Random Vaguely Photography Related Comments

[MarkBarbieri]

1) Don't spend an hour body surfing in a crowded public wave pool on the same day you expect to do a lot of post processing work. Because of the crowds, I had to keep my eyes open while surfing (so I could see who I was about to surf over). It's been 6 hours and my eyes are still stinging. Staring at photos is not helping.

2) Best Buy (and pretty much every electronics store) totally rips people off on cable prices. Order your cables online if you can. While on a recent trip, I realized that I had forgotten a USB cable (so I could hook up my wife's Blackberry for use as a modem) and a card reader (to dump photos onto the laptop). I first looked at USB cables and was astounded that they wanted $30 for one! I can get the same cable for about $3 online. Instead of buying it, I was clever. I bought a cheap card reader ($12) that connected via a removable USB cable. Now I had my card reader and my cable all for $12 instead of paying $30 for just the stupid cable. If you are ever in my neck of the woods (north of Houston, TX) and need a cable, just stop by. I have a couple of tubs filled with an incredible variety of A/V, USB, Ethernet, coax, and just about every kind of cable imaginable.

3) I'm glad that I took a lot of bracketed shots on my trip. The problem now is that I want to play with HDR versions of them and there are so many that it's going to take me forever. To many things to tweak.

4) I'm not impressed with the stability of Lightroom 2 yet. It has crashed on me about 4 times today. It's a nice upgrade, but I'm look forward to 2.1.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

5) I promise to clean my sensor better before I take a lot of shots.

 

[firstgood]

What kind of camera do you have? I LOVE your pictures!!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What kind of camera do you have? I LOVE your pictures!!

Thanks. I use an old Canon DSLR.

 

[handicap18]

Thanks. I use an old Canon DSLR.

Old....

Never heard of it described that way. But its a REALLY REALLY nice camera.


old....

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Old....

Never heard of it described that way. But its a REALLY REALLY nice camera.


old....

Hey, it's four years old now. That's ancient in DSLR terms. I bet there aren't many others here that are using DSLRs that old. It's a burden having to shoot with a camera that is two models out of date now, but I keep trudging on, don't the best I can.

 

[Groucho]

Hey, it's four years old now. That's ancient in DSLR terms. I bet there aren't many others here that are using DSLRs that old. It's a burden having to shoot with a camera that is two models out of date now, but I keep trudging on, don't the best I can.

It's only because your arms are too tired from carrying that beast and accompanying gear, you can't quite lift them high enough to pick up a new one off the shelf.

 

[seashoreCM]

What's wrong with being two models out of date other than possibly having fewer megapixels than the latest similar offerings?

The settings (aperture, etc.) work the same way on newer cameras.

I got into the digital camera age two years ago (almost to the date) because my then 4 year old film camera broke.

Now having a digital means I have (with enough memory sticks) the freedom to:

(3a) Take bracketed exposures with automatic cameras by aiming slightly differently (at a lighter or darker area), (holding the button halfway), then framing the shot as desired. (The camera must be able to favor the middle of the picture when adjusting its exposure.)

(6) If I think I may have a motion blur problem such as when taking pictures from a tour bus I can take several shots of the same thing hoping one shot will come out sharp.

(7) Also, quickly deleting obviously bad (such as blurry) shots so as not to keep stumbling over them in the folder.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[jann1033]

interesting about the lightroom, i was just about to buy but wonder when the .1 would come out...maybe i''ll wait...i did download the new camera raw and it had the clarity etc on it...so trying to remember other than the cataloging and presets , what more lightroom 2 had( how quickly i forget ) i did like the brush tool once i got somewhat the hang of it. but probably could wait since with the education/cheaper models, i am not sure if you can get the updates for or not?
looks like i will be waiting till i'm at least 3 models old ( was a race as to if i got the computer or camera first, computer won since i know i need to be practical and the other is sputtering it's last gasps) but at least the 40d will be cheaper by far then lol

 

[handicap18]

Hey, it's four years old now. That's ancient in DSLR terms. I bet there aren't many others here that are using DSLRs that old. It's a burden having to shoot with a camera that is two models out of date now, but I keep trudging on, don't the best I can.

