Picture format on canon rebel xsi?

Question

Is there a way to download pictures from the canon rebel xsi in a format other than jpg?
My pictures always look so... GRAINY!
Or is it something that I am doing wrong???
Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://deviantladyashley.deviantart.com/art/6-14-09-The-Bad-Wing-3-126610150

Click the image to view in a larger size.
When you look at my finger it looks grainy to me =/.

Answer 1

I suspect either you have set the camera to save .jpg using a high level of compression, or your iso setting is too high.



Select the format to capture pictures in the settings menu.

Your camera can save pictures a few different ways. If you want the best quality, save pictures in Raw format and post process the images on your computer. Jpg is a compressed format, you have settings in your camera to select high or low compression. Compression always reduces image quality.



High ISO will make pictures grainy, leave the iso at the lowest setting.

Answer 2

You won't be able to change hardly anything in the green square Full Auto mode.



Put your camera to P mode. It's similar to full auto mode but you do have some control.

Set the ISO to 100, 200, or 400. If it's sunny use 100 and if it's dark use 400. Going above 400 will introduce more noise, but you may need to go higher if the shutter speed is unusable.

Press the menu button and the first thing on the first menu should be Quality (I don't own your particular camera, but most Rebels are the same). Set the Quality to L Fine.



RAW would be better but you then have to process all of your files in post processing. DPP came with your camera, it's free from Canon, and a very good tutorial is at http://www.usa.canon.com/content/dpp2/index.html Working with RAW files is not as tough once you get a work flow down, and it's a great tool. DPP also comes with a noise reduction tool that isn't bad.

Answer 3

That graininess you see is noise, which is seen when using higher ISOs, so keep it as low as possible. Any noise your images do have, can easily be minimized in post-processing.



If you're shooting in Auto or one of the other easy modes, then you cannot select your preferred ISO...so shoot in another mode like P (which is much like Auto, but allows you to adjust settings) or Av or Tv, etc.



If you're shooting in Jpeg you need to make sure it's set to Large/fine for the best quality. Look in your Instruction Manual and look up...Image Quality (Image-Recording Quality) in the Index.



RAW gives better results with less noise, but you need a RAW converter in order to view and edit them. Shooting in RAW+Jpeg is the smart choice, because you have an uncompressed file (RAW) and also the instant usability of a Jpeg.



p.s I like your image.

Answer 4

Sorry!



When I viewed the picture, the only thing I see "wrong" with your finger is a slight front bokeh, where you have a really shallow depth of field, the eyes and antennae of the moth look sharp, (like they're supposed too!) and then fade to a rear bokeh, down the moths body and wings.



Most macro shots have that effect.





I'm guessing you cropped it also?