Any tips for shooting landscapes with this camera? I find that I have to choose between a vibrant sky with darkened trees/subjects or detailed subjects with a washed out sky in morning/evening shots :/ I feel like I need HDR mode or something. Any advice? Any tips for shooting landscapes with this camera? I find that I have to choose between a vibrant sky with darkened trees/subjects or detailed subjects with a washed out sky in morning/evening... » Read More Any tips for shooting landscapes with this camera? I find that I have to choose between a vibrant sky with darkened trees/subjects or detailed subjects with a washed out sky in morning/evening shots :/ I feel like I need HDR mode or something. Any advice? « Show Less
1021922
First, this has nothing to do with the X-E1. Its a great camera for landscapes. The only issue is slow focusing - which is of no concern with landscapes. For your question you have lots of choices:1) Shoot RAW (.rar files) and process in Lightroom or equivalent. Use gradients to control sky brightness. Make sure you use the latest version or LR (5.4 as of this writing), so that you're using the latest x-trans file code in LR.2) Use a ND gradient filter while shooting3) Use a tripod and bracket the exposure (e.g. - do you own HDR mode) and then process the result in Photoshop or similar toolGood luck! First, this has nothing to do with the X-E1. Its a great camera for landscapes. The only issue is slow focusing - which is of no concern with landscapes. For your question you have lots of choices:1) Shoot RAW (.rar files) and process in Lightroom or equivalent. Use gradients to control sky brightness. Make sure you use the latest version or LR (5.4 as of this writing), so that you're using the latest x-trans file code in LR.2) Use a ND gradient filter while shooting3) Use a tripod and bracket the exposure (e.g. - do you own HDR mode) and then process the... » Read More First, this has nothing to do with the X-E1. Its a great camera for landscapes. The only issue is slow focusing - which is of no concern with landscapes. For your question you have lots of choices:1) Shoot RAW (.rar files) and process in Lightroom or equivalent. Use gradients to control sky brightness. Make sure you use the latest version or LR (5.4 as of this writing), so that you're using the latest x-trans file code in LR.2) Use a ND gradient filter while shooting3) Use a tripod and bracket the exposure (e.g. - do you own HDR mode) and then process the result in Photoshop or similar toolGood luck! « Show Less
1576343
To me its acceptable now I have only taken pics in the daylight an they show up pretty good but you have to be pretty still when taking them ( tripod ) would help any more ?s feel free to ask
1532922
I'm having a similar problem. I've noticed it most in low light, when the subject moves. I don't think I've experienced it much outdoors in bright light. I've not taken the time to research it yet. I'd say I've been somewhat disappointed in the camera.
250135
I'm having this issue, too. Camera seems to get confused and the whole frame becomes blurry rather than focusing on the one object. It takes several attempts to register what I'm trying to do, and then it's too late - opportunity has passed and subject has moved. Time to really study my manual I guess or maybe this is a shortcoming with this camera.
261672
I took several pictures with both and the Sony seems to have more reddish tints in the pictures. I even used the P mode and used the natural setting. It did not help when in the landscape, etc modes. That is the only complaint I have so far. Neither the Canon or the Sony had real good picture quality, I did not think. Maybe I should try something else all together. I liked the idea of having a larger zoom on a point and shoot but maybe it takes away from teh quality??
1392155
Thank you very much for your review and for posting the pics, which look really great. I am kicking myself for not preordering this camera. I kept vacillating between the Pentax K-X and this one. I would like to be able to take good photos in low light and to have a big zoom (like a moon shot, for example). Any insight you might have would be welcome.
287473
I haven't tried it in bright sunlight, yet. Good question though, as I hadn't thought about the lack of a normal viewfinder. Might hold on to my old camera just in case, it took great daytime shots but was poor in low light situations.
