winn

<p>I saw this on Yahoo News.<br>

"A stunning young woman walks down a street in Florence, her head held high. All around, men playfully gawk at her grace and beauty. Just then the camera shutter snaps. "<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/photographs/american-girl/">American Girl in Italy</a>" is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/02/arts/photography-review-beyond-that-single-famous-picture.html">among the most popular snapshots</a> of all time, and it's turning 60 years old this month."<br>

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/american-girl-italy-60-years-later-221005987.html</p>

<p>[img/]http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/bWT6.dAONCmULMwOdjTJ_A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/152/2011/08/18/girlAmerican-Girl-in-Italy_231853.jpg[img/]</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Ok - You guys gave me too much information to sort through! I'm leaning towards Photo Mechanic (PM) - even though the price is killing me. It seems lot of people are satisfied using PM for organizing and Photoshop for editing. Since I already have PS Elements 9, I've ruled out Lightroom. I'm taking the PM/PS route and will order the 20 day free trial.</p>

<p>I'm confident PM will do what I need. The ThumbsPlus website did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling; they could not even accept credit cards at this time. The ACDSee and iMatch products will probably work for me and at a better price - but at this time (with my current frustration) I'm willing to pay a little more to make sure I get it right.</p>

<p>Please comment if I missed something - Thanks!</p>

<p>Thanks for the information! I have some research to complete. This thread is making me take a step back and look at my whole "workflow"; how I process, tag, and archive photos.</p>

<p>I admittedly have a problem with taking too many pictures when shooting, whether at family events or trying to capture an "artistic" sunset. So my main need is to see higher quality images when filtering through a large amount of photos to decide what to keep and what to delete. (It takes the Elements Organizer forever to delete something from the catelog along with deleting the original image.) I would also like to find older pictures by quickly scrolling through thumbnails.</p>

<p>A "nice to have" would be having an thumbnail for similar named files in different folders. Canon naming cnvention on my camera turned over at 50,000 images.</p>

<p>Any suggestions for a photo organizing software? I have Photoshop Elements 9 and am totally frustrated with it. I find it buggy, extremely slow, and it frequently just stops working and closes. (I was not happy with the Elements 5 Organizer either, but 9 is MUCH worse.) The editor works fine.</p>

<p>I believe my computer should have no problem as far as capability: Processor 2.66 GHz Intel Quad Core, Ram 6.00 G, Windows 7 operating system 64-bit, ~400 Gb free memory. I've read that Elements 9 is 32 bit software and I don't know if this is part of the problem.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I have had my "D400" for over 2 years and almost 15,00 pics and still working great. I never even notice the Rebel tag until I read another post on PN about the same concern; I had to get the camera out and look.<br>

Someone who doesn't know much about cameras is going to be too impressed with the camera to notice the Rebel tag. Anyone who is familiar with DSLRs is going to know what you have - tag or no tag....</p>

<p>Thanks for all of your help - I got at least 2 different shots that were decent. Luckily, it was an overcast day, so the lighting was good. I was planning on the 85mm being the money lens, but the two shots I like were with the 50mm and the 70-300 mm (at 150mm). I used the 85mm lens first and didn't get into a rythm until after I had switched out the lens (also, the subject had relaxed more afterwards also). I didn't have the lighting equipment to get a good shot inside the barn. And of course I made some dumb mistakes and will know better next time.</p>

<p>Long story short - (between the subject just moving and the economy, I am all they've got.) I've agreed to take some pictures on short notice of my H.S. Senior nephew for the year book. I would like to also take something that is usable as a Sr. Portrait. (My sister understand that this will not be anywhere near professional quality.) This will be my first formal portrait.<br /><strong>I've found a decent shooting location - a barn. These will be (mostly) outdoor shots.</strong> <strong>My question, what aperture and ISO</strong> (and shutter speed) <strong>should I use?</strong> I'm thinking ISO 200 and apertures of around 2.8. <br />I have the D400, 85mmf1.8, 50mmf1.8, 24-70mmf2.8L, and 70-300mmf4-5.6 IS along with the 580 EXII speedlite (no other lighting equipment) and tri-pod. (I wish I had the 70-200mmL )<br />I was planning on using the 50mm and 85 mm along with fill flash for most of the shots and then a few at 200mm with the 70-300mm. I was not planning on using the 24-70mm unless I need shorter than 50mm for an indoor shot.<br>

Any suggestions will be helpful! Thanks...</p>

<p>...Failing to see the forest through the trees. That was the moment we finally saw the forest.</p>

On my 400D

 

The 85 f1.8 is my favorite although my 24-70L is my workhorse. The 50 f1.8 is definitely my "Best Buy" and I've probably gotten my most interesting shots with my 70-300mm IS. And as someone above said, I want the 70-200 f2.8 IS....

Thanks so much for your responses!

 

Right now my work plans have changed and I will not be going to Leicester for 3 days as originally planned :-( We will be in Peterborough for the whole two weeks. The plan is to visit Warwick on our way from Manchester to Peterborough; it is "somewhat" on our way and we will need something to occupy us as we adjust to the time change and lack of sleep.

