[Sticky] Digital Camera FAQ

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Fly Army 97
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2:08p, 1/20/11
I've been tinkering with the idea of getting a zoom lens that has a decent wide angle. Looking at this Sigma 28-300/3.5-6.3. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800747327-USE/Sigma_795101_28_300mm_f_3_5_6_3_DG_IF.html#ReviewHeader

I use a 20D and have a Tamron 28-75/2.8-, but I'm also going to France this Spring and want one lens I can use for a few occasions without breaking the bank for a zoom lens that opens to 2.8. Would this be a decent buy to learn how take distance pictures of people and landscape?

I understand there is no image stab., but I am taking a tri pod leg thing. Thoughts?
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Guitarsoup
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2:27p, 1/20/11
I would pass. The image quality you would get from that would be pretty poor.

There really isn't a cheap way to do something well in photography. I pretty much don't recommend any variable aperture lens from any manufacturer. The Canon 100-400 is an exception. If you can afford that (or to rent it!)

How long will you go?

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/telephoto
Check the
Canon 100-400
Canon 28-300 (white lens)
Canon 70-300 (white lens)

http://www.borrowlenses.com/category/canon_telephoto

http://www.rentglass.com/shop.aspx?type=Canon

And dont put a lens in a checked bag [obvious]
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Fly Army 97
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2:33p, 1/20/11
I'll be there for two weeks between UK and France. Thanks for the info. I guess I can't go on the cheap here. Just need to pony up 600 bucks for something decent.
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Guitarsoup
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2:44p, 1/20/11
If you rented for 3 weeks, you'd have it for both and you could figure out if you liked it. A 3-week rental on those lenses will be less than $200.
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Fly Army 97
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2:50p, 1/20/11
Thanks for the info. If you had ~$600 to spend on a zoom lens and were still learning on my equipment, what would you buy?
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Guitarsoup
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3:06p, 1/20/11
I'd probably look for a Sigma or Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 used.

Canon has a 70-300 4-5.6 IS out there for around $550, but I wouldn't be able to say it is great or horrible. In general, I don't trust variable aperture lenses.
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Fly Army 97
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5:01p, 1/20/11
nm

[This message has been edited by Fly Army 97 (edited 1/20/2011 5:55p).]
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3rdGenAg06
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9:20p, 1/20/11
I got the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and although I haven't had much opportunity to use it, I've been very impressed so far.

Question regarding shooting with a zoom:
I remember learning that the more you're zoomed, the faster your shutter speed needs to be. If I was shooting a subject at 70mm that requires 1/500th, would the same subject at 200mm require a faster shutter?
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Guitarsoup
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10:19p, 1/20/11
no. 1/500th is fine. You just want your shutter speed faster than the focal length.

So 1/100 is fine at 70mm but not at 200mm.

This is just to eliminate shake from holding it.
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Karrde
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9:28a, 1/21/11
quote:
no. 1/500th is fine. You just want your shutter speed faster than the focal length.

So 1/100 is fine at 70mm but not at 200mm.

This is just to eliminate shake from holding it.


To expand on what GS said, the 'hand-holding' speed depends on your focal length. The 1/focal length rule gives you an approximation of where you ought to be to prevent hand-shakiness from blurring your photos. (This is before factoring in IS/VR/OS, and it's just a rule of thumb. If you have rock solid hands you can shoot slower, if you shake like a madman, you will have to go faster)

You can still get subject blur though, if your subject is moving. Many times, you need to get your shutter speed faster to freeze action, in which case the necessary speed depends on your subject and not your focal length.
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StringerBell
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9:33a, 1/21/11
got my s95 yesterday.

fun.
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3rdGenAg06
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9:50a, 1/21/11
Got it. Thanks for the tips GS and Karrde!
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agracer
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4:11p, 1/25/11
Fly, where are you going in France? I have the Nikkor 18-200DX/VR lens and when I was on vacation in the Rockies, I hardly used the 200 end. Mostly in the lower end.

If you've got the 28-75, think about getting a teleconverter. 1.4 would make your Tameron a 40-105/F4, and 2.0 would make it a 56-150/F5.6 (think I got that right).

It's not like you're going to want landscape shots to have a shallow DOF anyway so you would not lose much.

Kenko makes a good Tele from what I've read (no personal experience) and they're ~$200.
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Guitarsoup
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4:45p, 1/25/11
I wouldn't put a TC on a wide angle lens. Many won't accept it.
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labmansid
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5:50p, 1/25/11
I second what GS said. TC's are not made to work with wide to normal lenses, and might actually damage one if you tried. I did try it one time as an experiment, being careful not to zoom out too much and risk colliding elements, and the image quality was not good, anyway. Not worth it.
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3rdGenAg06
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6:44p, 1/25/11
Speaking of 1.4x TC's...
What do ya'll recommend for the Sigma 70-200? I see there is a Sigma and a Canon - I assume both would work.
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Smokedraw01
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8:14p, 1/25/11
They need to match. Signs TC for Sigma lenses.
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flintdragon
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4:52p, 1/26/11
Picked up a Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC off Craiglist today. Physically and mechanically appears to be like-new. Got it for a super cheap price of $380 including a UV filter.

I've come to realize that I will never be able to afford a really good Canon lens. I hope I'm not disappointed with this one. I really needed the IS...shaky hands.
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Guitarsoup
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2:38p, 1/28/11
I'm not gonna lie. Pretty much everything here is true. Photojournalists are *******s.

http://bit.ly/ifnwto


[This message has been edited by Guitarsoup (edited 1/28/2011 2:45p).]
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Smokedraw01
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2:56p, 1/28/11
quote:
How many photojournalists does it take to screw in a light bulb?

One…and a hundred others to look on and say “I coulda done that.”


