50D Owners Thread - Anything 50D related

I turned mine off simply because people on here recommended it, but I can't answer that one Ian, hopefully somebody who knows more about these things than us will pipe up soon.

Pete
 
Ian Jones said:
is there any down sides to turning them off?
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Well you should most definitely turn them off if you're shooting raw format, which you should do anyway unless someone has your pecker in a vice. ;)

HTP (Highlight Tone Priority) protects the highlights in your images and it can only do that by under-exposing, which will always exacurbate noise.

ALO (Auto Lighting Optimiser) performs a basically similar function in that it will try to balance the levels in your images, which again is likely to result in under-exposure and increased noise.

If you're shooting jpegs because you simply don't have the time or inclination for raw processing then leave them turned on if you find they help - noise isn't always the worst thing to worry about .

If you shoot raw though there's little point in using the two settings as raw editing software gives separate control over highlights and shadows in your images and the abilty to recover from under or over exposure to a degree not possible with other file formats. Using these two settings when shooting RAW is a bad idea as they're likely to introduce noise for the reasons given. and probably a higher level of noise than you'd normally get with raw editing software which is designed to reduce noise.

The short answer to your question is I don't think there's any downside to switching off HTP and ALO except perhaps getting to grips with raw processing if you haven't already, but there are very real benefits in shooting raw format.
 
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Just out of interest Ian, where did you get your 50D from eventually?

Pete
 
coldpenguin said:
ALO - Automatic Lighting Optimiser (makes ISO 100 disappear so you can only use 200+)
HTP - Highlight Tone Priority

I don't have the 50d, but followed the thread, am pretty sure someone states where to find the settings (or you could try the manual, under custom functions)
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EH - it doesn't make ISO 100 disappear at all
 
Pete Gl said:
Just out of interest Ian, where did you get your 50D from eventually?

Pete
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from a seller on ebay, i picked it up in stevenage.

all brand new, uk/euro version with 15-85is lens kit

£820

not to bad i think
:)
 
I have change the above in my settings.

a quick question here.

in the M/TV etc settings i have it in RAW only, but if i have it in AUTO it is raw as well, if i change this back to jpeg, the M/TV settings change to jpeg as well. anyway of stopping this?

I tryed to do a C1 setting like the auto with jpeg, this saves fine, but the flash does not pop up on its own in low light like it does on auto setting, any way to change this?

thanks
ian
 
Ian Jones said:
I have change the above in my settings.

a quick question here.

in the M/TV etc settings i have it in RAW only, but if i have it in AUTO it is raw as well, if i change this back to jpeg, the M/TV settings change to jpeg as well. anyway of stopping this?

I tryed to do a C1 setting like the auto with jpeg, this saves fine, but the flash does not pop up on its own in low light like it does on auto setting, any way to change this?

thanks
ian
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I'm not too sure about this Ian, because I don;'t use the Auto functions, but have you tried using the dedicated RAW/JPEG button the back of the camera? It will shoot a raw and a jpeg if you use it, but you can ignore the raw file if you just want the jpeg.
 
Still lovin my 50d...

I have used these settings from day one so cannot say if not used what the effect would be...but...everyone seems to agree these are the way forward...I also have both the hi RAW & JPEG settings, as you get both the good quick fix and the playable RAW...

I have:

TAMRON 17-50 F2.8

CANON 70-200 L F4

Super Takumar 50 F1.4 (manual)

Raynox 250

Just in the process of adding:

TAMRON 90 Macro F2.8

Just got a 16GB CF SANDISK ULTRA (new 30MB/S)...saves problems with pins later if you load from camera to computer...so will keep my 4GB EXTREME (OLD 30MB/S) as a standby...

Also got a Canon 550EX and hope to get some lighting gear from FITP...


I STILL LOVE MY 50D...AND WANT TO USE IT EVEN MORE THIS YEAR...!!!


STEVIER
 
I am supposed to pick-up my new 50D tomorrow afternoon :-)
Can't wait...
Thanks to everyone for a lot of useful tips/tricks
 
I've now had my 50D fora couple of weeks and have to say am well impressed compaired to my 400D.

One setting that I have found invaluble is the flash sync. Speed in Av mode. C.Fn I:Exposure, as a default this is set to auto, which left me takin long exposures with flash, I have now set this to 1/250-1/60sec. Auto, I now have punch to my pictures and exposure times are kept nice and short, perfect for quick snaps of my 2year old son .

I'm now away to change the other recomended settings :)
 
Ooo, I think I may have to change this with my 50D...just got an external flash and would love to release its full potential!
 
chris250 said:
I've now had my 50D fora couple of weeks and have to say am well impressed compaired to my 400D.

One setting that I have found invaluble is the flash sync. Speed in Av mode. C.Fn I:Exposure, as a default this is set to auto, which left me takin long exposures with flash, I have now set this to 1/250-1/60sec. Auto, I now have punch to my pictures and exposure times are kept nice and short, perfect for quick snaps of my 2year old son .

I'm now away to change the other recomended settings :)
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2nd that but I have mine set on fixed 1/250th as I sometimes find 1/60th too slow, but definitely better than "auto".

