ericreagan

<i>Ok... I am new at photography, I take photos for fun, but I want to get serious about it.

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. . .

Any suggestions would be appreciated.</i>

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Buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnderstanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated%2Fdp%2F0817463003%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1178575413%26sr%3D8-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">this book</a>. If you really are new to photography, it'll be the best $15 you spend.

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Cheers!

Ok, looks like I missed the mark entirely.

; )

Kevin,

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I think Mr. Graham is referring to the Adsense ads that appear on the Photo.net site. To answer that question, advertisers bid for keyword placement based on sites' content. Photo.net produces very relevant content for camera retailers - both good and bad.

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While Adsense users, as a general rule, don't have control over what content is served. Adsense uses <i>can</i> filter unwanted sites from posting advertisements through ads appearing on the user's site. Personally, I haven't seen any of these shady camera retailers on the P/N ads in a while. I would imagine that they have a really high click-through rate, which boosts revenue. So there's a couple competing interests there in deciding whether to filter such sites.

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My $.02.

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Cheers!

<i>Can it possibly be true that a $20 book (or, even better, a borrowed one from a library) might make a bigger difference in performance than a $1000 lens?</i>

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Yes. My <a href="http://www.photographybay.com/2007/03/10/how-to-take-better-photos/">thoughts</a>.

This was announced at PMA (beginning of March). More details <a href="http://www.photographybay.com/2007/03/09/sony-alpha-to-go-pro/">here</a>. I agree that they want to mix it up with the big boys and not just the point and shoot forum where Sony already has a strong presence.

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Cheers!

<i>how is it as a camera to ensure a higher number of "keepers" for vacation.</i>

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A camera is only as good as the photographer. If you're going to spend $600 on a camera and really want some keepers from your vacation, read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnderstanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated%2Fdp%2F0817463003%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1177641959%26sr%3D8-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Understanding Exposure</a> by Bryan Peterson. It'll be the best $15 you spend on your vacation.

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By the way, I've got a Nikon D40 and the book. I love the both. I think your wife will be pleased with the D40. Get it early so she has time to learn the camera so she isn't learning how to use it on vacation. Best of luck!

These questions beg reference to a good book. Consider picking up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnderstanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated%2Fdp%2F0817463003%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1177641959%26sr%3D8-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Understanding Exposure</a> by Bryan Peterson. It'll be the best $15 you spend on your hobby.

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Cheers!

Here's <a href="http://www.photographybay.com/2007/03/10/raw-vs-jpeg/">my thoughts</a> on the subject. (I always shoot RAW)

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Cheers!

I would buy online from only 3 places:

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<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com">B&H</a><p>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=dslr&tag=cyclingshots-20&index=photo&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Amazon</a>

<p><a href="http://www.17photo.com/">17th Street Photo</a>

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I've had great luck with all of these places and wouldn't hesitate to fork over a couple grand for any photo gear from these guys. But that's just me.

Personally, I'd go with the 20D. It's a lot of bang for your buck at the price you can find them now. Think more about the system you're buying into rather than the first camera body you'll buy:

http://www.photo.net/equipment/building-a-digital-slr-system/

Cheers!

I've got the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and can only say good things about it. I compromised with it over the more pricey Canon 70-200 f/2.8. I think this Sigma would be a worthy addition to your arsenal. Can't comment on the others, sorry.

Cheers!

A <a href="http://photofloor.blogspot.com/2006/10/mystery-behind-color-spaces-adobe-rgb.html">blog post on-topic</a>.

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Cheers.

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/10038145-lg.jpg">

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Darn plain text with no preview.

"What myth? It's more resolution, that allows you to print larger or crop more."

I understand that there's certainly more resolution in a 10MP vs. a 6MP camera. I'm just not jumping on the MP marketing hype. If you don't recognize the marketing hype then you're really missing my point. I've seen many poster sized prints from 6MP cameras that look fantastic. That said, most folks in the market for a D40 or D40x aren't looking to enlarge to poster sized. I would imagine the vast majority of D40x shoppers are consumers that want a "good" camera and will likely print an abundance of 4x6 prints. They'll buy a D40x just because somebody at Best Buy tells them 10MP is better than 6MP. Really? What about noise? Flash sync? Dynamic range? There's more to an image sensor than resolution.

