Camera Corner (What Kind of Camera Do You Use, Vol.4)

Yup that was exactly what I thought. lol

Ginger, I'm sorry if I missed your info. It has been busy for work. I'm the only one who can edit the first post. If you post it again, I'll add the info.

The reason for the list is so that we can offer guidance when others have the same camera, or want to buy a new one.

I too care, so Ginger, please post it again. Cuz I want to learn how to make pictures like you do. Promise.

Thanks Marna & DNP for asking.
I will post my Camera details again.

My Camera is a Canon EOS 500D Rebel T1i.
It was the first Digital SLR with Movie capability.
I have two bayonet type lenses.
EFS 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS with Image stabiliser. [Came with the body]
And a EFS 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS. Also stabilised.
The Macro setting works reasonably swell. [best with flash on]
I use the 'Sports mode' for all the in-flight Pictures.
I find the movie great for capturing Bird Calls.
The remote accessory was a total waste of $230.
It does not auto focus.
So if you set it up and sit back waiting for a Bird to appear.
And your Bird is not on the exact spot I pre focused on.
The Picture will be out of focus.
A good Tripod is a much better option. ;-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_500D

I got the Battery Grip BG-E5 accessory. [can be seen on the bottom of camera]
I found I could only take 2,000 Pictures with one onboard battery. [less using flash]
The Battery pack takes standard AA batteries.
And every camper has at least 20 new ones on hand.
When you are Bush Camping, there is no power to recharge Camera/Phone Batteries.

The 500D has a brilliant big play-back screen.
Takes up nearly ½ the back of the Camera.
It does get some fingerprints on it though.
Good for us ½ blind old bastards. ;o(

Thanks for Sharing, Ginger.

Those big LCD screens are indeed great. I see some cameras, The Sony alpha 390 for one, have the tilt LCD screens which I think would also be a HUGE help when shooting video.

Very nice equipments Ginger, thanks. Ahhh, I can start saving, wishing. Marna mine has that tilt screen too, what I like about it is that it folds into place, less chances of scratching the screen. On the other hand, it's a pain when I reach for it in a hurry try to catch a pix in short notice. I'm still exploring my little camera. Like Nan has mentioned it's a steep learning curve, I haven't figured out how to use the camera at its best yet....a long draw out process.

Hi Lily,
Pulling out the screen like you have to is not an issue on a Digital SLR Camera.
The screen is only used for play back.
To capture subject you need to look through the viewfinder.
All DSLR Cameras are auto focus unless you set them on Manual F.
And when Birds are in amongst branches, Cameras will always focus on the first branch.
This is when I use my manual focus.

Thanks Ginger for the tips. I do have the option of manual and/or auto focus with this one. It's said to have built in image stabilizer. The only difficulty I'm facing now is 'continuous mode'. I wanted to shoot many photos at a short span, and I'm having problem with it.

On My Camera there is a 'Sports Mode'.
It's very simple to use.
And it's self focusing while you shoot.

On some DSLRs you can use Live View mode, on mine you can. I don't like to use it much though. My 7D uses the LCD while shooting. I don't much care for that because you have to use manual focus, etc. I just can't see it on the LCD that well. So I might pick up a Zfinder attachment if I ever get serious about the video.

http://www.zacuto.com/z-finder-dslr-viewfinder

Right Burd. But would your opinion be different if it was a picture of a bird?

Actually, he usually takes terriffic bird pictures with that set up. The wasp just happened to fly into the view.

This is another of HIS pictures.

Lily...make sure you have the Image Stabizer turned on. I have yet to use the Continuous Mode yet on mine, but I imagine it just takes practice and getting used to it. I really ought to try it out on mine!

I'm glad you posted that picture because I've read about multiple flash setups but never seen it.

Thank you Nan, I'll try to learn some more....the support staff at BestBuy is pretty cool. They offer to give one on one support on the use of the camera on weekdays (except weekends when they're too busy). I think I may just take up on their offer. One thing I'd like to say, I drool over those professional photos of nature, and hope someday I can reach that skill and financial capability to do it. :)

What I found interesting is that he got such great stop action at 1/250 sec. His aperture was set at f/22.

Dave, he doesn't have to be single. He just might have a wife that REALLY loves him !!!

And, he just might also be an owner of a Corvette. If there is only one Jim Sharp, from Paducah, KY, I saw that he also owns a Corvette.

Are his photos on display anywhere ?

Yep, that's him. And he appears to be more into the 'vettes than into photographing birds.

Here's a link to his site. Not that many photos, really, but some very nice animal shots. He is obviously a serious student of photography.

http://jlss.smugmug.com/

This message was edited Mar 4, 2011 6:05 PM

Hee. some hobbies are more expensive than others.

chris, thank you for the explanation and the detailed link. I learn something new every day.

I have ordered the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens. I have wanted this lens for a long time, but I had to move up in steps due to finances. I am looking forward to it's arrival!

My new lens will be here on Monday!

I have a question... Teleconverters....
Do you feel that one should buy brand specific teleconverters (Canon for me), as opposed to some of the other less expensive brands (Tamron or Sigma)? Is there a big difference? As you know, I have Canon... a T1i... and if purchased, it will be used with the 100-400mm L lens.

Definitely go with the brand specific teleconverter. Even more important if you're going to be using it with a fantastic lens like the 100-400. Canon have recently brought out a next generation 2x teleconverter and the review are that it is far superior to the older one (like I have), so make sure if you're going for a 2x to get the latest. Have fun with the news lens. Looking forward to seeing the results.

Thanks Margaret and Met!

Bump for Hack.

Thanks for the bump, Mrs_Ed.

I have "re-tooled". Some things are gone and some things have been added.

For example, just tonight, online, I bought a 7D (I still have my two 40D's) and earlier I picked up a 70-300 L lens. Tonight, on eBay, I sold the non- L 70-300 lens I had.

The T1i is gone to make room for the 7D.

So much has changed, that I'll have to simply write-up a brand new list of my stuff and d-mail it to you.

Hack

Sounds good Hack. Be sure and tell us how you like the 7D

One of the things that I sometimes forget when looking for this thread is that it's in the Bird Watching forum, not the Camera forum.

Me, too, nutsaboutnature, that's where I looked first for it. Glad you knew where it was.

Hack

Mrs_Ed, I just d-mailed you (twice) my up-dated camera equipment list. Please use the 2nd d-mail, there was a spelling error in the first one.

Hey MargaretK, aren't you shooting with a D7 now? Do you still use your 40D?

Hack

Hi Hack. Yes, I've had the 7D for a few months. I have kept the 40D and will use it if I need two cameras going at the one time (doesn't everyone?). The 40D was, and is, a lovely camera. I think you'll notice a huge difference with the burst speed on the 7D.

Margaret, It was partly the sharpness of your pics that convinced me to get a 7D, I looked at a Mark 5 for a little while, but decided on the 7D.

Hack

Thanks, Mrs_Ed for up-dating my camera data.

Hack