fishguyis

<p>Sorry to post this here but I am not sure how to send a private message. </p>

<p>Jim H, would it be possible to get the PDF(s) you were talking about in one of your earlier posts in this thread, I have to shoot my sisters wedding May 8th and would love any info I can get! <br>

Thanks! <br>

<br /> Mike <br>

<br /> </p>

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the input.

I do have the 430 EX II, as well as a Gary Fong diffuser (clear). I should have got the 580EX II but I kind of jumped the gun because I was anxious for a flash and didn't have the money at the time for the 580.

I like the idea of having a constant light source, that is why I was thinking of this piece.

I guess if I wait and grab the 580EX II, it will allow me more flexibility especially if I use the 430 as well.

Hmmm decisions decision decisions....

Well looks like the link works :) hehe.

Sorry if this post is not in the right spot but I didn't see a spot for L.E.D lighting.

Cheers!

Hey everyone,

After buying my 40D and lenses, I have $450 (Canadian) in rebates coming.

I was looking at the Litepanel Micro and wanted to see what you all thought of it.

I understand that the Litepanel Micro is made more for video then for photography, but has anyone every used it

for on camera or off camera fill lighting etc?

Here is a link, sorry but I am not sure how to make this link take you straight to the page.

http://www.s131567196.onlinehome.us/images/pic_micro_package_lg.jpg

I went to Vistek yesterday and played around with it and it's really neat. In full store lighting, it gave enough

light to add a good amount of light to a subject around 5 feet away. I can just imaging what it will be able to

do in low light conditions!

I figured I could use it for macro and for portraits (in lower light conditions), or just to have some fun and be

creative.

My other idea was to get a grip as I already have 2 batteries. I find that I have had enough battery life with

having the 2 of them and I have never run out of power while out and about, but the grip does help to balance the

camera when shooting with a longer, heavier lens. It's also good when shooting portrait shots (so I have been told).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Mike

Jeff that is a beautiful shot well done!

Sorry for the link to the picture gang, I still have to figure out how to crop properly to get them to show on

this page.

John W, thank you very much for your kind words! I am a perfectionist and I was a bit worried how the pictures

would turn out especially being my first day out with the camera.

As was mentioned above, I am going to fiddle around with different aperture's, I think that picture would have

been better if it was all in focus but hey now I am starting to nit pick LOL.

So far I have only been using DPP and it has been working well so far, I haven't tried anything else yet. A

friend is coming over with CS2 for me to try on his laptop and if I like it I will grab it.

I really want to experiment with the setting in the camera so I can keep PP down to an absolute minimum but I

think that is going to take some time.

I am VERY interested in HDR but I think at this time I will concentrate on learning the camera inside out and

taking a few hundred more shots first ;)

Great advice John I will try that in the future!

I have the greatest respect to those that can capture dragonflies!

As I get more familiar with the camera, I am sure things will improve. I for the most part use shutter priority, but I think I will start trying aperture priority in macro shooting (makes more sense).

What you are hearing is normal for an IS lens. Is the lends also USM AF?

I have the 70-210mm f/4 USM lens but without IS and there is a tiny bit of noise when it is focusing.

As long as there is no problem with pictures it produces, then I wouldn't worry at all.

Cheers!

Thanks for the positive feedback Antonio!

I wish I had the time to get the 100mm macro on, but I really didn't want to miss the chance to get a shot of him.

I forgot to mention the image has been cropped but not heavily.

John,

I shoot RAW and small jpeg. The image I attached was PP from Raw, I was pretty impressed as that was at 200mm hand held and the lens has no IS. I am still learning the camera and I was anxious as this little guy didn't sit still (i chased it around for 10mins before being able to get a shot of it).

Thanks for the advice!

Hey everyone after MUCH reading, pondering and confusion, I finally purchased a 40D, 60mm f/2.8, 17-85mm,

70-200mm f/4L USM and other assorted goodies.

I am having a blast with this camera. I went to a local conservation area yesterday and took a bunch of shots and

I came away with some pretty good stuff.

I still have to play around with the levels inside the camera as the pictures are coming out a bit soft (I am PP

in DPP and it sure helps) but I would prefer to get the shots straight out of the camera with as little PP as

possible.

I will post some pictures as soon as I figure out how to do it :)

Mike<div></div>

I honestly just about lost it when I found out!

