EOS 400D Lens Kit Quality

Flockheart · 12-03-2007, 21:01

Hi all,

I've been quiet for a while since joining but hoping to be more active from now on, as last week I purchased my first DSLR, as titled a Canon EOS 400D.

I know the quality of the kit lens is often ridiculed however I thought for the neglegible difference in cost it would be worth picking up.

However since taking a few test shots I've been pretty shocked by the terrible quality of the images I've been getting - truly substandard to what I can achieve with my compacts.

I'm wondering if I have a very bad copy of the lens (or are all the kit lenses really this bad) and if anyone would be kind enough to take a look at a sample image to see if they can provide some feedback on the lense's performance (especially compared to any other experiences with the standard 18-55mm kit lens?

Link to image - Please choose "Download Photo" to get the full size jpg. The image was taken at largest size, with JPEG compression set to fine.

Any feedback greatly appreciated, to me the image is attrociously soft.

Thanks,

Flockheart

Soupdragon · 12-03-2007, 21:20

I downloaded the file and edited it a bit.
It is not that bad actually, I do agree that it's a bit hit and miss with the kit lens.
A couple of things have not helped your cause.
1/30th of a second shutter speed is a bit slow at a focal length of 55mm.
f5.6 is the lens wide open, no lens works best at it's max aperture, if you want to squeeze the best out of the kit lens try and get it as close to f8 as possible.
Whilst it's not a huge problem, I would not use a digital camera of any type/brand at iso levels above it's minimum.
People are going to say they can see no difference in noise between iso 100 and 400, they are either partially sighted or lying!

That's my take on it, my only other comment would be, bite the bullet and get a better lens.

**stepheno** · 12-03-2007, 21:24

Well to be honest Flockheart I wouldn't call that atrocious. Don't forget you were shooting in low light and your shutter speed was 1/30 when really a minimum of 1/50 ought to be used for that focal length -- I would have gone to 400 or more to get a fast shutter speed in that light. I think you just got lens movement.

Before condemning the lens why not try some test shots in daylight with good sunshine.Also a good ROT is to have a shutter speed at least the same as the focal lenth - 50mm needs 1/50, 100mm needs 1/100 etc HTH.

**stepheno** · 12-03-2007, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

People are going to say they can see no difference in noise between iso 100 and 400, they are either partially sighted or lying!

Depends how you are viewing the image. Full size in CS2 you may be right but for a 7x5 print or for web-viewing there's no discernible difference. I can go to ISO 1600 on my 30D no problem.

Flockheart · 12-03-2007, 21:34

Thanks for the quick reply Soupdragon, shot the image this evening as the sun was going down so bumped up the ISO to deal with the fading light.

Camera was just set to P mode as I was just wanting a quick dirty test of the lens, not sure I would have been able to get decent exposure at f8 and a slower shutter speed to be honest.

Been considering biting the bullet and getting a better lens, but the decision on what to buy will be based on what information I can gain from this thread on either improving the kit lens' performance or writing it off as a lost cause.

I may see if I can pop away from work at lunchtime tomorrow and do some shooting at f8 (weather permitting).

I'd still be gratefull to hear a few different take on the lens' performance if anyone has any other advice?

(Also thanks to Stepheno for the reply - I saw your responce after I posted my first reply!)

***Steve*** · 12-03-2007, 21:44

There is a article that I have written that might give you some good basic instructions to allow you to get the best from not just the kit lens but any lens either now or in the future. Understanding the information in it and making sure you follow the points should allow you to assess accurately if your kit lens is up to your quality requirements.

The basics of sharp photos

Hope that helps

silver · 12-03-2007, 21:52

if you hand held the shot then sharpness cannot be judged,.

dSLRs can be quite unforgiving of incorrect technique / too slow a shutter speed, the 400d is 10mp on a 1.6 fov crop sensor,. the slightest movement will translate directly to softening of the image,.

Sil

Flockheart · 13-03-2007, 10:25

Thanks for the further replies, I have brought my camera into the office with me to hopefully pop out at lunchtime and shoot in brighter sunlight (typically the weather is gray and overcast right now!) I will read then sharp photo guide this morning in preperation and hopefully post up the results tonight for further review.

I have a tripod (not with me today unfortunately) and will aim to take a few test shots utilising it as well.

Cenobite · 13-03-2007, 11:17

Just to say thanks for this thread, its proved useful for me, I just brought a 350d and am trying to learn how to use it. There is so much to take in when you first start and every little snippet of info helps.

**stepheno** · 13-03-2007, 11:42

Thanks for your thanks, Cenobite

brian wright22 · 13-03-2007, 11:43

Hi there, Iv'e had a look at your (oof) shot and have enlarged it right up to pixel level. My gut feeling is that it is not camera movement. The horizontal movement if there was enough to give blurring would not have produced equal left/right distortion.
Its does appear not to be focused in both plains and there is a bit of "flare" type softening of the shot and therefore I would say that due to the low light level your camera body may have just missed its best focus accuracy.

Flockheart · 13-03-2007, 13:24

Ok I've taken a few pictures in the office carpark at f8, with faster shutter speeds at ISO 100. Can't check the imagess properly until I get home tonight but will post up the results tonight.

Flockheart · 13-03-2007, 19:37

As promised a few test shots I took this lunchtime can be found here:

Examples

(Again the origional large JPEGs can be downloaded)

Sharpness does seem a bit better in proper daylight and taking into account everyone's advice. All were shot at ISO 100, f8 various focal lengths and shutter speeds.

I'm still finding the sharpness a little lacking so would like any other advice and feedback based on the new images if possible, before I start flexing the switch card.