Is it my camera? Myself? or the Lenses?

mct87 · Jul 10, 2012

Hi!

This question might be repetitive, but I am in need of an answer. My camera is canon 600D and the lenses, I've used are sigma 17-50 2.8 and canon 50mm 1.8. Now...the problem is that I keep getting blurry/soft pictures. No matter how much I try to adjust the shutter speed to the aperture or the ISO. I just bought my sigma 17-50 and canon 50 1.8. Did I get bad lenses? Is it my camera, it's only a little over a year old? I've never heard of bad cameras, just bad lenses and photographers. Any input, suggestions would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

MonicaBH · Jul 10, 2012

It would be helpful if you'd post some images with the exposures you used (SS, aperture, ISO, focal length, etc).

412 Burgh · Jul 10, 2012

mct87 said:
Hi!

This question might be repetitive, but I am in need of an answer. My camera is canon 600D and the lenses, I've used are sigma 17-50 2.8 and canon 50mm 1.8. Now...the problem is that I keep getting blurry/soft pictures. No matter how much I try to adjust the shutter speed to the aperture or the ISO. I just bought my sigma 17-50 and canon 50 1.8. Did I get bad lenses? Is it my camera, it's only a little over a year old? I've never heard of bad cameras, just bad lenses and photographers. Any input, suggestions would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

IF you post photos it would be much more diagnostically. I would recommend posting some photos and their exif data. But in the mean time take your camera and do a few test shots on it. Put it on a tripod with focus on a particular item and see if its handshake or bad settings. Make sure your shutter speed isn't low if you are using handheld. This would cause camera shake and all pictures will come out blurry. Some recommend not shooting handheld anything below 160.

Overread · Jul 10, 2012

The camera and those lenses should be able to get you some great sharp shots - so my gut reaction is to suspect that the greater problem is currently user based. As said above, show some example photos along with the aperture, shutter speed and ISO that you used for them.
You might also want to list any other shooting info as well (eg was it taken in strong wind; were you using a tripod).

Another point to consider is your posture as you shoot.
Joe McNally - Da Grip - YouTube
That video should give you a good starting point for some advice on how to hold yourself and your camera when shooting. Poor posture can result in problems even if you've a good shutter speed.

pgriz · Jul 10, 2012

1) get rid of any filters you may be using.
2) get a tripod, and see if the images improve on a steady platform. If yes, problem may have been low shutter speed, hand shake, etc.
3) Focus with live-view while on tripod, in manual, non-IS mode. if images are sharp, then problem may be with the AF, or your choice of AF.
4) You may be missing focus. Again checking the focus point on a tripod, using live-view, in manual mode and then again in AF should let you know if that's the problem.
5) check to see if Murphy moved in next door. If he has, nothing you do will work, since you are now subject to Murphy's Law.

Solarflare · Jul 11, 2012

If there is SOMETHING in your picture in focus, just not the thing you aimed at, your camera might need to be repaired (or rather readjusted).

You can check that by photographing a long thing, such as a metering rule, and aim for its middle. If you get focus somewhere else, its misadjusted.

Another issue might be maximum aperture. I know my 35mm f/1.8 prime lens is somewhat soft wide open. Closing it down a bit, just to f/2.8, already yields much better results. I now only use f/1.8 if the light is really low.

cgipson1 · Jul 11, 2012

Agreed... post images showing the issue you are having. Either leave Exif in the image or post it separately.

Don't even consider that it may be a lens or body issue... until user error is ruled out. Going down that path is a mistake.. we see it all the time! (pretty unlikely!)

One MAJOR rookie mistake we see a lot of, is shooting wide open (Aperture) all of the time (for GOOD Bokeh! Whatever!)... hopefully you aren't doing that!