I got this today

[Saul]

A brand new Eos Canon Rebel T1i 500D and its totally amazing!

[DavidW]

Cool beans.   I just use a cheap point and shoot Kodak so I wouldn't know if that's good or not!   You'll have to show off your mad photography skills with some snappies.

[Saul]

Cool beans.   I just use a cheap point and shoot Kodak so I wouldn't know if that's good or not!   You'll have to show off your mad photography skills with some snappies.

LOL, i'll try...

[Gurn Blanston]

That's a beauty, Saul. That's the way I want to go; I had an SLR (Nikon F3) back in the days of film, and I miss being able to do things with my current point-and-shoot that I could do easily with my SLR.



----------------
Now playing:
Amsterdam Mozart Players - K 320d 364 Sinfonia Concertante in Eb for Violin & Viola (en scordatura) 1st mvmt - Allegro maestoso

[Saul]

Thank you Gurn,

The Camera is totally amazing, its on a different level all together including within it some really great features. Its unbelievably light and easy to use.
This is the real kick, besides the fact that it has amazing high Photo Resolution, 15.1 MP, It also has HD video 1080, and that is just great.

I recommend this camera to anyone who wants to take great photographs and HD videos.

Here's a short review of this masterpiece:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Z1A3wwePJXA&feature=related

[Saul]

Here are some Samples of what this baby can do...

I went out after work and took some pictures:

http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30ki5s

http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30khb8

http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30kgmz

http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30kfxi

More will come...

[SonicMan46]

Saul - my son has that camera (or an earlier version) and loves it! 

Like Gurn, I use to be a serious SLR camera buff in the old film days - different camera bodies, multiple lenses, tripods, flashes, and the other needed accessories, but gave/sold all when the digital era happened - sad for me!

Now I want to travel light (so many DAMN electronic devices to bring along on a trip now) - have two digital cameras (neither SLR) - a nice but bulky Canon and a Panasonic Lumix, the latter a recent purchase, w/ a case that just fits into my pocket and takes good enough pics to load onto the web.

Hard these days to decide what one needs - good luck w/ your new TOY!  Dave   

[Benji]

I'm jealous. That said, I've had the 350 for 4 years now but i'm very happy - I figure that more megapixels and such won't improve my creativity or skill just make even bigger files to archive :p

I am finally getting to the point where I feel confident with my skill with the 350, but there's still so much to learn. It's never ending and I love it.

I really like the 3rd picture, Saul. The rest are a bit burnt out and the colour is off, but it is so far off I imagine it's intentional, right? Woodland photography is hard with the harsh light coming through the canopy throwing the sensor off, it's actually one of the most challenging conditions to face.

If you're interested take a look at my flickr photostream. I think there's a definite improvement since the beginning!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benofbagend/

[Saul]

Saul - my son has that camera (or an earlier version) and loves it! 

Like Gurn, I use to be a serious SLR camera buff in the old film days - different camera bodies, multiple lenses, tripods, flashes, and the other needed accessories, but gave/sold all when the digital era happened - sad for me!

Now I want to travel light (so many DAMN electronic devices to bring along on a trip now) - have two digital cameras (neither SLR) - a nice but bulky Canon and a Panasonic Lumix, the latter a recent purchase, w/ a case that just fits into my pocket and takes good enough pics to load onto the web.

Hard these days to decide what one needs - good luck w/ your new TOY!  Dave   

Great to hear from you Sonicman and Thanks! 

[Szykneij]

I'm a big fan of Canon and will likely go with that company when I get my next camera.

I'm most interested in a camera that's good for sports action because I take pictures at all of my son's sporting events.  How does the Eos Canon Rebel T1i 500D perform when taking action shots at a distance? Does it focus fairly quickly and is the optical view finder accurate at maximum zoom level?

The only drawback I can see to this camera is the rechargeable battery. I find it much more convenient to pack a box of AA's (although I know it's not as green).

