Wanna Learn Photography?

[Little Angel '77]

I'm trying to use it for my Greek Affairs website and only to use for online publications, not to print out.

This photo won't work. I tried to adjust it in Curves and levels, and there is to much noise. it looks like you "saved for web" - do you have a better version you can email to me?

cordelephotography1 at mac.com

I'd be happy to help.

[ReinaB]

Played with the pic a bit:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ngdawg/CCfix.jpg

[dollface]

Subscribing, but also have a question. I just got a Canon XT and while I haven't quite learned to use it yet - I do know I need a better lens then the 18-55 that came with it. Any suggestions for a great zoom lens for a begininger (Of course I don't want to spend $1000 on a lens at this point).

[greenbunny]

I'd also love a good lens recommendation. I'm planning on the Canon 30D and it comes either body-only or with the 18-55, and experts on the SLR LJ thread told me that lens was substandard.

[snowzilla]

Subscribing, but also have a question. I just got a Canon XT and while I haven't quite learned to use it yet - I do know I need a better lens then the 18-55 that came with it. Any suggestions for a great zoom lens for a begininger (Of course I don't want to spend $1000 on a lens at this point).

What are you wanting to take pictures of? I notice in your signature that you have a little one on the way - for a great second lens, which is, however, NOT a zoom, but it does give incredible results without breaking the bank, is the 50mm 1.8 - there is also a 50mm 1.4 that is even better, but more expensive. I recommend this one if what you are planning to do is take a ton of closeups of your newborn - you'll love the results. It is a fixed lens though - so instead of zooming in and out with your lens, it is up to you to compose your picture. With a newborn, though, you couldn't ask for a better subject, because they're not running around (yet!). It is a great lens for learning with, because it makes you think about the composition of your photos.

greenbunny, the 18-55 that comes as the standard lens is plastic and definitely doesn't have the clarity that good glass possesses - it all depends on what you want to shoot, most of the time, that will determine what your next lens should be. Have you tried the Canon Digital Photography Forums (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php?)? They have some great discussions over there specifically on lenses, and which should be the top lenses in your collection. I highly recommend taking some time away from CC (*gasp!*) to do a bit of reading over there. :)

[greenbunny]

I highly recommend taking some time away from CC (*gasp!*) to do a bit of reading over there. :)


:p Blasphemer!

Thanks, I will check that site out. I don't know enough to know what I need, but I need to buy something to learn with. Rock, hard place, me. :rolleyes:

[elladee]

I'm in the same situation as greenbunny (except I'm getting the XTi).

Is the kit lens that bad? Would it be ok to learn with for a little while until I figure out what type of lens I'd get the most use out of? I really like the 50mm, but would it work as an only lense?

I did find this thead (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185522) on the forum that snowzilla posted... there are some good pictures there...

[dollface]

What are you wanting to take pictures of? I notice in your signature that you have a little one on the way - for a great second lens, which is, however, NOT a zoom, but it does give incredible results without breaking the bank, is the 50mm 1.8 - there is also a 50mm 1.4 that is even better, but more expensive. I recommend this one if what you are planning to do is take a ton of closeups of your newborn - you'll love the results. It is a fixed lens though - so instead of zooming in and out with your lens, it is up to you to compose your picture. With a newborn, though, you couldn't ask for a better subject, because they're not running around (yet!). It is a great lens for learning with, because it makes you think about the composition of your photos.



Thanks for responding :) I would like to use it when the baby comes but I also work as a makeup artist so I would use a lens to take pictures of a lot of my work. Most of the shots I get are going to be from a distance - subject is on set or at a photo shoot and I want to get my own shots so I am assuming I need a good zoom lense.

[Koala_Gurl]

I'm in the same situation as greenbunny (except I'm getting the XTi).

Is the kit lens that bad? Would it be ok to learn with for a little while until I figure out what type of lens I'd get the most use out of? I really like the 50mm, but would it work as an only lense?

I did find this thead (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185522) on the forum that snowzilla posted... there are some good pictures there...

I think it is a good learning lens. I am just a hobbiest, and I find it OK for playing around. The pictures are just fine. I would use it to learn a bit. Once I played around w/ that lens, I was able to figure out what I needed. I would also second (third, fourth?) the 50mm lens. It is a great lens!

[greenbunny]

I was loving the shots in that thread, elladee. But the more I read, the more confused I get. I think I'm going to want a wide-angle zoom since my focus is mainly landscapes, but I also want something really fast to take shots of my cats. I see a lot of people saying newbies should learn on a prime lens since it teaches you to frame. I'm pretty sure I'll want two drastically different lenses for those two subjects, but I'm not sure which is better to learn on. Augh!

[elladee]

I was loving the shots in that thread, elladee. But the more I read, the more confused I get. I think I'm going to want a wide-angle zoom since my focus is mainly landscapes, but I also want something really fast to take shots of my cats.

Replace cats with baby, and that's exactly my problem. I have a feeling one good lens isn't going to cut it, but I don't know where to start.

So I told DH to go ahead and buy me the kit. The difference between the kit and the body only was something like $70. Now, I have until my birthday in May to figure out which sort of better lens I want...

[snowzilla]

Elladee, for the sake of getting familiar with the camera, I was completely fine with the 18-55. I think part of the reason that people refer to it as substandard is that once you compare it to "good glass", or better lenses, the difference is definitely noticeable. I couldn't get over the sharpness and clarity of my pictures the first time I used my 50mm 1.8! (And remember, those who are usually making that comparison are people who are really into their craft, and have moved past the beginner stage.) But beware - once you've bought yourself a new lens, you'll find yourself coveting another, and another..... ;)

The 50mm 1.8 (or 1.4) primes are great because of what was mentioned above - they force you to think about the composition of your shots. And the price tag on the 1.8 is so low, you can buy it and start thinking about that third lens without hesitation. Ha!

I decided on my third lens after spending a lot of time on the Canon forums and looking at the exif data of photos taken by other photographers over there - seeing what kind of lenses they were taking of the subjects *I* am personally interested in (for me, people shots). So, greenbunny, if you're trying to decide on a good landscape lens, spend some time looking at the landscape pictures forums - see examples and compare what kind of gear each photographer is using. You might see a pattern emerge - which lenses are most popular - and that might help you make a decision. (You may have noticed that most posters over there proudly list their gear in the signatures, much the way we used to have our marriage dates in our siggies over at WC. lol) Lenses aren't cheap, so it's a scary proposition to shell the money out for some of them if you aren't sure it's going to do what you want it to!

[dollface]

I just wanted to add to my previous post that the subjects I plan on shooting would be more then 50 feet away (sometime 100 ft away)which is why I am looking for a zoom lens. Any ideas?

[greenbunny]

Thanks, snow. Already I'm so horribly jealous of the clarity I'm seeing in the landscape threads--it just kills me to think of what to this point I've considered my "good" shots and what they could have been with a better camera!

[elladee]

Thanks snowzilla!

greenbunny, after seeing those pictures, I wish I could go back and go on every vacation I've ever taken juat so I could redo all my pictures.

[cynder]

HELP

I am about to purchase a digital copy of a familty photo from our photographer so I can design by own xmas card. She's charging $125 for full resolution, un-watermarked. Does that sound right to you guys?!?

I am actually not too happy with the photo and we did reshoots that were also not that great. We've had good success with this photographer before so I am pretty bummed to be paying this amt on top of a sitting fee for some photo I am not very happy with. Oh, and the thought of trying to reshoot our family (dog and child) is enough to make me go insane.

Thanks in advance for feedback.

[LKMang]

Can anyone recommend a good book for someone who wants to become a professional photographer? My cousin is just starting out, she has a Canon Rebel Digital camera. For xmas, I wanted to get her something to help her learn about photography (that would include the basics, like shutter speed, aperature, etc., but also is geared towards a digital camera). She takes some amazing pictures, particularly at concerts, and she is seriously considering this as a possible career.

Any suggestions?
Thank you!

[greenbunny]

LKMang, one book that has been suggested a lot in this thread is Understanding Exposure. It's a good book for learning the craft, but not so much for learning the business end, if she wants to go pro.

Regarding the lens search, I've started leaning towards the EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM. Count on me to have expensive taste, even as a total novice! :rolleyes:

[ReinaB]

HELP

I am about to purchase a digital copy of a familty photo from our photographer so I can design by own xmas card. She's charging $125 for full resolution, un-watermarked. Does that sound right to you guys?!?

I am actually not too happy with the photo and we did reshoots that were also not that great. We've had good success with this photographer before so I am pretty bummed to be paying this amt on top of a sitting fee for some photo I am not very happy with. Oh, and the thought of trying to reshoot our family (dog and child) is enough to make me go insane.

Thanks in advance for feedback.

For one photo??? On a disc? I'd never charge that...
How much time did she spend taking the photos? Was there editing involved?
Is she putting all the shoots on the disc? Even in editing 200 pix I took at a wedding, the final editing cost came to $80 and that included putting printable sizes on discs-6 total. Granted, I work cheap, but still.....

[Koala_Gurl]

HELP

I am about to purchase a digital copy of a familty photo from our photographer so I can design by own xmas card. She's charging $125 for full resolution, un-watermarked. Does that sound right to you guys?!?

I am actually not too happy with the photo and we did reshoots that were also not that great. We've had good success with this photographer before so I am pretty bummed to be paying this amt on top of a sitting fee for some photo I am not very happy with. Oh, and the thought of trying to reshoot our family (dog and child) is enough to make me go insane.

Thanks in advance for feedback.

I guess it depends...I have seen file prices go from $50 for a few to $200 for one. One photographer I work with has said she doesn't like selling the file, since someone can go print it at Costco and pass it off as her work (her words & example, not mine!) :)

I would also look at your session fee (was it smaller?)

I have personally paid $50 for a file, and that is the lowest I personally have seen (the $50 for a few mentioned above was what a friend told me, so I take it w/ a grain of salt...I don't know if they really were high res files.)

