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Archive for February, 2010
Shooting Settings Display
When I first held my camera, I held it as if it was something fragile and precious. I slowly turned the camera around as I looked at all the buttons and dials which had no meaning to me what so ever.
I turned the camera on… holding the shutter button halfway down (I had to read that in the manual) by doing so your settings will light up on your display. hmmm I wondered how am I ever going to learn all of this. I looked at the screen not even one of the letters or numbers had meaning to me.
I just want to let you know it didn’t take long before I knew what they all meant. Mastering them and understanding them not there yet…
Always feel free to email me questions as you learn how to use your camera. If I know the answer I will help in any way I can. If I don’t know the answer I will see what I can find out since i will most likely need the same question answered. I just want to talk about cameras…
Working with light – Dark background.
Working with light – Dark background.
The more I try to understand how light plays a role in photography. The less I seem to understand! For every step taken forward 20 new questions arise that I hadn’t thought of before.
Any amazing picture you see be it someone sitting down or in motion, to an apple on top of the table. There is always the question of light. How did someone get the light to be just right!
On my first attempt I had the guitar laying down on a black sheet on the kitchen table. But I wasn’t liking how flat the picture looked or the fact that you could tell the guitar was laying on a sheet on the kitchen table.
After taking quite a few photos at different angels. I thought back to all the flower pictures I had taken. To get that dark black background I needed distance between the guitar and the background. So I moved the guitar to a guitar stand and set up the sheet about 5 feet behind the guitar. Turned all the lights off except for the one hand held spot light. This next photo was the best photo I had to show what the set up was.
My husband and I worked on this for 2 hours after the kids went to bed one night. We both had lots of ideas as we tried different light sources. It sure is nice working with someone on a project like this. Someone to bounce ideas off of and listen to suggestions.
Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec
f /1.8
ISO 800
Lens: Canon 50mm 1.8
No Flash
Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8
I have been looking for an new affordable lens. I always look to Canon for additional lenses, but found out you don’t have to stick with just Canon. I own a Canon 18-55mm f/3.5 – 5.6 the problem is I don’t like using the flash on my Canon very bright and annoying I feel. Especially when you’re in a small room. I want use only natural light so I have been thinking about getting a new lens. The Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras is the one am checking out.
Amazon has it listed for $626.01 + free shipping. There is a Rebate Offer: Receive $25 from Tamron with this mail-in rebate. Offer valid through April 30. which would make the Amazon price $601.01 right now. B&Hphoto is $624.00 after using the same mail-in rebate for Tamron.
Here is the official product description:
Tamron’s new SP AF 17-50mm F/ 2.8 acts RDI II VC covers the heavily used 17-50 MM focal distance range (angle of view equivalent of 26-78 MM when converted to the full frame format) making it an extremely versatile, high performance zoom lens. Achieving sharpness and striking contrast, the lens produces beautiful images that are enhanced by the shallow depth of field afforded by the maximum aperture F/2.8 and enriches the user’s range of photographic expression. The new lenses equipped with Tamron’s proprietary vibration compensation (VC) image stabilization mechanism, which provides more opportunities for handheld photography, such as low light conditions like evening, night scenes and indoors, leading to dramatically enhanced level of photographic freedom. Technical specifications: focal length 17 – 50 MM: format size APS – C: maximum aperture F/2.8; minimum aperture F/ 32; diagonal angle of view 78 degree and 45 minute – 31 degree and 11 minute; lens construction 19 elements, 14 groups; minimum focusing distance 11.4-Inch (0.29m); maximum magnification ratio 1:4 0.8; filter diameter 72 mm; overall length 3.7 inches maximum diameter 3.13 inches; weight 20.15oz. 570g; diaphragm blades-seven; standard accessory flower shaped lens hood; Canon mount.
Technical Description:
- Compact Fast Zoom with VC (Vibration Compensation).
- Fast Constant F/2.8 Aperture.
- For use on APS-C size DSLR cameras.
- 11.4-Inch minimum focusing distance / 1: 4.8 Maximum magnification ratio.
- Internal Focusing.
Setting the AF Point
When you are in the basic zone mode your AF points will all be active. The camera will decide what it thinks your subject is, and the camera is pretty good at doing this.
If you have your camera set on any of the creative zone <P>, <TV>, <AV>, and <M> you will have a say as to where you want to focus. The camera has 9 individual focus points you can use individually or separately.
Press the on the top right – backside of your camera use the dial on the top to change your AF Point. If all the red lights are on – automatic AF point selection will be set. By turning the dial you can select the individual AF point that flashes in red. Press the shutter halfway down to focus, and click.
Just Released – Canon PowerShot SX210 IS
Just released by Canon on February 8th, 2010 the new Canon PowerShot SX210 IS replaces last year’s SX200 IS. This new camera features 14-megapixel sensor and 14x optical zoom, and HD shooting capabilty at 720p with stereo sound.
Canon Powershot SX210 will not be out until March 2010, but you can still pre-order a camera. You can take a look at all the new Canon PowerShots! which are listed at reasonable prices for what is offered.
The Official Product Description for the Canon Powershot SX210:
Decidedly slim and sleekly refined, the PowerShot SX210 IS packs a feature set that reads like a wish list. The 14.1-megapixel CCD joins a 14x 28mm wide-angle zoom for imaging power to spare. Frame your shots in the bright 3.0-inch widescreen PureColor System LCD, with the Low Light mode for sharp images in dimly-lit situations.
