[Sticky] Digital Camera FAQ

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3rdGenAg06
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8:36p, 3/7/11
My experience, with replies and additional details on page 56 of this thread.

quote:
Clearly something is wrong with my hot shoe which disappoints me with KEH since I bought it in "excellent" condition, meaning all things function correctly. Since I didn't have a flash during the first 2 weeks (or whatever the brief return period was) I was unable to try it out. I think I'll write a letter to KEH and plead my case, but I doubt they'll be willing to do anything.

I guess that leaves me with the option of sending it in for repairs. I was told Houston Camera Exchange does repairs in house. Thoughts on this? I believe I heard people suggest sending it in to Canon instead. I'm hoping it's something simple with the hot shoe that could be done in house to avoid the shipping expenses but who knows.


Everything about it is/was great other than the hot shoe, which I didn't realize had a problem until I finally got an external flash. Just an FYI.
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Guitarsoup
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9:28p, 3/7/11
My new baby (Cell phone pic)

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3rdGenAg06
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8:43a, 3/8/11
1.2, wow. I was reading that it's primarily an awesome portrait lens and am curious what you used prior to this purchase
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Guitarsoup
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9:04a, 3/8/11
Depends on the need.

My lens lineup now:
Primes:
14mm 2.8L II
24mm 1.4L II
35mm 2.0
85mm 1.2L II
85mm 1.8
135mm 2.0L
150mm 2.8 Macro (Sigma)
300mm 2.8L IS
400mm 5.6L
Zooms:
16-35mm 2.8L II
17-40mm 4.0L
24-70mm 2.8L
24-105mm 4.0L IS
70-200mm 2.8L (I have both IS and non-IS)

I use my 135L for portraits a lot, but also used my 24-105L and 70-200L. But the 135L is too long for a lot of applications.

I'm fairly certain that these are with the 24-105L on the 5D2.


Either the 24-105 or the 70-200 - I know those are the only two lenses I took that day.

I also love the 135 for candids because I can be so far away.

Next lens to buy will be the 35mm 1.4. I also may sell off my zooms. I really don't use them with the exception of the 70-200.
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Goose
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9:13a, 3/8/11
Newegg's Mardi Gras sale is currently offering:

Canon G12 for $425 after instant savings and promo code EMCKGKB77.


Canon EOS Rebel T2i w/ EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens $985 Promo code EMCKGKB78

Not sure when the sale ends, but those seem like decent prices.
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jaggiemaggie
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9:30a, 3/8/11
Order the 40d on KEH last night. Per Guitarsoup's suggestion, we were going to wait to save up for it instead of buying the 30d but my impulsive personality couldn't wait...Now I need recommendation on lenses. Main use of camera for the time being will be to take some decent vacation pictures and more importantly on top of our list is pictures with our 15 year old Golden retriever since her health is starting to deteriorate (really the main reaason camera couldn't wait). Will the 50mm 1.8 work or is there any lens that's in the $200 range that would be better suited for what we want to do?
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Guitarsoup
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10:39a, 3/8/11
The 50mm 1.8 is your best bet for cheap performance.

After that, save up for the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 or 17-50mm 2.8, depending on the style you are looking for.
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gazelle01
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8:57a, 3/10/11
GS or other Houston area people:

I was at a Jane Goodall talk the other night with my girlfriend and was supposed to take her picture with Goodall at the book signing, but ended up dropping her camera and screwed it up. Oops! It's just a point-and-shoot and nothing awesome, I'd like to just buy her a new camera but she wants to just get it fixed. She lives in the Houston area (Cypress, actually) and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions for a camera repair shop that could get the job done. The lens stays open and you can hear the motor churning trying to shut it, but it stays open. Even if you take the batteries out and put them back in, it won't shut. Perhaps it's permanently damaged but I'd like to take it in somewhere that could give us an idea if it's worth fixing before going through with it.