[snowzilla]

Can anyone recommend a good book for someone who wants to become a professional photographer? My cousin is just starting out, she has a Canon Rebel Digital camera. For xmas, I wanted to get her something to help her learn about photography (that would include the basics, like shutter speed, aperature, etc., but also is geared towards a digital camera). She takes some amazing pictures, particularly at concerts, and she is seriously considering this as a possible career.

Any suggestions?
Thank you!

Absolutely, without a doubt, "Understanding Exposure". It's a must read for anybody starting out with an SLR.

[snowzilla]

LKMang, one book that has been suggested a lot in this thread is Understanding Exposure. It's a good book for learning the craft, but not so much for learning the business end, if she wants to go pro.

Regarding the lens search, I've started leaning towards the EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM. Count on me to have expensive taste, even as a total novice! :rolleyes:

You'll love the 1.4 - I didn't splurge - went for the 1.8, but if I love my 1.8 as much as I do, then you'll go ga-ga over the 1.4.

Here's a couple of shots with the 1.8 (the first two were for one of CC's 26 things challenges, that's why they have captions):
http://static.flickr.com/95/232765721_05c3849a89.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/87/232769056_5bbdbe810a.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/117/310796445_e9c8d5d347.jpg?v=0

[deliciousjones]

if you REALLY have expensive taste, go for the 50mm f/1.2. It's been on my camera for a week and I am in luuuuuuuuuuuuuuurve. I would lick it if that wasn't gross and weird. =D

[Koala_Gurl]

I am drooling over those cupcakes! :)

[greenbunny]

I would lick it if that wasn't gross and weird. =D

If it's clean, I see no problem with that. :D

[Ummm]

HELP

I am about to purchase a digital copy of a familty photo from our photographer so I can design by own xmas card. She's charging $125 for full resolution, un-watermarked. Does that sound right to you guys?!?



For a portrait image, to me it's low. i put a lot of time and effort into my work.

but pricing is all relative. it's just a matter or whether it's worth it to you or not.

[Ummm]

Can anyone recommend a good book for someone who wants to become a professional photographer? My cousin is just starting out, she has a Canon Rebel Digital camera. For xmas, I wanted to get her something to help her learn about photography (that would include the basics, like shutter speed, aperature, etc., but also is geared towards a digital camera). She takes some amazing pictures, particularly at concerts, and she is seriously considering this as a possible career.

Any suggestions?
Thank you!

if she's serious about being a photographer and owning her own biz, she should definitely take some biz classes too.

[cynder]

Thanks for the advice. Her sitting fee is pretty low compared to her competitors so I am going to get go ahead and pay for it.

[prentiss]

Hi ladies. I recently purchased the 580ex Canon flash for my camera and I am completely perplexed! I've tried to search the web for some instructions but have had not much luck. My friend had asked me to photograph her daughter's quincinera this Saturday and would love any last minute advice. :eek:

Question:
1) For those who own a flash, which mode do you use and what's the difference with each? (i.e. ETTL,etc.)
2) How often do you bounce flash? Is there a general rule as to how to position the flash?

Thanks so much in advance. Gotta go and practice:)

[KarenS]

I am about to purchase a digital copy of a familty photo from our photographer so I can design by own xmas card. She's charging $125 for full resolution, un-watermarked. Does that sound right to you guys?!?It sounds extremely low. Once she's sold that file, the chances of making any further money off of it are practically nil. If she's earning her living through her photography, then I"m very surprised she'd charge so little.
Karen

[GeekGirl]

HEEEEEEEEEEYYYY!!! Karen's back!!! :D :D :D

I've missed you. :D

[KarenS]

:)

Thanks! Lotsa things going on in my life over the last couple of months; a madly busy season, a new business venture, buying our townhouse, PIL's moving to the other side of the country ... just wild craziness. I hope I'll have more time to spend here as things calm down.

K.

[t3h_wookiee]

Good seeing you back Karen! I've missed seeing your posts around. :)

[deliciousjones]

under normal circumstances, i would find $125 to be in the low to fair range if a large print order was placed, but knowing the circumstances behind this situation (2 sessions resulting in what, seven images?) i'd say it's high.

[cynder]

Thanks deliciousjones! I know you know what's up. I wanted to ask your opinion but didn't want to bother you last week with everything going on. Deep down I think it's high but I am just too tired and frustrated to fight. I did tell her my disappointment over the 2 shoots but she kind of just brushed me off via email.

BTW - DH is was looking at your gallery and is so in love with your B&W. He asked if you were inspired by Anton Corbijn who shoots U2 covers. Because you know kids and rock stars are totally on the same lever.;)

[deliciousjones]

well, i say you should send out new years cards after our session next week =D

bummer that she brushed you off. v. unprofessional in my opinion.

[Little Angel '77]

Hi ladies. I recently purchased the 580ex Canon flash for my camera and I am completely perplexed! I've tried to search the web for some instructions but have had not much luck. My friend had asked me to photograph her daughter's quincinera this Saturday and would love any last minute advice. :eek:

Question:
1) For those who own a flash, which mode do you use and what's the difference with each? (i.e. ETTL,etc.)
2) How often do you bounce flash? Is there a general rule as to how to position the flash?

Thanks so much in advance. Gotta go and practice:)
I wouldn't try to experiment with a flash before an event.
Flash is probably the hardest part of photography for me.

There are rules to bounce flash, but nothing I feel you can "read and learn". Each situation presents it's on set of challenges with flash.

Sure you can bounce, but how high are the ceilings?
There are also exposures in the flash you have to worry about.
Are their beams on the ceiling?
How big is the room?

One flash may not be enough.... you could need more. Then you have to remote fire them.
The rule for flash is that direct flash sucks. Period.

Bounce when you can, when you can't try natural light, and if you can't do that- tone down your flash exposure and use direct flash to add a little pop.

The thing with flash, is that your camera will meter a scene and Then you're flash fires. I don't "get flash". I always just ignore my incamera meter, take a shot with flash, and adjust from there. Dial it up dial it down, until you get the histogram you want.

Flash makes me dizzy - so I try my hardest not to use it.

[Kimberland30]

I posted quite a while back about getting into photography for a hobby, but I never did anything with it. My wonderful DH got me a Canon Powershot S3 IS for Christmas. So MUCH better than my little 2.5 mp POS I was used to.

I've only taken a few pictures with it and just bought 2 - 1GB memory cards for it and a camera case...so now I'm all set.

If you have this or a similar camera, could you tell me which features you like about it? What are some awesome things I can do with it? I haven't had time to sit and read the books that came with it so I'm looking for a general overview of the camera. My DH had a lot of help from family/salespeople on picking it out and is just as in the dark as I am.

Thanks! I can't wait to go out and use this!

[HollyMN]

I've read this whole thread over a period of a couple weeks. I also read Understanding Exposure over Thanksgiving shortly after I got my first digital SLR (Nikon D50). Next step - is there a book recommendation that can explain the artistic aspects of photography to do what Understanding Exposure did for the technical aspects? In the thread here and there, principles of composition were referred to, where do I learn these? Thanks.

[nicole]

I posted quite a while back about getting into photography for a hobby, but I never did anything with it. My wonderful DH got me a Canon Powershot S3 IS for Christmas. So MUCH better than my little 2.5 mp POS I was used to.

I've only taken a few pictures with it and just bought 2 - 1GB memory cards for it and a camera case...so now I'm all set.

If you have this or a similar camera, could you tell me which features you like about it? What are some awesome things I can do with it? I haven't had time to sit and read the books that came with it so I'm looking for a general overview of the camera. My DH had a lot of help from family/salespeople on picking it out and is just as in the dark as I am.

Thanks! I can't wait to go out and use this!


Yay, that's my camera! So far my favorite thing is the Super Macro setting. Awesome for taking pictures of sparklies! :) I got the camera in June and we moved in July, so I haven't read the book on it yet :o We were working on cleaning the basement today and I found the book, so I plan to read soon, so I'll let you know if I find anything else I love.

Oh, I also remembered that there's a separate button for movies. I don't use the video setting a lot, but it's cool when my cats start doing something cute. You don't have to turn the dial to a different setting, you just hit the record button.

ETA: Oh, and duh, I like that it has decent optical zoom for a P&S.

[Little Angel '77]

I've read this whole thread over a period of a couple weeks. I also read Understanding Exposure over Thanksgiving shortly after I got my first digital SLR (Nikon D50). Next step - is there a book recommendation that can explain the artistic aspects of photography to do what Understanding Exposure did for the technical aspects? In the thread here and there, principles of composition were referred to, where do I learn these? Thanks.

Um, honestly... composition can't be "taught". You can know what to look for "the rule of threes" but other than that.. framing and composition are what makes each of us different at photography and most of us that are photographers - are because we frame and compose well. (and were never taught... it was how we "saw" things.)

I did a shoot with a group of photographers a few months ago, and we all shot the same thing. The interesting thing... we all showed the subject in SUCH a different way.

Find your own style, and hopefully you can pick all that up.

[booksie]

HollyMN, The book Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography by the same author gets good reviews on Amazon - might want to check it out.

[Koala_Gurl]

OK, I have tickets to a pro hockey game, second row behind the glass. I am able to bring my 20D in, but the lens on it can not be longer than 3 1/2".

So, that means either my 1.8 50mm, or my kit lens.

I eventually wanted to get a tele prime lens...would this be the kick in the rear I need to actually get one? Either the 85mm or the 100mm?

Any recommendations??

[Kimberland30]

Nicole, very cool! We'll have to learn how to use this thing and trade stories/pics!

Does anyone have a recommendation for a photo printer? I'm going to (finally) get back into scrapbooking and would LOVE to have a photo printer...like one of those that doesn't need a computer...you just plug in the camera or SD card and print away. I have an all-in-one printer that does an okay job, but I think I'd rather have one set aside for only photos. I can print larger ones (8x10) at work, so a basic 4x6 one is what I'm looking for.

TIA!

[HollyMN]

HollyMN, The book Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography by the same author gets good reviews on Amazon - might want to check it out.

I'm going to read it, thanks!