You are correct in assuming that the 70-200 is f/4. The other is WAY too expensive and I didn't get the IS

because I wanted the macro lens. It just means that I will have to learn to shoot very steady hehe (and use a

good tripod if I am shooting at 200mm).

I like your idea about the 24mm, smaller, lighter and a great lens. It's priced very reasonable as well.

I have been experimenting in AV, and TV mode but I don't want to rely on the "program" modes all the time. I have

been using full manual mode as well and yes it does give you a great idea about exposure etc.

I was a bit perturbed to find that the 17-85 didn't come with a hood that's for sure! I am thinking I may need

one for the macro as well. All things to add to what I have.

I went to staples and got a 160gig external hard drive and a CF reader so that will make life a lot easier

keeping pictures organized.

I am taking my family (14yr old, 3 and 1yr old) to a local conservation area this weekend and it has beautiful

scenery with water falls etc. I am hoping to get some good shots!

Michael,

I got the biggest shock of my life when I went to pick out my equipment. Long story short I thought that I would be getting an XSI and a 17-85mm USM IS, and maybe a macro lens because I LOVE macro (I had budgeted for these).

I didn't know it at the time, but a very close family member (who was with my cousin and I) paid for all my equipment. I ended up with a 40D, a 17-85mm USM IS, a 60mm f/2.8 macro USM, and a 70-200 f/fL USM.

This is more then I EVER expected. The person who "financed" it knows of my love for photography and wanted me to have good equipment (also this person may not be with us much longer). I am tremendously thankful for their generosity and you can bet I will be putting it to very good use.

Well I am going to Vistek tomorrow morning and I will let you all know what I end up with.

I have looked and looked (at the reviews of lenses) and I am going to take a good long look at the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, and the 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, and non IS. I will also look at the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS.

Orlando thanks for the info on the lenses.

Well I have decided to try before I buy. I will stick with Canon as I am going to be shooting with my cousin and

she will be teaching me (and she shoots with a 5D) so I can use her lenses as well.

I rented a Canon XTI (they didn't have an XSI) with a 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM Zoom Lens, a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

USM Zoom Lens , and a 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens to play with until Tuesday when I have to take it back.

The nice thing with renting is that the price of the rental goes towards the purchase of the camera (of course I

have to buy a camera that day). But at least I can get a good feel for the camera and get an idea of the lenses.

I am looking at the XSI for now as I really don't think I need the 40D. There is a great rebate program on the

40D when you buy it with a kit lens, but I don't think I will use the kit lens so therefor it wouldn't be as good

of a deal.

I have had a little time at my In Laws (they have beautiful gardens) to play with the 100mm Macro lens and WOW

it's awesome!!!

The 24-105 L lens is a beautiful piece. I am also looking at a 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens. I rented to the 28-135mm to

see the difference between that and the 24-105mm, it's a nice lens but you can really tell the difference in

build between the two when you compare them one after another.

Michael, having good quality pictures right out of the camera is important to me as I am still learning Photo

Shop and I would rather spend the time composing the picture in the camera rather then spending a lot of time

post processing. I am really enjoying using the rental XTI and I think the XSI will work out very well for me, we

will see.

Well the 20D deal fell through as the seller is in Italy and I am not interested in making a purchase internationally.

Michael, fantastic shots LOVE the macro!

You make a good point in the fact of the camera being more portable. I love to take nature shots, having a smaller camera would make a lot of sense, plus if I were to get a high quality lens then at least the optics won't go out of date :)

I really like the idea of the Nikon for their 18-200 VR lens, I think that would be a great starter lens. For Canon the 24-105 "L" lens is really nice but pricy.

As i mentioned in my last post, I am going to go to Vistek with my Cousin and I will try the XSI, D80, 40D and the 200D again and see which one I am really comfortable with.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

No it is not a fascination of "big things".

My cousin has gracefully offered to take me under her wing and if she is able to secure me a good deal on better equipment that will allow me to "future proof" myself, then I would be silly not to take advantage of it don't you agree?

I am not about having the best so that I can show off or be better then anyone else. I want to be able to get a complete set-up that will last me.

I know I have done a complete about face but I didn't expect to be able to purchase higher end equipment.