I very rarely go above 8x10. When I have gone to poster-sized, my 8MP files have done just fine and I don't know that having 2MP more would make a significant, if any, difference. FYI, I shoot RAW exclusively. I made no reference to Ken Rockwell other than the comparison between the D40 and D40x. By no means would I recommend that everyone should shoot in JPEG. Sorry if you misunderstood.

Cheers!

I just made this decision. It was easy for me, I got the D40 for many of the reasons mentioned above. 1/500s flash sync, $250 savings (found it on sale for $550), and I don't buy the megapixel myth. Oh yeah, and I'm already shooting, instead of waiting for the D40x to become available. To add fuel to the fire, check out Ken Rockwell's site for a good synopsis of the two.

Cheers!

I think the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor%2Fdp%2FB000KJQ1DG%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1174044939%26sr%3D8-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Nikon D40</a> would be an excellent choice at $558 w/ lens and free shipping. Take a look at <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm">Ken Rockwell's thoughts</a> on it.

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Also, I would recommend a good book. Three suggestions are <a href="http://www.photographybay.com/2007/03/10/how-to-take-better-photos/">here</a>.

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Good luck.

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Cheers!

Take a look at the book recommendations here:

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<a href="http://www.photographybay.com/2007/03/10/how-to-take-better-photos/">How to get better</a>

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Take some photos and participate in this community.

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Cheers!

From <a href="http://www.photographybay.com">photographybay.com</a> -

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<b>New camera model (body) targeting high-end amateur users</b>

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* Positioned higher than the current DSLR-A100 digital SLR camera

<p>* Achieves high level of overall picture quality through development of new image sensor and

<p>* Bionz image processing engine

<p>* Super SteadyShot? image stabilization inside

<p>* Realizes high performance that meets expectations of high-end amateur users

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<b>Flagship model (body)</b>

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* The highest-end α (Alpha) product

<p> * Achieves high level of overall picture quality through development of new image sensor and

<p> * Bionz image processing engine

<p> * Super SteadyShot? image stabilization inside

<p> * Realizes high performance that lives up to even professional users? demanding requirements.

<p> * One of the two prototypes stated above will be on sale within this calendar year.

<p>

Cheers!

<i>The problem I find with the Sigma 17-70 is indoor shooting where I am zoomed in... the pictures turn out dark. I guess I could mess with exposure, but as I said, I am not really a pro...yet.</i>

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Stop.

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Don't buy another lens.

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Buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnderstanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated%2Fdp%2F0817463003%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1173120453%26sr%3D8-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">this book</a> and read it before you buy anything else.

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Seriously.

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Cheers.

There's no reason not to own the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCanon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens%2Fdp%2FB00007E7JU%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1173046876%26sr%3D1-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Canon EF 50 f/1.8</a> - an excellent and cheap portrait lens. Speaking of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSigma-50-150mm-Telephoto-Digital-Cameras%2Fdp%2FB000HPOQKS%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1173046680%26sr%3D1-3&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM</a>, that's probably a great compromise to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCanon-70-200mm-Lens-Digital-Cameras%2Fdp%2FB000I1X3W8%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1173046616%26sr%3D8-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Canon 70-200 f/4 IS</a>. I bought the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSigma-70-200mm-Canon-Digital-Cameras%2Fdp%2FB0009V13XS%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1173046738%26sr%3D1-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Sigma 70-200 f/2.8</a> last year as a compromise to the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L. I've been very happy with my decision. It's been an excellent lens and I think the Sigma 50-150 is about the same quality, albeit smaller, lighter and $200 cheaper. There's a comparison between the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCanon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras%2Fdp%2FB000053HH5%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1173046808%26sr%3D1-1&tag=cyclingshots-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Canon 70-200 f/4</a> and the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 <a href="http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=213663">here</a>.

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Good luck.