[Saul]

I'm jealous. That said, I've had the 350 for 4 years now but i'm very happy - I figure that more megapixels and such won't improve my creativity or skill just make even bigger files to archive :p

I am finally getting to the point where I feel confident with my skill with the 350, but there's still so much to learn. It's never ending and I love it.

I really like the 3rd picture, Saul. The rest are a bit burnt out and the colour is off, but it is so far off I imagine it's intentional, right? Woodland photography is hard with the harsh light coming through the canopy throwing the sensor off, it's actually one of the most challenging conditions to face.

If you're interested take a look at my flickr photostream. I think there's a definite improvement since the beginning!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benofbagend/

Hey Ben very nice stream!
I'm particulary interested to know how you took this image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benofbagend/4772931594/

And yes the other 2 are photomanipulated, (At the park is natural not manipulated) but not because they had bad lighting, but because I like to fool around with my photoshop to create interesting uniqe images like these  :
http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30kldy
http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30kmpo
http://musicalpaintings.deviantart.com/#/d30kou4

[Saul]

I'm a big fan of Canon and will likely go with that company when I get my next camera.

I'm most interested in a camera that's good for sports action because I take pictures at all of my son's sporting events.  How does the Eos Canon Rebel T1i 500D perform when taking action shots at a distance? Does it focus fairly quickly and is the optical view finder accurate at maximum zoom level?

The only drawback I can see to this camera is the rechargeable battery. I find it much more convenient to pack a box of AA's (although I know it's not as green).

Yes, get the Canon! 

This should answer your question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlIAbujPCA

[Benji]

I'm a big fan of Canon and will likely go with that company when I get my next camera.

I'm most interested in a camera that's good for sports action because I take pictures at all of my son's sporting events.  How does the Eos Canon Rebel T1i 500D perform when taking action shots at a distance? Does it focus fairly quickly and is the optical view finder accurate at maximum zoom level?

The only drawback I can see to this camera is the rechargeable battery. I find it much more convenient to pack a box of AA's (although I know it's not as green).

I think for any kind of action shot the lens is the most important consideration. Fact is that the kit lenses with Canon cameras suck unfortunately. If action is the major priority for you I would recommend getting a base unit only and purchase a decent medium telephoto zoom. I have a Sigma 70-300mm that was inexpensive and i've taken some decent action shots with it. Put it on AI Servo mode and it will automatically switch focus to keep up with whatever you're following. But it's an old lens and doesn't have  an image stabiliser (usually indicated by IS after the model number), so you might consider the Canon 55-200mm IS. Also, the 55mm end of the lens will cover you for some level of closer photos (close as in you can get a family shot if they're like 5 or so metres away!).

To cover yourself for all bases, close up and zoom you could maybe get a solid all rounder like the Sigma 18-200 (about $350). 18mm is enough to get reasonable landscape shots and 200mm zoom is plenty of zoom really.

[Benji]

Hey Ben very nice stream!
I'm particulary interested to know how you took this image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benofbagend/4772931594/

Thank you kindly! Ah that was a tripod and long exposure (well 1.6 seconds!) job. From the RAW file I took 4 exposures to get a HDR composite. I'm going to do it again though - I'm not very happy as I can see some tone compression artefacts now i'm looking again.   

[Szykneij]

Yes, get the Canon! 

This should answer your question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlIAbujPCA

Thanks for that! Very informative video.

I think for any kind of action shot the lens is the most important consideration. Fact is that the kit lenses with Canon cameras suck unfortunately. If action is the major priority for you I would recommend getting a base unit only and purchase a decent medium telephoto zoom. I have a Sigma 70-300mm that was inexpensive and i've taken some decent action shots with it. Put it on AI Servo mode and it will automatically switch focus to keep up with whatever you're following. But it's an old lens and doesn't have  an image stabiliser (usually indicated by IS after the model number), so you might consider the Canon 55-200mm IS. Also, the 55mm end of the lens will cover you for some level of closer photos (close as in you can get a family shot if they're like 5 or so metres away!).