Just re-calibrated 2 of my lenses to the body, the 85 1.8 and the 100 macro were slightly out (each by a different amount and each in a different direction). They are such good lenses that it pays dividends to have the focus on the AF point being as accurate as possible.
Havent bothered with my 'cheap' zooms or the 50mm.

I used a distance of 4.5m as the focus point for the 85mm but used a close focus distance for the macro as that's where it will be focusing most of the time. I also stopped both down a tad as they arent sharp enough wide open to do the tests as far as I am concerned, despite what the EOS magazine recommended.
 
MatBin said:
2nd that but I have mine set on fixed 1/250th as I sometimes find 1/60th too slow, but definitely better than "auto".
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If you are going to shoot in Av mode, which means you get to choose the aperture, but then also fix the shutter speed at 1/250, why don't you simply shoot in manual exposure mode and then you will have the freedom to choose any shutter speed you like, at least up to the sync speed of 1/250?
 
tdodd said:
If you are going to shoot in Av mode, which means you get to choose the aperture, but then also fix the shutter speed at 1/250, why don't you simply shoot in manual exposure mode and then you will have the freedom to choose any shutter speed you like, at least up to the sync speed of 1/250?
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If I remember rightly, doesn't P mode automatically limit the shutter speed to between 1/60sec and 1/250sec when using flash anyway? Save you messing around with the C.fn if you really do require an alternative to shooting in Manual.
 
tdodd said:
If you are going to shoot in Av mode, which means you get to choose the aperture, but then also fix the shutter speed at 1/250, why don't you simply shoot in manual exposure mode and then you will have the freedom to choose any shutter speed you like, at least up to the sync speed of 1/250?
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Could do, that would obviously work, this is just a quick fix for 'snaps' as opposed to something I want to think about :)
TBH I hadnt really thought about going fully manual.
 
Agreed, P mode would be good for "snaps"

The reason the Av mode is like that by default is for fill-in flash, which is invaluable sometimes.

I prefer manual mode for flash indoors. I just set an exposure in the 1/20 region with an aperture for desired Dof and let the flash metering take care of the actual exposure.

Nifkin said:
If I remember rightly, doesn't P mode automatically limit the shutter speed to between 1/60sec and 1/250sec when using flash anyway? Save you messing around with the C.fn if you really do require an alternative to shooting in Manual.
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Werecow said:
Agreed, P mode would be good for "snaps"

The reason the Av mode is like that by default is for fill-in flash, which is invaluable sometimes.

I prefer manual mode for flash indoors. I just set an exposure in the 1/20 region with an aperture for desired Dof and let the flash metering take care of the actual exposure.
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Not necessarily just for 'snaps', Mr Crow; P mode gives you as much flexibilty as AV, just that it defaults to Auto mode when you don't take charge of the control wheel, which is what puts a lot of people around these parts off. I know at least a couple of professional 'togs (one fashion, the other press) who use it as there default mode for speed and simplicity.

Personally, I'm in Manual mode when using a flash.
 
Hey guys,
I have had my new 50D for a couple of weeks now and I am really enjoying it :D

While scrolling through the manual I found a copyright feature - an option to save the copyright information on all pictures taken by the camera.

Few of questions on that:
1) Does anybody really understand how this works for 50D and could explain in detail? Does this work like a sort of a stamp on each picture taken by the camera?

2) Where is this information stored in the picture file and how? Can it be modified after taking a picture?

3) Last thing - setting this in the camera - I have tried to look for this in the camera settings but could not find a way to set it. Anybody has a hint to do that?

Thank you very much in advance for your advice :help:

Jiri
 
Jiri, you need to connect the camera to your computer and use EOS Utility to set the copyright information. It will appear in the EXIF of each image file, but will not be visible on the image itself. It can be changed after the shot has been taken, with a simple EXIF editor. In Windows you can change it later, simply by opening up the properties for the file, if it is a JPEG.
 
Werecow said:
The reason the Av mode is like that by default is for fill-in flash, which is invaluble sometime
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Unfortunately in dimly lit conditions auto works the same as slow sync flash and tries to expose for the backround and the flash for the subject
 
tdodd said:
Jiri, you need to connect the camera to your computer and use EOS Utility to set the copyright information. It will appear in the EXIF of each image file, but will not be visible on the image itself. It can be changed after the shot has been taken, with a simple EXIF editor. In Windows you can change it later, simply by opening up the properties for the file, if it is a JPEG.
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OK, thanks a lot :thumbs: - will check it out. My understanding from the manual was that this information was difficult to remove from the final picture file - once set-up in the camera.. Sounds like it is not the case and it is relatively easy to modify..
 
Jiri said:
OK, thanks a lot :thumbs: - will check it out. My understanding from the manual was that this information was difficult to remove from the final picture file - once set-up in the camera.. Sounds like it is not the case and it is relatively easy to modify..
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Once it is captured within the camera you can either strip it out or alter it within the original file, or simply have it removed when you export/save a file from Lightroom, Photoshop etc.. Here is a Windows dialogue showing modification of the "Authors" field in a JPEG file. The Copyright field and some others can be altered just as easily. Simply blank them or overwrite them.