I have been interested in photography for a long time and I know I still have a lot to learn but I do feel that something in the range of the 40D or similar is not beyond me.

As a final thought and please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the 40D and D300 made for serious enthusiasts or semi-pro's?

Renato,

I appreciate what you are saying. Nothing is written in stone as of yet.

We will have to see what happens over the weekend, I am not at the point of being able to afford "L" lenses, and

I think the D300 with a good lens(s) is going to be out of my price range.

I still have yet to hold a D300 but I would like to it out this weekend as well. As I am in a different price

bracket, I will have to look at other bodies as well, and see which one appeals to me.

Cheers!

Well things have changed in a large way.

After I spoke to my cousin who is a pro photographer, she did indeed suggest to get better glass. BUT she wasn't harping at all, she is a wonderful lady.

As it turns out, I now am able to significantly increase my budget for a camera.

As my cousin shoots Canon, and has some very good connections, I am now looking to get a EOS 40D. I am not sure what lens(s) at this time as we are supposed to go shopping on the weekend.

I am VERY excited!!!

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Michael, again I have to thank you for all valuable your input. I was able to find a FA 28-105 f/3.2-4.5 lens for a very good price and at this time I think with that lens, and everything else, I will be all set.

Andrew, thank you very much for the lens reviews they are great!

Yvon and everyone else, I really appreciate your input, it has really helped me out.

I will update you as to what I decide!

UPDATE...

I can now get this kit for $500!!! I honestly think at $500 I really shouldn't pass this up.

BUT...

Another kit I am looking at is a Canon 20D with 3 lenses for $800

Canon EOS 20D (8.2 Megapixel) along with the BG-E2 Vertical Grip/Battery Holder (fits 20D and 30D), two BP-511A

batteries (with one charger), one Lexar 2 GB Professional Compact Flash Card, and three lenses:

EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus (with EW-73B Lens Hood)

EF-S 60 mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus + UV Filter

EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Autofocus + UV Filter

The indecision continues!!!! :)

Michael,

WOW that is very impressive to say the least!

Let me ask you this, (without opening up another can of worms). Would it be advantageous for me to go with the K200D? I can get it for $630 tax's included (new).What is your opinion of the lens that comes with it?

Michael,

You are absolutely correct in saying the more you go into it the more there is to learn, we never truly stop learning do we.

I am not worried about the MP at all, honestly 6mp is more then enough especially when you look at some of the cameras in particular the Sony A300 and A350. The 300 actually performs better because the 350 tries to cram the extra MP's onto the sensor.

I completely understand what you mean about the pro's and the way they think, Of course I would like the best of the best but heck, I don't have ten's of thousands of dollars to spend and it would be an absolute waste of money if I did.

Anybody can take a picture but honestly not everyone can take a great picture. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if the photographer loves what they shoot, the who cares what anybody else thinks right? There is so much more involved in taking a picture then people realize, but in the end as I said before, if you like it and are happy with it, then that is all that counts.

My understanding is this, the only way somebody will really see the difference (in a higher end camera) is if they really know what they are looking for. The vast majority of us look at a picture and let our emotions take over, how does the picture make us feel, what do we like about it etc.

Thanks again Michael for all the help in this, I really appreciate it.

Just to make things more confusing, I went to Henry's on the way home to get a feel again for the different camera's and they now have a deal on the Canon Rebel XSI. It is now $829.99 with a 18-55mm kit lens but they are also including an extra battery, UV filter and bag... TEMPTING to say the least.

I am going to be speaking to my 2nd cousin on Friday as she is a professional photographer and see what she thinks of my options.

Again to everyone, THANK YOU very much for taking the time to offer your opinions. Please feel free to add comments as I am open to any constructive criticism!

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your input.

Being that I am not going to print anything larger then 8X10 with the glass that is included, would I still get

acceptable prints?

Nobody that will be looking at the shots are pro's (just friends and family). I just want to make absolutely sure

that if I get an older body, will it be enough to allow me to grow and as I get more proficient with the camera,

and I won't have to upgrade in the next year or so (body not lenses).

I am honestly no as concerned about all the bells and whistles at this time, just a good quality body and then a

good lens as time goes on. I am having a hard time finding the Pentax SMCP-FA 28-105mm here in Canada, anyone

have suggestions?

Thanks!!!