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

Thanks for saying such a lovely thing, Hack. If you have any issues with the 7D, just D-mail me. Some of the default settings are, she we say, questionable.

You are welcome Hack.

Hi Hack. No, treat it the same. I've always used the different focus points for composition wherever possible and I like that the 7D has more of them.

Margaret, a question. You said you use the different focus points for composition. Does that mean, say, you have a dragonfly darting around, you can point the camera at it and get a pic?

Hack

Hack, in that sort of situation, I'd use the central focus point. With a fast-moving subject I'd find it impossible to maintain focus using one of the points on the perimeter and even if I was able to maintain focus, there's a strong chance that part of the subject would then be out of the fame, so no, for flight shots, I'd nearly always use the central focus point.

Understood Margaret, I tend to use center focus point all the time.

I hope it's ok to tack mine on. I am not ready for a SLR, so got one with a super long zoom. Canon PowerShot sx40 HS. OK, you all have seen my good and bad, but I hope to improve as I have the patience. For birds, my favorite setting is the 8 high quality shots a second. I've gotten a few take offs that turned out nice. The drawback to it is you cannot change things like ISO and such, so the lighting needs to be right.

I did purchase the "hood" today for sunny outdoor pictures. Do any of you use one of these and do you think it makes a difference for the better?

Nutsaboutnature, you mentioned having a hard time finding this thread, have you found this page?
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/mywatcher.php
I hope it works for you. I have it bookmarked, but you need to be logged in first, otherwise it takes you to the homepage. It shows all the threads you have responded to and you can remove any you don't care to follow any more.

Chilly, a lens hood serves to exclude extraneous light, so yes, it's a good idea. I use one all the time, no matter what lens I'm using.

Chilly, I use a lens hood on all my lenses. Like Margaret said, it exclude extraneous light.

And it will also protect the lens. However, my first line of defense in lens glass protection, is a UV filter. I have one screwed onto all my lenses. I'd much rather scratch a filter than the lens' glass.

Hack

Well, I almost cried to loss my two babies, the ones I cut my teeth on, but I sold my two 40D's and bought another 7D. Where I had two 40D's, I now have two 7D's.

I'll mount the 400 L Prime lens on one and the 70-300 L lens on the other. I figure the les time I spend changing lenses, the less dirt will get in the system.

I was fortunate to get the 7D on eBay for 935.00 - I couldn't believe it. It is supposed to be in perfect working condition, we'll see. There were only two total bidders, I think folks weren't able to find the auction. My two 40D's almost paid for it, so I'm happy.

Hack

Thanks Chilly, but I wasn't having trouble finding It. I actually have this thread saved so it's easy to find. When Hack was having trouble finding it and I gave him the link, I mentioned that it was in the Bird Watching Forum, not the Camera Forum and said that I sometimes used to forget that fact. He said he's done the same thing.

I stay logged in on DG all the time. It's much easier that way. That way my watched threads come right up. The only time I have to re-sign in is after I've cleared my browser.

This message was edited Jul 28, 2012 9:39 PM

Mrs_Ed,

My 40D's have been sold, they're gone. What I have now are the two 7D's.

Hack

Bump

Bumping this thread to ask Chillybean how the canon sx40 is doing. It is on my short list to replace the oly 560.

Thank you beclu727 for the latest bump on the thread. I've a request for my fellow birders. I wanna take better pictures of my birds and flowers--and ready to upgrade my camera. I've eyed Vicki's camera and lens....with much anticipation. Whoa, I am really wishing upon the stars. Any input is welcomed.
Thanks.

Kim, what are you using at present?

Margaret, I've the Cannon Powershot SX30 IS. It's nice a light weight. But the quality of the pics. doesn't compare to my DH's smartphone's built in 8 megapixels IMHO.

Just looked at my old d-mails and found Chilly had already answered my question! Duh...

Kim, maybe look at the Sony NEX 7. It has a full frame sensor and a range of interchangeable lenses. From what I've read, the standard kit lens is pretty poor quality, but the 18-200 LE lens is pretty good and would let you get closer to your backyard birds than you can at present. It's pricey for a non-DSLR camera, but the reviews are pretty good. I'm seriously considering to get one for an upcoming trip. Dunno. Have a look on B & H's website.