Mine's 3+ years old, but its just funny to see you saying your using some old dSLR. Its like its no big deal (which it really isn't) and ho hum, yawn.

I'm sure there are people still using the Nikon D70 and D70s, both of which were introduced before my camera. There are also people still using the Nikon D2x that was released 4+ years ago.

That certainly doesn't make them bad. You just happen to have a model that is VERY VERY good.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Mine's 3+ years old, but its just funny to see you saying your using some old dSLR. Its like its no big deal (which it really isn't) and ho hum, yawn.

I'm sure there are people still using the Nikon D70 and D70s, both of which were introduced before my camera. There are also people still using the Nikon D2x that was released 4+ years ago.

That certainly doesn't make them bad. You just happen to have a model that is VERY VERY good.

I often avoid mentioning that it is a 1 series camera because that is either meaningless to people that don't know DSLRs or because it gives a mistaken impression to those that do. I have started telling other photogs that I encounter that I'm borrowing it from my brother and barely know how to use it. When I don't, I get barraged with questions by people under the mistaken impression that I know what I'm doing. If they were asking how to shoot my kids mucking about, I could give them lots of pointers. Instead, they are usually asking for tips on shooting something that I'm seeing for the first time and trying to sort out myself.

I do remember one of my first outings back in '02 after getting my D60. At the time, DSLRs were relatively rare. Mine was (I think) the cheapest available at a little over $2,000. I was shooting at Brazos Bend State Park (and not being chased by gators that day) when I encountered a couple of guys using a cheap point and shoot. They asked me to take a picture of them with their camera. Afterwards, they suggested that I give digital a try because it was so much better. I just smiled and said that I was happy with my current camera.

Another mistake that I see made all the time is from people that think that better DSLRs take much better pictures all the time. The real truth is that 80% of the time my old D60 takes pictures functionally equivalent to a 1Ds Mark III. The difference is in the remaining 20%. High end cameras are better when the light is low, when you need to change settings fast, when you need extra durability, when you need more resolution, when you need faster frame rates, when you need faster focusing, etc. If I'm standing there at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone taking a picture at 9:00 AM on a tripod and not printing that picture bigger than 8x10, I'm not going to notice the difference.

I also refer to my camera as old now that I've psychologically committed to replacing it later this year. My wife really wants a second camera body to replace our ailing old 10D. I'm waiting to see what Canon does with the 5D and the 40D, both of which are rumored to be replaced very soon. I'm also tempted by a Rebel for a small setup. If the 5D gets replaced and the price is right, I'll get a 5D M2 and a Rebel (XSi or XL). If I don't like the new 5D or they don't actually replace it, I'll probably get a 40D or 50D.

 

[JR6ooo4]

1) Don't spend an hour body surfing in a crowded public wave pool on the same day you expect to do a lot of post processing work. Because of the crowds, I had to keep my eyes open while surfing (so I could see who I was about to surf over). It's been 6 hours and my eyes are still stinging. Staring at photos is not helping.

Well I would imagine they have a pretty harsh chlorine content to combat the masses...

you were not wearing the goggles in your avatar?
Mikeeee

 

[Code]

4) I'm not impressed with the stability of Lightroom 2 yet. It has crashed on me about 4 times today. It's a nice upgrade, but I'm look forward to 2.1.

Mine crashes on about 1/4 of the photos that I try to use Auto WB on.. strange.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Hmmm. I've never had a LR 2.0 crash! I keep hearing of crashes and can't understand why my experience is different. I run it pretty much every day and have used pretty much every feature, although there are some I may not have found yet. It sounds like I should count my blessings.

 

[abbingtonmatt]

I like your photos.

 

[handicap18]

I often avoid mentioning that it is a 1 series camera because that is either meaningless to people that don't know DSLRs or because it gives a mistaken impression to those that do. I have started telling other photogs that I encounter that I'm borrowing it from my brother and barely know how to use it. When I don't, I get barraged with questions by people under the mistaken impression that I know what I'm doing. If they were asking how to shoot my kids mucking about, I could give them lots of pointers. Instead, they are usually asking for tips on shooting something that I'm seeing for the first time and trying to sort out myself.