You can know what to look for "the rule of threes" but other than that.. framing and composition are what makes each of us different at photography and most of us that are photographers - are because we frame and compose well.

Gotcha - I'm just going to read something that will get me thinking. And to explain what the rule of threes is ;)

[deliciousjones]

HollyMN:

The rule of thirds is a guideline that helps us to keep our subjects out of the very center of the frame. Here's a little blurb on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

and

http://www.digital-photography-tips.net/digital-photography-tutor-thirds.html


As you become more comfortable with your camera and get a good handle on how to get the shot you want, the composition stuff will get easier, since you won't have SO much to think about. You'll develop your own personal photography style!

Good luck and have fun!

[elladee]

HollyMN: This site (http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php) has some photography tutorials. The first one is an overview of some basic composition ideas.

[SunnyAB]

Not sure this is the proper place to pose this question (so please move if warranted) but I just bought a new scanner that has the option to scan negatives and slides. I feel dumb for asking this :confused: (but how else will I know) :rolleyes: - would this only be for storage purposes, or can you 'develop' or print a picture from the scan?

[HollyMN]

Thanks!

[cherrybomb]

I got a Canon 20D
I was wondering if it is just me or what I am doing wrong....
When I take a picture, the picture on the display will look great!
But then when I upload to the computer, it is WAY too dark! How can I get the display to show what is actually being taken or is it something to do with the uploading to the computer???
TIA!!!!
:D

[deliciousjones]

cherrybomb: are you shooting in RAW or JPG?

A good way to check to see if your exposure is accurate is to check the histogram.

[nicole]

cherrybomb - Well, if the screen is showing one thing, and the computer monitor another, at least one of them has to be inaccurate. Maybe you can have an unedited picture printed (or look at the histogram as deliciousjones suggested) and see which one is closer. I know you can get a calibrated computer monitor, and I'm pretty sure you can adjust the screen on the camera.

[Asha]

i have a question. dh loves to have the date on his pictures. i hate it, and think it totally distracts from the beauty of the picture. well, dh has taken some amazing scenery pix on our travels, and i want to get some of them enlarged and framed sometime in the future. is there a way to remove the date. they are on a digital camera, but no longer on the memory card, but stored on the computer. will i have to take the pix to a photo lab for them photo shop the date out?

also, does anyone know if there are tour type vacations where you go for the main purpose of learning about photography, but are travelling at the same time, too? my dh really has a natural eye for photography, and i think he would love something like this.

[nicole]

Not sure this is the proper place to pose this question (so please move if warranted) but I just bought a new scanner that has the option to scan negatives and slides. I feel dumb for asking this :confused: (but how else will I know) :rolleyes: - would this only be for storage purposes, or can you 'develop' or print a picture from the scan?

I'm pretty sure most photo editing programs have an "inverse" or "negative" command (which, on a negative, would make a "regular" looking picture), so you'd be able to scan the negative, and inverse the colors to see the picture as you would if you had it printed. So you could store pictures this way, but you could also print them.

i have a question. dh loves to have the date on his pictures. i hate it, and think it totally distracts from the beauty of the picture. well, dh has taken some amazing scenery pix on our travels, and i want to get some of them enlarged and framed sometime in the future. is there a way to remove the date. they are on a digital camera, but no longer on the memory card, but stored on the computer. will i have to take the pix to a photo lab for them photo shop the date out?

I hate the date stamp on there too, but my camera creates folders by date so I know when the picture was taken. I guess not everyone's does this. I was really sad to find that a lot of the photos our wedding guests took had the date stamp, but I was able to work around it a lot of the time.

I think the easiest thing to do would be to crop the date out. My camera takes pictures in an 8x10 ratio, so I have to chop a fair amount off to get a 4x6 ratio print anyway, so it isn't too bad. Depending on what's under the date stamp, you might be able to do some Photoshop tricks and remove it, but I think that would only work if it's something pretty plain underneath. As far as I know you can't just remove it. Maybe you can talk your DH out of the date stamp in the future. You can always see the date the picture was taken in the properties.

[Little Angel '77]

I got a Canon 20D
I was wondering if it is just me or what I am doing wrong....
When I take a picture, the picture on the display will look great!
But then when I upload to the computer, it is WAY too dark! How can I get the display to show what is actually being taken or is it something to do with the uploading to the computer???
TIA!!!!
:D

Your computer monitor is off, of yoru display on the back of the camera is to bright.

Look at your histogram!! Read it. It will tell you if the picture is properly exposed. The LCD on the back of the 20D is notoriously showing pictures to look "great" but they are totally underexosed.

I'd also say your monitor is probably not calibrated.
Get an image printed, and compare it to your monitor side by side. If they match, your monitor would be okay, but your camera is off.

[julievans]

I am just getting my photography business going and I am working on getting a website up and running. I have found a few sites that I love and I have noticed they all appear to be done with the same software?, same designer?, or same template? I can't figure it out...

Can anyone check out this site and let me know if you recognize the program they are using. I would greatly appreciate it. It's a flash site.

Or if anyone has an suggestions as to who to contact for web design, etc...that would be wonderful! thanks.

www.kimberlywylie.com

[MSH]

This is just a simple Flash site. Any flash developer would be able to do this for you. Mind you Flash development can be expensive but IMO it looks much sharper. Another good thing about Flash is it makes it difficult for people to "steal" your images.

[deliciousjones]

Can anyone check out this site and let me know if you recognize the program they are using. I would greatly appreciate it. It's a flash site.

It's a Blu site.
www.bludomain.com
They're $600-700ish.

This is just a simple Flash site. Any flash developer would be able to do this for you. Mind you Flash development can be expensive but IMO it looks much sharper. Another good thing about Flash is it makes it difficult for people to "steal" your images.

blu sites have a backend user interface which makes it more complicated than simple flash sites. bludomain has a bunch of templates that they sell and host which brings the price down.

flash sites are hugely popular in photography and a lot of my friends use them. i will say, however, that i have lost count of the number of clients who have told me that my site (which is primarily html-based) was the ONLY local photography website that would load on their computer.

we'd like to think that everyone has the latest updates or that they have the knowledge and desire to download the latest updates, but for many, many people, flash sites won't load.

[ManteoChik]

Not sure this is the proper place to pose this question (so please move if warranted) but I just bought a new scanner that has the option to scan negatives and slides. I feel dumb for asking this :confused: (but how else will I know) :rolleyes: - would this only be for storage purposes, or can you 'develop' or print a picture from the scan?

You can print from a scan, many photographers do this. A lot of photographers still prefer to photograph with film but would rather print digital. I myself scan negatives. This is because you can photograph with film, scan the negatives, do any retouching that might want, and print digitally. I usually scan my 4x5 negatives to print digitally.

If you are interested in scanning your negatives you should buy a negative carrier (if your scanner did not come with on) and you can do you scanning and editing through photoshop. This was actually a requirement when I was in school. I had a semester of all film and we could print in the color darkroom or digital, and then I also had a Large Format class where that was also the option.

[SunnyAB]

Thank you ManteoChik! It does have the carrier (a slot on the inside of the cover) so I will have to do some experimenting. I have Photoshop, so I will be able to have lots of fun playing with everything! Thanks very much for your help! Oh - I've since heard that 300 dpi is the setting I should use for scanning - is that what you use normally, or the bigger the pic the higher the dpi??

[ManteoChik]

I usually scan at about 360dpi, which would be fine for you to scan at. If I plan on printing the picture at a large size (larger than 11x14) I will scan the negative at a higher dpi.

[LyLMyssChaos]

Okay, I'm in the market for a new camera, and it's been a few years since my last one, anOlympus Camedia (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0109/01090201olympusc40z.asp). I use my camera mostly for taking photos of the kids, and family stuff. I also print my own photos at home from my computer.

I'm trying to decide between these Cameras:

Canon PowerShot A610
5.0 million effective pixels
5.0 million sensor photo detectors
35 mm - 140 mm (4x) zoom lens
Price: $240

Canon PowerShot A620
7.1 million effective pixels
7.1 million sensor photo detectors
35 mm - 140 mm (4x) zoom lens
Price: $265

Canon PowerShot A710
7.1 million effective pixels
7.1 million sensor photo detectors
35 mm - 210 mm (6x) zoom lens
Price: $240-$290 (depends on where I buy it)

I also just read that Canon is releasing a PowerShot A550 next month that will have these specs:
7.1 Megapixels
4x optical zoom
DIGIC II, iSAPS and 9-point AiAF
Redesigned Shooting Mode dial
30fps VGA movies with sound
2.0” LCD with dedicated Playback button


Should I buy one of the ones listed, or should I wait for the new one next month? Or if anyone could suggest a camera that might be a better fit that is less expensive? That would be great too!

[cherrybomb]

Thanks for all the responses! I know my screen is not calibrated BUT it is close because when I do the editing & get what I want, when I go to get it developed it looks close to the same! So I know it is the camera.... or the uploading process... I shoot in JPEG. Is that a problem? Should I shoot in RAW? I am so new to the digital world so have no clue the difference between JPEG & RAW and no clue what I should be looking at in the histogram. How do I fix the screen to show the actual exposure I am taking? any good site on explaining histograms? THANKS!! :D

[Asha]

thank you, nicole. yup, i have cropped out the date once before for a christmas card picture. its just hard to do on pictures that you don't want to cut anything out of. i think my mom convinced him to stop doing that bc she explained to him that since we make shutterfly photobooks we can just insert the date into the text of the photobook. of course, i have been trying to convince him to stop that for years and my mom has to only tell him one time!! at least, he is a good sil and listens to his mil. lol!

[Little Angel '77]

Asha
Most places now print the name and date on the back of the print. For digital, since the information is imbedded in the file, try to find a place that will print it on the back. That way you don't have to fight him on it anymore. If you want me to remove it in PS - email me (cordelephotography @ mac.com and it will take me less than a minute.

You have to send me the full size file.

[Gatsby]

I'm going to be buying a digital SLR soon (as soon as I can figure out which one to get!!), and wanted to ask a question about prices.