I don't know why but I found this to be hilarious.
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Guitarsoup
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3:18p, 1/28/11
Because it is absolutely true.

"He was lucky he was there for the shot"

Pretty much the same sentiment.
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Naveronski
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6:59p, 1/29/11
What do y'all think of this tripod?

http://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-620-060-6601UT-Quick-Release-Mounting/dp/B00007E8D2/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1296347603&sr=1-2

My current one was free, and works about as well as a free one can be expected.

I need to get a new tripod with fully functioning legs, and something that will hold up/doesn't suck.
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Guitarsoup
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7:01p, 1/29/11
That's not going to last or be steady. It is plastic.

Get something that is steel or aluminium.

Bogen/Mangrotto have the lowest cost ones of good quality.
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Josepi
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3:11p, 1/30/11
I want you guys opinions on a wide angle lens for my D40.

I am comparing the Tokina 11-16mm with the Sigma 8-16mm.

From everything I have read, the Tokina is the Cadillac of wide lenses. Everyone says that their quality is top notch. They are hard to find, but I can wait if they are that good.

I am also intrigued by the Sigma 8-16mm. While the quality of the Sigma is not as good, I am really intrigued by the 8mm. With my 1.6 sensor, that ends up being 12.8mm vs the Tokina 17.6mm. That is quite a difference.

Do you guys think that the extra width is worth it? The Sigma is $100 more, and it doesn't get the raving reviews (although the reviews are still good) of the Tokina, but the extra 5mm is pretty significant.

Thoughts?
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labmansid
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12:21a, 1/31/11
Naveronski, I would at least double or triple what that one costs and get a good Velbon or Slik metal tripod. A Bogen/Manfrotto like GS recommends would be better, if you can fit it into your budget. I have an old 25-30 year old Velbon that I still use on occasion, even if only to mount a remote flash to or take on trips in my luggage. I have seen used ones in camera shops for very reasonable, like $15-25. It really depends on what you will be using on it and how serious you are. Or, you could follow Thom Hogan's advice.

Josepi, I don't have any experience with either of those lenses. I have the Canon 10-22mm, and I have not really seen an instance where going wider than 10mm would have been necessary, although I don't do a ton of work using wide angles. I can see where it could be an advantage at times, and cool to play with. Both the Sigma and the Tokina get pretty good reviews on Photozone. It sorta boils down to if you think the extra 3mm would be important to what you intend to do picturewise.

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Naveronski
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12:37a, 1/31/11
Guitar, Lab: Thanks for the ideas. I'd like to get one of the really nice ones, but I can't justify that cost.

Thom Hogan's advice is nice, but $1000... heh.

I am fully open to used, as long as they function fine. Where do y'all look for used stuffs? Any reputable places in B/CS?
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Smokedraw01
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6:07a, 1/31/11
Try using the TexasPhotoForum.com.
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labmansid
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7:31a, 1/31/11
I picked up a couple of used tripods for holding flashes at Houston Camera Exchange, on Richmond in Houston. You could call them or Precision Camera in Austin and see if they have any, if you ever go that way for other reasons.
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Wildmen03
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12:23p, 1/31/11
Picked up a t2i this past weekend, and I was using an ADATA SDHC card, It's labeled a class 6 turbo. I tried shooting some HD video with it and the camera kept stopping. I know it's because the write speed isn't fast enough on the card. Should I go ahead and pick up a Sandisk extreme/ultra II or something similar?
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Guitarsoup
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12:26p, 1/31/11
Check the speeds. SD cards are generally slower than CF cards. For video, 300x or higher speed is recommended. Not sure a lot of SD cards get that high.
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agracer
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12:26p, 1/31/11
The Kenko Pro 300 1.4 will work with the Tamron 28-75/2.8 and not collide.

quote:
and I was using an ADATA SDHC card

Buy name brand cards. Check the manual for approved brands. I've heard lots of people having trouble with off brand cards.

I was able to shoot a few minutes of HD video on an old Class2 SanDisk SD card on my D7000. I picked up a Kingston 16GB Class 6 the day after I got it b/c I wanted more space but also ordered a 8GB Class 6 SanDisk for the 2nd slot since it's "on the list" (which is now the video slot since I'm really not going to shoot a lot of video). Both work fine. Get rid of the ADATA card. It's probably not really the speed it says it is.

[This message has been edited by agracer (edited 1/31/2011 12:43p).]
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Wildmen03
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12:34p, 1/31/11
quote:
For video, 300x or higher speed is recommended.
The PNY I was looking at was 133x. but most cards only have a rating of **MB/s or show a class. It looks like I'll just look for an extreme or Ultra III on sale (or a more modestly priced brand) I've got an old 2gb Ultra II that's in there right now that seems to handle the video OK.
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labmansid
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6:06p, 1/31/11
Agracer gives good advice about off brand cards, try to avoid them. I tried a Ridata card a few years ago, which gave me nothing but problems. Ended up with an RMA back to newegg. I have been using a Transcend 32G 400x card in my 7D which seems to work fine. They can be quite a bit cheaper than the Sandisk or Lexars, and get good reviews. I have played with video on it a little, nothing more than a few seconds, and it seems to handle it. Shot this video a few days ago. I was just playing around with the video feature, and it didn't quite "end" the way I had planned.

Bald Eagle video
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dave99ag
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8:51a, 2/1/11
Nice squirt at the end of the video, Sid.

I need to join up with you sometime when you shoot wildlife. I always enjoy shooting wildlife and wouldn't mind seeing how you shoot them.
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Guitarsoup
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3:12p, 2/1/11
Awesome Eagle poop video
I've still never seen a bald eagle, except in the zoo.

Got my new toy today:


Gonna go outside and play
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