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just upgraded from a fuji s304 and i'm finding the transition quite difficult.alyough i'm using mostly full auto just now to get a feel of the camera i'm finding the results less than satisfactory compared to the fuji. the images are not as sharp as the fuji. i know that i have a lot to learn but if anyone can give me a few basic pointers or tips i would be very grateful. thankyou
As a starter for ten: set it to P mode, set the focus to the centre point, set ISO to 200 and shoot in RAW. This should give you better focusing, give you control over ISO setting as/ when you need it to keep shutter speed up and allow you to adjust exposure for those times when the camera + you get it wrong 
The canon FileViewerUtility is a bit "clunky" but relatively simple to use and gives good results (at no extra cost)
Post processing is important to get final image control how you want it, so take time to learn Adobe Elements that comes with the camera (if you don't already use it)
It will be a frustrating few weeks but it is well worth the extra effort - honest
Brian
I agree with Brian just perceiver. Experiment as much as you can. Take several shots, even of the same subject and learn. That what I'm doing.
Brian.
Hi zzdave, Welcome to world of digital eos. That canon cmos sensor is stunning. Most people seem dissapointed with the sharpness at first, but its because the camera itself is less aggressive with the sharpening, you'll find that when you sharpen in software, all the detail you want will be there. Just keep plugging away and you'll get the hang of it.
Chris
The Fuji does a lot of sharpening in the camera hence your images looking sharp. In the canon you will find that you are in control of the sharpening. Sharpen your image at the end, just prior to printing.
I spent 1 month working on the controls of my 300d I worked only in manual mode, this in my opinion made me understand the controls better, I am now spending a week on each main feature, testing them in lots of ways. For instance, I will set my lens to 100mm and not allow myself to change the zoom. By working in this way I hope to understand the limits of my camera and the effect my lenses have on it.
Have a look around for tips on processing DSLR images, look for articles on sharpening, colour correction etc..
One other thing, practice, practice and more practice. You will find that you need to change the way you used to work with your old camera and learn to work with a DSLR, were you have more control (although you do have to learn how to control it)
Glenn
I agree with the others. First be aware of or take control of which focal point is active.
If you want to work directly in photoshop elements to get going then set the camera to large JPEG and set the parameters to parameter 1. This avoids the need to get into working with the RAW processing software, though you may want to go there once you are working more comfortably with the camera.
Now with each image get the exposure correct, either using levels or brightness/contrast, then adjust the colour saturation till you feel it is correct and then finally use the unsharp mask try starting with Threshold 0, Radius 1 and amount 100%. Work on the amount till you fell it is correct.
Alternatively you can create your own parameter, I found that setting everything to +1 , except for sharpness which I set to +2 gives quite punchy results, but nowadays I prefer to just stick with parameter1 and the technique I mentioned.
I like to use the camera in the creative zone as you can run a mix of Auto and Manual features. Selecting the ISO yourself is I feel important. I tend to use Av @50% of the time, with Program 30%, Tv 10% and Manual for the rest I set the aperture I want and then check that the shutter speed is in the range I am happy with. If it's too slow I up the ISO level. I tend to use the lowest ISO level I can get away with.
It is a big jump to a dSLR, but after a month I am certain you will be a convert like the rest of us. And learning is part of the challenge/fun.
thanks to you all for the advice there sure is a lot to take in! i will plug away a bit at a time and i will take all of your advice on board and put it into practice.i haven't got to grips with photoshop7 yet and i'm currently using ACDSee6. Is the software that came with the camera any good(photo elements2?)and finally can anyone recommend any good books or tutorials?
thanks again for all your help
I rate Elements, and find it works well. There is a book called the hidden powers of Photoshop elements which comes with a CD of extra tools, for example a curves tool that expands it, but it is a bit heavy reading, one for when you are comfortable with Elements.
I find the quickstart series are good for getting going.
PE 2 is plenty good enough and you'll take lots of time getting the most from it. PS is now in an even later edition, but I doubt whther it's worth the extra money for very few extra tools that most amateurs would use, and 700 buys a lot of kit. I know, I know PE2 is just not as sexy as the "real thing" but it's a good balance between cost and features.
Cheers,
Alan
Hi ZZdave
I can't disagree with anything here (not that I'd want to). My way of getting to grips with the 300D was to shoot exclusively in manual mode and it took very little time to get to grips with this. The other thing I do is use the histogram to check the exposure and look for the tell tale flashing black areas in the pe-view shot to warn you of any over exposure. The rest is just practice for effect on DoF, sharpness of focus and using the settings to try to be creative (I still have a lot of work to do here).
I used to spend a bit of time with the manual and camera on an evening in front of the TV just to help familiarise myself (strange I know but... it worked ,and now the camera and I can be apart for hours at a time).
Re the soft images it depends what mode you record images in. There is an option in the menu for setting the processing parameters which comprises of 2 pre set, adobe RGB and 3 places for saving custon parameters.
Setting 1 is more akin to a standard pro-sumer/ compact camera which will apply a good bit of sharpening, setting 2 is more like the 10D arrives off the shelf and does not do much in the way of in camera processing, leaving it to the user. This is the parameter I use when recording in jpg and I always have to use a little judicial sharpening with these images. RAW is similar only you have to learn a little more (& I'm still learning here).
Re the elements 2 software it's very highly rated and I know a lot of people who are using it very happily, though I use CS so I haven't got it installed and couldn't comment on the differences, I think it has unsharp mask which would be usefull to you for.
I found a little tip on this on the web for you.
Sharpening
Sorry just noticed the link above, that's good too.
On books, I have The Digital Photographers Handbook by Tom Ang which I have found very usefull though it may be due for an update in equipment aspects as it's 2 yrs old now everything it has on tips techniques and photography in general is bang on.
There is another book just out, The Digital SLR Master Class from Andy Rouse which I have heard is good but note read.
My favourite at the moment 'cause its just a very good book on photography and is helping me with my G&G course is Basic Photography by Micheal Langford.
Good Luck.
Pete.
ZZdave
I was browsing the web looking for something for my course work and I found this web site. Looks like it makes a decent effort at explaining a few things. I'm not sure if this is what u'r looking for, but I thought it may be a help, if its a little too basic for what ur after then soz.
Basic Phto site
Hope it's a help.
Pete.
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