Attention digital camera users!!

[Deadtrees]

Canon compact cameras produce rather soft images, even worse it lacks of contrast/saturation controls. Due to this reason, some flame Canon cameras saying that it's got a built in plastic bag filter. No, this is not a problem as the 'softness' is caused by mild photo processing of Canon's digic processor, and that it gives more a lot more room to fine tune your picture in Photoshop. However, some just want their pics to look sharp and focused without hassle.
In that case, you can use this program, described @

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1591980

The biggest benefit of this program is that it's very simple and effective to use. Once you customize your own settings, all it the takes is 2 simple clicks.

Here are some of sample pics using PhotoWorks using my favorite settings such as Sharpen level 3/Auto Contrast/Contrast level 2. Some pics can look better by applying different settings but I found above mentioned setting to work the best for most of pics.
Of course, you may want your pics to be more vivid with stronger contrast+sharpening. In that case, try stronger setting values.

1. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/2.jpg
1 fixed. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/2fixed.jpg

2. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/4.jpg
2 fixed. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/4fixed.jpg

3. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/5.jpg
3 fixed. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/5fixed.jpg

4. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/6.jpg
4 fixed. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/6fixed.jpg

5. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/7.jpg
5 fixed. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/deadtrees/7fixed.jpg

EDIT: Be careful with Auto Level. Auto Level does wonders with pics that don't have correct white balance, however it might cause problems with some pictures. Thus, make sure you don't have Auto Level as default setting while running batch process.

EDIT2: Also, using stamp options, this program can automatically put Date/time/camera/lens/focal length/ISO/shutter speed &AV value.

 

[white]

thank you, i saw your pics on bbzzdd before i saw this post.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[PoPPeR]

speaking of canon compact camera's, how widespread is the LCD breaking problem on the SD series? I know a LOT of people have complained, but a LOT of people have bought these camera's as well. I'm really scared to buy one for fear that it will break in 2 days, but am I being overparanoid?

 

[yllus]

Please cease and desist spamming AT with your attempts to get us to use this software.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: yllus
Please cease and desist spamming AT with your attempts to get us to use this software.

I've talked about this program twice. I do not benefit anything from people using this program.
I've just seen many people uploading 2,3,4 megapixel pictures on bbzzdd thus wasting bandwidth. In addition, those pictures look bad when they're automatically resized in browsers. Oh and, you see how much of difference it makes and how simple it is to use this program. I've been through many photoenhancing programs and noticed how uber good this program is. That's why I'm letting you guys know.
Just take a look to see how this program makes your pics look a lot better. It's damn worth to give it a try.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
speaking of canon compact camera's, how widespread is the LCD breaking problem on the SD series? I know a LOT of people have complained, but a LOT of people have bought these camera's as well. I'm really scared to buy one for fear that it will break in 2 days, but am I being overparanoid?

My wife just came back from Italy with it (2 weeks) and it looks good as new. I put one of those protective films on the LCD ($10 at Staples for a big pack - I used it for my PDA also and had a GC, so no big deal). If you don't abuse your electronics, I'm sure it will be fine. She's not exactly great with them and it came back fine.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
speaking of canon compact camera's, how widespread is the LCD breaking problem on the SD series? I know a LOT of people have complained, but a LOT of people have bought these camera's as well. I'm really scared to buy one for fear that it will break in 2 days, but am I being overparanoid?

I've had three Canon compact cameras and always recommanded them to many people(Over 10). None had any LCD breaking problems or dead/hot pixel issues on LCD.
And, I always put my camera in my pocket/bag pack without pouch or anything. I also visit many digital camera forums and never heard of anyone complaining about those issues.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
speaking of canon compact camera's, how widespread is the LCD breaking problem on the SD series? I know a LOT of people have complained, but a LOT of people have bought these camera's as well. I'm really scared to buy one for fear that it will break in 2 days, but am I being overparanoid?

I've had three Canon compact cameras and always recommanded them to many people(Over 10). None had any LCD breaking problems or dead/hot pixel issues on LCD.
And, I always put my camera in my pocket/bag pack without pouch or anything(Not even a LCD protector). I also visit many digital camera forums and never heard of anyone complaining about those issues.

 

[Sphexi]

Dunno if the A95 is compact or not, but I took a few pictures I had taken with it and ran them through this program of yours, definitely saw an improvement in color and sharpness. I'll play with it some more, but very happy with the results so far ..thanks a lot!

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
speaking of canon compact camera's, how widespread is the LCD breaking problem on the SD series? I know a LOT of people have complained, but a LOT of people have bought these camera's as well. I'm really scared to buy one for fear that it will break in 2 days, but am I being overparanoid?

My wife just came back from Italy with it (2 weeks) and it looks good as new. I put one of those protective films on the LCD ($10 at Staples for a big pack - I used it for my PDA also and had a GC, so no big deal). If you don't abuse your electronics, I'm sure it will be fine. She's not exactly great with them and it came back fine.

the problem doesn't actually seem to be mistreatment or the actual LCD, more like the inside of it just stops working for no apparent reason. It's a huge widespread problem and some people have gotten Canon to waive the $160 repair fee because it's such a big problem but that's a huge hassle I don't want to deal with. But searching the web made it sound as if 9/10 camera's would be defective... as long as it's still fairly low risk then I'll have no problem getting one

 

[Ornery]

Is cropping and what-not crippled in the free version?

 

[RossMAN]

Submit some pics taken to CanonTalk.net :thumbsup:

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Dunno if the A95 is compact or not, but I took a few pictures I had taken with it and ran them through this program of yours, definitely saw an improvement in color and sharpness. I'll play with it some more, but very happy with the results so far ..thanks a lot!

