Digital Camera - DPChallenge Forums

12/16/2010 01:19:34 PM · #27

So, let me ask you this. . .though it is way off topic. What have you learned since those first entries that distinguishes. . .

from

?

Even if it took you 77 entries. lol.

Message edited by author 2010-12-16 13:20:48.

12/16/2010 01:31:34 PM · #28

Originally posted by bohemka:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Don't worry, you'll fall in somewhere along the line, it took me somewhere around 100 entries to feel that I was starting to measure up.

Says the man with 77 entries. ;D

LOL... Ok, well, that's only 23 away, and I figure within the next 25 or so I should know what I'm doing... :)

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

12/16/2010 01:43:31 PM · #29

Originally posted by crowis:

So, let me ask you this. . .though it is way off topic. What have you learned since those first entries that distinguishes. . .

from

?

Even if it took you 77 entries. lol.

Clearly not color choice... :)

I suppose it's a rather immense number of things, but I'll try to give a list of salient points.

1: Equipment doesn't matter (most of the time)
This means that I can get a good shot with a cruddy P&S cam, a 35mm film body, or my 50D with all the goodies - where the real difference comes in is when you start trying to "push" the limits, for example - my 50D @ ISO 6400 with the 85mm f/1.8 is really good for night-time sports - it's pretty surprising what it can stop, try that with a P&S and you'll get nothing, nothing but a mess... Even just using a slower lens is quite enough to make it impossible to pull off a good shot.

2. IS is great for anything that doesn't move, otherwise get a faster lens.

3. Software is critical, at least for eye-candy shots, if you don't own Topaz de-noise, then get it, if you don't have adjust, consider it, if you can't afford any of this, look into the GIMP.

4. Sharpening technique is critical, and that includes re-sizing sharpening technique - learn about the Librodo technique

5. Learn about Ansel's zone system, you may or may not use it, but an understanding of it is helpful.

6. Ken Rockwell is a lot like a 6th grade teacher, he oversimplifies to the point of lying.

7. Selective dodging and burning is a great tool

8. Make sure your monitor is well calibrated

9. Help never hurts, feel free to PM me for advice, and posting threads asking for advise is fun and wise.

10. Scores are fickle things, worry more about listening to the comments and feedback than your score, the scores will improve with time..

11. Learn to do HDR well, it's a tricky technique to not overdo, but if done well few things can compare.

12. People add impact and emotive content to images, as such they are usually good for about an additional 0.5-1 point of score.

13. Level your horizons and straighten your buildings (in advanced... just level the horizon in basic)

14. This may all be my skewed version of reality, please do feel free to ignore any/all of the above...

:)

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

12/16/2010 02:23:18 PM · #30

Bang for Buck Sony is the wa to go especially with the Carl Zeiss optics, the new models with the pelicle mirror are really worth a look match that with the CZ 16/80 zoom and your away

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/16/2010 07:46:12 PM · #31

Alrighty then. I think I have settled on the Canon Eos 1000XS. I can kit it out for around 675 with a 55-250?? somtething lens, a cheap but somewhat effective tripod, bag extra battery and extra mem card.

Then I am going to want a better tripod and another lens. . . What do the fisheye and macro lenses do?

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/16/2010 08:56:46 PM · #32

Originally posted by crowis:

Alrighty then. I think I have settled on the Canon Eos 1000XS. I can kit it out for around 675 with a 55-250?? something lens, a cheap but somewhat effective tripod, bag extra battery and extra mem card.

Then I am going to want a better tripod and another lens. . . What do the fisheye and macro lenses do?

same exact camera and lens package i got, same price too. you are getting a better deal with all the extras though (i bought my package 6 mos ago.) the 55-250 lens is better than the other package deals you will find for cheaper with the 75-300. if you get the 55-250, make sure its the IS version, there are packages with the non IS version floating around.

i also added the 50mm f1.8 for a $100 buck a month or so back, and it rarely leaves my camera. check out my portfolio to see what these lenses can do.

to add my only real disappointment with the camera is the iso limit at 1600. i love to take low light candids and the noise level can get somewhat high at 1600 in a real dark scene. The only reason i would probably upgrade this camera in the future is for something with lower noise levels and higher isos.

