tara_r2

George,

I never actually tried pressing the spot AF button after pressing program reset, I just assumed that you had to go and reset the custom function all over again....my bad. So I guess I'll leave it on three for now....thanks. As for using program reset, well, I tend to shoot mostly in aperture priority or shutter priority, but if a scene changes I always just press on program reset and take a few shots that way. Then, when I have a second or two, I input new settings. I guess I'm just paranoid that if I take the time to input new settings before taking the shot I might miss something.

Next to the AF/M switch is a small plastic cover for the remote control terminal. Just pry it loose with a fingernail, and voila, you're good to go.

I have tried setting three on function 9, but the same problem occurs as with setting two (i.e. Pressing the program reset button effectively resets the custom function to its default, one - try it) This is in direct contradiction to the manual which says that program resets do not affect custom functions. My main question was, is this a 'bug' or is it me? I'm starting to think it's the former and not the latter. My secondary question was if there was an easier way to master AF other than using custom function 9, but apparently there doesn't seem to be, other than getting to know my camera a bit better through extended use. Sigh. Honestly, I do see the usefulness of having different local focus areas, but why do they have to be the default setting instead of something the user can activate if they need it? I kind of think it makes lifer harder than it needs to be, but that's just me.

Hi,

I recently upgraded from a Maxxum 7000 to a Maxxum 5, and I'm having a little

trouble adjusting to the newer autofocus system (wide focus area/local focus

areas, spot focusing). With the 7000, I would just focus on my subject in the

middle, then recompose (yes, I did read here that that is a bad thing to do,

but for the purposes of this discussion, let's ignore that) and take the shot.

With the 5, I often find that the local focus area that is automatically

chosen by the camera is the wrong one, and I end up having to use the 'spot

focus' button just to get the focus right (I should add that I've turned eye

start off, and press halfway to focus). Obviously, I find this a bit annoying,

so I starting looking for ways to make it so that the only local focus area in

use is the spot focus area. In the manual, it appears that custom function 9,

setting 2, accomplishes this (p.71). However, I noticed that when I press the

program reset button, it returns to the wide focus area where in the manual it

says that pressing the program reset should not affect custom functions

(p.115). So, am I reading the manual incorrectly, or is this a glitch with the

camera? Also, is there an easier way for me to go about using the AF on this

camera other than using the custom function? It could be that I'm just not

getting something here.....

Thanks,

Tara

Haha, good suggestion, Bill, (50mm 1.7) because that's the one I picked! Here I was saying I can't afford a new lens, and what do I do? I go ahead and buy one! Okay, now I REALLY mean it when I say I won't be buying a new lens for awhile. I haven't received it yet (waiting for shipment off of 'fleabay') but I will post results when I do. Anyways, enough of this, I don't want to hijack your thread anymore than I already have.

Thanks for all the responses. This is an orthodox baptism. I've been to similar ones before, so I know what to expect, it's only one baby (not multiple babies) and the whole ceremony lasts about 15-20 minutes long. I do have a tripod (though not a monopod), but I really didn't want to go that far. The suggestion to borrow a digital camera is a good, but I don't know anyone with a DSLR, and all I have is a simple point and shoot. I think I will go ahead and buy the 50mm 1.7 lens (I've wanted it for some time now, so this is a good excuse to finally buy it) and some 800 film and hope for the best! I should probably add that I'm not shooting this professionally or anything like that, it's purely for me. Thanks for all the tips.

Thanks Michael. Don't worry, I was already looking into buying that lens before this event came up so I would just 'fast track' the purchase, so to speak. Taking a meter reading before hand is kind of difficult since I live pretty far away from the church it's being held at.

By handholding, for my lenses, I mean using shutter speeds of about 1/60.

 

Tara

Hi Everyone,

 

I'll be attending a baptism in the next few weeks, and I'd like to take

pictures in the church without using a flash (if at all possible). The baptism

will take place during the day, so there should be some illumination from

window light. If I use fast film (800 ISO) can I pull it off? I should add

that the lenses I currently own only open up to f/4 and I'd like to handhold

the camera. If the answer is no, would using a faster lens help? I might be

willing to purchase a 50mm f/1.7 lens, but if it'd still be iffy, then I'd

probably pass.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Tara

Thanks. I haven't bought any new lenses yet, but I think the next one will be a prime. My budget is pretty maxed out right now, after getting my maxxum 5/ remote cord/ manfrotto tripod, so it may be a while. I've heard good things about the 50mm, but I think I'd like something a bit more wide angle. Let us know if you decide to go for the 35-70mm.