A95 is known to produce more 'soft' images. I recommand stronger sharpening as well as contrast. Try different setting with many pictures that were taken in different day/location/light sources, then you will find what settings work the best overall. If there's a specifit picture you want to improve, you can try higher sharpening/contrast.
Also, Auto Level is works quite good correcting white balance problems but might cause problems with certain pics. Thus, never set Auto Level as your default setting.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Is cropping and what-not crippled in the free version?

No. This program was made by this one guy who was in need of this kind of simple yet effective program. He couldn't find one so he made it. He wasn't even thinking about making it public until his friends told him so. After a while, he added that banner and that's about it. This is totally a freeware.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Dunno if the A95 is compact or not, but I took a few pictures I had taken with it and ran them through this program of yours, definitely saw an improvement in color and sharpness. I'll play with it some more, but very happy with the results so far ..thanks a lot!

A95 is known to produce more 'soft' images. I recommand stronger sharpening as well as contrast. Try different setting with many pictures that were taken in different day/location/light sources, then you will find what settings work the best overall. If there's a specifit picture you want to improve, you can try higher sharpening/contrast.
Also, Auto Level is works quite good correcting white balance problems but might cause problems with certain pics. Thus, never set Auto Level as your default setting.

Here's one I just fixed, I apologize for the large size but I felt it'd be easier to see the difference in the flower if I left it full size. I take all my pictures at full resolution and superfine quality.

Original:
Original untouched

Fixed:
Fixed, look at the upper-right petal


Much sharper, color is brighter and more vibrant. Huge difference. Now I just gotta run some pictures of my fiancee through it and see how they turn out

 

[Deadtrees]

On the English version, in the Help section, does it tell you how to automatically put date/time/camera/shooting information?

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

No. This program was made by this one guy who was in need of this kind of simple yet effective program. He couldn't find one so he made it. He wasn't even thinking about making it public until his friends told him so. After a while, he added that banner and that's about it. This is totally a freeware.

I see now how the "crop" works. I was looking for a normal sizeable crop option, and assumed it was disabled when I couldn't get it to do that. Fine program even without that. A LOT of people around here could (SHOULD) make use of it!

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

No. This program was made by this one guy who was in need of this kind of simple yet effective program. He couldn't find one so he made it. He wasn't even thinking about making it public until his friends told him so. After a while, he added that banner and that's about it. This is totally a freeware.

I see now how the "crop" works. I was looking for a normal sizeable crop option, and assumed it was disabled when I couldn't get it to do that. Fine program even without that. A LOT of people around here could (SHOULD) make use of it!

Yup, I, too, think people should use this program as it's SIMPLE & GOOD. I just hope people don't call me a spammer introducing this program. Anyway, try frames as well as stamps. It's quite useful, too. Also, using stamp options, this program can automatically put date/time/camera/lens/focal length/ISO/shutter speed &AV value.

 

[rh71]

I checked it out briefly (have a few hundred pics from vaca to process) ... and I can't say I'm disappointed thus far. :thumbsup: My only complaint is that the preview window opens in a new window as opposed to staying in the same main frame so I can process the tweaks while seeing all the filenames at once... just a usability issue.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: rh71
I checked it out briefly (have a few hundred pics from vaca to process) ... and I can't say I'm disappointed thus far. :thumbsup: My only complaint is that the preview window opens in a new window as opposed to staying in the same main frame so I can process the tweaks while seeing all the filenames at once... just a usability issue.

You can simple click ' > ' button.

 

[tami]

photoshop CS can do most all of this as well. i know a lot of ATOT folks use it, so i'm just mentioning the obvious (although it's mentioned in the other thread).

also, sometimes the pictures come out nicely when they're "softer." i don't always sharpen the final image.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: tami
photoshop CS can do most all of this as well. i know a lot of ATOT folks use it, so i'm just mentioning the obvious (although it's mentioned in the other thread).

also, sometimes the pictures come out nicely when they're "softer." i don't always sharpen the final image.

Of course! Photoshop will do this kind of stuff along with tons of more stuffs. But, the problem is that Photoshop is a lot heavier/takes more effort/expensive. I do use photoshop if there's a special picture that I wanna make extra enhancement. If not, I just select all the pics and run batch process in photoworks.
I sharpen most of pics as it gives more details. With current Canon's picture processing, images are, somewhat, too soft that it doesn't show enough details.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: rh71
I checked it out briefly (have a few hundred pics from vaca to process) ... and I can't say I'm disappointed thus far. :thumbsup: My only complaint is that the preview window opens in a new window as opposed to staying in the same main frame so I can process the tweaks while seeing all the filenames at once... just a usability issue.

You can simple click ' > ' button.

Not as good, for example, because I want to go from #1 to #10 ... if the preview were on the main screen, there's the file listing and it'd be a quick single click. With this new window, I have to > 9 times...

 

[desk]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
speaking of canon compact camera's, how widespread is the LCD breaking problem on the SD series? I know a LOT of people have complained, but a LOT of people have bought these camera's as well. I'm really scared to buy one for fear that it will break in 2 days, but am I being overparanoid?

I've had three Canon compact cameras and always recommanded them to many people(Over 10). None had any LCD breaking problems or dead/hot pixel issues on LCD.
And, I always put my camera in my pocket/bag pack without pouch or anything. I also visit many digital camera forums and never heard of anyone complaining about those issues.

i've had my sd300 for about two weeks and a stuck pixel just showed up today. luckily im not too picky so i dont care.