as much to do with the gear, as one might assume.I remember back before I made my first DSLR purchase, when I was on the other side of this long-standing stereotype. I found myself resenting the remarks from those who believed that others weren't qualified in the art of photography, simply because of the gear that they possesed, knowing full well that those who were critisizing perhaps weren't capable of producing work of their own that qualified thier self-righteous postition.The bottom line is, those who have years/decades of D/SLR gear experience aren't necessarily immune from bad habits or a lack of understanding the basics.Hi Russ,Sorry if I came across as being a little too critical there. I am a beginner myself and the 50D will be my first dSLR, so I still have lots to learn about photography and didnt mean to come across as critisizing people who use P&S and are upgrading. We all have to start somewhere; just like we all grew up and learnt how to walk and how to talk. Its all in the learning process. I am upgrading from a FZ28 which is more or less in the point and shoot category so I will no doubt find that I will have to be extra careful re technique when using the 50D.What I was meant to get at is that it can be a shame when someone blames the camera for producing horrible pictures because they cant use it in the same fashion in which they used their P&S. My friend works at a camera store and gets alot of returns because of this. That is not to say that there are defective cameras out there, some people are unlucky and end up with a lemon. I am a very unlucky person, so if there were a lemon out there, I would most likely get it :).Sorry if I offended anyone, I should be careful with my words as one cannot rely on body language and tone of voice in forums. I did not mean anything to sound overly harsh.Regards and a happy New Year.

Wow, a great post ruined, perhaps, by falling into the trap of gear-induced superiority complex.EXEC SUMMARY: Please allow for the possibility that some people don't have to have the latest Canon DSLR to make their lives, or photographic enjoyment, complete. Your 50D does not cause fits of envy amongst the commoners. LOL. I really do say this tongue in cheek.Here's where we agree:I am astounded by the preponderance of photographers who think their gear makes them better, creatively and as humans. A camera body, even a 40D, if functioning properly, is not useless technology, just cause the 50D hit the streets.Image output should speak for itself. We can argue, even enjoy discussing the finer points of newer vs. older models in terms of technology updates, software improvements, etc. You made this argument beautifully.BUT, here's where I disagree mildly: let's stop assuming the rest of the world is jealous of newer gear simply because it's "Born On" date is fresher.If any of you out there bought a 40D expecting Canon to stop innovating because you invested in their then-current mass market image maker, shame on you. There I said it! And 50D owners,get ready: the 60D is coming.Half will upgrade in an almost-Pavlovian automatic way. Great. The others will start arguing why their 50D is great enough. Also valid. No one is wrong.So please add one more category to your list: 10, 20, 30, and 40D owners who simply are satisfied with their cameras. Let's let them play in the sandbox, too.I submit this respectfully.

mountaingirlwrote:I just got a 50D for Christmas and am loving it.Do I have a lot to learn? You bet!!!I'm coming from the Rebel XT and it's a whole new ball game.SoLet's play ballsounds cool, Mountaingirl..One little tip, before we roll the ball, use the best len'es you can afford..ok luv..Lets rock& roll..Rick

R Johnswrote:No worries Russ, I know you werent calling me out, I just wanted to make sure that other people who read my post realise I wasnt meaning to sound harsh and critical; especially given I myself am an amateur.

Thomas Miller wrote, in part: " There are several good ways to hold a camera. I tend to brace my elbow (which supports the camera at lens/body) against my body. I'll usually hold my breath for a moment at slower shutter speeds."This is exactly the technique that I have used for many years, which I derived from having been on the rifle team in college (and which earned me an expert marksman rating in the military). The only thing I would add, is to take a breath, and then let some air out so that you are comfortable. Hold your breath and squeeeeze the shutter release gently, don't poke at it. I often see cameras shake at the moment people trip the shutter.

Fredrickwrote:Thomas Miller wrote, in part: " There are several good ways to hold a camera. I tend to brace my elbow (which supports the camera at lens/body) against my body. I'll usually hold my breath for a moment at slower shutter speeds."This is exactly the technique that I have used for many years, which I derived from having been on the rifle team in college (and which earned me an expert marksman rating in the military). The only thing I would add, is to take a breath, and then let some air out so that you are comfortable. Hold your breath and squeeeeze the shutter release gently, don't poke at it. I often see cameras shake at the moment people trip the shutter.Good post Frederick. This is usually the technique I follow as well when holding the camera, so good to know I am on the right track.

There's an interesting review today on 50D over on Luminous Landscape,katy

Poor camera technique (camera shake, too low a shutter speed, wrong aperture, wrong ISO, poor focus etc) absolutely swamps ANY sensor shortcomings. The better the camera (sensor) the more that GOOD camera technique will be rewarded - a high resolution sensor is NOT a "magic bullet" just as a super sharp lens is not. They are in fact just the opposite, high tech pieces of equipment which will only give of their best when handled carefully and correctly.

