New Camera...

Looks pretty good to me

Updating your website soon? I've been waiting to see your whole crew

 

I am beginning to believe you have to buy a very expensive camera anymore to get good quality pics. Our older camera took much better pics than any of the new ones we have bought since it died. And the new ones, none of them seem to last long either.

 

Sometimes Kodak has some real good cameras. I have a kodak now, its only problems are it has a scratched lens that means I cant point it in the direction of sunlight and it needs lithium batteries or else it just sucks the life out of regualr batteries or rechargable batters. Argh. but well worth it.

 

I'm so sorry. I would definitely let them know what is going on with it. Although, Oct of last year I bought a backup camera - Canon Xs, and OMG I couldn't stand it! The pic quality was.....blah! I ended up selling it this past spring, and getting a used Canon 20D as a backup. It's not great, but it works when I need it too - and I use it usually when I am taking pics of the goats.

I wish I could recommend a nice point and shoot camera, but I've been using DSLR for over 3 years now so I am out of the loop. However, I've not heard many bad things about Canon, and I know a lot of people that do like the Fujifilm cameras as well. I've never been a Nikon fan....LOL But my friend that I do photography stuff with is big on Nikon.

For almost $300 you should be getting images your happy with.

But... I have to ask.
Are you shooting in manual mode?

The settings on your new camera might be more sensative than the ones on your older one, so it could be that you need to adjust yourself to the new camera. Try taking pictures in auto or mode settings and see if your getting the same kind of results.
I know on my Canon 20D, if I over expose a little on the meter, it's really washed out. If I over expose a little on my Canon 40D I am usually okay.

 

Okay so I replied again, but deleted it after going back through your pic above on your flickr site.

You got some wild settings going on there girl!
In your file info it says it was around 3:58pm when you took that picture? Were you in the bright sun or where you in the shade?
First, it says your white balance: Sunny. Sunny can tend to drain a picture, and if you are NOT shooting in the sun, well then your not going to get accurate white balance in your picture.
Secondly, and very important.....the settings themselves....

Your camera seems to be set to underexpose -2 . I know on DSLR you can control the meter even when not shooting in manual mode. So if you are shooting in 'shutter priority' you can set the meter to expose evenly or -1 or +1 and it will adjust the settings automatically to get that exact exposure.
It's called exposure compensation - check the manual on how you can change it so your camera isn't under exposing in auto setting <it says you were in auto mode>


Was it really dark out?

ISO 1600, Shutter speed 1/1000, and F10.8 are some CRAZY SETTINGS LOL
That would be the kind of settings a sports photographer would use!

I know you know how to take pics and I believe you normally shoot in manual? But just thought I'd say that the settings all sound really really high to me. Again, your camera is making those high settings because it is under exposing the pictures your taking <again exposure compensation will fix this>.
Double check the white balance to make sure it fits the lighting situation.

Sharpness also says 'auto' so if you are striving for more sharpness, you need to adjust it. If you use photoshop, I'm sure you know how to use the unsharpen mask?

You might just want to read the manual, and give it a day or two and you might feel better about it. But if this doesn't work, I'd definitely get something different.

 

Definitely looks better I have to admit, I think I'd go crazy not having manual settings though! I also understand a budget for cameras too. I was trying to find info on exposure compensation for your camera, and saw pics - looks like a nice camera. But definitely make sure your going to be happy with it.

I regret never exchanging my Canon xs, and when I did sell it I lost $$ on it. I didn't even get 1,000 pics on it! I have probably taken around 200,000 pics in almost a year and a half with my 40D LOL -- NOT KIDDING!

 

I totally understand! I wanted to upgrade my camera to a 50D or 7D by mid Sept, but isn't even going to happen this year
Just remember though, if you do decide to ever get a DSLR - save your $$ for your lenses, and don't overpay for the camera body. My very VERY favorite lens is the 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens, it's what most pros use, especially for sports, and it's awesome. HEAVY as heck, but you get used to the weight. That's what I use when I do my horse pics that I've posted on flickr. It's a great lens for low light <that's what I use indoors at the sales>.

 

LOL!!!!!! Very true! Especially since I usually have BOTH cameras and lenses that I lug around! What's so funny is...the smaller camera/lens is the one that causes the aches! Figure that one out...LOL

 

I hope you are getting more practice in with the new camera. Just give yourself time to adjust, and you'll be fine I can't wait to see more pics, I have enjoyed your pictures very much. I don't know much about Alaska, but your pictures have me so curious, and it looks so peaceful and beautiful! Amazing how much a picture can tell you