new camera need help

[David Loera]

Alot of my shot at Skyharbor are coming out like this. what am I doing wrong?

shooting at AV with ISO 200

[Jay Beckman]

Need a little more info Dave...

What Body?
What Lens / Focal Length?
What Shutter Speed?
What f/stop?

[David Loera]

Cannon XSI
75-300, 300
1/2000

[Dave S.]

What is your image quality on the camera? By that, I mean:

JPEG or RAW

If JPEG, is it small, medium or large?

Does that 75-300 have image stabilization?  If so, was it in mode 1 or 2?

Dave S.

[Jay Beckman]

And do you have a UV Filter on the lens?

If so, remove it ASAP...

[Dave S.]

Not to hijack from Dave's question, but what would you recommend in lieu of a UV filter for the front of the lens (thinking in terms of glass protection here)?

Dave S.

[Jay Beckman]

Nothing...

IMO, "Protective Filters" are one of the biggest upsell scams in photography.

Unless you're shooting paintball, are at the beach in a hurricane or need to mount a filter to complete the weathersealing with a Canon "L" lens they're pointless and rob you of image quality.

The only screw on filter I carry is a Polarizer.

[Dave S.]

Thanks!

I'll consider myself scammed!

[Jay Beckman]

Sorry...

I get a little worked up over the notion of people being unduly separated them from their cash.   

[Dave S.]

No sweat here, glad to have added a little bit more knowledge today.  Sad part is, I just bought a replacement UV filter this afternoon.  One of my unruly lenses decided to jump out of the bag.  Crunched the rim of the filter, but the rest of the lens is still bueno!

[Dave S.]

So, back to helping Dave L. out...

Dave, please let us know asap about the rest of these questions.

[Jay Beckman]

No sweat here, glad to have added a little bit more knowledge today.  Sad part is, I just bought a replacement UV filter this afternoon.  One of my unruly lenses decided to jump out of the bag.  Crunched the rim of the filter, but the rest of the lens is still bueno!

Ouch...

Using Lens Hoods however .. always a good idea!

[Matt Ottosen]

Not to hijack from Dave's question, but what would you recommend in lieu of a UV filter for the front of the lens (thinking in terms of glass protection here)?

Dave S.

Nothing...

IMO, "Protective Filters" are one of the biggest upsell scams in photography.

I agree, I hate filters and I never use them!

[jslugman]

Same, I only use them when I KNOW there's a credible danger around (like child fingers w/ peanut butter).

[David Loera]

no UV filter was used
JPEG...Large
no image stabilization for the lens