As you know, Bill, I have this lens. I can't compare it to the 70-210 f/4 since I have don't have the 'beercan' version of that lens, but here's a picture I've taken with it for you to decide yourself.<div></div>

Thanks for all the responses. I really wasn't looking to spend more than that, so if I can't use the head, I think I will pass. Hopefully, another one will come along soon.

 

Tara

Also, I'm a little confused on a couple of points:

 

1) I looked up the 128RC head on the Manfrotto website, and they listed it as a MICRO FLUID VIDEO HEAD. This sounds like it's meant for video cameras, not SLRs or the like. The only heads I'm familiar with are ball heads and 3 way heads. Will this head be useless for my purposes?

 

2) I couldn't actually find the 220 on the Gitzo website, only a 2220 model. Are they one and the same?

 

Tara

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm looking to buy a first tripod (mostly for landscapes and night photography

with lenses no longer than 200mm) and ran across an ad in the classifieds for

a Gitzo 220 tripod with a Manfrotto 128RC head in mint condition. The owner is

asking $130. Is this a worthwhile deal? I don't know very much about tripods,

so any input would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Tara

Oh, I understood the flea-market part, I just assumed you meant it in a derogatory way. I agree, if one abides by the principle of caveat emptor, buying on eBay can be quite rewarding.

 

The lens I own is a minolta 70-210mm f4.5-5.6. Go easy on me, will you, I don't think I can afford much more upgrading.... :)

 

Tara

Rats, I had a feeling someone was going to tell me it wouldn't be that sharp. I just checked out the 24-105mm lens, and it is a bit pricey....maybe I'll look into getting one a few months down the road. I'm assuming from the price that it is a bit sharper than the 28-100mm?

 

In the end, I bid on a Maxxum 5 body + strap + manual in great condition, and got it for $45. Interestingly, it was $1 cheaper than the brand new remote cord I won a week earlier. Bill, I'm just curious, why did you call eBay fleaBay? I know there are no guarantees, but if you bid on items from sellers with positive feedback, who answer all your questions (I always make sure to ask detailed questions) and offer refunds, you're pretty much assured of getting a quality product.

 

Tara

Since everyone has been so helpful, I'd thought I'd post another question, this time about lenses. In the course of my search online (basically eBay), I've come across auctions for the Maxxum 5 that include a 28-100mm lens. Now, I already have the 35-70mm lens that came with the 7000, and a 70-210mm lens I recently purchased. I've been thinking that the 28-100 might be a more convenient 'all-around' lens for those days I just want to carry one lens on me. What do you think? How does this lens compare to the 35-70 in terms of quality?

Thanks in advance,

Tara

Thanks again to everyone who responded. I've decided to go for a Maxxum 5. I like the fact that it's small (I've got small hands) and that it has depth of field preview. Now all I have to do is find one! I'll give everyone an update when I do.

Tara

Thanks everyone, for all the speedy feedback! I think the 9000 would be overkill for me (I'm not a pro, more like a beginner :) so I'll probably stick with something cheaper. I started my search only looking for a camera that does double exposures, but at the same time, if I'm going to invest in a new body, I would like to get the best quality/most features for my money, since I can imagine situations where I might use the new camera beyond making double exposures. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I will examine the specs of each choice carefully, and try to determine which one is right for me.

Tara

Richard,

Thanks for your reply. I did a quick check on ebay, and I saw a few auctions with 9000's going for around $100-150. Unfortunately, I was hoping to spend less than this (under $100, roughly). I saw a few closed auctions where maxxum 5's and XTsi's went for about $50. I know these are newer cameras and probably not as rugged as the 9000, but on the plus side, wouldn't the autofocus capabililties of these cameras be faster? Also, just to make absolutely sure, I can use any maxxum AF lens on any maxxum camera, correct? I'm not ruling out the 9000 just yet, but I'm curious what people might have to say about the other cameras I mentioned.

Tara

Thanks for the link, it's very helpful. From looking at it quickly, the Maxxum 4, 5, and XTsi seem interesting; does anyone have any preferences among these bodies?

Tara

Hi,

I have a minolta maxxum 7000 camera, which I recently discovered does not do

double exposures. I'd like to buy a relatively inexpensive used minolta body

that has this feature (on ebay or such) so I can use the minolta lenses I

already own. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Tara