Message edited by author 2010-12-16 21:00:46.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/16/2010 09:04:23 PM · #33

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Absoultely, they all use the same (EF and EF-S) lenses - the largest differences are in build toughness, focus accuracy, software, interface, and buttons/dials/switches on the body..

This needs a bit of clarification, because although I know what Corey means to say, it is easily misinterpreted.
The XXD and Rebel series can both use EFS and EF lenses. However, this is not true of ALL CANON bodies. The 5D, 5D MKII, and the 1D series cannot use EFS lenses.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/16/2010 09:17:14 PM · #34

fyi, tomorrow is free shipping day!

thousands of online retailers

Message edited by author 2010-12-16 21:17:39.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

12/16/2010 10:22:26 PM · #35

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

The XXD and Rebel series can both use EFS and EF lenses. However, this is not true of ALL CANON bodies. The 5D, 5D MKII, and the 1D series cannot use EFS lenses.

This is why I will probably never move to a full frame. I really like the choices a crop body gives me on the used market.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/17/2010 12:42:59 AM · #36

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
The XXD and Rebel series can both use EFS and EF lenses. However, this is not true of ALL CANON bodies. The 5D, 5D MKII, and the 1D series cannot use EFS lenses.

This is why I will probably never move to a full frame. I really like the choices a crop body gives me on the used market.

Ahhh, but the bokeh my friend, the bokeh!

tanguera

Nikon D750

12/17/2010 12:43:54 AM · #37

You definitely need to hold both cameras. I have a D90 which I adore. It has live view, hi def video, and a whole host of other functions which I'm enjoying exploring. My sweetie has a D7 (yes, we're a divided household), which I have used. I find his camera too big for my hands.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/17/2010 12:54:39 AM · #38

Originally posted by tanguera:

D7? You silly Nikon folks do EVERYTHING backwards don't you?

tanguera

Nikon D750

12/17/2010 01:26:22 AM · #39

Which is why we are so entertaining, LOL! Fine. 7D.

The truth is I'm not "married" to either. I think both systems have great merit, great products, and for the most part, when used by talented photographers, produce an equal amount of blue ribbons. And every year they leapfrog each other the have the LATEST and GREATEST product. It's just that I got happened to get started on Nikon, and once you're on a path, it's really expensive to switch over.

If I ever won the lottery, I'd just have a huge collection of everything and I'd choose depending on what mood I was in and what color I was wearing.

Message edited by author 2010-12-17 01:26:38.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

12/17/2010 01:42:40 AM · #40

Originally posted by tanguera:

... I'd choose depending on what mood I was in and what color I was wearing.

All the more reason to own Canon... Red is much easier to co-ordinate with, yellow is a hard color to work with well... ;)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

12/17/2010 08:56:12 AM · #41

Originally posted by tanguera:

If I ever won the lottery, I'd just have a huge collection of everything and I'd choose depending on what mood I was in and what color I was wearing.

Originally posted by coryboehne:

All the more reason to own Canon... Red is much easier to co-ordinate with, yellow is a hard color to work with well... ;)

Well, if that's the criteria, then Pentax is certainly the way to go.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/17/2010 10:25:39 AM · #42

or you could wait for the lego DSLR version:

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/17/2010 12:39:56 PM · #43

Okay. Time to throw a monkey wrench into this. Sorry for my camera schitzophrenia here. As I said to start off this thread I used to shoot with a Minolta (loved it, by the way). I have been price checking Sony and there feature to price and quality to price are far higher than Canon or Nikon. . . What am I missing here? I was looking at the A500 and Alt33. . .they are phenomenal cameras for the price. . .

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/17/2010 12:49:58 PM · #44

Originally posted by crowis:

I have been price checking Sony and there feature to price and quality to price are far higher than Canon or Nikon. . . What am I missing here?

Memory Sticks?

12/17/2010 12:53:53 PM · #45

Originally posted by crowis:

Lens selection, and a (comparatively) scare used market..