[daveyuk]

If for some reason your photos are not quite right try some of the below as I had the same problem and went back to basics.

Dioptric set up.

1. Make yourself a couple of test sheets in Word with a standard Ariel font with a size of 72 just type out the whole alphabet plus numbers from 1 to 0 then on the second sheet use the \, / | and – to create the following pattern \------|------/ but move the \ and / in one space on each line so you make diagonal lines down the page, or simply ask me and I'll send you a copy of mine as it does take a bit of time to create and print out.
2. Stick both sheets side by side on to a wall or door with some blue tack set your camera up on a tripod about 10 or 12 feet away then focus first on the letters and adjust your dioptric wheel until all is in focus then focus on the second sheet as this will give you a chance to check on your straight lines as well as the curves on the letters. I should say at this point it’s well worth taking your time on this and really trying get this dialed in as trying to do this out in the field may not be so easy, plus you’re at home so you can have a cup of tea or coffee while you fiddle!
3. This bit may sound a little daft but once you’re happy with what you’re seeing through your viewfinder with your good eye, now use your weaker eye to look through the viewfinder just to double check that all is clear, it will feel rather unusual and very strange but I think it’s worth doing even to just as a test.

Auto focus sensor setup.

1. It’s all too easy with DSLR camera’s to just use “auto” and let the camera do everything for you which is ok when you first get the camera. But on the Canon 300 and 350D’s you have seven auto focus sensors and the first sensor to lock onto to something that nine times out of ten will be your focus point regardless of what you are looking at. I was advised to use AV and TV settings as you can select which sensor you want to be enabled and nine times out of ten you will want the centre sensor enabled.
2. To do this is quite simply and will only take a few moments, switch on your camera and as you look at it from the rear press the small button in the top right hand corner the one closet to the edge, you will the see in the LCD display some dashes that represent the positions of your sensor by simply turning the selector wheel you can scroll through your sensors. Once you have selected the centre sensor press the same far right hand button to confirm your selection.
3. Now when you use the settings of M, AV, TV, P your auto focus point will always be the centre sensor. This will go a long way to helping your subject focus becoming sharper.

Camera shake.

1. Try to hold your camera as steady as you can, or lean on a convenient wall or against a lamp post.

2. Use a tripod or monopod.

3. Practice holding and using your camera in the garden, bird baths and bird tables are a great help as they don’t move so you can take your time and practice with both auto focus and manual focus as you never know there maybe time when you can’t for what ever reason use auto focus. Or like me you’ve bought a Tele Converter and auto focus works but it’s unreliable or it just doesn’t find anything to focus. Plus all your practice shoots can be deleted it’s not as if you’re wasting any film!
4. You can also practice with your monopod in the garden, the rest of the family and neighbour's may have great fun at taking the mick but when they see your stunning shots of what ever then who’s laughing last!!!!!
5. Shutter speeds remember the rule of thumb as what ever your focal length be it 100 or 300mm then your shutter speed should ideally be set to 1\100th or 1\300th and let the camera work out the aperture setting for you.
6. Use AV for when you want Depth Of Field as you priority.
7. Control your breathing before pressing the shutter release
8. Relax try not to be to rigid as your efforts to be rock steady will only help you shake or move even more.

[Steve]

Well done Dave, you have covered the subject well and offered some good solutions to help people get the best from their equipment and rule out some user error.

Thanks for taking the time and putting in the effort to write this for the benefit of the members. It is much appreciated.

[daveyuk]

No worries mate it's the least I can do to repay the kind advice, tips, and hints that yourself and other members have given me.

[SammyC]

Is it worth getting this document off Dave and hosting it on the forum somewhere if its that useful/painful to create?

[Steve]

Dave and I have already discussed that

We where hoping that people may chose to add in some extra comments tips and then dave could form a final document that could then be formatted and added into out articles section of the main site.

If no one has anything to add in the next few days we will begin the process and get it hosted on the main site

[kamion]

Is the dioptric setup printouts available to download anywhere? I think I've screwed mine up when I first got the camera and messed about with the dial without knowing what it does!

[Steve]

Just set it back to the centre

[kamion]

Originally Posted by Steve

Just set it back to the centre

Oh, is that it?

[Steve]

Sorry there is nothing more technical about it, its just there as an adjustment for people with less than perfect vision so that they can adjust it to allow them to see through the viewfinder without the need to wear their glasses. If you don't need it set it to the centre, if you do, adjust it until you see clearest

[barrymoir]

Thanks for that, ive always been curiious as to the diopter setup, as my eyes im sure are screwed (not been to opticians in 17 years ) will give this a try as im sure i have an issue with it.

[CT]

Originally Posted by daveyuk

3. This bit may sound a little daft but once you’re happy with what you’re seeing through your viewfinder with your good eye, now use your weaker eye to look through the viewfinder just to double check that all is clear, it will feel rather unusual and very strange but I think it’s worth doing even to just as a test.

Good post Davey, and I agree with all of it except the bit I've quoted. I think only the very young or the very fortunate are likely to need the same diopter correction for each eye. The viewfinder should be set up for the eye you'd normally use, and you shouldn't necessarily expect the same setting to work for your other eye.

Barry - get your eyes tested - most people, blokes particularly, leave it far too long. If you do need specs, you'll find you probably have the same trouble I do...........it's perfectly possible to set the diopter adjustment so that you can focus perfectly without specs, but then when you remove your eye from the eyepiece you can't see the menus and settings properly on the camera, so in practice, most people set up the diopter adjustment for wearing specs.

The elegant solution is probably contact lenses which I keep saying I'm going to enquire into. DaveG who posts here is an optician and may see this and comment.

[RobertP]

I get by most of the time without glasses as I have one eye that does a good job on distance and one that sees pretty good closer

I have glasses but optician says they are opional - I wear them when I want both eyes to see easily... like night driving.

Opticians do more than check your vision, the eyes reveal other health problems. Mum had glaucoma controlled by eye drops so I get yearly free eye tests.

[barrymoir]

i was meant to wear glasses all those years ago, something to do with i have problems judging distance (too many forks wrecking palets with a fork lift truck lol), but foundn it painfull with them on reading (as i was meant to), might just make an appointment to get them checked out.

[noah]

Originally Posted by RobertP

Opticians do more than check your vision, the eyes reveal other health problems. Mum had glaucoma controlled by eye drops so I get yearly free eye tests.

oh how that rings bells, i'm doing opthalmology at the min and pretty much any disrease i can find they show me how it can manifest itself in the eyes! it's a tricky subject for sure.