My New Rebel

[Olaf]

Yahoo. Received my lens yesterday, on my birthday , and finally got going with my new camera. All I can say is WOWOWWOWOWOWO!!! This camera and that lens ((50 mm f/1.8) make it look as if I know what I'm doing. The only problem are these huge files. I'm amazed at how much I can crop in and with no pixelation. These files are so big that they look funny on my monitor until I zoom in. How can I crop/save for web or e-mail, with the best picture for viewing on screen? I normally I use the "save to web" feature in Photoshop Elements, but I'm still ending up with these huge files. I know there's a way, but I just haven't figured it out yet. Thanks.

The dogwood in front of my house

Many thanks to Kelly for all the advice on camera/lenses.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Congratulations of the purchase and welcome to the Canon family!

 

[Olaf]

Thanks so much, Kelly.

I've been messing with it some more. I'm just amazed at how much I can crop. I could spend hours playing with this.

This time I cropped to 7x5 and set the resolution to 72. It seems to have helped a bit with the jagged edges--there's just too much info there for my monitor.

 

[disneyfan551]

Wow, great shot! I'm considering the D50 and RebelXT right now, myself. However, I had NO idea that I would have to buy seperate lenses for them. I'm pretty clueless re: the details! Can you share your buying decision with me? Where did you end up getting it, and how do you like it?

Thanks for any help, I'm hoping to buy one in Atlanta tomorrow! I need time to practice with it before our Disney trip in 4 weeks!

 

[Anewman]

Wow, great shot! I'm considering the D50 and RebelXT right now, myself. However, I had NO idea that I would have to buy seperate lenses for them. I'm pretty clueless re: the details! Can you share your buying decision with me? Where did you end up getting it, and how do you like it?

Thanks for any help, I'm hoping to buy one in Atlanta tomorrow! I need time to practice with it before our Disney trip in 4 weeks!

Excuse me for interupting(But I am known to do this).

1. You do not "HAVE TO" purchase additional lenses, but I own about 9. And one lens cant do everything well, regardless of the type of camera you purchase. One lens may be acceptable to some but there are some lenses made for specific tasks and at that task they are hard to beat. Once you get a camera you will notice what type of shooting you do and may decide that a lens that does that type of shooting well can make a big difference.

2. Buydig.com has very good prices and is considered a reliable vendor. They currently have REFURBISHED Nikon D50's in stock at less that $500 no tax and free deliver.

 

[Olaf]

Hi Tiffany,

I purchased the Rebel without a lens because I already owned a Canon SLR with several lenses. Unfortunately, it's old and the only lens that ended up working with the Rebel was a 35-70mm. To top it all off, the auto focus on that lens was only working intermittently. I'm horribly nearsighted (I need one of those diopter lens), and I really have to depend on the AF. So, I needed a new lens. I did a lot of online reading, spoke with a friend who's really into photography, and bugged Kelly incessantly. I decided on the 50mm 1:1.8. This was a lens that both my friend and Kelly highly recommended, and one that I'd probably want to have eventually anyway. It's brilliant. Does a great job of fuzzing the background, and taking really pretty pictures. I'm going to buy a zoom lens as well, but I'm still trying to make up my mind on that one. In the meantime, I'm having fun with my camera.

I bought the Rebel at Amazon. They're having a $100 rebate right now. The rebate is what pushed me over the edge. I'd been looking for the last few months. The pictures Kelly, Willcad, Razor Roman posted taken with their Canons were just incredible, and I really wanted my pictures to look like that too.

Here's a thread where they posted some of their pictures.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1066760

This is the zoom lens I'm considering. As you can, it ain't cheap, so I'm doing some heavy thing about it.

Amazon

Hope this helps. I'm very happy with this camera.

 

[jennz]

We're thinking about getting this camera too. The pictures here are definitely a good recommendation, as is the $100 rebate on amazon. Can you guys help a novice out though? What's SLR? Also, the camera we're looking at is Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black) - is that good to start and can we start w/o purchasing an additional lens? I guess what I'm asking is that a good all purpose lens? We're taking a trip to Scotland in a few months and want some memorable pics.
(sorry - I'm not trying to hijack your thread )
Thanks!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

That's a good start but you won't be happy with that lens for long. If the budget permits, get the body only and buy Sigma 18-125. You'll be happy with that lens for a very long time. I use that lens both as a walkaround lens and for professional use.

 

[Olaf]

Jennz, listen to Kelly, she knows what she's talking about. I'm very much an amateur. You don't have to buy the camera at Amazon to get the rebate, that comes from Canon. BTW someone else posted that the rebates from Canon are taking a long time coming.

SLR stands for single lens reflex. I think that means that what you're looking at through the view finder is exactly what is exposed on the film, in a digital SLR on the chip. I'm sure someone else here could give a better defination.

 

[Olaf]

I know I'm probably boring everyone silly with this, but I just can't get over what this camera can do. Look at what happens when I crop this thing down. This is with no sharpening or anything. Amazing.

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

This is the zoom lens I'm considering. As you can, it ain't cheap, so I'm doing some heavy thing about it.

Amazon

Hope this helps. I'm very happy with this camera.

