abzphotoz

<p>I have just spent $1000 on an awesome new computer. I chose Windows XP Pro <strong>64</strong> as my OS. I am now finding that I can't open RAW files in CS3 from my Canon 50D. I was able to open RAW files using my other computer which was running Vista Home Premium 32 bit. I have downloaded the Canon RAW codec 1.4.1 but it gives me an error mssg & won't let me run it....I have also downloaded plug ins for CS3...anyway, does anyone know if Windows XP pro <strong>64</strong> is compatible with opening RAW files from A canon 50D. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank u.</p>

You are one happy camper. Go out and have yourself a big ole steak.

THE MANFROTTO 055XPROB WITH THE 488RC2 BALLHEAD IS AN EXCELLENT COMBO... ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE LENS YOU'LL BE USING. THE LEGS HOLD UP TO 15.4 LBS. DON'T BUY A CHEAP TRIPOD. I DID AND I REGRET IT-I WASTED $85. THE SET UP I MENTIONED HAS EVERYTHING YOU'LL NEED INCLUDING A CENTER COLUMN THAT YOU CAN BRING DOWN AND OUT FOR MACRO OR VERTICAL. IT IS VERY STURDY, THE BALL HEAD IS SMOOTH, THE QUICK RELEASE IS EASY TO USE AND I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT MY CAMERA AND LENS IS SECURE WHEN IT'S MOUNTED. THE LEGS HAVE A LOCKING EASY TO USE FEATURE THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GET PRETTY LOW TO THE GROUND. IF YOU'RE TALL THEN THIS IS THE PERFECT SET OF LEGS FOR YOU. THEY ARE NOT EXTREMELY LIGHTWEIGHT (ABOUT 5LBS) BUT I'D RATHER HAVE A HEAVIER MORE STURDY TRIPOD ANYDAY OVER A LIGHTER ONE. (YOU'LL THANK YOURSELF WHEN YOU'RE SHOOTING IN WINDY CONDITIONS) THIS SETUP RAN ME ABOUT $275.

WOW! That is truly a sad day for a photographer. The 2 lenses are the part that made my jaw drop. Those are worth (as u know) almost 3k! sorry about that. They are also 2 of the best. I feel really, really, really............really bad for u. I guess if I were you I would focus on repairing the 2 L lenses. I think I would call Canon and see what they say but maybe bring them in for repair to a local/reputable shop as it will be less expensive-and even if they repair them and they're working, how long will they continue working and would you feel confident in an important shooting situation? Probably not, so you're going to get new lenses anyway. Hey-from what I hear wedding photographers make pretty good $$. 2 or 3 weddings and you should be cool.

Would somebody answer the telephone please.

How sad.

There was a very interesting topic posted by Alex Gregory about the need for filters mainly for protection. I thought-

"why not just keep the lens cap handy and pop it on when you're not using it"...it only takes a second to take it off.

Instead of posting a reply I wanted to bring up a related question/topic; Polarizers for landscapes. I love the effect

they give you but now i'm really starting to wonder if the IQ is affected when using a good (B+W) polarizer with my 17-

40L. If I want to make a fairly large print, would the quality/sharpness make a significant difference?

You definately want a wide angle lens. The above suggestions are great. I have seen some awesome looking shots of buildings with fisheye lenses as well.

Definately get yourself a good polarizng filter. It is theee landscape filter. Some of the better brands are B+W, Hoya & Heliopan. For the 17-55 get a slim version. The high speed cf cards refer to the speed that the camera processes the data onto the card & also has something to do with uploading images onto your computer. For what you're doing a Sandisk Extreme 2 or 3 (2, 4, or 8 gb) will be perfect. I would also get a good camera bag and a cleaning kit. If you're going to be out shooting for a long period of time you may want to pick up an extra battery as well. You made an excellent choice with your 17-55. Best of luck and enjoy your awesome new camera.

I was in the exact same position as you a few months ago. I purchased the 40D w/kit lens 28-135. I then purchase a 17-40L & a 100-400L. I don't use the 28-135 that much anymore. It is a decent lens though. The 17-55 is an excellent lens but it is just under $1000. I know there is a rebate right now on the 40D..I think $200. There is also a kit that comes w/2 lenses; the 17-85 & 70-300-both of these lenses have IS. This kit also comes with a few accesories as well. I think the 2 lens kit is right around $2000. If I could do it over again I would have looked for the best deal on the body only, then I would've got the 17-55. Consider the 70-200 as a 2nd lens as well. There are a few different versions of it. The best one is the 70-200f/2.8 IS USM...but it is about $1300-$1400. This lens is considered to be one of the best lenses that Canon makes. It is also one of the most popular amongst pro's and amatuer's.The others are the 70-200 f/4 IS USM (about $1100). And then there are the non IS versions of both. They are cheaper but you won't have the IS when you'll need it. Make a wise decision...good luck.

I am trying to learn how to use photoshop. I figure I'll just keep playing with it until I get the basics down. I am

finding it quite complicated though. I sat for 2 hours trying to figure out how to put a simple black frame on a photo

and I couldn't for the life of me figure it out. I went online for help, used the help topics and everything I could think of.

