Firstly, the colours/contrast of your images I've seen recently seem to be OK - but a monitor that needs percussive maintenance to ensure it behaves isn't perhaps an ideal start! :wink

Over-sharpening is typically given away by jaggies on straight lines (with the exception of thin lines which, with a digital camera, will have a slight jagged appearance anyway) or by "halos" (brighter areas) on high-contrast edges. It'd be unfair to say "this is how you sharpen an image" as each image can be different and thus the techniques for sharpening can/will differ. An image that is "too soft" could probably be sorted by a little sharpening prior to re-uploading it - whereas an image that is over-sharpened would need to be reprocessed. It seems to be a relatively personal thing - and it seems everyone does it slightly differently, not to mention using different software. In Photoshop for instance, there's at least three ways of sharpening (Sharpen, Smart Sharpen and Unsharp Mask).

With regard to the noise reduction issue, unless you're using high ISOs or cropping to a small area of the original image, noise isn't really that much of a problem and probably isn't worth worrying about. The giveaway for too much noise reduction is a "plastic" looking image that is clearly far too smooth and clean - and these look quite unnatural.

A sharper, cleaner original image is obviously preferred and in which case, a lower ISO and stopping down a stop or two from wide-open on many (not all) lenses can help considerably (i.e. if the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6, it will probably be sharper at f/8). Obviously this can go right out the window depending on shot conditions - f/8 and ISO100 is of naff all use if you need f/5.6 and ISO1600.

I personally don't have a gauge to compare anything against other than "well, that looks OK" - to have a gauge means you're working to the confines and restrictions placed upon you by that gauge and IMO, that's not what photography is all about. If you think an image looks OK, go with it and if it gets rejected, then perhaps take on board the rejection reasons and bear them in mind for future uploads.


It also sounds like you need to clean the sensor! :wink In Tv mode, the camera will select an appropriate aperture to correctly expose an image based on the shutter speed you want - which could therefore show up dust spots. In the long run, it's a darn sight easier cleaning a sensor than messing about for hours trying to get rid of the damn things - although I must admit to being lazy at times!!


I can't explain your AF issues though, I've personally had no grief with the AF system - although where a 20D is involved, nothing comes as a shock!

Many thanks for the very helpful replies

Cheers,

Tim

Cheers for the reply Ray.

Yep, I think judging by the age of the monitor, and the fact that it does seem to hide alot of imperfections (I checked out an image on my monitor at work, and the monitor at home) and I think it is high-time for an upgrade !

Hope to get something sorted out soon.

Cheers again,

Tim