$800 Camera budget

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11048503#post11048503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Poppy828
I hear ya. Guess I have some reading to do and a bigger budget to obtain.

Its the same way with reefkeeping, you ease them into it...now you've taken the first step, wait a month, then you get the bigger skimmer, then better lights, next thing you know shes ok with that aussie acan

 

[Poppy828]

Exactly. We'll see if the camera works the same. It doesn't have the pretty colors like the corals though. Might be a more difficult task.

 

[MCary]

The price of Flash cards has dropped alot. I believe we just bought some at Cosco 2 GB for less than $20.

You can take really good pictures with the kit. Learn you camera and photography techniques before worrying about more glass if your on a budget. You won't be disappointed.

Mike

 

[Poppy828]

Well I recieved the Camera today. Charged the Battery and took a couple pics here in the office. Man do we have a lot to learn with this one. I can see that the standard lens will not do what we want at the races. Just not enough of a lens to get clear shots distance wise unless there are some settings that I need to learn first?

All in all, should be a fun toy to learn.

 

[dendronepthya]

For long distance stuff, you'll want a telephoto lens. There is a really good 70-200mm canon L zoom lens that you might want to consider. I don't know how the light is where you shoot, but if you don't need a 2.8 speed lens, the 4.0 speed 70-200mm L is considered a good bargain.

 

[Poppy828]

Cool. Thanks for the heads up. I will look into it.

 

[fivewhyn]

what camera did you get?

 

[Poppy828]

XTi

 

[fivewhyn]

so prob came with a 28-40 4.5-5.6 lens.

It is obiously not going to reach with the races. You can:

A: get a longer lens (70-200 should do it, i'd say stay with canon lenses and don't go with Tamron or anouther 3d party, they are not built as well as the Canon lenses)

B: Shoot it at the highest possible resolution on. If you have RAW great if not JPG FINE setting. Then go home and crop the images to the subject. you may not get the 11x14 you want for your wall out of it but can still make some nice 5x7s as long as its not cropped in too much.

 

[MCary]

Some "best bang for the buck" lenses.

Telephoto:

Canon 70-200 f/4 L
Canon 400 f/5.6 L

Portrait and low light:

Canon 85 mm f/1.8

Standard Prime:

Canon 50mm f/1.8

Stuff:

Tamron 1.4 Teleconverters
Opteka Battery grips

These are quality buys for bargain hunters.

Mike

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11057533#post11057533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCary
Some "best bang for the buck" lenses.
Canon 70-200 f/4 L

Yup - The non-IS version is probably the best bargain in Canon's entire "L" line. I just sold mine, however, in favor of a new 100-400.

 

[Poppy828]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11052394#post11052394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fivewhyn
so prob came with a 28-40 4.5-5.6 lens.

It is obiously not going to reach with the races. You can:

A: get a longer lens (70-200 should do it, i'd say stay with canon lenses and don't go with Tamron or anouther 3d party, they are not built as well as the Canon lenses)

B: Shoot it at the highest possible resolution on. If you have RAW great if not JPG FINE setting. Then go home and crop the images to the subject. you may not get the 11x14 you want for your wall out of it but can still make some nice 5x7s as long as its not cropped in too much.

It came with the 18-55mm 4.5-5.6. Not a bad lens, but not what I need for the races as mentioned.

I did look at the 70-200 and liked it. Just need to find it cheaply.

 

[Poppy828]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11057533#post11057533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCary
Some "best bang for the buck" lenses.

Telephoto:

Canon 70-200 f/4 L
Canon 400 f/5.6 L

Portrait and low light:

Canon 85 mm f/1.8

Standard Prime:

Canon 50mm f/1.8

Stuff:

Tamron 1.4 Teleconverters
Opteka Battery grips

These are quality buys for bargain hunters.

Mike

Guess I have a lot of research to do still then.

 

[mcliffy2]

Check out the Tamron 18-250 for an everyday lens. I really like mine. The Zoom is awesome.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/4110/lens-test-tamron-18-250mm-f35-63-di-ii-macro.html

Here is an album I took on a very overcast day on the Chicago Architecture Tour. It was about the worst photography conditions you could imagine, but I think some still came out pretty well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcliffy2/ChicagoArchitectureTour

Here are a couple examples, that show you the zoom capability:

 

[fivewhyn]

actually over cast days are better then sunny days photography wise. No harsh highlights or shadows. =)

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11059246#post11059246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fivewhyn
actually over cast days are better then sunny days photography wise. No harsh highlights or shadows. =)

no color either and the white sky seemed to wash everything out - any tips for dealing with that?

 

[BlueCorn]

When skies are washed out and white I generally try to leave them out of the composition. When you've got hazy, cloudy skies it's like shooting in a studio with a "soft box." That's the perfect time for flowers, foliage or moving water shots. In full sun those types of shots have too much contrast for the camera sensor and look harsh.

 

[fivewhyn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11061442#post11061442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
no color either and the white sky seemed to wash everything out - any tips for dealing with that?

basically underexpose everything slightly then just turn up the contrast in post editing and brighten it a little bit.

or if you have a tripod take one exposure for the sky and one for everything else. then put them together in post. this can be a little tricky if your not good at photoshop. but this can add a whole new dimension to your photographs

 

[MCary]

Trying to get great photos in bad lighting is quite a challenge. Thats why the serious photographers try to be at the right place at the right time. That method is much easier than trying to manipulate the shot in post or figure out a camera setting for the mid day sun.

 

[lat0403]

Does the XTi body come with built in IS? I know the XT doesn't.