james_bales2

<p>That sounds great. Is there really a notable difference between a really good lens and the L series? Are they that much better?</p>

<p>James</p>

<p>Thanks for all the feed back! It seems the general opinion is that I'm going to need better glass eventually anyway, so I may want to go that route first. That makes sense. The better glass will automatically improve the quality of my image. I may not need a new body yet. If I can just find a lens that will help my composition... hmmmm....</p>

<p>Thanks for helping me combat my new gear syndrome!</p>

<p>James</p>

<p>Well, I have about $2600 to work with.</p>

<p>I would like to see either a higher ISO ability or a faster set of lenses. I'm finding the wedding and real estate shots are in low light conditions. A larger LCD would be really nice.</p>

<p>Also, and I know this is silly, I have had some comments made about the equipment. I read a guys post a while back that stated something to the effect of, to the average joe blow, "the bigger the camera, the more professional the photographer." So professional image is a concern.</p>

<p>I'm not very happy with the meter inside the body. I think it could be better.</p>

<p>The backside of the body is a pain. I borrowed a friends 50D for the weekend and found the controls much easier to manipulate and faster to get to. Especially with gloves on!</p>

<p>But I guess my biggest concern is with overall picture quality. I want to make larger prints and I find I just can't get the quality I want out of the rig I have now. Don't get me wrong, the Rebel takes a good picture. It's not faulty and has taken quite a beating over the past few years. I have no harsh complaints about it at all.</p>

<p>I have been using a digital Rebel XT for about... maybe 6 years now. I have a kit lens and a couple of extra cheap lenses. I have gotten a lot better with my photography, especially in the last 6 months as I have been making money with it! Not a lot of money yet, but enough to come a way with a little profit after fuel, time, and all the other costs that go into a business. I do real estate, construction documentation, and small weddings<br>

I'm ready to turn this into a serious business and will need, i think, some more professional equipment. I'm considering either a 7D or 5D as the body. As for the lens, I want to invest into, if not L series, then the next step down.<br>

So what do you think I should get first? I'm not at the point where I can get both. I'm concerned that a good lens will be held back by my 8 megapixel Rebel. But then again, I don't necessarily want to stick cheap lenses on a good body either.<br>

Any suggestions?<br>

Thanks!</p>

One idea is to put signs up at pet supply stores requesting pictures of pet snakes in exchange for a few good prints.

Moccasins a plenty in Ten Mile Creek. Plus some rat snakes. Desoto, Tx below the bridge that is on Hampton Rd. just north of Pleasant Run Rd.

I've met many rattlers, moccasins, rat snakes, and others that I can't identify in the Trinity river bed on the stretch that runs from Sylvan down river to Houston Bridge. Also in the Trinity river bed east bound on I20.

Of course, there's cedar ridge preserve in Cedar Hill, Tx.

Well, as far as photography is concerned I'm so much an amateur that I probably don't deserve to press the shutter button. However, I've been a hunter for years.

Some may not agree with these tactics or ideas, but they have served me well.

Getting close to a deer is not that difficult. First, you need to learn the lay of the land. Learn at which degree the sun rises and sets. Most animals don't like to move into the setting or rising sun. It lessens their vision. Water? Deer can always find vegatation to eat, but water is precious. Plus it makes good scenery.

Bed down low and try to be down wind from the deer. You'll have to learn their routes. I find colder weather is better.

Take a shower before going out, but don't use soaps. Just water. When I go hunting, I usually stuff my camoflauge in a canvas pack with vegetation from the area I'll be hunting in a few days in advance. It gives it a nice, natural smell.

Buy a camoflauged bandanna to wrap around the camera and don't let light glare of your lens. That's a common mistake made by hunters with scopes.

One of the most important actions you can take is to hide your face and try not to stare directly at the animal. Call it a "feeling", 6th sense, mojo, whatever, but your eyes and face will betray you every time. It sticks out like a sore thumb in the wild.

Turkey are far more difficult to get close to. They have superb eye sight and hearing. They are also intelligent. Practice, practice, practice... :)