I do remember one of my first outings back in '02 after getting my D60. At the time, DSLRs were relatively rare. Mine was (I think) the cheapest available at a little over $2,000. I was shooting at Brazos Bend State Park (and not being chased by gators that day) when I encountered a couple of guys using a cheap point and shoot. They asked me to take a picture of them with their camera. Afterwards, they suggested that I give digital a try because it was so much better. I just smiled and said that I was happy with my current camera.

Another mistake that I see made all the time is from people that think that better DSLRs take much better pictures all the time. The real truth is that 80% of the time my old D60 takes pictures functionally equivalent to a 1Ds Mark III. The difference is in the remaining 20%. High end cameras are better when the light is low, when you need to change settings fast, when you need extra durability, when you need more resolution, when you need faster frame rates, when you need faster focusing, etc. If I'm standing there at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone taking a picture at 9:00 AM on a tripod and not printing that picture bigger than 8x10, I'm not going to notice the difference.

I also refer to my camera as old now that I've psychologically committed to replacing it later this year. My wife really wants a second camera body to replace our ailing old 10D. I'm waiting to see what Canon does with the 5D and the 40D, both of which are rumored to be replaced very soon. I'm also tempted by a Rebel for a small setup. If the 5D gets replaced and the price is right, I'll get a 5D M2 and a Rebel (XSi or XL). If I don't like the new 5D or they don't actually replace it, I'll probably get a 40D or 50D.

Very valid points and pretty much what I figured you were doing. I to have an older Nikon and am "replacing" it no later than March (hopefully sooner IF I can talk DW into my reasoning... no interest for 12 months!!) We'll see.

I have seen some the pics with your D60 and no matter how you slice it, you take great pictures. You definitely know how to use your camera's and it always a joy seeing your work.

 

[Groucho]

No problems here with LR2 crashing, but it has a rotten tendency to not do "undo's" properly. For example, if I flip to one picture, adjust the exposure a little, then hit ctrl-Z to put it back where it was (as I often do and have been doing as long as I've been using LR), it will, very often, undo the selection of that photo and go back to the last photo, leaving the exposure change behind. If it was previously at a non-original setting, that means that I have to guess where it was if I want to put it back. Very, very frustrating.

Mark, would you be happy with a 40D as your primary camera? No more weathersealing... (Unless you count a rather useless piece of foam in one or two places.)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm strongly considering adding a 50D. The lack of weathersealing isn't a huge impediment to me. I've been shooting with a weather sealed camera for about 4 years now and I've only used it in conditions that would worry me with a non-sealed camera a few times. A lot of that has to do with having young kids. Prior to that, I used to hike, canoe, and kayak in whatever weather conditions we had at the time. With young kids, we don't tend to spend much time outdoors in really stormy weather. As it is, I'll still keep the 1D for situations when I need it.

I'm trying to decide now whether to order a 50D, wait for a 5D replacement, or order both. I'm leaning towards getting both. I would like to have an APS-C camera and a full frame camera. I don't see a future in APS-H cameras and was somewhat surprised that Canon kept the format alive for the 1DM3. There are significant advantages to having lenses designed for a particular sensor size and using an oddball size gains none of those advantages.

In another year, I'll probably have a 50D as part of a lightweight setup (and spouse camera) and a 5DM2 (or whatever) as part of a high quality setup. I'll keep the 1DM2 as a bruiser camera for rough environments or risky situations. I may also find that I still kling to it for some of the pro camera features. I worry that I might end up missing some features more than I currently think I will.

 

[Groucho]

I'm strongly considering adding a 50D. The lack of weathersealing isn't a huge impediment to me. I've been shooting with a weather sealed camera for about 4 years now and I've only used it in conditions that would worry me with a non-sealed camera a few times.

I must just be having a rainy year so far. I've already had a good number of times this year where I've been out in the rain, enough where I would consider the lack of weathersealing a dealbreaker at this point.

For whatever it's worth, we almost never see rain at Disney, thanks to going in the early part of the year... I think they got a year's worth last week!