I'm leaning toward the Canon 5D. Found it at BH (body only) for $2500 (after a rebate). On www.thecamerapros.com (never used this site before), they have the same body for $1650. How is it that the price could be SO different? Has anyone ever bought from The Camera Pros before? It says their products are new (not refurbished) and there is a warranty (also comes with tripid and other accessories).

Also, a pro photographer friend recommneded the 5D to me, and said if it was too expensive to go with the 30D. The 30D is only 8MP, though. I see that the Rebel XTi is 10 MP, but less expensive... Is it a good professional grade camera, or would I be better off with the Nikon 200D, which is 10 MP.

Sorry for all of the questions - this is just a big investment, and I want to make sure I'm making the right purchase.

Thanks!!!!!!!!

[KarenS]

Honestly I would avoid it. I cannot possibly see how they can sell that body w/ a US warranty for that price. It's most likely a bait and switch type of thing, where you order it and pay for it an then they tell you it's out of stock but for only a few $$$ more, you can get the kit ... or something.

As far as the MP goes, too many people are obsessed with MP and ... quite frankly from a pro perspective it's simply a non-issue. At this point any pro-sumer level camera or higher has enough MP to do the job. The difference between an 8MP camera and a 10MP camera is that one takes more storage than the other which means you have to buy more CF cards.

The main difference between the 5D and the lower level cameras is that the 5D has a full sized 35mm chip in it, and the 30D and 20D (and Rebel) have the smaller digital chip, which means all of your lenses will have a 1.6 (approx) crop factor to them.

What are you going to be using the camera for? That will be a big determining factor in what you should get. I'll say honestly that unless you're planning on going pro, then the 5D is going to be massive overkill. And even if you are, I'd recommend spending the money on good LENSES and getting a mid range camera - at least until you determine if you need more. Lenses are far more important than the camera body in getting quality images.

karen

[KarenS]

Here ya go: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/TheCameraPros

[Gatsby]

Thanks, Karen! It is so easy to get caught up in things that aren't that important because there is just so much information out there; a bit overwhelming. My main concern about the MPs is that I want to be able to get large prints (for gifts as friends and family are always asking for copies of my photos; probably not for sale) and have read that I'd be better off with at least 10MP for that. However, my main use for the camera would be part landscape, part portrait, and part event photography.

Would the 30D with good lenses be fine for that? Or is the XTi or Nikon d200 a better choice? As a pro, which would be your first choice? Or would you go for something else completely?

Ugh - thanks for the info on the camera "pros" :rolleyes: I'm glad I asked.

[deliciousjones]

Gatsby: When I was shooting with a 20D and 30D, I regularly printed 24x30 prints (and one 30x40) with no problem at all.

I agree with Karen that the 5D would be overkill for you. I also agree that it would be money better spent to buy a 30D and invest the extra $ in a good lens or two. If in a year or two, you find yourself limited by the smaller chip, then sell it and upgrade, but for now, stick with the 30D or XTi.

[Ummm]

Thanks, Karen! It is so easy to get caught up in things that aren't that important because there is just so much information out there; a bit overwhelming. My main concern about the MPs is that I want to be able to get large prints (for gifts as friends and family are always asking for copies of my photos; probably not for sale) and have read that I'd be better off with at least 10MP for that. However, my main use for the camera would be part landscape, part portrait, and part event photography.

Would the 30D with good lenses be fine for that? Or is the XTi or Nikon d200 a better choice? As a pro, which would be your first choice? Or would you go for something else completely?

Ugh - thanks for the info on the camera "pros" :rolleyes: I'm glad I asked.
.
how big a print are we talking about?! i used 20D/30D and the biggest so far I have is a 20x30 and i'm sure i can go bigger with no problem.

the key is finding a good lab to print it.

[Gatsby]

I don't think I'd be going much bigger than 20x30, so it looks like the 30D would be good for me, and I can spend the money I save by not getting the 5D on lenses. On that note, what lens should I buy. I don't want the "kit" lens.

One pro friend went on and on about only getting Canon lenses and then recommended a Sigma, specifically the Sigma 30/1.4 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=12039&A=details&Q=&sku=381615&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation). Any thoughts or other recs?

[deliciousjones]

Gatsby: I'm a big fan of the 50mm prime for portrait work. There are three types (1.8, 1.4, 1.2L), I have all three and would recommend all three.

I also have the 24-70mm 2.8L which is a nice all-purpose lens, but it's very heavy and very expensive.

I am not familiar with any of the Tamron or Sigma lenses, sorry!

[KarenS]

I clean my own sensor all the time. THe thing is, you're never touching the SENSOR. You're cleaning the shield in front of it. Just don't exert too much pressure. I start by just blowing on it and seeing if that removes most of the dust. Then move to the blue bulb and puff some air on it. Then go to a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol.

I've rarely needed to go past the blue bulb stage.

Karen

[TracieB]

Karen - welcome back! Good to see you in here!

I have a question for you all. I have a Canon Digital Rebel that I use for work (I'm a freelance writer and the articles require photos to accompany them). I've been doing fine with the lens that came with the camera (15-80, I believe?). But, after covering a few events where I can't get as close as I need to to get a decent pic, I have decided I need a zoom lens.

I've been looking at the Canon website and would really like one with IS, but I don't want to spend over $500 (although I guess it could be as I could use it as a tax write-off). Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Ummm]

i don't think you can get anything with IS for under $500. there is a canon 70-200 f4 for about $500-$600. They have just come out with an IS version but i don't know how much it is. Sigma has a 70-200 f2.8 and i've heard good things about it. tho i personally don't own any 70-200mm.

[ManteoChik]

I've got the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS but it was pretty pricey (about $1800 from B&H). Its an amazing lens and I absolutely love it. I first started using it when I was still in school because we could check them out from our stockroom for assignments. After graduation I bought one of my own. Its a lot of money but for me as a photographer its well worth it.

I've also got a Canon 75-300mm 5.6 and its pretty much worthless. I bought it when I first started school and didn't have the money to spend on a nice lens. It did its job for a while but because I'm so short (with not a lot of arm strength) you need a tripod because the lens is just too slow with no IS.

Honestly, I think it would depend on how much you are willing to spend, what types of pictures you are taking (like do you need to photograph sports), and how much use you'd get out of the lens. I would never waste my money buying a lesser lens again knowing what I know now. I'd rather save my money and get a better lens.

[TracieB]

Thank you Ummm and Manteochik... I guess I just need to do some more research on it. Ugh!

[Gatsby]

I guess I just need to do some more research on it. Ugh!

I hear ya! There is SO much information and so many products out there, that it is hard to decide what the right choices are!!

Thanks everyone for all of the information on lenses. Making the switch from all film to digital is a big step, but I can wait to get all the equipment and start learning how it all works. I feel like such a beginner again!!

I decided on the Canon 30D with the 50mm prime lens. I'm taking a digital photography class in April, so I'll have access to all of the other equipment through that, and it will give me an idea of what else is important for me to have. This thread is a great resource!!

[TracieB]

How do you guys feel about this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/149629.jpg

Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens

It has received great reviews on B&H and is only $389. Thoughts?

[Little Angel '77]

How do you guys feel about this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/149629.jpg

Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens

It has received great reviews on B&H and is only $389. Thoughts?

It's a great focal length but it's a slow lens. Zoomed out- it will only use 5.6 aperture. zoomed it, it will onl,y go down to 3.5

In dark rooms -you'll have to use slower shutter speeds and high isos to get the results and exposures you want.

If its going to be used for outdoor, it's a fine lens. Indoors I'd get something faster.

[lil_geek]

Question on Warrenties:

I have decided on the Canon Digital Rebel XT (with the lens kit until I can upgrade). I was going to get it from the local camera store, but Best Buy and Future Shop (big chains) have them on sale this week in store (but not in their adds so the local place wont' price match). Whenever I buy from these big places I always feel so pressured into the extended warrenties! How necessary are they?

I always get sucked in by the 'walk in and we will replace it' portion. But I would think Canon would stand by their products so if something breaks in a year under normal use it would e covered... or am I wrong?

[bunny nose]

I have a question about lighting. I went to a baby shower Saturday and was taking a lot of pics for my friend. The room had big windows all around and it was real hard to get good shots. Is there anything I can do to get a better shot? I took two shots of the room so you can see what was going on in there.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/photoogirl15/P2100079.jpg


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/photoogirl15/P2100080.jpg

Thanks
Karen

[HollyMN]

bunny_nose - your camera is setting it's exposure based on the windows. Move in or point your camera so that none of the windows are in the frame, and set your exposure (doesn't have to be in focus). Then move back and recompose and take your picture.

I just got my new camera last Thanksgiving and was reading Understanding Exposure that week to learn how to use it. Regarding backlighting and "unintentional silhouettes" I practiced by taking a picture of my SIL's friend in a window. This is the picture that the camera wanted to take:

http://www.calesota.com/images/misc6/camera/john1.jpg


I used the technique in the book - instead of metering for the entire scene, I moved in and filled the camera frame with just his shirt and book and metered for the sunlight bouncing off. Then I moved back, recomposed the shot and snapped the picture. Now the window is overexposed, but the guy is exposed correctly.

http://www.calesota.com/images/misc6/camera/john2.jpg

[bunny nose]

Thanks Holly!

[Mrs-Mac]

Also, depending on your camera, you could use the camera's spot metering. Most SLRs will have this option (I just checked my Canon Powershot Point and Shoot camera and it has it too). The default setting is the "average" or evaluative metering, where the camera takes into account light from the entire scene (including the very bright windows). A spot metering uses something like 3-5% of the entire scene (normally the very middle of the viewfinder) to determine the exposure. Its almost the same idea as filling the entire frame with what you want to meter on. Of course, if the center of the viewfinder is the bright windows, it won't work. But its another way to use your camera to get a similar end result. On my cameras (film and digital SLR)there is also a exposure lock button. It allows you to do what Holly suggested and "lock" in those settings and then move back and re-compose the shot. That way you don't have to try and remember the the shutter speed and f-stop. Just like computers, there are 10 different ways to get to the same end. Take the time to read your camera's manual on the section about metering. It will tell you about the different ways your camera can meter. Good luck.