I had the same 40D (stolen :() then i bought a 50D,... and i have to say it's a bit better,... though. I use fairly lenses (Sigma 10-20 4-5.6, Canon EF-S 60 Makro f 2.8, Canon EF-S 55-250 and Sigma 24-70 f2.8) and im happy with my new camera. I got really excellent quality (for my standards). I was a bit upset reading the 1 review, overall about the price. I mean i payed the 50D body 1300 CHF (871 Euros ) and it's yes a PRICE, but i think the camera is worth that,...Thank for your 2nd Review

Wayndomwrote:So 'splain to me how higher resolution increases camera shake..?It makes it more visible. It is the old "¤¤¤¤!!! it looked sharp on the camera LCD" syndrome.If you have a slightly blurred or out of focus image. Display it in a viewer and reduce the windows size until it appears sharp.Camera shake blurs images at any resolution.Not really. Se above examples.

I went to a 40D from a compact p/s, holding it like that just felt natural. It's the best technique, in my opinion.

"The Very Best DSLR Ever Made" says Lord Nikon in this post:http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=30502443..and the G10 is "no better than MANY 200 dollar models.." "So in my opinion there can't be enough threads 'bashing' the G10 in an honest and intelligent manner which describes it for what it is: a very mediocre camera wrapped in a lovely box."http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=30418639Thanks to Lord Nikon for coming here, and "in an honest and intelligent manner" setting things straight!

Wayndomwrote:ThomasMillerwrote:1) At ISO 1600 and below it's resolution benefit are visible on screen, and to a smaller degree on prints of 13X19. If you only print 8X10 you may not see much difference. So many pixels on the sensor mean that good holding technique is important since any motion causes blurring. This was a big issue for folks jumping from 6 MP to 10 or 12MP and we're seeing it again. Master the 50D and you will see the resolution benefit...period.Funny how, in the days of film, no one ever suggested that finer grain would result in more (or more apparent) camera shake.So 'splain to me how higher resolution increases camera shake..?Or even apparent camera shake..?Camera shake blurs images at any resolution.Would someone please answer this question?.

aVolanchewrote:Funny how, in the days of film, no one ever suggested that finer grain would result in more (or more apparent) camera shake.So 'splain to me how higher resolution increases camera shake..?Or even apparent camera shake..?Camera shake blurs images at any resolution.Would someone please answer this question?True, camera shake does blur images at any resolution, but the more you "blow it up" (i.e. the more resolution) the more apparent this is. Its like when something is slightly off focus and you decrease the size of the picture, it becomes less noticeable. Yes, the blur is always there and hasnt gone away, it's just not as noticeable at smaller sizes. Same goes with noise, the smaller the size of the picture the less you notice it. Its not until you view the picture at a larger size that you realise the amount of noise or blur.I will show an example. The blur is caused by subject movement, but same theory can apply for camera shake. The first image is downsized and whilst one can notice some blur, it does not appear to be TOO excessive (look at the body of the bird).Increase the resolution of this same picture and you can notice the blur even more.Hope this makes sense.

Steen Baywrote:"The Very Best DSLR Ever Made" says Lord Nikon in this post:http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=30502443..and the G10 is "no better than MANY 200 dollar models.." "So in my opinion there can't be enough threads 'bashing' the G10 in an honest and intelligent manner which describes it for what it is: a very mediocre camera wrapped in a lovely box."http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=30418639Thanks to Lord Nikon for coming here, and "in an honest and intelligent manner" setting things straight!Yes...I do believe that the D700 is the best all around DSLR in production at any price. That doesn't mean that other models won't suit others better. I also believe and know that the G10 that, along with most other expensive P&S cameras, fails to deliver in too many respects and has failed to mature.That has nothing at all to do with my high regard for the 50D though.

I am glad to see this minute, but critical point discussed here. I have long wondered whether my ham-handed approach was correct.I hold the camera and lens properly, but I think I have been more of a quick jabber rather than a smooth pusher.

Menges88wrote:What I was meant to get at is that it can be a shame when someone blames the camera for producing horrible pictures because they cant use it in the same fashion in which they used their P&S. My friend works at a camera store and gets alot of returns because of this. That is not to say that there are defective cameras out there, some people are unlucky and end up with a lemon. I am a very unlucky person, so if there were a lemon out there, I would most likely get it :).Dale,there's some truth to what you say... and then there's some truth to the complaints.I have a Canon40D.It has all these nice modes on it's dial. Half of them I don't use (you know which ones I'm talking about).One stands out in particular... the Green "idiot" mode.Well... guess what? If I hand my $1700 (when you account for lens) IS equipped 40D to someone to take a photo of me and my family, and I hand my father's $350 Canon S5 IS, I will routinelly get a better result from the S5 IS.I can't quite point out what is going on. Sometime I think it's a focus point issue (I don't have to say anything about focus points when I hand over an S5 IS, why should I have to say anything when I hand over a 40D?) ... sometime I think the onboard flash gives more of a "flashed" look vs the flash on the S5 ... sometime I think it's how the face-detection affects the metering.But I can tell you it's VERY annoying.I love having the control I have with my 40D but I AM indeed very disappointed by the fact that it can't match the results a $350 camera puts out when I hand it over to a stranger.