To cover yourself for all bases, close up and zoom you could maybe get a solid all rounder like the Sigma 18-200 (about $350). 18mm is enough to get reasonable landscape shots and 200mm zoom is plenty of zoom really.

Great info. Thanks! The importance of the lens is mentioned at the end of the video, too, especially when dealing with indoor and under-the-lights situations. I'll definitely take a look at the Sigma 18-200.

[Saul]

I think for any kind of action shot the lens is the most important consideration. Fact is that the kit lenses with Canon cameras suck unfortunately. If action is the major priority for you I would recommend getting a base unit only and purchase a decent medium telephoto zoom. I have a Sigma 70-300mm that was inexpensive and i've taken some decent action shots with it. Put it on AI Servo mode and it will automatically switch focus to keep up with whatever you're following. But it's an old lens and doesn't have  an image stabiliser (usually indicated by IS after the model number), so you might consider the Canon 55-200mm IS. Also, the 55mm end of the lens will cover you for some level of closer photos (close as in you can get a family shot if they're like 5 or so metres away!).

To cover yourself for all bases, close up and zoom you could maybe get a solid all rounder like the Sigma 18-200 (about $350). 18mm is enough to get reasonable landscape shots and 200mm zoom is plenty of zoom really.

Good advice, I'm also planning to get the Canon 55-200mm IS in the near future. Actually I was offered by the Salesman to get it together with the 18/55 mm lens, but I decided to push that for a later date.

[Benji]

Thanks for that! Very informative video.



Great info. Thanks! The importance of the lens is mentioned at the end of the video, too, especially when dealing with indoor and under-the-lights situations. I'll definitely take a look at the Sigma 18-200.

I should mention that you can get close up photos with a telephoto zoom... they just have to be quite far away and the lens zoomed in. It is very good for portraiture in fact - the longer focal distance makes the proportions very honest, compared to any kind of wider angled lens, which can distort features. It's just not very intimate when your subject is 20 feet away! 

[Benji]

Good advice, I'm also planning to get the Canon 55-200mm IS in the near future. Actually I was offered by the Salesman to get it together with the 18/55 mm lens, but I decided to push that for a later date.

Yeah I have seen the 55-200mm being bundled with a body. It's the 18-55 mm that sucks. I didn't know better 4 years ago and got the 18-55mm kit and in fairness it's certainly leaps ahead in the photos you can get with most compacts.

However in the last year i've replaced it with a 50mm prime lens (absolutely awesome lens - I got the leopard photo on my stream with that - so so happy at how sharp that came out) and a Sigma 10-20mm super wide angle for landscapes. That was a big big investment for me, but I love it - it too is pin sharp.

[Saul]

Thank you kindly! Ah that was a tripod and long exposure (well 1.6 seconds!) job. From the RAW file I took 4 exposures to get a HDR composite. I'm going to do it again though - I'm not very happy as I can see some tone compression artefacts now i'm looking again. 

Thank you Benji!

Here's a detailed explanation:

http://www.dtgeeks.com/journals/article/hdr_imaging_explained/

[Saul]

Yeah I have seen the 55-200mm being bundled with a body. It's the 18-55 mm that sucks. I didn't know better 4 years ago and got the 18-55mm kit and in fairness it's certainly leaps ahead in the photos you can get with most compacts.

However in the last year i've replaced it with a 50mm prime lens (absolutely awesome lens - I got the leopard photo on my stream with that - so so happy at how sharp that came out) and a Sigma 10-20mm super wide angle for landscapes. That was a big big investment for me, but I love it - it too is pin sharp.

Yes it was bundled, but after spending a little over $800 , I decided to get the other things that I want to get gradually. I also heard some people complain that the T1i is a bit pricy, it may be so, but I think its worth the money, especially if you love photography, I know I do.

I also want to get this mounted Flash by Canon:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/616667-USA/Canon_3806B002.html