 

The middle weekend is not planned in detail. If the weather is nice, we will head out 3 to 5 hours driving time and spend the night at that location. We haven't finalized the where yet (although it won't be London, I'll save that for when I visit again with my wife). Maybe Hadrian's Wall, maybe Stonehenge, maybe the coast... If the weather is poor we will stay local.

 

From what I've read here and talking to my travel partner who has been to England several times, I won't need my 70-300mm lens (on a 1.6 crop factor body). I'll take my 24-70L along with my 85mm and since it is so light, maybe my 50mm.

 

If I get some decent pics, I'll post and give an update here. Thanks!

I talked with my travelling partner and it looks like we will visit Warwick Castle on the way from Manchester to

Peterborough the weekend we arrive. Then the next weekend we will visit Hadrian's Wall one day - I know it is a long

drive, but is something I am interested in. The other day we will probably be heading for the East coast, I'll look into

the areas Colin mentioned "the Norfolk Broads around Wroxham " etc. Neither one of us was real interested in

London. (Although my wife and everyone else thinks I'm crazy for not going there.) Thanks for the help...

Kieran & Colin,

 

Thanks for the responses. We will have a rental car for the two weeks. (Of course, I'll have to consider what my travel partner wants to do.) I'm thinking I'll try for London for a day if I have enough energy after my work week. Otherwise, I'll stick to the more local areas. I'll do some research on the areas you both mentioned above. I'll also be at Bruningthorpe, which I believe has an military air museum there or nearby. I guess I'll take the 24-70, 70-300, and since it is so light the 50mm lenses (along with the monopod).

 

Thanks again!

I'll be travelling to the Peterborough/Leicester areas on business for two weeks starting in the first week of October.

Since this is business, I will only have one weekend for siteseeing. I have several questions:

 

1. Is it okay to pack my camera equipment in my suitcase which will be in the luggage compartment? Will the cold

and high altitude affect it? Or should I carry it onto the plane with me? (I'll be flying out of Chicago to Manchester.)

 

2. What equipment should I take? I won't have family with me so I won't be taking photos of people for the most part.

I have the following Canon equipment: the 400D XTi, EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM , EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, 85mm

f1.8 USM, 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Kit lens, EF 50 f/1.8 II lens and the 580EXII Speedlite.

 

I'm thinking of taking the 18-55mm kit lens over the 24-70mm because of size, weight and risk of damage along with

the 70-300mm and leaving everything else home inlcuding the speedlite and my monopod. I won't be taking picture

of people and I don't know if I'll need the faster 24-70mm (or the faster prime lenses) for any indoor shots. Your

thoguhts?

 

3. What is there to shoot in the area? Any Roman ruins?

 

Thaks for your help!

Who cares? I actually had to go look at my xTi to see what the nameplate says. Also, Andre Aggasi didn't convince me to buy the camera - it was my on-line and in-store research (along with my budget)that convinced me.

I also use the Bogen-Manfrotto 679B Monopod. I use this with the Bogen-Manfrotto 3265 joystick head. This works well for me (the joystick is also great for the tripod). The versatiltiy of this head needs to be considered against its extra weight and size (1.7 lbs). You could probably line your shot up with one hand (so you can hold your beer), but you would get tired of the weight and bulk.

I believe sport photograghers do it all the time....if you consider athletics a live performance.

I can accept Matt's definition as applicable to art and engineering. I think the reason for art is to capture or express a feeling or emotion, while the purpose of engineering is to solve a problem. Engineering has a bigger influence over everday life compared to art (look around you); yet people can name very few, if any famous engineers. On the other hand, everyone can name at least several famous artists.

<div></div>

Here's a few:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/6213818

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/6752679

Thanks....I'll have to weigh the comfort level vs. the cost savings on a case-by-case basis.

In an earlier post (85mm1.2 usa or imported?)I tried to ask about the

difference between an imported lens and a Canon USA lens at the end of the

thread - unfortunately the posting had run its course. I understand that the

lenses would be the same and the warranties would be the same with the

exception that the imported lens warranty would be through the vendor,i.e B&H.

 

My question is: Wouldn't the imported version have traveled further, with maybe

one or two additional loading and unloadings? Wouldn't the imported lens have

been exposed to additional and maybe more extreme temperature/humidity changes?

If so, would these be a factor in considering the USA version? Just a thought -

I don't know what the paths into the US are for the imported version compared

to the USA version.

I own it and it was great for what I originally purchased it for: portraits and Prom pictures. It is good for indoor family shots (although it is sometimes too long on my 1.6 crop factor camera). The one shortcoming I have encountered with it was indoor sports (basketball)- the aperture was fast enough, but it did not focus fast enough.

Wouldn't the imported version have traveled further, with maybe one or two additional loading and unloadings? Would they have been exposed to more and extreme temperature changes? If so, would these be a facter in considering the USA version? Just a thought - I don't know what the paths into the US are for the imported version compared to the USA version.

Thanks...I'll "hang tight" until this Spring.