#42. Meaning of life!

I sold my 28mm f/2.8 today. VERY sad to see it go, but I want to purchase a 30mm 1.4.

Right now, all I have is the Tamron 28-300 and the Canon 50mm 1.8. It'll do until I find a 30mm on craigslist!

#41. Weekend DIYs.

I got my MacBook Pro back from Apple this weekend, and decided to do a few DIYs with the large box and foam inserts.

The 1st DIY is a Purse Camera bag.



Description:
"I've always wanted to make a purse into a camera bag, but didn't have the right materials. When my mac was shipped to my house after repair, it came with 2 giant sheets of foam and 1 smaller sheet.

It fits my 60D with a 28-300mm lens, 2 prime lenses, memory cards, spare battery, body cap, and cleaning cloth. (I'll make another video of the 60D with a prime on, and the tamron on the side. It all still fits.)

Now instead of lugging a big rectangular camera bag (that looks like a picnic cooler...), I can carry my camera stylishly! The foam is about an inch thick, so it'll withstand a beating."

The 2nd DIY is a Fig Rig.



Description:
"I made a Fig Rig from the same Mac shipment box used in the purse DIY.

The harder foam that came with the packaging had handles, and it was perfect for a steady cam rig! I cut out the shape on the cardboard box, cut them out, and secured it to both sides of the rig to make it more rigid. The rig is taller than it is wide, which makes it great for low to the ground shots as well; walking, skateboarding, etc.

I used my tripod quick release place to keep the camera on the rig. (I added 2 cardboard walls on each side so the camera wouldn't fall off.
That rig worked great with my prime lenses, but with my zoom lens, the camera kept falling forward.

The Tamron 28-300 is heavier than the 50mm. I used a shoe box lid as a base so that the camera wouldn't fall forward. I tried string first, and that failed miserably.
The shoe box lid works like a charm!

Here's a vid test of the rig. The handheld shot of this would have been too shaky to watch in full screen HD.

I added a mic cable pouch on the left. If I ever get a Rode video mic and LED video light, they would mount on the top."


The last thing made from a box was a panning rig. Nothing special, but it worked a lot better than rolling the car and then trying to get a panning shot manually. That was an epic fail...
Here's the panning rig:

#40. "External Flash attached"

I used a hotshoe speedlite last night. This morning, my 60D's flash refused to pop up because "an external flash is attached".

After attaching and detaching the speedlite and trying again, it still refused to pop up.

I fixed the situation after a bit of googling!
All you need is a needle.

Apparently the 60D has been having this problem.

#39. Photography Rut?

Just read a great article about being in a photography creative rut. It's by Scott Bourne, and it's called "Nine Motivational Essays on Photography". Here are some excerpts.

"Rethink what you are photographing. Stop shooting ANYTHING that doesn’t excite you. Shoot only things that interest you."

"Look at some of your older photos - the older the better. Start by asking yourself how you could improve them today. What new tools or techniques do you have access to today that would change the result?"

I looked back on some photos from May, and re-processed some shots from the Grand Canyon. Here's a cropped comparison of PP from May vs August:

Sharpened, added more fill light, color corrected.

Check out the full article here.

#38. Getting a new lens

Because I sold off my 75-300, I'm looking for another lens that can get me over 100mm at least. I don't think I need a stalker lens any time soon. I currently only have 3 lenses. 18-55 kit, 50mm, 28mm.

Here's a super helpful lens discussion from the Picture Social forum. Check them out HERE.

There are two main categories of lenses:

Prime lenses or fixed focal lenses (no zoom e.g. 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, etc.)

- Zoom lenses - versatile lenses that can change their focal length (e.g. 55-200mm, 70-200mm, etc.).

- Prime Lenses have the following main characteristics:

-convey a better image quality;
-know to be sharper!? (this is relative)
-are smaller and lighter;
-faster (better light-gathering ability-larger maximum apertures)
-have a better light-gathering ability, being recommended for both low-light and fasCam shutter speeds, ideal for sports / theatre / events photography;
-can achieve shallower depth of field;
-are simpler in terms of construction;
-are cheaper;
-make you more proactive;
-are less versatile;

The popular focal lengths: 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 80mm, 105mm, 135mm, 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, 600mm.

1.Zoom Lenses have the following main characteristics:

-portability;
-are great when covering an event while unable to move around at will;
-ideal for photographing groups of people indoors;
-entails speed when adjusted to framing;
-instant capability to get a tighter shot when the moment dictates so;
-easier to achieve a variety of compositions or perspectives (since lens changes are not necessary);
-using a zoom lens does not necessarily mean that one no longer has to change their position - zooms just increase the flexibility.

1.Lenses categorised by focal length (a rough guide, actual uses can vary):

FOCAL LENGTH TYPE USE

Less than 21 mm         Extreme Wide Angle         Architecture
21-35 mm                     Wide Angle                        Landscape
35-70 mm                     Normal                               Street & Documentary
70-135 mm                   Medium Telephoto             Portraiture & Event
135-300+ mm               Telephoto                          Sports & Wildlife

Please note that these focal lengths apply only to 35 mm equivalent cameras.