Oh thank you Margaret for the info. on the Sony NEX 7. I'll study some more. Merry Christmas everyone.

Wooohooo, Santa visited late as a result I now can update my camera. A brand new Canon 7D package plus the 70-300mm lense. I'll have to do alot of reading before I take the equipments out of the boxes. The Canon power shot will be my everyday use, with the new 7D back up on special occassions. I thank all who shared information on selecting the new camera. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Happy birding to all.

Wow, Kim, that's wonderful. You are indeed spoilt - and so you should be.

Just a tip. When I first got my 7D, I was bitterly disappointed in it. All the images were soft. I felt sick. Then I adjusted some of the default setting and the issues were resolved. I'll email you within the next day or two with what I made changes to.

I'll be anxious to hear how you like that lens. I was not thrilled with mine, mostly because it just could not get the reach I wanted.

I'm really thrilled with the new opportunity to learn new skills. Thank you Margaret for being my mentor, I'm pleased to know that those issues were resolved. I'm looking forward to learn more from your personal experience, thank you for sharing. Marna, maybe what Margaret has to share could benefit the both of us? Vicki, how do you find the Canon 70-300mm lense with image stabilization? I will likely finding myself practice on the lense that comes with the camera, a 28-135mm before I proceed with the 70-300mm one.

Thank you Mrs. Ed for updating my camera equip. I took a few test shots with the new camera, and I'm in for a real treat! I'll explore my 70-300 mm lens today at the nearby Eagle's nest. I think they must be busy building/rebuilding their nest at present.

oh, and one tip from me. this is for video. Don't forget to turn off IS when taking video, or you'll hear a clicking.

Mrs Ed, did you provide Lily love with the settings I had issues with?

Thanks Mrs. Ed. Didn't try any video--but I'll remember to turn the image stabilization off when I do. I couldn't locate the Eagles. Here are some of the practice shots.

Hmmm, it seemed the 2nd pic. is overexposed? Hi Margaret.

No Margaret, I didn't. I"ll look for that link.

Kim, the following is what I did, which vastly improved the quality of images from my 7D.

Click on the menu button on the left side of the LCD screen on the camera body.

Now toggle over to the second to last icon along the top of the LCD screen, which looks like a little camera, and then scroll down to C.FnIII: Autofocus/Drive.

Press the "Set" button,which is in the centre of the large wheel on the right rear of the camera. This will open that particular function.

Use the outer ring of the big wheel to move over to number 6 in a line of 13 sub-functions.

Now use the "set" button, which will highlight either "Disable", "Enable" or "Register" as you again move the outer ring of the big wheel (if you think you're lost at this stage, don't worry, just carry on). Move over to Register and then click the Set button again. When you click the Set button this time, the highlighted, orange rectangle will move to the first of five thingys below.

Click on the first one and click Set, and if it isn't already ticked, then click the Set button so that a tick appears (some are pre-set at the factory but I can't remember which ones). Then once again click Set, which will take you to the next one. Tick this and then click the other in turn so that all five thingys are ticked, then click Apply, which will then take you automatically back to Enable. That's all you need to do.

I hope that helps :)

Hi Margaret, I'll follow your instruction and let you know if I'm suceed at that. Many thanks.

Thanks for posting that Margaret, I could not find the link with the instructions.

Margaret, I got to here, and do not see the 13 subfunction icon?

Hi Marna, thank you for trying to look up the link.

Looks like there is also a firmware upgrade for those of you who purchased a while ago.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_7d/#DriversAndSoftware

Okay, I think this might have been the link.
http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/2009/12/setting-up-your-new-canon-7d/

Kim, that looks entirely different to the functions available on my 7D. I have a string of them that go right across the screen.

Thanks to both Mrs. Ed and Margaret for guiding me on this maze. Hah, I just down load the Canon accompanying software manual, hopefully I'll make head or tail, or somewhere therein. lol

I'll keep you posted how I do a day after tomorrow? Tormorrow will be a busy day... Also, I'm trying to arrange car pool with a good neighbor for a photography class locally. Hope the neighbor will join me, she's thinking things over. Will hear from her soon.

At the meantime, I won't sweat over the small issues. Thank again Mrs Ed and Margaret.