Thanks!
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Guitarsoup
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9:19a, 3/10/11
Professional Camera Repair just inside the loop on Richmond. If they can't fix it, they will let you know. It will probably be a better use of your money to buy something new.
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gazelle01
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10:35a, 3/10/11
Thanks, GS! I figured it'd be better to buy a new one anyway, but we'll see what they say and she may need to hear that from the store rather than me.
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gazelle01
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4:00p, 3/10/11
You were right, GS. I called your recommended place and they said it'd likely be over $200 to fix that and it'd be better off to just replace. So I ordered her a Panasonix Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP camera for $200 on Amazon and it will arrive at her place tomorrow.
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Josepi
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7:54a, 3/11/11
I bought a 40D from them in EX condition, and I could barely tell it had been used. I didn't have a box or an instruction manual, but the camera itself was in nearly perfect condition.
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Hoyt Ag
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10:36a, 3/12/11
If anyone needs a 52mm UV filter, I have an extra I have no use for. you can email me at hoyt.ag.tx at gmail.com
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gazelle01
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1:53p, 3/16/11
Hey gang, I have a quick question about exposure bias as I'm trying to improve upon my understanding of photography. I understand bumping up or down the EV a bit to darken or lighten the exposure. If I look at people's EXIF data, I understand what it means when they say +1 or -1/3, etc., but can't figure out what it means when somebody says their exposure was 0/10 EV. On my camera, I can increase or decrease exposure by 1/3 stop, but does this mean some better cameras can increase or decrease by 1/10 a stop or is 0/10 EV the equivalent of 0 EV? Just curious because it's confusing to me.

Thanks!
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Guitarsoup
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1:01a, 3/17/11
I haven't ever seen that. The only way I can think of off hand to go 1/10th stop is with digital strobes like my Elinchroms. They adjust in 1/10th stop.
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Guitarsoup
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12:15p, 3/17/11
Found a good deal and caved in and got the 35mm 1.4L.

Also bought the ThinkTank Streetwalker HardDrive backpack. Love it. I am going to do a bag review soon and show how I use these bags and the points I like about them.
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rachag03
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12:20p, 3/17/11
I'll be looking forward to your bag review! I only have a little one, and I have majorly outgrown it. I'm not sure exactly what kind of bag I need since the three things I mostly shoot are so different, so I'd be interested to see what you like about your different bags!
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Guitarsoup
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12:28p, 3/17/11
My main bag is a Think Tank Airport Security V2.0.

I am going to Europe this summer, and the AirportSecurity is too big for carry on. So I wanted to get something smaller, but also something I could carry on my back.

I am planning on packing:
5D2+grip
7D+grip
14L II
35L
45 Tilt-Shift
85L II
24-105L
580EX II
300 2.8L IS
15" MBP.

I think I will be able to fit all that in the StreetWalker. I may have to leave out one lens or take the grips off the bodies.
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Seven11
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12:53p, 3/17/11
quote:
Hey gang, I have a quick question about exposure bias as I'm trying to improve upon my understanding of photography. I understand bumping up or down the EV a bit to darken or lighten the exposure. If I look at people's EXIF data, I understand what it means when they say +1 or -1/3, etc., but can't figure out what it means when somebody says their exposure was 0/10 EV. On my camera, I can increase or decrease exposure by 1/3 stop, but does this mean some better cameras can increase or decrease by 1/10 a stop or is 0/10 EV the equivalent of 0 EV? Just curious because it's confusing to me.


They might have been referring to exposure value, which is an absolute measurement of exposure (vs. exposure compensation, which is relative). An EV = 0 is equivalent to a photo taken at ISO 100, f/1, for 1 second. Stop down to f/1.4, you would get EV = 1, or increase ISO to 200 and you would go to EV = -1. Low numbers mean there is not much light available (2-3 and below), while high numbers mean there is a lot of light. Sunny 16 is around EV = 14.5. Not sure what the /10 means, as there is no defined range.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_value
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rachag03
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12:57p, 3/17/11
I like the look of the Streetwalker...I was thinking backpack style might be my best bet. I don't have that many lenses, but when I'm going to a birth I have two bodies and all four of my lenses along with my flash and all my other miscellaneous junk, so it's too much for the little Tamrac bag I've had since I got my Rebel years ago! Newborn shoots and outdoor shoots I don't have to carry as much gear, but I still think a backpack would work in those situations. The Streetwalker still might be a little big for me, but I like the style.
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Guitarsoup
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1:25p, 3/17/11
Do you set up lights for your birth photography?

I can fit three Manfrotto Nano Light Stands in my Think Tank Airport Security bag.

For a wedding, I will carry:
4 Speedlights
3 light stands
2 gripped bodies
24L
45 TS-E
85L
135L
24-105L
150 Macro
70-200 2.8L
EL Skyport set
Tons of batteries and cards.

