railphotog

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<p>My really pocketable Canon PowerShot N is my favorite, me being a 50+ year amateur. Fits in a shirt pocket, has a swivel screen and oddball rings around the lens for zooming, focusing and shooting. It has an LED flash, but I seldom use it as it seems to work great with available light. It has WiFi but I've never gotten around how to use it. Uses a micro SD card, can shoot regular video as well as slow mo.<br> My other non pocketable point and shoot is a Canon SX50HS, use it more than my DSLR. Super IS 50X zoom, 12.1MP, manual and auto modes, accepts Canon flashes, etc.</p>

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<p>I've used Windows Movie Maker that came with my computer to make several animated slide shows. It has several different ways to present stills, fade from one to the next one, fade while moving around, etc. It has the ability to add music although I've only used a few tunes that come with the program. Free is a good price!</p> <p> </p>

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<p>Is the developed film totally clear or solid black? If it's clear, then the film was not exposed, it probably did not go through the camera, wasn't loaded properly. If it is all black, then it was overexposed, which could be a lens problem, but I doubt it.</p> <p> </p>

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<p>I got an M model last year, from a promotion on Canon Canada's mailing list for refurbished models. At $279.00 I thought I was getting quite a bargain. It is indeed a nice camera, and I got a aftermarket EOS and FD adapters on eBay. It hasn't actually been used much at all, slow to focus in low light using the LCD, and with either of the adapters it can be fairly heavy. The lack of much of a grip on the camera meant most of the weight is on a small area on the right side of the camera. I did get an aluminum auxiliary grip that makes holding it better, but it too adds weight to such a small camera. So it will probably sit in its bag not being used most of the time.</p> <p>The M3 does sound a lot better, but is way beyond what I ever would pay for one. <br> </p>

<p>We have a gazebo in our backyard and my wife has planted some beebalm flowers about 8-10 feet away. Hummers like these flowers, which have multiple funnel like structures they feed on. The birds typically work their way around the flower, allowing for multiple chances to take their photo.</p> <p>I've tried using my DSLR and 75-300mm IS lens to shoot the birds, but is too tricky, can't use autofocus as the birds move too quickly. I've had limited success using manual focus, but its mostly a matter of luck pressing the shutter exactly when the bird is in focus. I've also used my flash in high speed mode (Canon 430EX) which works pretty good, but is too slow in recharging, meaning I lose a lot of shots.</p> <p>This year I've had better luck using my Canon SX30IS and later a newer SX50HS superzoom camera. I set it on high speed shutter, which will continue to shoot as long as I hold the shutter button down. When a bird approaches the flower, I focus on the flower an blast away, using 1/640th shutter speed at ISO 800. I don't focus too close, taking in an area around the flower to give me more room to follow it. Many shots aren't very good, but I have plenty to pick from. Got quite a few decent shots this summer, all the while sitting in the gazebo nice and comfortably.</p>

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Post photos of bees at work.<div></div>

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<p>Several years ago I thought about the cameras I had sold or traded in on newer ones over the years, and how it would be nice to have them again. I found a Canon AE-1 on a local online site and brought it for very little. This more or less went on and on, as I found other cameras that I once owned. I actually thought about taking some photos with a few, but remembering the hassle and current state of film developing, I gave up on that idea. </p> <p>I've managed to acquire the AE-1 (black), AE-1 Program, A-1, FTb(black), T90, A2E, Elan IIe, as well as several that I did not own in the past because they were either so cheap or came with others that I bought. For the A series models, I found Power Winders A and A2, and Motor Drive MA for the A-1. Other goodies include a data back for the A series, and a Canon Right Angle Finder A. Also a decent assortment of Canon FD lenses. All in my collection, gathering dust on the shelves! </p>

<p>I have the same units, branded Phottix. The transmitter takes a 12 volt LR23A battery; I think it's also known as a Type N battery. These batteries are also often used in garage door transmitters and dog shock collars. The one that came with my unit didn't last very long, so I keep both batteries removed when they are not in use. You do need a screwdriver to open the transmitter, which I found odd. I ordered a handful of batteries on eBay, as they were around $10.00 locally.</p>

<p>Yes, they come with a one year warranty.</p>

<p>I just received a refurbished Canon SX50HS from Canon Canada. It was featured in their newsletter I received last week, for $197, with free shipping (it was $450 when new locally). This is the third refurb I've bought this way, the others were a Canon EOS M and an SX500, mostly because of the great prices. They all came in plain brown boxes, with all of the items normally packed with new models. Cords, straps and lens caps came in sealed plastic bags. There is absolutely no way to tell these cameras are not brand new. No scuffs or other marks, dust, etc.<br> <br />My question is: What is the story on such refurbs? Don't think they could be customer returns or ones that have been repaired as they were all so pristine. The first photo I took on the EOS M was numbered 33, the SX50HS it was number 8. So somewhere along the line the shutters were indeed tripped. I'm just curious about the refurbs. Since they are listing them for sale on their newsletters, I assume there are probably a decent number of them available.</p> <p>Thanks!</p>