It also captures stunning HD movies with Dynamic mode for enhanced image stabilization when shooting movies using wide-angle settings. Capture smooth HD video (720p) with stereo sound for a truly natural, high quality HD experience. The PowerShot SX210 IS not only goes wherever you do, but takes your photography and video to a whole new place, too.
Technical Details:
- Powerful 14x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer; improved Dynamic mode for enhanced image stabilization
- 14.1-megapixel resolution for high-quality prints up to 16.5 x 23.4 inches
- 28mm wide-angle lens; 3.0-inch wide PureColor System LCD
- HD shooting capability at 720p with stereo sound plus HDMI output
- DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; new scene modes
Soft box – testing light
Testing lights for the soft box!
When looking at this image it sure looks like there is enough light in the box, but really there isn’t. There were too many shadows going on inside the box. If you missed my first step how I made my first DIY soft box you can check that out – DIY soft box.
The light fixture I went in search of were not these, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for in town. After going to Ace, Lowes and Home Depot I found these light fixtures. They were the right price at $7.97 each and can be used with up to 150W. I bought a variety of flouresent bulbs the maximun being 120W flouresent, and tungsten bulbs the maximum being 100w.
The light fixture does have a clamp on bottom which is nice. If I end up purchasing different lights for this project I figure these will come in handy for some other project down the road.
This picture is unedited. Taken using 100w tungsten light bulbs. One on each side of the box and one on top. WB set at Tungsten. Will keep trying…
Canon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto
The Canon EF 2x II is an affordable way to extend your focal length. It mounts between the body of your camera and the your actual lens. It increase your focal length by 2x which is good! But apparently it decreases its effective aperture by two stops. So if you have a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L Lens mounted over a 2x becomes a 140-400mm f/8 lens. At first I was thinking yeah extended focal length bummer about the aperture. But the reviews are still good on the trade off for the price.
See for yourself check out the reviews at Amazon priced at $305.97 + Free Shipping. BhPhoto $309.00 + Free Shipping and NewEgg.com $309.00 + $5.99 shipping (there are some shipping stipulations with that so you might want to read the fine trip, but remember you should always read the fine print before you buy!
Here is the Official Product Description:
This extender has been re-designed optically and offers excellent performance with compatible EF lenses (same as the Extender EF 1.4x II). It features a new seven-element design, and same weather-resistant design and anti-reflection internal construction as the new EF 1.4x II. The EF 2x II doubles the focal length of any lens it’s mounted to, and reduces its effective aperture by two stops. With the EF 2x II, AF is possible with any EOS body if the lens has an f/2.8 or faster maximum aperture, and compatible Image Stabilization lenses maintain the IS feature when used with any current EOS camera.
Technical Details:
- Telephoto extender designed to double Canon EF lens focal length
- Ideal for shooting close-ups from a distance at sporting events
- Weather-resistant and anti-reflective internal construction
- Maintains autofocus with any EOD body with f/2.8 or faster aperture
- Measures 2.8 inches in diameter and 2.3 inches long; weighs 9.3 ounces
Here is a very descriptive video on the Canon EF 2X II Extender:
Image Playback – Magnify View
On the very bottom of the camera just to the right of your LCD screen is the playback button. You can push this button to view the image you just took.
Sometimes you might want to look at the details in the image. You might want to check to see if it was sharp to do this you press the magnify button + sign on the top right of your camera. Of course you can guess that the – sign right next to that will bring you back out again.
WB (White Balance)
WB (White Balance)
K ( Kelvin)
The Canon XSi has a custom white balance that enables you to choose a specific light source for better accuracy. Try them out in different situation.
AWB – Auto White Balance
Daylight (Apporx 5200K)
Shade (Approx. 7000K)
Cloudy (Approx. 6000K)
Tungsten Light (Approx. 3200K)
White Fluorescent light (Approx. 4000)
Flash
Custom
Just Released – Nikon Coolpix P100 10.3MP CMOS Digital Camera
Just released by Nikon on February 2nd, 2010. The new CoolPix P100 is making a series of firsts for Nikon with the debut of CMOS image sensor and High Definition (HD) Movie capabilities in the CoolPix Line. Nikon’s first compact camera to offer full HD movie.
The Nikon Coolpix will not be out until March 2010, but you can pre-order a camera. There are many different cameras to choose from all at reasonable prices for what is offered.
The Official Product Description:
Zoom closer, shoot faster, and do more with Nikon’s Coolpix P100, with its new CMOS sensor, 10.3 effective megapixels and incredible 26x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens. The cameras huge bright 3.0-inch high-resolution HVGA (460k-dot) vari-angle LCD and Electronic Viewfinder makes it easy to compose and share your pictures. Shoot Full HD (1080i) video with stereo sound as well as high-speed 10fps shooting at full resolution.
Nikon’s 5-way VR Image Stabilization System takes incredible pictures, incredibly easy. Nikon’s Smart Portrait System; automatically detects your subjects face, takes a picture when they smile, smooth out skin tones and warns you if they blinked.
Technical Details:
- 10.3 megapixels for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches; backside illumination CMOS sensor
- 26x wide-angle optical zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens
- Bright 3.0-inch vari-angle high resolution HVGA Clear Color Display
- Full 1080p HD movie recording at 30fps; HDMI output
- 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Smart Portrait System
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