Glad to see you're having fun with your new camera! I just wanted to comment on the 70-300mm lens. I have this lens, and I'm not entirely happy with it. If you check the canon lens forum on dpreview.com, you'll see many threads about it. Some people love theirs, others are unhappy. Here are some photos I've taken with this lens. These are probably the best I could get out of the lens.

I also have the 70-200mm f/4L (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1/103-1439536-2627014?_encoding=UTF8&s=photo), which is just a few dollars more at Amazon. To my eye, the difference in image quality is apparent. This lens is fantastic. Of course there are trade-offs ... the 70-300mm does have image stabilization and the longer reach.

Anyway, just wanted to encourage you to research this lens a bit before you buy it. Good luck with your new camera! Have fun!

Ilene

 

[Olaf]

Thanks for that input Ilene, that's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I think your pictures at the link were wonderful. I'd be thrilled if mine looked half as good.

Do you think the IS made a difference for you. I do have trouble with camera shake, and I don't like dragging the tripod out. Although, I'm very much aware the IS isn't a substitute for the tripod, I wonder if it might help with my tendency to move when I press the button.

Do you have some pics that you've taken with the second lens. I'd love to see those too.

Thanks so much.

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Thanks for that input Ilene, that's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I think your pictures at the link were wonderful. I'd be thrilled if mine looked half as good.

Do you think the IS made a difference for you. I do have trouble with camera shake, and I don't like dragging the tripod out. Although, I'm very much aware the IS isn't a substitute for the tripod, I wonder if it might help with my tendency to move when I press the button.

Do you have some pics that you've taken with the second lens. I'd love to see those too.

Thanks so much.

I have lots of photos taken with the 70-200mm, but not all in one place. I would provide a few links, but pbase is extremely slow tonight. I'll check back later and add them here if pbase starts behaving itself. You can also check the camera database on pbase for random photos taken with various lenses (scroll down and click on the lens) when the site comes back up to speed.

I rely on the image stabilization a lot. I got spoiled by it when I used my Olympus C2100 a couple of years ago. It does make a big difference for me, however, if you move the camera as you press the shutter, I don't think it will help with that. For me, it helps with pictures taken at longer exposures.

Edited to add a link to some photos taken with the 70-200mm f/4. Click here

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Most of the 70-300 lens "problems" are not problems at all. The IS on the 70-300 is very slow to start reacting, so if you like many others at dpreview thinks one can half press the shutter and as soon as you hear the camera AF beeps you take the picture, then you're wrong. Especially in portrait mode.

the procedure, especially from 200-300 range of the 70-300:

1. press the shutter half way to focus
2. hear the focus-lock beep
3. hear the click and whirr sound of IS until it almost unnoticable
4. full press the shutter button

You'll get a very sharp picture that way.

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Most of the 70-300 lens "problems" are not problems at all. The IS on the 70-300 is very slow to start reacting, so if you like many others at dpreview thinks one can half press the shutter and as soon as you hear the camera AF beeps you take the picture, then you're wrong. Especially in portrait mode.

the procedure, especially from 200-300 range of the 70-300:

1. press the shutter half way to focus
2. hear the focus-lock beep
3. hear the click and whirr sound of IS until it almost unnoticable
4. full press the shutter button

You'll get a very sharp picture that way.

Hi Kelly,

I just got my lens back from Canon service. They replaced the IS assembly. This is my fourth IS lens; I'm used to listening for the clicking and whirring. It just doesn't have the same "pop" as the 70-200 f/4L. Just my opinion, of course.

Ilene

 

[Kelly Grannell]

that's why I said "most" because most people don't know what they're doing. If you've done the procedure above and still doing that same thing (blurry on the portrait mode) then you have a defective lens.

Is there any indication what did they do to the IS? Will they re-release the 70-300 IS? will they do a recall?

I personally don't own the 70-300 IS yet, I just borrow the lens from my friend's store for the week.

 

[geetey]

Great pics, Olaf! LOVE the clarity! I have been playing with my IS lens and putting my old Sigma lens to work - not sure if it is focusing properly yet. I may have to send it in to get rechipped (the Sigma).

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Is there any indication what did they do to the IS? Will they re-release the 70-300 IS? will they do a recall?

I'm not sure what they did - they just said they replaced it. It's certainly quieter now than it was before. I didn't actually pick it up myself, and I didn't get any paperwork.

I personally don't own the 70-300 IS yet, I just borrow the lens from my friend's store for the week.

Are you considering buying it? Have you tried the DO version, too? I like the size of that one, but not the price.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I tried the DO version, but at certain angles the flare is extremely severe (worse than any non-DO lens shot at the exact same angle). Also the fact that the price almost double doesn't help either.

 

[boBQuincy]

>Do you think the IS made a difference for you. I do have trouble with camera >shake, and I don't like dragging the tripod out. Although, I'm very much aware >the IS isn't a substitute for the tripod, I wonder if it might help with my >tendency to move when I press the button.

IS is wonderful but is no match for a tripod. There is a good alternative, a monopod. Some of them are under a pound and collapse to 18", small enough to carry all day.

Canon's 70-300 is not likely to match their 70-200 f4 for sharpness, not much does. The DO lens is not great optically but is very short. It weighs about the same as the 70-200 so the only real advantage is size.
To compensate for the 70-300s longer reach I am getting Canon's 1.4X extender. With the 70-200f4 it gives a 280 f5.6 with very little degradation in quality.


boB