[nicole]

I took this last night and I'm wondering if anyone knows why it turned blue. It was taken in the dark and I'm pretty sure I just used the regular flash and not the night mode. I took 3 pics and only one came out like this. If it makes any difference, the porch light was on and we have one of those bug-reducing yellow colored bulbs in it. Just curious.
picture (http://www.geocities.com/goddessnike13/IMG_0667-small.gif)

ETA: Never mind, I answered my own question. :o

[Little Angel '77]

Bunny nose-
The other thing I might do is pop a little flash to compensate for the backlighting and bring the subject up. Just metering for them isn't going to totall keep the background from blowing out.

[lawgirl4]

hi! I am in the market for a Digital SLR and I'm at a crossroads. My BIL has the Nikon D80 and I loved using it. However, I have a Canon EOS SLR (not digital) and was told that I would be able to use that lens on a Canon Digital SLR such as the Digital Rebel XTi or 30D (the lens says "Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-80mm).

If this is the case, then I would be inclined to go with either of those 2 Canons, since I could just buy the body and not spend the extra $$ to get a duplicate lens (and/or I could save the extra $$ to put it towards a better lens).

So - here are my questions:

1. can I indeed use my regular Canon lens on a Digital Rebel XTi or 30D?

2. which would you recommend, the XTi or the 30D, and why?

I am definitely not a "pro" photographer, but I feel that I have a good eye and I'm ready to move up from my Canon Elph in terms of a digital camera. I'll be using the camera primarily to photograph my daughter, as well as travel photos.

thanks so much!! :)

[lil_geek]

lawgirl - I JUST bought the digital rebel XT. Have you held the Nikon D80 and the Digital Rebel? For me the big sell for the Canon was something a lot of more professionals DON'T like about it. It is a much smaller and lighter camera (and I'm not very big). From everything I've read the Nikon D40 and Digital Rebel are much closer (I have no idea on the D80)

I'm sure the ladies here have much more technical advice!

[deliciousjones]

lawgirl: i'm not sure about the rebel but i know that the 30D takes EF & EFS lenses.

i think that canon and nikon are very comparable and they each have their pros and cons. for me, it came down to what feels best in my hand.

[lawgirl4]

ok, it looks like both canons take EF lenses...

but can anyone give me a rundown on why I would want the 30D over the Rebel XTi, or vice versa?

[bunny nose]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to have to play around with your ideas and try to figure it out for myself.

Thanks!!!!

[deliciousjones]

here ya go, lawgirl:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos30d%2Ccanon_eos400d&show=all

that's a side-by-side of each camera and their features.

[lawgirl4]

thanks, deliciousjones - I've looked up a few reviews & comparisons online, but I was hoping for some anecdotal comments too :)

[Ummm]

hi! I am in the market for a Digital SLR and I'm at a crossroads. My BIL has the Nikon D80 and I loved using it. However, I have a Canon EOS SLR (not digital) and was told that I would be able to use that lens on a Canon Digital SLR such as the Digital Rebel XTi or 30D (the lens says "Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-80mm).

If this is the case, then I would be inclined to go with either of those 2 Canons, since I could just buy the body and not spend the extra $$ to get a duplicate lens (and/or I could save the extra $$ to put it towards a better lens).

So - here are my questions:

1. can I indeed use my regular Canon lens on a Digital Rebel XTi or 30D?

2. which would you recommend, the XTi or the 30D, and why?

I am definitely not a "pro" photographer, but I feel that I have a good eye and I'm ready to move up from my Canon Elph in terms of a digital camera. I'll be using the camera primarily to photograph my daughter, as well as travel photos.

thanks so much!! :)

what lenses do you have and what model was your film SLR?

[mpc863]

Hi! We are in the market for a DSLR. We are heading to India in 2 weeks and we are going on a safari this summer. I'm looking at the Rebel XTi and the XT. Do you think that the XTi is worth the extra price? Also, should i just get the body and get a different lens?

TIA!

[Little Angel '77]

Personally, I hated the 30D. I actually perfer to shoot with the 20D. I think the camera has better color. I don't really love the 30D, and I can't put my finger on why.

I get a lot of PMs about pricing and stuff and I wanted to post my email.. I never check CC, because I am to busy- but you can click "email me" and I'll be sure to respond.

I'll try to pop over here once and awhile, but I've got a lot going on lately... and the wedding season is in FULL swing.

[deliciousjones]

Personally, I hated the 30D. I actually perfer to shoot with the 20D.

Ditto! The 20Ds color was always very close to being spot-on and the 30Ds color was all over the board. I'm actually finding that the 5Ds color is a bit unpredictable, too. I've starting shooting in RAW so I can avoid doing CWB every time the light changes.

[Sunshine]

I've just begun shooting in RAW and I had a question.
What is the benefit of shooting RAW + JPEG
Is it so you can show a quick proof to the customer? Maybe so you can burn those to cd for them?
Just wondering if I should shoot in RAW or RAW + JPEG.

[greenbunny]

I'm really fascinated by you guys saying the 20D is better than the 30D. I had been considering the 20D but assumed I may as well go newer when the 30D came out. It's so hard to research when you don't know photography! I need the camera to learn on but I need to be knowledgable to buy the camera.

[lil_geek]

Beleive me, I do not know A lot about photography yet.

But someone told me when you are buying a SLR you are really buying the lenses. Most bodies (within reason obviously - my $600 canon is not going to perform the same as a professional level body) are creating pretty equal.

Pro's/experienced want to weigh in on that?

[Ummm]

i have a 20D and a 30D, i use AWB and shoot in jpg but i don't see much difference?! didn't really compare side by side but when i mix the images together it didn't really jump out to me. maybe i should check.

could it be the lenses too?! some lenses are warmer than others. maybe try the same lens on both cameras and see if it's different?!

also depends on how use do white balance, unless you're pointing at the very same thing (using a tripod, using same lens), the white balance is likely to change in the same setting if it's pointed differently.

things i like about 30D - bigger LCD screen (not that it's a deal breaker for the 20D), and that it downloads i think 1000 images in one folder instead of 100 in each folder like 20D?! but some people use special software to automatically download without folders or something... but i still use the manual copy and paste method so the 30D makes the job easier for me.

----

and yes a good lens makes a BIG difference!!!

[deliciousjones]

could it be the lenses too?! some lenses are warmer than others. maybe try the same lens on both cameras and see if it's different?!


I don't think so! I use the same two lenses (50mm 1.2L and 24-70 2.8L) on all three cameras (20D 30D & 5D) and the 20D is the most accurate when using AWB. A photographer friend of mine said the same thing! Maybe we just have bum cameras :)

[Little Angel '77]

http://www.cordelephotography.com/I've just begun shooting in RAW and I had a question.
What is the benefit of shooting RAW + JPEG
Is it so you can show a quick proof to the customer? Maybe so you can burn those to cd for them?
Just wondering if I should shoot in RAW or RAW + JPEG.

It's totally a personal preference.
I shoot RAW. I like RAW. I was onc a hard cord JPG shooter. I would tell everyone "I don't need raw, I nail my exposures." Then one day, I had a really bad shoot, there were 3 light sources coming in the room, causing a blue and yellow cast on my images. I wasn't able to fully fix it in JPG, and that day- I switched over to RAW and haven't gone back. You capture more data in your image and can recover more. I like to underexpose the whites- and then tweak the colors. more. It's NOT to show a customer a proof. RAW is like the blank canvas of a painting, before you start painting. If you want to shoot RAW and JPG at the same time- I hope you have a LOT of room. The only people I know that do that- are people who just want to process the images they nailed the exposure on- and then go back to the RAW file on the ones they didn't. It's like a sorting bucket. "Nailed exposure" and "Go fix in Raw". That way they don't have to process All the good ones in RAW and then convert to JPG. The perfect images are already IN JPG. Saves them a step. it's also helpful for people who do Remote capture. From their camera to computer for a presentation. I don't have an image to show right now in JPG and RAW, but RAW has saved my butt one or two times. When my flash doesn't fire, I can pull my levels up without it looking like hell. If you aren't nailing your exposures- shoot JUST RAW. Also- when you underexpose an image in JPG- its hard to recover because the information isn't there. If you shoot RAW you are able to recover 1 to 2 stops more light. I do find the workflow to be faster - once you master it

CON: It takes up a LOT of space. I have 4 hard drives. Each one is full and I am moving on to my 5th hard drive this season. You also need a FAST computer to handle it.


But someone told me when you are buying a SLR you are really buying the lenses. Most bodies (within reason obviously - my $600 canon is not going to perform the same as a professional level body) are creating pretty equal.

Pro's/experienced want to weigh in on that?
__________________ The better the glass- the better the image. You can have a crappy camera with a good piece of glass and have amazing images. . YOu can also have a Great camera with a crappy piece of glass, and get a crappy picture. EXPENSIVE glasss makes all the differences in images and also knowing how to Post process them to look even more amazing.... like this :)
http://homepage.mac.com/cordelephotography/iblog/C2106626059/E20070123131811/Media/bermuda23sfw.jpg
This was taking with my "crappy" point and shoot. Doesn't always matter what camera or lens, but it helps knowing what you're doing.

I also have to disagree with the comment about some lens being "warm".

Unless your shooting with a filter over your lens, lens are CLEAR. They have no tone of warmth to them. That comes from your auto white balance or custom settings IN CAMERA aand WHAT you're shooting. There are so many factors to the "warmth" on one camera vs another.. I know when I shoot with one of my UV filters on my lens my images appear cooler. It's a function of the filter- not the lens. What would be the point of a lens that had a nasty warmth to it. Unless you're shooting with a really crappy lens, I think you might have a filter or custom funtion on your camera. If you're shooting film it could also be the lab your developing it at.

Do you have examples of your two comparison images that are different?

