Sorry folks but the usual VS. Canon EOS 1D Mark III VS 5D MKI VS Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II vs Canon EOS 1D Mark II N vs the like ?

[neuroanatomist]

i just wanted to know how the more available focus points would turn out

Please take this as constructive criticism, but in all honesty it really seems to me that you have a difficult time nailing focus correctly with the 9 focus points that you have on your 5D, so I'm not sure that simply having more focus points is the answer here.


I have to assume that you have reasons for posting the shots that you choose to post. For example, this one:





Might I ask, what is the purpose for posting this one? You asked how we would rate them. Looking at this one, I'd suggest working on exposure, focus, lighting, and composition - i.e. nearly everything goes into taking a picture.


Some of the shots you've previously posted have been excellent. Many have been far short of that. Asking for others to critique your work is fine (and part of the purpose of these forums), but self-evaulation is the best place to start. It's hard for me to grasp why a series of blurry pictures prefaced with the statement, "My poor attempt at self portrait in low light no flash, hand held,and way to much coffee!," should be posted in a thread entitled, "Post Your Best Portrait Shots!" Do you honestly feel that those were your best? I have to say, I think you've done much better!


You seem to have a sincere desire to improve your photography that's wonderful! Posting images here and asking for critique can be a valuable part of that process, but only if you make it so. To me, the sheer volume of blurry and in my opinion frequently pointless images(i.e. posted with no clear purpose or explanation)makes it difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Edit your shots (i.e. choose carefully), post ones you like, or ones where you want help, be specific about what you want, and that will make it easier to get useful feedback. For me at this point, it's like having a radio that's playing static - it's better just to tune it out...


Sorry for the blunt statements...but I felt they needed to be said. Feel free to follow my last statement, and just tune me out!

[GarzaCapitalist]

Dr.! Just the person I needed to hear from! My idea was that photography was ore than sharp photo

[ddt0725]

I

[GarzaCapitalist]

All points well taken! Excuse my oration directa, the idea that everyone here takes instant perfect photos without processing seems a bit far fetched? The attitude here seems to be,all photos must be just like the magazine, or online site "perfect",seems to be an unusual stance on photography? wouldnt it be odd if Cartier-Bresson turned out "winners" with every try? I am in no way ever comparing myself to what Mr.Cartier-Bresson earned!

[HDNitehawk]

Garza


I think you would find that any great photographer got the reputation as being great, not only by the great shots he took but by not showing everyone the bad ones.


As for focus, let me give you the benefit of the doubt. I would suggest setting it up on a tripod and checking the focus. I don

[GarzaCapitalist]

@ HDNitehawk, I tank you for your time, and ideas. as far as the sharpness foes, i shot manual mode almost always,so this may be the reason why my shots are uhh,not so sharp,and even blah at most times. I try to shot whatever,when ever possible. so far i have purchased the gray card so now im off to discover how to use it! it has the zone system of photography instructions, but yikes!

[TakahiroW4047]

...the idea that everyone here takes instant perfect photos without processing seems a bit far fetched? The attitude here seems to be,all photos must be just like the magazine, or online site "perfect",seems to be an unusual stance on photography?...

I think I wouldn't be stepping too far out of my boots to say that most everyone here (if the circumstance allows the chance), takes countless frames, even a hundred frames to come up with a single image that they believe "lives up" to their current skills and vision. It just so happens that we only see that ONE image. It can sometimes be perceived that a photographer takes only "perfect" photos, but only because there were countless "failures" preceding it that we do not see.


Vice Versa, if we were to openly see all the countless "failures", that one perfect photo would just get lost in the midst of the rest. The impact lessens, and so does others perception of your "skills".


I'm not saying that we are all here to post images so we can build a reputation. But I think it's a general acknowledgement for photographers, that behind each final single image, we know there were time and effort put into it. No need to post the progress. It's heartening to see people whom are excited about improving their photography, but it would be too much for all of us to sort through each step of the way frame by frame.


If you can post just that single best image at the time for all of us to see, this community and it's experienced photographers can give you tips to make your best even better (provided it's in C&C [])


I think it's also self beneficial, because you'll have that bin of your bests, and as time progresses you'll be able to see for yourself how your "bests" have improved over time.


Kind of off subject from what I was just rambling about, but have you tried taking photos outside? All of your images so far that I've seen in multiple posts are all indoors and out of focus/motion blur. If you are shooting with f/1.4 and slow shutter speeds, I would suggest shooting outdoors with smaller aperture. Shooting indoors without a flash was a totally different animal for me. With wide open apertures, moving half an inch forward or back will create completely out of focus images, which I think is your current dilemma at the moment.

[GarzaCapitalist]

just for clarity, if that is possible from me, the above shots were hand held fully manual @ 1.4 at night in my home. they were posted as a humorous attempt on my part. ill post the specs when i can. thanks all.

[HDNitehawk]

Garza


Do you use auto focus?

[Firestarter]

I agree with every word John just said.


And I will add this from myself: what's the point of spending all those thousands of dollars on equipment you can obviously not take advantage even a small fraction of?


My advise is (and don't take it as an insult, please): buy a book, learn basics of photography. Until you can tell a difference between focused and defocused, underexposed and overexposed, don't spend another dollar on more equipment. You will just go bankrupt if you continue to pursue a camera that will magically take better pictures for you. I bet, there is NOTHING wrong with the camera/lens that you already have. Just learn how to use them properly. Best way to do that is to switch to full manual mode and follow instructions from the photo-book that you've just learned.


And when you decide to post some of your photographs, be more organized and systematic. Post your EXIF data, let us know what you wanted to achieve, what you think your problem was, what you like and what you dislike in that photo (one photo at a time), so that we can help you understand your mistakes and guide you toward an improvement.