DSLR Experiment: Proposal

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy all!

I am curious to know how one camera may perform against another. To that end, I propose that for those who own DSLR's to set you camera to the settings below (subject to amendment as yet), and post your 800x600 images.

So, I suggest, subject to agreement, the following:

DSLR
Lens: Set to 100mm (crop factor of camera irrelivant)
Mode: Manual
Focal Distance: Open to suggestion
Image Format: JPEG (easier for those who do not have a RAW editor)
Aperture: F8
Shutter Speed: 1/100 Sec
WB: Daylight
ISO: 100
Focusing: Matrix
Subject Matter: Open to Suggestion

If anyone has any other settings suggestions, then please chop-in. This is intended for an outside, good daylight shot.

The results can then be posted to see variations.

No PP to be done AT ALL. Straight out of the camera only.

If any of the Mods would like to offer their expertise on this one, then please feel free.

[bodoman]

I dont have a DSLR myself, but if i did i would suggest that everybody takes
a picture of the same thing, say a macro shot of a brand new 2 pence coin

Or for the richer amongst you a £2 coin.

Only a suggestion and hope you dont mind me butting in

[Radiohead]

So many variables of light and subject matter though....not sure what this will prove that somewhere like DPReview doesn't offer in the way of controlled shots.

I'm not shooting JPG anyway, if I want to get the best image from mine

Plus I don't have a macro lens. To be honest I'd expect any DSLR to produce an excellent macro shot of something like a coin when tripid mounted.

[Tobers]

Dont they do comparisons like this some of the camera review sites (dpreview??) already?

I'm not sure how valid it would be if we all post our own pics as they'll all be different, so very difficult to compare.

[PmSonic]

Good ideal, the only problem i could see if the lens used. most folk have a couple of lenses that performe better in different situation. also some are just plain better lenses.

[Pirate!!]

The reason I didn't mention MACRO was simply that not everyone will have one, though I reckon non DSLR owners could offer an image.

As I said, not everyone shoots RAW, so hence the JPEG suggestion.

It's not intended to be a scientific experiment, just simply a direct comparison of image quality by using the same settings. Anyway, it was only a suggestion.

[stevegreen]

Simply taking an image with different cameras at the same settings wouldn't be a proper test for people to base any decision of which might be the best camera (if that was your point). There are simply too many variables outside of the controls that you suggested.

As Radiohead has said, differing light for one. Even the No PP at all suggestion is flawed as different editing programs will process the resizing differently and produce differing results, then, what about lenses........blimey, it's a minefield!

[tontoshorse]

As a D50 owner....whats 100ISO?

[vulkan75]

What about the difference if someone shoots with L glass and the next person who shoots with a budget lens.Even in the exactly same place, with exactly the same light,quality is bound to be different.

Nice idea but I dont think it would give a true representation of each cameras abilities.

[bodoman]

Still might be interesting though to see all the different pics, no matter what the camera or lens is used.
it would have to be an identical object though, something we all have like a coin.
Also it would keep us off the streets at night

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

As a D50 owner....whats 100ISO?

[Liquid101]

Originally Posted by vulkan75

What about the difference if someone shoots with L glass and the next person who shoots with a budget lens.Even in the exactly same place, with exactly the same light,quality is bound to be different.

Not at 800 pixels it won't.

To be honest, at 800 pixels you won't be able to gain much information at all. You certainly won't see the difference between 100 and 200 ISO, or the differce between a bog standard kit lens or an 'L' lens.

For me, the main difference between cameras is the handling. For example the D50 and the 350D will give very similar results, but IMO the D50 feels like a nicer camera to use.

Blimey, I remember when I first bought a manual Film SLR, and I choose a Nikon because the way you focused felt more natural (it was the other way around on the Canon)

Good idea, but as others have said, too many variables, and 800 pixels is not enough to make a real judgement.... unless it was a 100% crop