Is there any simpler software than photoshop that will allow you to do what photoshop does? Also-what is the best

and easiest way to learn photoshop? ....Elements 6

I figured out how to make the screen size smaller however there is no option to make the file size smaller. I read that photos should not be more than 100 kb in file size-is that right? Most of my pics are like 3-4mb's. Anyway- thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

Oh yeah I forgot- I finally got my own perpendicularity consultant...WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

I don't have photo editing software-other than what is in my computer- I think windows photofix oe something. I use a Canon 40D-cf card and I shoot on jpeg/large. I checked out the sizes and they range from 400 kb to 4mb's. Also anywhere from 3800x2500 to 900x700.

I am trying to create a portfolio but every image i try to upload comes back saying it's too large or i don't have

enough space. If I sign up for a membership can I upload any file no matter the size? I don't know how to re-size my

pictures. Does the size that's too large refer to KB size or something else?

There is a lens for just about every focal range-or close to it.

Sanford-if you think about it, the fires (most of them anyway) are a part of nature. Most photographer's photograph nature. What's wrong with taking pictures of sunsets enhanced by smoke from fires or wondering what lens to use to get the best photohraph? I know what you'll probably say-There are people's lives greatly affected by these fires. You mentioned that "it's all we can think about". It is not like that at all. I wish there would never be another person's life or someone's house or forests affected by fire again-but that will never happen. Anyway-I know what you mean by your comment but I don't believe it is a realistic way to look at it. It's not like photographers are praying for fires to get better sunset pictures. I see it as there is something good found in everything. BTW-I live in S. CAL and have friends very close to the fires.

Mike N. Why are you making yourself out to sound like a "stuck-up I'm too good for them" photographer (regarding your comments above)... your work contradicts your attitude. I checked out your portfolio; very talented and original....so why the "hater" type comments?

I live in Southern California (LA area) and I have been searching for new places to go to get some good shots. I

have done the beaches, zoo, Vasquez Rocks, and a few other places. Does anyone have any good suggestions on

new and cool places to go without having to drive 100+ miles? I'm into landscape and nature/wildlife photography.

for landscapes in the places you're going you should definately have a wide angle lens but I guarantee you will find yourself in the position (quite a few times) of wanting to be able to zoom to get a certain shot. 4 months to take pictures...if there is any possibility, you should try to up your budget so you can afford a wide angle and a telephoto. the 17-40 is an excellent choice but it wont give you any real zoom. the 70-200 is an excellent choice also. you'd be set with these 2 lenses. Sigma makes an 18-200mm lens for Canon;about $400. that will cover your wide angle and telephoto in 1. leaving you with some leftover $ for? polarizer, extra battery, tripod, memory card(s), Or you could check out the Canon 28-135 which is not a wide angle but it's a lot wider than what you have. It has IS, it produces good quality images and will give you some telephoto range.It's about $400 as well. The best thing to do would be to get the 2 lenses you mentioned above. You will be set and you'll come back with a ton of good shots. I would pay for the 17-40 with the $700 u have and i'd put the other lens on my card if i were you. Also-if you don't have a computer to upload your photos on while on the trip, get yourself a few memory cards.

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WOW! I don't know what else to add after all of these comments except to reccommend a book called "Understanding Exposure". It will tell you everything you will need to know about depth of field, apertures, exposure, sharpness etc. Also-for some free, quick tips go to youtube and type in depth of field tips. And remember-the small #'s like f/2.8 or f/5.6 mean a larger opening/less stuff in focus and of course the larger #'s like f/11 or f/16 mean a smaller opening and more stuff in focus. It's also important to remember that when your in AV mode and you choose a higher # like f/11 that the shutter speed will get gradually slower. A tripod is a good idea or a higher iso...but you shouldn't go too much slower than 1/125 for people shots...1/60 will usually be ok if you have a tripod or IS.

17mm on a crop body is, again, not a "super wide angle". Adam's suggestion of the 10-22 is as wide as you can get. The Canon EF-S10-22 f/3.5-4.5 is around $700. You can get a Canon 17-40L f/4.0 for a little bit cheaper. The 3rd party lenses also have a 12-24mm (Tokina-$500 at B&H & Sigma-$700). If you're going to need an extremaely wide ange then the Canon 10-22 is probably your best option unless you don't want to spend $700 then the $500 Tokina would be a good option. You should know that the wider the lens, the more barrel distortion and challenges you'll face with your shots. The very wide angles takes some getting used to. I bought a 10-22 and wound up exchanging it for the 17-40L.

The 17-40L is a highly regarded lens amongst many professionals. I see pictures in magazines all the time taken with the 17-40.

I just got a 488RC2...it just unscrews from the tripod the opposite way that I put it on.. Maybe I don't understand the ?

The #1 factor to start with is your budget. Next would be what are you into? Landscape? Wildlife? Street photography? Sports? Portraits? Weddings? Also consider that the brand of camera you choose is sort of like a marriage-once you invest thousands of dollars in lenses you will usually stick with that brand for a long time. So before I make any suggestions-what is your budget and what type of photography are you interested in?