Canon Digital Rebel XT Question

[ConnieK]

I'm so new to this camera. My husband let me buy it in June so I've been learning how to use it all summer. It's been fun. But, when I load my photos from the memory card into Elements or CS2 they are all set at 72 dpi. Does anyone know how I can change it so the photos are taken at 300 dpi or would you recommend I leave it as it is?

Thanks for your help,
Connie

[Kay]

HI Connie- The most important thing is how many pixels the image has, not strictly the resolution. I think this whole thing is confusing, but there is a good article on about.com that might help:

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/resolution/

And, for PET (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/index.php) (Photostop ELements Techniques) members, the latest newsletter (which I can't wait to get!) apparently has a three-page spread on resolution and resizing.

[Jan]

Hi Connie,
I recommend that you shoot at the highest quality setting your camera will allow, or at least extra fine or fine quality. The terminology is different for each camera. For scrapbooking, you probably don't need to go as high as .TIFF or camera RAW though.

Your camera manual will tell you how to change the menu settings to get higher quality images. Just remember that the higher the image quality, the fewer images will fit on your memory card, so allow for that -- and just get in the habit of uploading your images to your computer or a disk frequently. I know some folks who just leave the images on their memory card and let them accumulate there, but that's never a good idea.

Starting out with a high resolution image is best. Remember that if you're printing your layouts and pages, you'll need 300 dpi images to achieve standard print quality.

Hope this helps!

[scrapperjlc]

Connie,

I believe the image will always show 72res when you first open it. But it is a really large image (inch wise). You just need to resize it without having the Resample option turned on, and the smaller you make the photo, the higher the resolution will be. You can see the numbers change in the Resize Image menu in PSE. HTH!

I also have the Rebel XT and I love it! I blows away any other digital pictures I have taken or seen from other cameras. I am digi scrapping some pages for a guy at work of his twin girls and his pictures are so pixelly that I feel bad for him! His girls would look so much better if his picture quality was that of the Rebel (but they are still cute anyway!) lol

Jodi

[ConnieK]

Jodi, Jan & Kay:

Thank you so much for your helpful information. I do LOVE my new camera. I notice a huge difference between the Rebel XT and the PowerShot G3 that I used before the XT.

You're right, when I load the pictures into the computer they are HUGE! size wise. Something like 42" x 18". So I have been resizing them manually. (I even figured out how to record an action and now I just hit F12 and the action does the resizing for me.)

I tend to be one of those who keeps the photos on the memory card (oooppps?!) I somehow can't seem to trust my external hard drive (since my internal hard drive crashed and I lost all of my sons newborn pictures - I was devasted to say the least!!!). But every once in awhile I burn them onto a disc then I'll delete the memory card.

And, Kay - I just got the new PET newsletter today but I haven't had time to read it yet. I'll have to pay special attention to the article you mentioned.

Thanks again, everyone. You're the best.

Regards,
Connie

[NMarti]

Connie
I take my pictures off and burn them to a CD or DVD depending on how many there are. I also have an external but want to make sure I have them safe.

I have the Rebel XT and love it.

[givenout]

Speaking now from experience - I have learned how incredibly important it is to always and immediately back up photos onto CD's or DVD's. I had backed up all my pics onto an external hard drive and quite unexpectedly it totally and completely crashed this week. Fortunately, most of my pics were backed up, but not all. And, the many free and purchased downloads for scrapbooking, including Linda's original newsletters prior to Premium scrapper are gone!

I am also a Canon Rebel XT user and love it, but am still low on the learning curve. It's so fun though!

I'm debating taking it to Hawaii - the beach. Wonder if it will be compromised due to the salt water and sand?

[ConnieK]

Speaking now from experience - I have learned how incredibly important it is to always and immediately back up photos onto CD's or DVD's. I had backed up all my pics onto an external hard drive and quite unexpectedly it totally and completely crashed this week. Fortunately, most of my pics were backed up, but not all. And, the many free and purchased downloads for scrapbooking, including Linda's original newsletters prior to Premium scrapper are gone!

I am also a Canon Rebel XT user and love it, but am still low on the learning curve. It's so fun though!

I'm debating taking it to Hawaii - the beach. Wonder if it will be compromised due to the salt water and sand?

I know that I was worried about taking my camera outside when I first got it because of potential damage. Then a family friend of mine heard me say that and really, really encouraged me to USE IT! So, I would encourage you to take your Rebel to Hawaii. I'm sure it will be a little more work - but isn't that why you bought it? to take beautiful pictures?? And what better place to do that than in Hawaii.

Bon Voyage!
Connie

[seebee]

Glad to see the good reviews of this camera! I had recently made the decision that this was going to be my next camera, so it's nice to see the positive response. :)

[DeeDeeO]

Hi Connie,
A month late on this post, but I had to throw in my 2 cents. I'm also a Digital Rebel XT user. I always shoot my pics at the highest quality setting (Large Fine - 3458 x 2304 pixels) and sometimes RAW (but venturing into that more and more). The image taken with Large fine is a compressed JPEG image of 32x48inches (72dpi). You will hear in any digital photography lingo that JPEG images are compressed vs the RAW image which is like a photo negative. Not to worry, you are still working with a huge photo and good resolution; however, it translates to an aspect ratio relative to a 4x6 or a 8x12 photo. Therefore, if planning to print in these sizes, there is no need to resize the image; unless of course you needed to crop your photo to make it more appealing. There are tutorials on Photoshopelementsuser.com that are very helpful with image resizing and resolution. Yes, I too freaked out at the 72dpi setting until I did the tutorial. Just to let you let know as well, that I have printed images as large as 16x20 without rendering picture resolution.
Denise

[Priss]

I have also written articles about this resizing question at thephotographyexperience.com (http://thephotographyexperience.com/forums/thread/1518.aspx) Fundamental understanding about this resolution business is wonderfully described at Megapixel.net (http://www.megapixel.net) For photography and camera questions there are very few websites on a par with this one (IMO) There, check your language preference, and then click on the ARTICLES section...then general use and all the other categories. It's a WEALTH of information on photography-related (and not scrapbook related) questions.