I can get all that in an Airport Security. I'm a fan of having a big bag that does everything you need, then having more specialized bags for other things.

[This message has been edited by Guitarsoup (edited 3/17/2011 12:26p).]
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rachag03
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4:58p, 3/17/11
Nope, no lights...I don't even use a flash at births so I don't distract the laboring mom. I do sometimes carry my one Bee to a newborn session, but as soon as I get the insurance and homeowners approval I'm going to start having newborn clients come to the studio room I have in the front of my house. I'm tired of hauling all the stuff I need for newborns to people's houses! So the only things I'd need to put in my bag is all of my camera gear.
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Goose
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5:40p, 3/17/11
have you ever done any work photographing "conception"...if you know what I mean?
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Fly Army 97
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9:51p, 3/17/11
Error 99 help.

Canon 20D with a Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens. Error only comes one when I zoom out to darn near 75. When I put the stock Canon lens on, it does not happen. Any help?
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Hoyt Ag
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11:43p, 3/17/11
Any opinions on Crumpler bags? Coworker is selling his Sinking Barge Backpack for $75 and I think it is pretty well made and will hold my gear.

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Guitarsoup
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2:28p, 3/18/11
quote:
Any opinions on Crumpler bags?

I only buy Think Tank bags. I do not have any sort of endorsement with them, but I am open to the possibility

quote:
Error 99 help.

Fly - not sure why that is happening. The Err99 is the generic "something is wrong" error. Not sure why that is happening.

Or my dad's solution: "dont zoom out all the way"


FYI: You can stream free photography lessons on http://www.creativelive.com/live

The next three days, they are doing portrait and wedding posing and lighting.

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rachag03
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3:41p, 3/18/11
Fly, have you tried cleaning the contacts on your lens? Sometimes the contacts get dirty and you get the Err99 message. Most people recommend using an alcohol wipe to clean them. You can try a mircrofiber cloth first and see if that takes care of it.

Goose...um, no. I don't do pron thank you very much.
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khkman22
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1:02p, 3/19/11
Guitarsoup, can you put the names of your recommended repair shops in the original post to help save on some search time? I saw Professional Camera Repair in this thread and one other, but I also remember you mentioning something about Houston Camera Exchange somewhere and I couldn't remember if you use both for repairs, and if so, which one you prefer.

I realize you may only know of ones in Houston, but I was able to call PCR from out of town and have them give me a suggestion before knowing whether or not I need to call Canon to get it fixed.
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RetiredpostalMarine
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6:11p, 3/19/11
Does anybody own a Canon T2i ? If so, would you recommended it for photos and video? My son uses a Canon Hg 10 for his videos now. Would the T2i be a significant upgrade to that?
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Wildmen03
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6:30p, 3/19/11
I have one. It's great for both. Though I use it for 99% photo though.
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Guitarsoup
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9:25p, 3/19/11
Depends how you want to use it. I have the 5D2 and 7D, so basically the same video system, and I don't think they are very good for the average user. They do very high quality stuff, but You really need to manual focus it and use the back screen.

Really depends what you want to do with it. I'm just now getting into video with these things, but really slowly.
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RetiredpostalMarine
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10:12p, 3/19/11
Thanks !! He would be using it for Music videos both at home and live. We would also use it for photos of him playing and the entire family.

I thought about getting a entry level DSLR for photos and then a FS 200 for video. His HG10 has a HD for storage and when I have tried to use it at gigs the vibrations knock the HD off.
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Guitarsoup
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10:18p, 3/19/11
Oh. And with the DSLRs, you shouldn't film for extended periods of time. The sensor gets too hot.
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RetiredpostalMarine
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10:34a, 3/20/11
I can get a refurbished OLYMPUS E-PL1 for 349.00 and a Canon
VIXIA HF S200 for about 550.00. The two together would be about the same as the T2i.

Guitarsoup, Do you know anything about the Olympus? It has good reviews.
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3rdGenAg06
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10:03a, 3/24/11
^
I know nothing about Olympus but the usual advice around here is to stick with one of the big 2 manufacturers, Canon or Nikon, for the sake of a more diverse, affordable, and readily available selection of lenses. I know at least one person around here loves their Pentax though.



FYI, a good deal on some photography magazine subscriptions -
Popular Photography $3 per year, American Photo $4 per yr, Digital Photo $5 per yr, Outdoor Photographer $5 per year
Not sure if these are any good but figured I'd put it out there.
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