423147
Thanks, Tech Guy! So the "optical stabilization" feature is one thing I notice not all the lenses have, and I assume becomes more critical with more zoom?Annette, I'm glad I could help. I'm not a great photographer, but I've been fortunate enough to get some pretty good pix, both with film and digital. For me, the 2 best things about digital are 1) not having that little voice in the back of my head saying "you're going to spend a fortune getting these developed" while I'm trying to get the perfect shot; and 2) not having to wait for them!!
1458830
Hi Edward. I had a few of my pictures turn out the same way. I was holding the camera wrong and my finger was covering the lens. You do need to have quite a bit of light to take a good picture. Works better on outside shots. Good luck. It is a fun little camera. I do enjoy ours.
2066794
What about low light performance? I took SD900 to Japan for cherry blossom viewing. Flash is definitely a big no no for taking those kinds of pictures at night, so I used Hi-ISO or ISO 3200 all the way. The night cherry blossom pictures turned out to be amazing. Video was fantastic too. I haven't yet read any comment on how SD800 performed in low light situations. Any experience?
1854901
I have found that using the SP mode will give you the shots you desire.You can also go in the menu and adjust your shooting preference to go from indoor to ourdoor or sunset. I recently stood on my balcony at the beach and caught pictures of sailboats about 5-10 miles out. You do have to play with it a little, but, it is great for candid shots. On SP a lot of indoor shots can be taken without a flash. There's a setting for this, and pics come out real nice.
318006
Was it already night time? I found that it does not take good shots at night, they all come out blurry
648775
I love my camera! I've never really used it for that type of pics, but for me it does great. I took some pics of my brothers wedding, Kind of an indoor outdoor setting & I'd did great both ways. I think you'll really like it.
2188337
I use it at f8 because at that value is sharp, and for that you need a lot of light( daylight, sun). Not good for indoor/night photos. Also if you want to take sharp pictures of moving targets its not recomended, for that you need a lot of light OR a lens who is sharp at low f OR a camera with low noise at high iso.
288759
I've been very satisfied with the few low light photos I've taken so far by giving a little thought to setting up the shot and paying attention to the focus box in auto mode. I'm sure there are some override settings that would enhance low light shots but I haven't felt the need to use them yet.
2004640
Which one did you finish up with? I'm interested because you said that you shoot mainly lanscapes, so why would you part with the 17-40mm? If your option had been for the 16-35mm f2.8L, I could have understood the reason, but a 24mm lens on any new camera (assuming it's not a film body, 5D or 1Ds) is only going to give you 31mm (1D) or 38mm (the rest). Not much good for landscape work.BTW, the 24-70mm eats the 24-105mm alive when it comes to contrast and sharpness, IS or not!
199882
In my limited night shooting experiences, as always, it is best to play around with the settings. I still have nothing but trouble when trying to shoot fireworks, but as far as portraits go--all good. I prefer the candlelight setting for most low light environments and have had no problems. My focus subject is lit, but you can definitely still tell that it is a night time shot. As far as longer exposure subjects (i.e. fireworks, moon, etc), I still have trouble but I am guessing that it is my limited knowledge on the proper way to handle these situations, not the equipment. I am still thrilled with this camera several months later! In my limited night shooting experiences, as always, it is best to play around with the settings. I still have nothing but trouble when trying to shoot fireworks, but as far as portraits go--all good. I prefer the candlelight setting for most low light environments and have had no problems. My focus subject is lit, but you can definitely still tell that it is a night time shot. As far as longer exposure subjects (i.e. fireworks, moon, etc), I still have trouble but I am guessing that it is my limited knowledge on the proper way to handle these situations, not the equipment. I am still... » Read More In my limited night shooting experiences, as always, it is best to play around with the settings. I still have nothing but trouble when trying to shoot fireworks, but as far as portraits go--all good. I prefer the candlelight setting for most low light environments and have had no problems. My focus subject is lit, but you can definitely still tell that it is a night time shot. As far as longer exposure subjects (i.e. fireworks, moon, etc), I still have trouble but I am guessing that it is my limited knowledge on the proper way to handle these situations, not the equipment. I am still thrilled with this camera several months later! « Show Less