With your Rebel you have the opportunity to shoot Camera Raw, and I strongly urge you to try that (Both Photoshop and Elements do offer the 'camera raw' converters for your particular camera, and with that--you will not have to worry about res or adjustment) But, you will have to study all about Camera Raw --- I encourage Canon, and photography (only) sites for that. There are some very good articles written by a Cannon professional photographer at thephotographyexperience (http://www.thephotographyexperience.com/forums/thread/5526.aspx). Once you shoot raw, you'll never go back! But the best information of all about Camera Raw and PS or PSE---is right there in the friendly helpfiles of the program.

Also check out the Canon support forums for your new camera. We have phenomenal boards for Nikon camera users, and I'm positive that Canon does too.

Hope this helps

[gezon]

I just posted on another thread looking at DSLR vs DSLR like Cameras... I was one of the few that was pro-DSLR--- Canon Rebel XT, I love it too. I find that the quality of the picture is so good, that when I shoot sporting events, I can crop down to the action and still have a high quality photo. My Rebel runs around the cross country course with me to catch the action.

[Parker]

Excited to see this thread as hubby asked my daughter to find out what I wanted for Christmas and the new Rebel XTi is what I am thinking about. I'm really wanting a camera that will give me better photos and this one really appeals to me.

Was wondering if any of you Rebel users have also invested in extra lenses? If so, is there one lens that you would recommend that would be really useful?

[siraacsa]

Hi another XTi owner here. After upgrading from a non SLR I could not rate this camera highly enough, absolutely loving it. I bought mine in Australia and I purchased the twin lens pack, so it came with the standard EF-S 18-55 plus a EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 zoom, which is perfect for catching the kids running around playing. I think I might like a macro lens but that can wait awhile.

[Boater]

I am really glad to see the comments about the Canon Rebel XTi. I have a 35 mm Rebel and want to move up to the digital Rebel and I am wondering if my lenses from my 35mm Rebel will work on the digital. Just buying the body will save me some $$$.

Thanks for your help

Tom

[scrapperjlc]

I am really glad to see the comments about the Canon Rebel XTi. I have a 35 mm Rebel and want to move up to the digital Rebel and I am wondering if my lenses from my 35mm Rebel will work on the digital. Just buying the body will save me some $$$.

Thanks for your help

Tom

I bought the XT (not the XTi) earlier this summer, and I use my lenses from my old 35mm Canon Rebel film camera with it. I actually took my big zoom lens to the store (Best Buy) and tried it out on the demo camera before I bought it because I wanted to make sure I would be able to use it. I do have a bit of a problem with this 70-300mm zoom lens sometimes. I usually have to go into the manual settings and play with the shutter speed to get it to respond well, but it may be because it is a non-Canon brand. The sales guy wasn't even sure I'd be able to use it because it wasn't a Canon lens, but it does work!

Jodi

[givenout]

It's been a while, but I wanted to respond to Connie - I did take my Rebel XT to Hawaii and have incredible pictures - even though I don't really know how to use the camera yet. As everyone says, there's no comparison to even very good point and shoots. I'm working on printing my photos and it's so exciting to see the quality! Thanks for the urging.

Hawaii (Kona, Big Island) was great -earthquaqe and all!

Stacy

[ConnieK]

It's been a while, but I wanted to respond to Connie - I did take my Rebel XT to Hawaii and have incredible pictures - even though I don't really know how to use the camera yet. As everyone says, there's no comparison to even very good point and shoots. I'm working on printing my photos and it's so exciting to see the quality! Thanks for the urging.

Hawaii (Kona, Big Island) was great -earthquaqe and all!

Stacy

Stacy:

Thanks for your reply. I especially liked hearing that you took your camera to Hawaii. My family and I are going to the Big Island and Maui after Christmas and I can't wait to use the camera. We have even signed up for a helicopter ride. I'm already imagining the photos I'll be able to get. Also it will be our son's first time there, so it will be fun to document his experiences in paradise!

Hope you had a great feast and holiday.

Connie

[turbomike]

Hi Connie, would you mind sharing how you programed your f12 button? That's such a great idea!
Thanks.
Mike

[tirzam]

Yes, please share.

PS. I love my Rebel XT.

[judystowell]

Connie,
I'm interested to hear how you did with your photography on the Big Island. Did you take any shots up in the helicopter? My husband & I are going there in about a month (one week on Kauai for business, & the second week 4 couples are renting a house outside of Hilo). We also plan to take a helicopter ride, probably over the lava fields. Can't decide if we should do it during the day, or at night? What did you do?

And please - please - post some of your photos.

Judy