Boy, do I need Help.

Fast

My first foray with my new camera. This is awful. Any thoughts?
Canon S50 set on Auto.

patch29

I wonder if the lens was dirty? It looks like it was shot with a soft focus filter. Maybe there was a humidity problem on the sensor or lens? Where was the camera prior to taking the photo? What about photos before or after this one? My best guess would be a dirt lens.

kbasa

patch29 wrote:

I wonder if the lens was dirty? It looks like it was shot with a soft focus filter. Maybe there was a humidity problem on the sensor or lens? Where was the camera prior to taking the photo? What about photos before or after this one? My best guess would be a dirt lens.

That's what I thought. It looks like an old Penthouse shot or something.

Richard Cabesa

I'd say the same as others have. Little bits here and there are clear. I'd lean more to moisture/condensation than dirt.

David

Shay Stephens

I would have to guess condensation on the lens or similar diffusing material. The S50 doesn't use filters that I know of. And it doesn't just look out of focus either.

fish

Vaseline on the lens? That was a soft focus trick I used to use on my film gear.

ian408

Fast wrote:

My first foray with my new camera. This is awful. Any thoughts?
Canon S50 set on Auto.

It's probably condensate. I noticed mine was damp on the outside after
stuffing it in my pocket and going for a ride. The transition from warm
inside to cold outside is what did it.

Ian

Shay Stephens

ian408 wrote:

It's probably condensate. I noticed mine was damp on the outside after
stuffing it in my pocket and going for a ride. The transition from warm
inside to cold outside is what did it.

Ian

That makes a lot of sense.

ian408

Shay Stephens wrote:

That makes a lot of sense.

Which brings up a good point. If you're going to be making a
transition between temperature extremes, you need to let the
camera warm up or cool down before using it. On an SLR, it
means not removing the lens until the camera's been inside or
outside for a bit. Whatever the transition, it should be smooth.

I should have known better and put the camera in the tank bag
where it would have cooled down more slowly.

Ian

P.S. If you use a tripod where it could freeze, a piece of pipe
insulation on one leg will give you something to hold onto
that's not frozen.

patch29

ian408 wrote:

I should have known better and put the camera in the tank bag
where it would have cooled down more slowly.

Ian

P.S. If you use a tripod where it could freeze, a piece of pipe
insulation on one leg will give you something to hold onto
that's not frozen.

or if it fits a ziploc bag.

Nice penny-tech suggestion for the tripod legs.

ian408

patch29 wrote:

Nice penny-tech suggestion for the tripod legs.

I saw a tripod outfitted with something similar many years ago.
Insulation was $50. But then you got three legs worth
Less than $5 gets you six feet. A little duct tape and you're
good to go.

Ian

Baldy

I had the nightmare scenario happen and got my 70-200 wet on a hot day and it steamed up the elements inside. I thought this was going to be a very expensive refurb, but I ran to the hobby shop, bought the silica they use to dry flowers, put it and my camera in a shoebox wrapped in Saran, and presto: sharp and clear lens.

ian408

Baldy wrote:

I had the nightmare scenario happen and got my 70-200 wet on a hot day and it steamed up the elements inside. I thought this was going to be a very expensive refurb, but I ran to the hobby shop, bought the silica they use to dry flowers, put it and my camera in a shoebox wrapped in Saran, and presto: sharp and clear lens.

Great tip. Could be worth keeping some around (hermatically sealed).

Ian