{quote]I'm really fascinated by you guys saying the 20D is better than the 30D. I had been considering the 20D but assumed I may as well go newer when the 30D came out. It's so hard to research when you don't know photography! I need the camera to learn on but I need to be knowledgable to buy the camera.[/quote]
I'd go get the Canon 10D. Save the money until you KNOW what you're doing. I gave my sister my old 10D for Christmas and she LOVES it. You won't notice the difference in this stage of the game. In low light you "might" notice the difference. it focuses slower, and doesn't have the greatest color... but for your purposes, you'll be okay. :)

[Hello Kitty]

So - here are my questions:

1. can I indeed use my regular Canon lens on a Digital Rebel XTi or 30D?

2. which would you recommend, the XTi or the 30D, and why?

I am definitely not a "pro" photographer, but I feel that I have a good eye and I'm ready to move up from my Canon Elph in terms of a digital camera. I'll be using the camera primarily to photograph my daughter, as well as travel photos.

thanks so much!! :)

DH just switched out his Canon EOS 3 for the XTi, and even though we don't have a card for it yet, we're both amazed with the preview pics we've seen so far. Oh my gosh, it's so much fun, and it's crazy how much more feeling you can get out of a pic with a good camera. I have a feeling I'll be more interested in photography now that I don't have to use my 3 1/2 floppy A digital. :cool:

Anyway, he did use the lens from his EOS 3 right on the XTi body. It works great. We're probably going to get another lens b/c the pics I take require a good amount of zoom.

[GeekGirl]

Hey ladies, I'm in the market for a wide angle lens for my Nikon. Any suggestions?

[Sunshine]

Little Angel '77~Thank you *SO MUCH* :D That really helps alot!!!

[AMC]

anyone have experinece with a Canon EOS-1D Mark II?

[deliciousjones]

anyone have experinece with a Canon EOS-1D Mark II?

I've used it but I do not own it. It's heavy! The Mark III was just announced, too. I think this line of cameras is more for the sports and wedding photographer - they can use the extra fps and high ISO.

[Hello Kitty]

I need to get some sizes of memory cards for the XTi - is it better to get one big card, or to have a few smaller cards?

FTR, these are the cards (http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_search.php3?search_token=compact+flash+card) I'm looking at. I have $100 to buy cards. I will likely buy a 'cheapie' small card over the weekend b/c we're excited to play around with it.

I just don't know if I should get, say, the 4 and a 1. Or a 2 and 2 1s, etc...

[AMC]

deliciousjones thanks for the reply. I pretty much have the same opinion of the camera. Unfortunately DH wants to buy one that he can use as well. I do portrait and he does extreme sports. I wish we had the $$$ to buy our own. :(
BTW-just checked out your site and I love it!!!

[Dally]

Hi...my mom would like to buy a digital camera for about $700. She currently has a point-and-shoot from Canon that was about $200. But she would like to spend her bonus money (hence the $700) on a camera that does better with macro shots. I was leaning toward advising her to get either the Canon G7 or the Canon Rebel XT (I think she could get the 8.0 megapixel one for around $700). Anyone have thoughts on which would be better given her money constraints?

Also, anyone have another suggestion?

Thanks!

[nicole]

$700 would be right on the cusp of a DSLR. Do you know if she wants a point and shoot or an SLR?

[emschwar]

Dally - as far as I know, the rebel xt is not going to be good for macro shots unless she buys a macro lens for it.

[snowzilla]

Dally, with the Rebel, she'll need to invest in a different lens (than the kit lens) if she wants to focus on macro shots. What is she wanting to take pictures of?

[GeekGirl]

Hey ladies, I'm in the market for a wide angle lens for my Nikon. Any suggestions?

*bump*

[Ummm]

to take macro pics, you can use:

* macro lens (prob best and most pricey option)
* macro filter
* extension tube

if it's a p&s, i think the only option would be to use a filter (if there's a place to screw one on... don't know much about p&s).

if it's a SLR, all 3 options can be used. but most importantly, a tripod would be helpful since with taking macro pics, you want to use a small aperature (eg f 22) and usually the shutter speed would be slow, so a tripod would help reduce camera shake.

[Ummm]

*bump*

a fun lens would be the 10.5 fish.

i also heard good things about the 17-50mm?

i'm canon, so this is from memory from reading about other posts on other forums...

[Ummm]

regarding my earlier comments on 'warmer' lenses...

just something i read on other forums... some photographers noted that some 3rd party lenses (eg sigma) may be a bit warmer than say canon lenses... i don't have any concrete proof... just something i'd read elsewhere and remembered and thought it may be a possibility. but it could be due to quality control issues?!

[kemaji]

*bump*

GG - How much of a wide angle are you looking to go? I have the Nikkor 18 - 200mm lens and it's a great all around lens. It's not a fisheye, though.

[nicole]

to take macro pics, you can use:

* macro lens (prob best and most pricey option)
* macro filter
* extension tube

if it's a p&s, i think the only option would be to use a filter (if there's a place to screw one on... don't know much about p&s).

if it's a SLR, all 3 options can be used. but most importantly, a tripod would be helpful since with taking macro pics, you want to use a small aperature (eg f 22) and usually the shutter speed would be slow, so a tripod would help reduce camera shake.

I have a P&S (Canon S3 IS) that has a Macro setting on it. I don't how macro works on SLRs because unfortunately I can't afford one yet, but my manual says you can get w/in 0mm of (so right up next to) the object. I've taken some pretty cool pictures of my e-ring with the setting.

[Ummm]

luckiestgirl - wow i can't believe those swing set pictures!! i think we may have gotten a bit less than you did. maybe a foot or so over the last few days?!

[GeekGirl]

GG - How much of a wide angle are you looking to go? I have the Nikkor 18 - 200mm lens and it's a great all around lens. It's not a fisheye, though.

I'd probably prefer going with a prime lens just for the sake of speed and clarity. I'm going to Hawaii in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking for a decent lens to take decent landscape shots. Also, I'd like a lens that can handle showing off rooms in tight spaces.

[MrsBeckyLP]

Anybody have any tips for shooting interiors of homes? (I am a writer who also has to take photos occasionally, and I'm working on a story about houses on golf courses.) I'm using a Canon EOS 10D with a 28-80 mm lens (I think???) ;) I know a wide angle lens would be best, but it seems we (my employer) don't have one.

[nicole]

By any chance did anyone catch the Lunar Eclipse last night? I couldn't get online....my server was down so I couldn't find the time it was going to happen & I missed it. I got the very tail end when the moon was almost fully lit again but I missed the deep red stage. Did anyone get to catch this???? It is suppose to happen on Aug 28th again so I really would love to get out into the country & see if I can catch it then!

I missed it - it was really cloudy here, unfortunately. I didn't know it was happening again in August, that's good to know!

ETA: I just Googled "photographing lunar eclipse" and got lots of sites with tips. Also good to know!

[greenbunny]

I was pretty set on the Canon 30D, but DH is saying that's too expensive and he wants me to consider something more along the lines of a model I could pick up at Best Buy. Sigh. Any suggestions for starting my research from scratch?

My needs: My main focus is wildlife and nature photography. My biggest complaint is that I need good reaction times. In the past, due to poor speeds I've missed some great shots of birds of prey, breaching whales, etc. I don't currently plan to trying to make a living from my photos, but I wouldn't be averse to the idea if it evolved down the road.

[wideopenskies]

Hello all, I'm new to these boards, but I have lurked in this thread before :o I am an amateure photographer, or at least something resembling that. I bought my first 'real' camera in 2005 - a Nikon D50. I loved that camera to death, and I learned a lot using it. But, our house was broken into a few months ago, and it was stolen. So of course, that gave me the perfect excuse to upgrade to a Nikon D80. It's a great camera, exactly what I need. I haven't really been taking a lot of photos lately, we've been so busy renovating our house. I do have a couple pictures from a recent trip to Mexico, though:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/frankandsharon/Dec2006168.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/frankandsharon/Dec2006349.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/frankandsharon/Dec2006278.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/frankandsharon/Dec2006209.jpg

I feel like I hardly know anything about the technical aspects of photogprahy - I can compose a photo, but I have a hard time with exposure settings. I'm hoping to practice a lot more this coming spring and summer, and catch up on reading a few photography books I have - I really like "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

[greenbunny]

Where did you guys buy your cameras? Any sites you'd recommend, or did you go the brick-and-mortar store route?

[snowzilla]

Where did you guys buy your cameras? Any sites you'd recommend, or did you go the brick-and-mortar store route?

I personally went the brick-and-mortar route - we have a local photography store that is just awesome in terms of their knowledge and customer service. I like going in there on Saturdays, when it's packed full of like-minded hobbyists, all drooling over the display cases. ;) That said, I'm sure there are lots of good deals out there online, but since I'm in Canada, you'll get better advice from the US girls, I'm sure.

I did notice yesterday on Costco's website that they have a killer deal on a Rebel XT with two lenses. It comes with the standard kit lens (18-55) and a 55-200 as a bonus.

[lil_geek]

luckiestgirl - That sounds like fun! With it being spring here I am really wanting to get out and try a LONG exposure on a waterfall/run off!!!

This past weekend my dad and I took a course at the photography store. It was for the Rebel so we got to learn better what all the buttons and such do! But they also did a fair bit on working with exposure/shutter speed/lighting etc. It was a great chance to remember everything!

Tomorrow morning DH said we will leave for work early. There is a hawk we have passed 2 mornings this week, and a field that has deer in it nearly every day. So hopefully things will be in our favor!!

[kemaji]

I got mine from Wolf Camera online, because of their free shipping on orders over a certain amount. I like that they do have stores locally (Wolf owns Ritz Camera or vice versa), so I can take my receipt in to a store if necessary as well.

