Dimage A1

[jwkma1]

Hey all! I'm new to the forum and have come because I'm having some issues with my Dimage A1. I just bought it but I am finding that my images are grainier that I think they should be. I am finding this to be true on pictures that I use the flash on or don't, on pictures that I've shot in macro mode and not. I'm new to digital photography and it is easily something that I'm doing.

Has anyone else seen this?

Do you have any tips for me to try?

I hate to be such a newbie but I really want the camera to work well for me.

Thanks
John

[BytePhoto]

Could you post an example of this issue in the galleries, or even embed one here ?

[JCW3]

Welcome aboard...

The A1 or actually the Dimage series is know to produce a heavy grain to there images. Over all the built, features, and such are top notch, but there series seems to show a course textured grain that I find very noticable.

There are work arounds to it with software, such as neat image, so that may be worth a try.

The A1 has some issue with earlier cameras. I know a good majority of users even returned them since this earlier cameras omited so much digital noise or grain as you have stated.

I dont remember the model numbers of the A1 that had this problem, but you could do a quick search on the net and find out. Minolta never omited this problem, but have been working with customers fairly well.

I actually tested on out a few months ago, but it was the last new in the box and it showed heavy course noise as your talking about. Without being able to tride it at the store, and not wanting to send it to Minolta on day one, I opted to pass.

But I will admit when you find that clean A1 it will be worth the wait.

Good Luck

[jwkma1]

Thanks for the feedback. I have uncovered part of my problem and that was I had accidentally put the ISO setting up to 800. I have since lowered it and I'm trying some more photos. On initial glance it does seem better.

I'll take some more shots and look at them and if I'm still having th problem I'll post back and embed one in the follow up.

If anyone else has some other suggestions please feel free to include them. I want to enjoy this camera and not regret getting it.

thanks again
John

[JCW3]

ISO 800 would have caused the problem. In reality its only a handfull of cameras on the market that can give good results at ISO 800.

The key for getting good clean photos is manually lock the ISO setting to 100. 200 is not bad, but unless you need it i would not use it. When setting the A1 to auto, it uses ISO settings from 100-200. Auto works ok, but sometimes chooses a higher setting than needed.

The next key is accurate exposure. Some people under exposure there images by accident and this will cause more noise than normal. So make sure you get a good and accurate exposure.

Shorter shutter speeds. The longer the shutter the more noise will be present in the image. Most of the time this is not to big of a issue, but if you make a 8 or 10 seconded exposure, then it will be very noticeable.

Keep it cool. The hotter the camera is the more noise will also be omited. The A1 seems to produce more heat on one side and this often cause half the image to have more noise than the other. But this only occurs after extensive use. If your just walking around looking for something to photograph, just cut it off, it will aid the issue. Also on HOT days or times where the camera is being used alot, you will notice more noise.

Dont panic, if it was set to ISO800 then that was the problem. Really the same applise to all cameras. With the tips above you should be able to over come the issue. And if noise is there, you can always run it through a noise reduction program, which a lot of photographers do anyway.

[jwkma1]

Thanks for the additional input. I will keep that information in mind while I'm taking photos. The image quality is so much better now that I've gotten the ISO set back down.

Many thanks!

John