Flash question - Canon Digital Rebel

[beach4fun]

Hello, photography experts! I got a Digital Rebel for Christmas and so far only have the basic lens and built-in flash that are standard with the camera. We are planning our first trip to Disney in October and planning to visit MNSSHP. I was thinking that I would need an external flash in addition to the built-in flash to get decent photos at night. Is that correct? I am also thinking that I will need a stronger zoom lens. Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, do most of you carry your camera around all day, or take some photos and then get a locker for part of the day?

I'm sure all of these questions have already been asked 100 times, but I am very new to this board. Thanks in advance for everything!

~LA

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Flash: you don't relly need extra flash. Set it to ISO 1600, flash on, everything will be okay. Disney is actually a really bright place.

Lens: just get a Sigma 18-125 f/3.5-5.6 DC.

Sorry, didn't have enough sleep last night, so that's all I'm going to type.

 

[beach4fun]

Flash: you don't relly need extra flash. Set it to ISO 1600, flash on, everything will be okay. Disney is actually a really bright place.

Lens: just get a Sigma 18-125 f/3.5-5.6 DC.

Sorry, didn't have enough sleep last night, so that's all I'm going to type.

Thanks for the info. I need to do some more research on what the numbers mean for the lenses. I know the 18-125 is the length of the zoom, but not sure about the f/3.5-5.6 DC. I bought the Magic Lantern book for the digital rebel, but must admit I haven't read every page yet. I tend to just look for the chapters that relate to what I need to do at the time. Glad I found all this helpful info, and have time to figure all this out! Thanks again.

 

[WillCAD]

I will second what Kelley said - I just bought the same Sigma 18-125.

F/3.5-5.6 refers to the range of apertures the lens is capable of. Aperture, which is measured in F-stops, if how large an opening the lens has to let light in to strike the sensor or film. The DC refers to Sigma's Digital Camera series of lenses, which are specifically designed to work with the new crop of digital SLR cameras like the Digital Rebel, D20, or Nikon D70.

Kelley is certainly right that you can easily get away without an external flash at WDW. But if you do decide to get one for use at home, a Canon Speedlight 220EX is the one I have. It costs about $130, is about 10 times brighter than the built-in flash, runs on 4 AA batteries, and is totally automatic. It also has a built-in infrared light to allow the camera to focus in low light situations.

But some other inexpensive accessories you might consider are a mini-tripod and the infrared remote control. The remote runs about $25 and will let you trip the shutter on your camera without actually touching it, thus eiminating shaking that would blur a long-exposure shot. The tripod will run anywhere from $15-$30 depending on size, brand, and where you buy it, and wil allow you to put the camera down on a table or trash can to get long-exposure shots at night.

And yes, I carry my camera around with me everywhere when at WDW. For a little more detail, you can check my page on Theme Park Gear:
http://willcad.org/disney_gear.html

 

[beach4fun]

I will second what Kelley said - I just bought the same Sigma 18-125.

F/3.5-5.6 refers to the range of apertures the lens is capable of. Aperture, which is measured in F-stops, if how large an opening the lens has to let light in to strike the sensor or film. The DC refers to Sigma's Digital Camera series of lenses, which are specifically designed to work with the new crop of digital SLR cameras like the Digital Rebel, D20, or Nikon D70.

Kelley is certainly right that you can easily get away without an external flash at WDW. But if you do decide to get one for use at home, a Canon Speedlight 220EX is the one I have. It costs about $130, is about 10 times brighter than the built-in flash, runs on 4 AA batteries, and is totally automatic. It also has a built-in infrared light to allow the camera to focus in low light situations.

But some other inexpensive accessories you might consider are a mini-tripod and the infrared remote control. The remote runs about $25 and will let you trip the shutter on your camera without actually touching it, thus eiminating shaking that would blur a long-exposure shot. The tripod will run anywhere from $15-$30 depending on size, brand, and where you buy it, and wil allow you to put the camera down on a table or trash can to get long-exposure shots at night.

And yes, I carry my camera around with me everywhere when at WDW. For a little more detail, you can check my page on Theme Park Gear:


Will, thanks for the great suggestions. I'm glad I have until October to save $$$ to buy all these gadgets! Do you purchase your camera supplies from BH Photo online, or from a retail store? I looked for a Sigma lens on their site and couldn't find one, but I think I was searching the wrong way. In another post I was reading, I was surprised how many differing opinions people have about camera lenses. Pretty creative little carrying system you've devised. I guessed you were an engineer before I finished reading your web site! Thanks again.

 

[WillCAD]

I have bought things from B&H, but I have also bought from other online places, and once in a while from my local Ritz camera stores. I got my Sigma 18-125 from Tri-State Camera's eBay store, where they have a better price than on their own web site.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-AF-DC-18-...74345QQcategoryZ30067QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

B&H has the best service in the business. They are the most reliable, most reputable, and best informed camera place in the US. But their prices are a little higher than other places, so once in a while I go with another place if service is not as big an issue.

BTW, I'm not an engineer, I'm a drafter. Engineers can't leave well enough alone, but drafters like to actually finish stuff once in a while.

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

Hello all

I am new to the photgraphy board and have to admit that it is a great place!

I just got a Digital Rebel on Thursday ( ). So far I love it. I was wondering which remote shutter release you all would recommend?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

It's used so you don't physicially pressed the shutter on the camera which causes some jerkiness. Something you want to avoid in longer-exposure photography.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I've used the self-timer to take photos where I didn't want to physically hit the shutter. No need for the remote.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

going back to flash: I strongly recommend Sigma 500 DG Super. It's only $230 but it has the capability of Canon 580 EX. I have two of them at home (one for walkaround, another just as a backup, never been used) and I also use Metz 54 MZ 4 (the one with TWO flash heads (one can be swivelled, twisted, another as a head-on fill light)

 

[jenny2]

As for the remote, I got a IR remote for my XT recommended by many people on dpreview.com... let me find a link to it (on Ebay)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...1549&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT

It's got a few more functionalities than Canon's RC-1 or RC-5 remote. You can chose to activate the 2 second timer, or to fire the shot immediately when you press the button. It has a built in LED flashlight so you can see in the dark. It has a mirror you can attach to the lens so that you can fire the remote from behind the camera (the sensor is on the front of the camera). And it allows for mirror lockup.

I've had this remote for about a month, and it's great! I'd really recommend it.

 

[jenny2]

Engineers can't leave well enough alone, but drafters like to actually finish stuff once in a while.

Ohhhh easy on the engineer jokes, Will!