[Sticky] Digital Camera FAQ

227,076 Views | 3079 Replies | Last: 11 yr ago by Ag CPA
Aggie Q
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:54p, 1/12/12
First of all... the 50mm f/1.4 that you have is a real nice lens. If you ever upgrade to a full-frame camera you'll notice that it is a lot wider than on your cropped 60D, and that will probably fix your problem.

Onto that problem, I'm still a bit confused. Is it:

A) There are times that you are too close to your subject that you can't get all of it/them into the shot?

or

B) You are so close to the subject that it won't focus (for the 50mm f/1.4 that is like less than 20 inches)

If your problem is (A) then you want a wider lens. The Tamron mentioned above is nice. You might also want to check out the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 which is in the same price range but is a prime lens with the same aperture as your 50mm. If you want to just be super close, like RIGHT THERE and still have everyone in the shot, you might want this Tokina which is a bit more. Of course if your budget is significantly higher I'd recommend the Canon 16-35L, or the 24-70L. They would compliment your current lens lineup pretty well.

If, however, your problem is (B) then you're looking for a Macro lens. See Guitarsoup's rec's above.
Reply Quote
ashleyschaeffer
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:04p, 1/17/12


[This message has been edited by ashleyschaeffer (edited 9/29/2012 10:15p).]
Reply Quote
Mucho austin
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:04a, 1/18/12
just bought the Nikon 85mm 1.4.

extrememly nice lens. Lots of light, great for portaits.
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:04p, 1/19/12
Just wrote a quick little blog on using strobes to balance with natural light to create better portraits
http://thomascampbellphoto.com/how-to/using-strobes-instead-of-natural-light/
Reply Quote
Aggie Q
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:30a, 1/24/12
5D III coming early February perhaps?

http://www.canonrumors.com/
Reply Quote
Rule Number 32
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:42a, 1/25/12
I'm in need for a decent tripod. Any suggestions? Budget: probably ~$50 but could stretch if something nice is a little higher
Reply Quote
Rule Number 32
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:59a, 1/27/12
http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-Professional-Tripod-Adjustable-Pistol/dp/B003SQEAY0/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327669139&sr=1-5

I was thinking about getting this tripod. Anyone have any other suggestions? I know it is a little bit heavy but I figure if I buy a cheap one, I'll just end up buying another one after that one breaks.
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:09a, 1/27/12
What camera and lens combination are you going to use? Cheaping out on a tripod will get you a real piece of junk. You really need something that can handle the weight, and if it can't it will move around or vibrate on you, ruining your shots.

What are you trying to do?
Reply Quote
Aggie Q
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:18a, 1/27/12
Agreed... if you would bump your budget up to $150-$200 then you have opened yourself up to getting a highly rated 'entry' tripod on B&H and couple it with a nice head


(sort the link below by "most reviews" to give you a good idea)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_REVIEWS%7C1&ci=8159&N=4294204162&srtclk=sort
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:20a, 1/27/12
FWIW: I suggest Manfroto/Bogen (I think everything is under the Manfroto name now), Gitzo (probably beyond expensive for you) and Giottos.
Reply Quote
Rule Number 32
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:19a, 1/27/12
I ended up with a T3i with the 18-135mm being the heaviest lens right now. I dont really have any plans for a bigger lens for a little while but I am sure I'll end up getting a 70-300mm eventually. Right now I just have the 18-135 and the 50mm 1.8. I'll take a look at that link and see what I can find. I could probably stretch to 150 but I doubt I could do 200 for a tripod right now.

Thanks for the input.
Reply Quote
Seven11
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:44a, 1/27/12
May want to read this regarding cheap tripods...

http://bythom.com/support.htm
Reply Quote
agracer
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:38p, 1/27/12
quote:
May want to read this regarding cheap tripods...

The only real issue with Thom's post on tripods is, he kind of assumes we aspire to be pro-level shooters someday.

So unless you're going to get deep into the hobby, and in, it's your ONLY hobby, then take his advice. Other wise, for 90% of the rest of us, and good quality tri-pod for ~$200 will do the job fine.
Reply Quote
Aggie Q
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:01p, 1/27/12
I guess it goes back to Guitarsoup's questions. If you're going to be reaching out 100 yards outdoors then you'll probably want a steady, top-notch, tripod. However, if you just want something sturdy enough to shoot a descent macro or a portrait, or anything inside there's really no reason to spend $1000 on a stand; especially if your camera and lenses are not even $1000 total.
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:34p, 1/27/12
Macro shots actually require a steadier tripod than a landscape shot.

And really the only reason to get a tripod is if you are doing extended time photography (really dragging the shutter), doing night photography, doing long exposures or doing macro.

I have a really nice tripod that I have used maybe a dozen times. It just takes up space in my photography closet.
Reply Quote
Build It
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:20p, 1/29/12
OK I am lazy and don't want to read all the pages again. Somewhere on this thread Guitarsoup indicated where he buys his 16MB superfast CF cards online. Anyone know where?
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:24p, 1/29/12
Here is a link to the 16GIG and 32GIG cards I use.
Reply Quote
Build It
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:26p, 1/29/12
As usual "you the man"!
Thanks, the new 7D needs a faster card.

Reply Quote
Post removed:
by user
9:23a, 1/30/12
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:35a, 1/30/12
I've never heard of that. You might need to clean the contacts where the chips meet on the lens and camera. Doing that can go a long way.
Reply Quote
Post removed:
by user
9:57a, 1/30/12
agracer
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:55a, 1/31/12
Sounds like maybe it's not getting locked onto the camera some how. Like the lens mount on your camera body is not aligned correctly or "loose"
Reply Quote
Post removed:
by user
7:58a, 1/31/12
agracer
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:58p, 2/7/12
Nikon announced the D4 and D800 in the last month.

Wow, 36mP...can't imagine having to deal with that.
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:16p, 2/7/12
It is nice to see Nikon coming out to support the hard drive manufacturers like that with all the floods in Thailand.
Reply Quote
Mucho austin
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:26p, 2/7/12
I'm just not all that impressed with what I'm reading about the d800. Maybe if I had one in hand it might be different.
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:38p, 2/7/12
Check out Cliff Mautner's photos with the D800.
Reply Quote
Mucho austin
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:15p, 2/7/12
Okay. That is what I needed to see. Just reading what it does does not help, but seeing it does. Especially when he is using the same lenses I have.
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:48p, 2/7/12
75MB RAW files. That will kill your processor in no time.
Reply Quote
agracer
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:34a, 2/8/12
No only is Nikon supporting the HDD manu. in Thialand, they completely rebuilt their own production facilities in less than a year and are now back at full production of all their products - not to mention tooling for the new D4 and D800. THAT is impressive.
Reply Quote
agracer
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:51a, 2/8/12
quote:
Check out Cliff Mautner's photos with the D800.

Reply Quote
Mucho austin
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:29a, 2/8/12
Well that wedding looked like it was fun.
Reply Quote
labmansid
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:45a, 2/8/12
Looks like it does produce some incredible file sizes!!
Reply Quote
Smokedraw01
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:10a, 2/8/12
I'm looking to pick up a flash unit for my Canon camera. Recommendations? Third party?
Reply Quote
Guitarsoup
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:20a, 2/8/12
If you are going to use it on camera, get a 430 EX II or 580EX II. If you are going to use it off camera, get a Lumopro LP160.
Reply Quote
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.