Capture.JPG
 
OK, cool, thanks..

I was hoping it was something more "protective" than this one.. Not that I am over-worried that people will steal my pics, I guess it's a bit of vanity in me :-)

Thanks for explaining :-)
 
I've just tested and made sure of this as i've never used auto on my 50D, though i have on my previous canon dslrs.

Av mode on a backlit subject (a window behind it) produced an exposure of 1/5 with the added flash.

Auto mode came up with a 1/60 exposure just about where ever i pointed it at in the room. So the mode doesn't really try to use fill-in flash like Av does.

P mode also came up with the 1/60 speed.

The auto modes go for an entirely flash-lit scene with that 1/60 exposure time in low light conditions. This is the way it's always been on all canon dslrs as far as i'm aware.

Manual mode definitely offers the best control of exposure and flash indoors and once you get your head around it, it's actually really easy.

chris250 said:
Unfortunately in dimly lit conditions auto works the same as slow sync flash and tries to expose for the backround and the flash for the subject
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I up graded form a 400D to the 50D. The 50D is the best decition i ever made. It is great for the money but it is still alot of money as canon have now raised their prices, the Canon 50D is currently retailing at AROUND £740-790 body only.

I is a good step from beginner to semi-pro.

Overall: An amazing camera and worth the money, i only do this as a hobbie, i dont make money out of it, and i'm still glad i bought it!
 
I'm thinking about upgrading from, like many people, a 400D. I'm thinking about whether to wait for the 60D to be released though, is the price of the 50D likely to drop quite a bit? Also how much would you estimate the 60D would be priced at?
 
daniel.roche said:
I up graded form a 400D to the 50D. The 50D is the best decition i ever made. It is great for the money but it is still alot of money as canon have now raised their prices, the Canon 50D is currently retailing at AROUND £740-790 body only.

I is a good step from beginner to semi-pro.

Overall: An amazing camera and worth the money, i only do this as a hobbie, i dont make money out of it, and i'm still glad i bought it!
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Or £649 from Kerso 1 month ago ;)
 
The prices went up 2-3 weeks ago, that along with the VAT increase means once shops have sold their stock the prices will increase roughly 7.5%
 
John.D said:
I'm thinking about whether to wait for the 60D to be released though, is the price of the 50D likely to drop quite a bit? Also how much would you estimate the 60D would be priced at?
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Any thoughts on this? I'm not sure whether or not I should hold off for a while.
 
Hi

Don't mean to sound dumb but what is ALO & HTP. I have looked through the custom menu's and can't find em. Can you elaborate ?






Chillimonster said:
Tips -

Turn ALO and HTP off in the custom menues for better picture quality.

Get yourself a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 - really shines on the 50D :)


Taken with a borrowed 50D and Tamron 17-50mm
3586599812_c1082dbb6f_o.jpg
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ALO = Automatic Lighting Optimiser
HTP = Hightlight tone priority (I think!!)

They're in the custom functions area of the menu - can't remember exactly where, but if you go in they're readily apparent.
 
Am hoping to buy a 50d very soon, I already have a 70-200 f4 L but need a shorter lens. Any suggestions, I should probably keep to a budget under £400.
 
sarahpix said:
Am hoping to buy a 50d very soon, I already have a 70-200 f4 L but need a shorter lens. Any suggestions, I should probably keep to a budget under £400.
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Tamron 17-50 IMO.
 
CSB said:
Tamron 17-50 IMO.
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Thanks, quite a few people are keen on this lens. Next question -
Some of you have bought from Hong Kong, Digitalrev and One stop digital who say they will refund any vat and import tax. Does this really happen, is it a good or bad idea to buy from them????
 
I've bought from both Hong Kong stores. I have had to reclaim tax from Digital Rev and that was painless - photograph the tax paperwork and email it to them. Fees were repaid in full within 24 hours. I haven't had to reclaim from Onestop but I've never heard of problems with anyone who did need to. They are both merchants to be trusted. The only issue is the hassle factor and delay in sending stuff back to Hong Kong, if it goes wrong. If the savings are small I'd rather buy locally. If the savings are large then you have to weigh up savings vs possible risk of problems.

I don't know if you were thinking of the VC lens or non VC, but I'd be tempted by the savings to be made on the non VC at Onestop. Hard to ignore. Note that with Digital Rev you will only get a tax refund if the listing clearly states "No Tax" in the item description. Many/most of their listings are not tax free.
 
Matt L said:
probably been covered a few times i imagine and will be easy to find in the manual but anyone able to tell me how to do auto bracketed shots in one go? like -2, 0, +2
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It's the second red icon on the menu screen and first setting at the top of that screen. Just use the scroll wheel to set the interval you want between your three shots up to +/- 2 stops then press SET. If you're in Single Shot drive mode you then just press the shutter three times to take the bracketed shots.

If you're in Continuous drive mode, you press the shutter and the three shots are taken in quick succession.

Page 105 of the manual.
 
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