[Little Angel '77]

I buy most of my camera stuff at B&H Photo Video online. Very trust worthy. They are located in NY.

www.bhphotovideo.com

[greenbunny]

I've just been browsing B&H Photo, particularly the lenses snow and dj recommended to me earlier in this thread. I just about soiled myself when I saw prices for the 50mm f/1.4 to the 50mm f/1.2 jumps from $300 to $1500! Holy steaming bank account, Batman! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[snowzilla]

I've just been browsing B&H Photo, particularly the lenses snow and dj recommended to me earlier in this thread. I just about soiled myself when I saw prices for the 50mm f/1.4 to the 50mm f/1.2 jumps from $300 to $1500! Holy steaming bank account, Batman! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Yup, and that's why I bought the 50mm 1.8 instead of the 1.4. It was far cheaper, and little Mr. Plastic Fantastic more than meets my humble amateur needs. ;)

[Little Angel '77]

Greenbunny..
If you're just looking to get the 50 for portrait work, it would be fine.
If you shoot in the dark a LOT (like I shoot wedding receptions... which are SO dark...) You need the 50 1.8 if you don't do a lot of off camera light.

The 50 1.8 is what I shoot with, and it works fine. It's a great lens.

[Little Angel '77]

um, can't help you.
Professional photographer here who doesn't own one- and never will

I use my in camera meter. I find it to be pretty correct. I normally meter off my hand if I am desperate for a reading.

[deliciousjones]

luckiestgirl: you can plug studio lights into the meter and meter that way.

[JRPAGV]

I hope this is the right place for this question, and I hope it hasn't already been asked. :)

Can you girls give me some tips on taking better closeup pictures of people (and objects)? Like closeups of the eyes, for example (to show detail). I am using my Canon Digital camera. I know that using Macro mode should help, but are there any other tips or settings that I need to know about to make the picture look its best? Thanks!

[snowzilla]

JRPAGV - what kind of camera? A point-and-shoot, or a DSLR?

[JRPAGV]

snowzilla: It's just a point-and-shoot (Canon A540- 6mp).

[Ericka_Jarett]

Jarett posting:
luckiestgirl Look into a Sekonic 358, you can calibrate it to your camera.

If on a budget, a Sekonic 308b. I use this model as my primary meter, it's a bit cheaper. Close enough for my needs. If you want to do any studio strobe work, you will need an incident/flash meter like either of these 2 models i recommended, best bang for the buck IMHO.


(Ability to calibrate, and also ability to add a wireless module to fire off "PocketWizard" wireless flash receivers is the big difference in 308b and 358)


You will constantly need to check strobe output when you setup, and the difference in your main vs fill/bg/hair lights, to figure out your lighting ratios.

When I am out shooting in natural light, I typically do not use the handheld meter unless it is a really tricky lighting such as back lighting or a few hotspots that would throw off the cameras light meter.

To learn about the differences in flash, incident and ambient/ref read this:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/meters.shtml

[manatee]

Hi all,

I also posted this in the Digital Camera thread but wanted to get some opinions here as well since there seem to be so many pros/semi-pros here.

I've been doing a lot of research but am still finding myself torn as to what DSLR to get. I am a complete amateur but have an interest in photography. I've only owned P&S before and want to buy my first DSLR.

I am a mama to a 19 month old DD and am expecting #2. I will be using the camera mostly for taking pictures of my active toddler and soon to arrive baby, as well as gatherings/events. A lot of my shots will be indoors (lower light) with subjects that won't stay still. I've tried out a friend's Sony A-100 and love how there's almost no delay between shots, even when using flash. The thing I hated the most about my P&S was the shot-to-shot delay and the shutter lag. I wanted to post my question here as I need opinions from mamas who take pictures of kids, not professionals who do landscape or still-life photography.

I am contemplating between the Sony A-100, Cannon Digital Rebel or Nikon D40. I really like Sony because of the built-in image stablization (also because I work for a subsidiary of Sony and can get the A-100 with 18-70 kit lens for $700). However, I've been reading a lot (maybe too much) and I'm not sure if I should be concerned with the noise level at ISO 800 and up. Again, I'm very new to all this (am currently reading some books on digital photography). It seems that the high noise level would be a problem if I was shooting in low light with no flash, right? So is this a deal breaker for me?

I am overwhelmed by all the information and am really unsure which camera I should get. Would really appreciate some help!

[Ericka_Jarett]

manatee - whatever you do don't buy a D40, look at a D50 instead.

The D40 won't work with most auto focus lenses, there is no motor to drive the auto-focus in the camera. They are trying to sucker people into buying only their AFS or AF-I with motors lenses.

The biggest problem with the A-100 is lack of choices for lenses.

[mpc863]

this is a seriously rookie question...

when i/dh takes pictures of people indoors, we always seem to capture shadows. we were at my aunts home last week and we took them all over the room and with different lights.

what am i doing wrong?

[AMC]

I need some advice from all you pro's out there. For natural light portrait photography, mainly maternity, children & families, what 2 lenses could you not live without? Thanks so much!
*a

[deliciousjones]

I need some advice from all you pro's out there. For natural light portrait photography, mainly maternity, children & families, what 2 lenses could you not live without? Thanks so much!

50mm f/1.2L
24-70mm f/2.8L

I shoot with a Canon 5D, FWIW.

[Little Angel '77]

this is a seriously rookie question...

when i/dh takes pictures of people indoors, we always seem to capture shadows. we were at my aunts home last week and we took them all over the room and with different lights.

what am i doing wrong?

Well, are you using direct flash on point and shoot?

I need some advice from all you pro's out there. For natural light portrait photography, mainly maternity, children & families, what 2 lenses could you not live without?

The 85 1.8 and 100M 2.8

[Ericka_Jarett]

I need some advice from all you pro's out there. For natural light portrait photography, mainly maternity, children & families, what 2 lenses could you not live without? Thanks so much!
*a

Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 (use it 95% of the time)
If i only did natural light, I would say maybe just a 85mm 1.4 & a 35mm 1.8.

[Pink_Converse]

Is the Canon Rebel too much camera for someone that doesn't really know a lot about cameras/photography? Is it user friendly? Do you have to buy a lot of different, expensive lenses? I'm just a mom that wants to be able to take really nice pictures of my son. All of the ones I've taken in the last year have sucked! My digital camera I have now doesn't take great pics and is really slow. Not good when trying to capture baby moments! It's not like you can tell them "hey do that again honey, mommy's camera wasn't ready".

[mpc863]

Well, are you using direct flash on point and shoot?





I am using the built in flash on a Canon 400d.

[snowzilla]

Gah, I almost feel stupid asking this question, because it's probably something really silly, but I've looked high and low and I can't find the answer - I just upgraded from the Rebel to the 30D, and while I was at it, I got rid of my old version of PSE (3.0) and bought 5.0. (No full Photoshop for me - too pricey.)

Anyways, I was shooting a bunch this weekend - in large jpg format. When I upload the pictures to my computer, they're at 72ppi. :confused: I know that pictures from my Rebel, shot on "large" were a higher resolution. I can't figure out where the problem lies - is it a setting on the camera, or a setting in PSE? (Or something other than those two?) I've never had to mess with any settings when I was using the Rebel - I just plugged it in, uploaded, and post-processed. I don't understand why the resolution is so low.

It's irritating me to no end, because I have old shots on my Rebel that look ten times better because of the higher resolution. :confused: I'd hate to think I'm getting worse at taking pictures. :p

*and yes, I know I should/could be shooting in RAW - I was using a smaller card (until I back up the images from my big card which is still in the Rebel) and wanted to maximize space.

[Ummm]

Anyways, I was shooting a bunch this weekend - in large jpg format. When I upload the pictures to my computer, they're at 72ppi.

this 72ppi could be misleading, it may be a PS default. to see how big your image really is, in PS, go to Image -> image size, and it should give you the pixel for length and width. mine is roughly 3504x2336 shot as large jpg.

[snowzilla]

Yup, mine is the same - 3504x2336. But after that, where it says resolution, it says 72ppi. Is that irrelevant (ie. a PSE default as opposed to the actual properties of the pic?) If it isn't, great - it's just weird that when I open a picture taken on the Rebel from a few months ago, the size is 2202x1704, but at 180ppi.

[Ummm]

yep it's irrelevant, it's something funky in PS.

when you need to resize smaller, say for an 4x6, you can just use 1200x1800 dpi (fairly standard for printing if set at 300dpi for lab), or use 4 inch x 6 inch set at 300 dpi (instead of 72). 72 is fine for web use, but not print.

[deliciousjones]

the 72 is irrelevent but when you go to print, make sure you resize for 300dpi. in my version of photoshop, i just hit the C key and a toolbar comes up where i enter my dimensions and the dpi. i enter 300 for 8x12s and smaller and for larger prints, i let the dpi fall where it may. i've printed 20x30s at 125dpi and they look great.

[ellejay]

Can anyone tell me what settings to use for night photography? I want to take pics of cars showing the action of the cars moving. I've tried before and they didnt come out right. Any help is greatly appreciated!! Oh-I have a Minolta Maxuum 7 SLR. Thanks!

[Ummm]

ellejay - tried using a tripod, use Tv priority, try different time length eg 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds etc.

is it film or digital? if digital, you can look at the LCD screen to see how they come out and adjust. if you're using film, write down diff settings so when you get the film develops you can see your settings to find out what works.

[ellejay]

Thank you for your help. I have a film camera. I dont know what I was doing wrong last time, but I will try again!!!

[Little Angel '77]

Can anyone tell me what settings to use for night photography? I want to take pics of cars showing the action of the cars moving. I've tried before and they didnt come out right. Any help is greatly appreciated!! Oh-I have a Minolta Maxuum 7 SLR. Thanks!

Slow shutter speeds, shooting a High Fstop (low number) to let the light in.

Also, try rear curtain sync on your camera.....
Try shooting during the day to capture motion....

A good number to capture motion (for me) is F4.5 at Shutter of '3 seconds.
HIgh ISO too.

[bunny nose]

I posted this in the camera thread in the electronics section, but got no responses. Hoping you girls here can give me advice. Thanks

Any thoughts on the Sony Cyber-shot 7.2 MP (DSCHS/B). How is the shutter lag?

Karen

[TracieB]

I just placed an order over at B&H and I hope I made a good purchase.

I got a macro lens - 60mm f/2.8 autofocus and a zoom telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM autofocus. What do you think? Good choices?? FWIW, I take a lot of sporting events, family events, and like to photograph flowers and animals.

[snowzilla]

I posted this in the camera thread in the electronics section, but got no responses. Hoping you girls here can give me advice. Thanks

Any thoughts on the Sony Cyber-shot 7.2 MP (DSCHS/B). How is the shutter lag?

Karen

Sorry, Karen - I'm not familiar with Sony products at all. I'm a Canon girl. :(

[prentiss]

Also, try rear curtain sync on your camera.....



Can you explain what technique this is? Thanks!

[nicole]

bunny nose - I'm a Canon girl as well, but before I bought my camera I did a lot of online research. The most helpful website I found was http://www.dcresource.com/ - I found them very thorough and I love the example pictures. I couldn't find the model you're talking about though anywhere online - the closest I got was DSC-H5

[bunny nose]

Thanks snowzilla and Nicole.

It probably is the DSC-H5, I probably read the name without my glasses on. My eyes are getting bad. I don't have the paper in front of me right now- but I am sure that is it.

I will check out that website later. Thanks!

[deliciousjones]

you can check out dpreview.com, too. they have good reviews and comparisons.

[bunny nose]

Thank you, deliciousjones. I will check that one out too.

[Gatsby]

I finally bought the Canon 30D, and I'm looking for a compact bag for it. I want one that I can put over my shoulder and carry around with very few accessories (maybe an extra battery and card; the only lense I'd have is the one on the camera) for those days when I'm just exploring and don't want to lug my regular bag around. Any recommendations? The smaller, the better :)

Maybe we should start a separate thread for product recs, since this one is more for questions about actually taking pictures... I seem to constantly hijack :o

[greenbunny]

Gatsby, where did you get your 30D? I was planning to buy it in a kit that included 2 memory cards, but it's discontinued now, so I have to start over.

[ManteoChik]

I just placed an order over at B&H and I hope I made a good purchase.

I got a macro lens - 60mm f/2.8 autofocus and a zoom telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM autofocus. What do you think? Good choices?? FWIW, I take a lot of sporting events, family events, and like to photograph flowers and animals.

I'd say the macro is a fine choice....but the zoom I wouldn't have bought. I've actually got a 70-300mm 4-5.6 and it was probably the biggest waste of money. Sorry if I'm the bummer here. I bought it back when I was just starting photography school and couldn't afford the 2.8IS. I used it quite a bit but unless you are going to be using it while having your camera on a tripod, you'd better have a VERY steady arm. For its size/focal length...its a really slow lense and, IMHO, not worth a darm for photographing sports or children (because they tend to move fast).

Since graduating, I recently got the 70-200 2.8IS and its my dream lense - the best investment ever...but then again, photography is my job. Its a very expensive lens but like I said, its an investment.

[snowzilla]

I finally bought the Canon 30D, and I'm looking for a compact bag for it. I want one that I can put over my shoulder and carry around with very few accessories (maybe an extra battery and card; the only lense I'd have is the one on the camera) for those days when I'm just exploring and don't want to lug my regular bag around. Any recommendations? The smaller, the better :)

Maybe we should start a separate thread for product recs, since this one is more for questions about actually taking pictures... I seem to constantly hijack :o

I use a Slingshot by Lowepro (http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/Designed_for_Digital/SlingShot_200_AW.aspx), and I love it. You wear it backpack style, across one shoulder, and when you want to take out the camera, you just swing it around to the front of your body, and the zipper lines up so it's looking up at you - unzip, pop out your camera and go. It holds my 30D, three lenses, a flash (and then lots of little compartments for batteries, filters, etc).

[lil_geek]

If you just need something for your camera, battery, spare cards... something like this would work

http://www.lowepro.com/images/products/TLZ_Mini_5_n.jpg

My camera is smaller (Rebel) but it works well. I have space inside for cards, and the outside pocket I had the charger and a lense hood (collapsable). When we were on vacation I put that bag into a back pack and it worked well. But just the small camera bag I can see being very good for wandering around, taking the camera to watch 'the kids' soccer and such. And it was only $20

[Gatsby]

Thanks Snowzilla and lil_geek! I love both of those bags. I think the red one is just what I was talking about... I can't tell what brand it is, though. Could you post that for me? :)

I like Snowzilla's much better than my regular bag, so I might just get it, too...

Thanks, guys!

[lil_geek]

It's a lowpro too... the 'size' I have is the mini. But I'm not sure how much bigger the 30D is. You can likely find it at any camera shop.

[snowzilla]

They're both Lowepro bags - I had the smaller one, but sold it two cameras ago - when I got rid of my Nikon and switched to the Canon 300D. I don't know if you'd be able to fit the 30D - probably - but you'd definitely want to try it out in-store to be sure.

[Little Angel '77]

I'd say the macro is a fine choice....but the zoom I wouldn't have bought. I've actually got a 70-300mm 4-5.6 and it was probably the biggest waste of money. Sorry if I'm the bummer here. I bought it back when I was just starting photography school and couldn't afford the 2.8IS. I used it quite a bit but unless you are going to be using it while having your camera on a tripod, you'd better have a VERY steady arm. For its size/focal length...its a really slow lense and, IMHO, not worth a darm for photographing sports or children (because they tend to move fast).

Since graduating, I recently got the 70-200 2.8IS and its my dream lense - the best investment ever...but then again, photography is my job. Its a very expensive lens but like I said, its an investment.

I have to disagree.
if you're shooting sports your shutter speeds should be up around 400, which should be freezing and counteracting any camera shake.
The 4.0 lens is just like the IS lens, but for the extra stops of light it lets in and IS, which allows you to use the lens in very low light and hold it steady. If you are shooting outside sports in bright light, your shutter speeds will be fast enough to counteract the camera shake. Same with kid in theory.

The only reason I bought the 2.8 IS lens is because I shoot in dark reception halls and need the 2.8 IS. The f4.0 non is works the same is actually considered SHARPER in image quality than the 2.8.

[Little Angel '77]

Kinda wired right now, surfing some stuff online

Discovered this..
article
NY TIMES ARTICLE ON MOMS WITH CAMERAS (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/business/yourmoney/15cameras.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=technology) I thought this quote was true too.

“Lots of mom-with-a-camera businesses fail because they try to do it around the edges,” said Mrs. Brophy, who has a preschool-age daughter and two teenagers and works as director of external relations at the Warner School of the University of Rochester in addition to running her weekend photography business. “Plus, women face a business dilemma when they have to ask their husbands if they can buy a new camera.” This thread is a lot about teaching and I know a lot of people think "taking pictures is fun". It's so much work.. and this thread makes it seem easy.. but the ugly side doesn't often come out.

I can't tell you how much harder I work outside the normal 9-5. This is my full time JOB. Its not longer fun to take pictures of cool things. It's work. I then have to process that work, and tweak it...Sometimes I miss the structure and the ability to "shut it down" at night and go home. Just thought I'd share.

[lil_geek]

Some fun pics from our trip. I took nearly 1000 pics... and have lots of dumplicats! I was having fun changing exposure and shutter speeds.

Unfortunalty I was lazy about the tripod.. but here is some fun!

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/277322/20070412/002823.jpg

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/277322/20070412/002835.jpg


Ignore the porthole affect... I had my lens hood on and I kept forgetting to pull it back.


I have a whole window thing going on... need to figure out what to do with them!

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/277322/20070406/214429.jpg

[TracieB]

I'd say the macro is a fine choice....but the zoom I wouldn't have bought. I've actually got a 70-300mm 4-5.6 and it was probably the biggest waste of money. Sorry if I'm the bummer here. I bought it back when I was just starting photography school and couldn't afford the 2.8IS. I used it quite a bit but unless you are going to be using it while having your camera on a tripod, you'd better have a VERY steady arm. For its size/focal length...its a really slow lense and, IMHO, not worth a darm for photographing sports or children (because they tend to move fast).

Since graduating, I recently got the 70-200 2.8IS and its my dream lense - the best investment ever...but then again, photography is my job. Its a very expensive lens but like I said, its an investment.

I have to disagree.
if you're shooting sports your shutter speeds should be up around 400, which should be freezing and counteracting any camera shake.
The 4.0 lens is just like the IS lens, but for the extra stops of light it lets in and IS, which allows you to use the lens in very low light and hold it steady. If you are shooting outside sports in bright light, your shutter speeds will be fast enough to counteract the camera shake. Same with kid in theory.

The only reason I bought the 2.8 IS lens is because I shoot in dark reception halls and need the 2.8 IS. The f4.0 non is works the same is actually considered SHARPER in image quality than the 2.8.


Thank you both for your opinions! I got both lenses yesterday and have to say, I love them BOTH! The zoom is awesome and really fast, IMO. I'm heading out to the zoo today to test them out a bit.

[Little Angel '77]

I love the fountain. We are going back to Italy in 08
When I was there in 2000, the fountain was closed for the celebration of Rome :(

I was lazy about the tripod.. but here is some fun!
Thought I'd mention...
Tripods are only useful for holding the camera steady when you are in low light and require SLOW shutter speeds to let the light in. Or trying to show movement but don't want camera shake. In your situation (if I am correct in what you were trying to do) you didn't need it. (it looks like daylight to me) Your shutter speed was probably 125th, or higher. Also... If it's bright sunshine you DO NOT need a tripod. its just one more thing to carry. I love seeing people set up a tripod for something they don't really need it for. If you were trying to show the water moving you would want a slower shutter speed. Here you just wanted to capture the fountain. Unless you were trying to be artistic with the water.. you wouldn't need it.

Other times you need it.. Shooting the moon, dark reception halls, getting formals 'steady'. it's used to hold the camera steady so you can shoot shutter speeds below what you can hand hold.

Most people can hand hold roughly 1/60th to 1/40th of a shutter. I can hand hold 1/30th and 1/20th if I am really trying.