Macro lenses

- specifically designed for macro photography

- have similar properties to normal lenses

- have very high optical quality

- focus distance shorter then other lenses

- can have various focal lengths but long focal lengths a real advantage; come in very handy for taking close-ups of subjects that might otherwise be scared away (start from 100mm if you wish to photograph insects)

You can also consider the extension tubes and Teleconverters

Teleconverters (TC):

Are optical devices which can be attached to the rear of a lens increasing the effective focal length.
The most common are:
- 1.4x (stops down the lens by 1 stop of light);
- 2x (stops down the lens by 2 stops).

How do TC operate:

-work better with fairly long focal lengths and prime lenses;
-do not produce good results while used with short focal length lenses and zoom lenses;
-some TCs can only be used with certain types of lenses (you might need to check when you buy them);
-the autofocus does not operate for all apertures (you need to check your body camera when you buy a TC).

Are Teleconverters worth it?
The answer is yes, as long as you use them (preferably) with a prime lens / long focal length. However, they are not useful with zoom lenses and short focal lengths.

Extension tubes:

-simply moves the lens farther from the sensor;
-does not contain optical elements;
-gives you closer focus (very useful for macro work);
-gives greater magnification;
-stops down the lens (1 or 2 stops);
-those without electrical contacts disconnect the lens from the camera (there is no AF).

Taken from this thread.

#37. I got a 60D!

Upgraded my camera today to a 60D, which fits my needs. Higher ISO, movie mode, SD cards, articulating screen.

It feels a little heavier than the 450D, but not by much.

Love it so far! Need to find some shooting inspiration...


Read an article on FStoppers today and wanted to share this quote from Kimberley French:

"People love to ask if I’m shooting Nikon or Canon, but I say that it doesn’t really matter, it’s the person operating the camera. It’s a tool. Everyone has a computer with word processing software, but not everyone can write an award winning novel. And we never ask them what kind of software or computer they used, do we? When we see photographs that move us, we don’t think about what kind of camera was used, or at least not right away."

#36. CPL filters

So, my family decided that we will be going to the Grand Canyon for vacation this summer, so I'll be there for a week! I bought 2 CPL filters for my 58 and 52mm lenses. It'll saturate my pictures (especially the sky).
Updating my costs...

1st purchase from Ebay (Buy it now - $600 total):
- 450D body & 18-55mm kit lens
- EF 75-300mm no IS
- Lowepro Rezo 180AW


Ebay: 
- Hoya CPL Filter 58mm ($26)

- Hoya CPL Filter 52mm ($29)

B&H:
- Lens cap 58mm ($6)
- Lens string ($3)
- Bag strap for Lowepro Rezo 180AW ($13)

Amazon:
- Reverse Macro ring ($12)
- 40" 5 in 1 reflector ($18)
- 2 Vivitar UV lenses ($12)

Craigslist:
- SB 50DX  ($80)
- EF 50 mm f/1.8 Mk I ($100)
- EF 28mm f/2.8 ($220)

Repairs, etc:
- Focus screen ($75)
- DSLR Workshop class ($44)



I want to cover my costs before upgrading my camera body.

#35. New Lens!!

I bought a 28mm f/2.8 from Craigslist today. It's $260 on Amazon/B&H. I got it for $150. It's not as sharp as my nifty 50, and (clearly) the aperture isn't as wide.
I'll have to play with it more to test it further. While taking outdoor shots, it's not very sharp, and there's Chromatic aberration in bright light.

For $150, it's not too bad of a price if it doesn't work out. I like the wideness of it. It's more like a 50mm on my 450D cropped sensor.

28 x 1.6 = 44.8mm
50 x 1.6 = 80mm

Things I've spent money on:

Ebay (Buy it now - $600 total):
- 450D body & 18-55mm kit lens
- EF 75-300mm no IS
- Lowepro Rezo 180AW

B&H:
- Lens cap 58mm ($6)
- Lens string ($3)
- Bag strap for Lowepro Rezo 180AW ($13)

Amazon:
- Reverse Macro ring ($12)
- 40" 5 in 1 reflector ($18)
- 2 Vivitar UV lenses ($12)

Craigslist:
- SB 50DX  ($56)
- EF 50 mm f/1.8 Mk I ($100)
- EF 28mm f/2.8 ($200)

Repairs, etc:
- Focus screen ($75)
- DSLR Workshop class ($44)


Things I've earned money on:
- Assisting a photoshoot ($40?)
- Costume photo shoot ($60)
- Headshots ($20)


Here's a comic I found that's hilarious and so true:
http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/tech-fun/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/luckskilll.png

#34. 7D vs 5D Mk II

I have been saving up to get the 5D Mk II, but now I'm not sure if I want the 7D or the 5D.

http://www.sandrophoto.com/2010/03/17/canon-eos-7d-vs-5d-mark-ii/
http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Y0K1?start=0


I don't do much studio shooting, so right now, the 7D is a better fit. I'm waiting to see what the 5D Mk III has in store!

#33. I'm back!

It's been way too long since I've updated!

I got my camera fixed for $80 and it's working like new! Thank god...

Assisted a photoshoot this morning for a local theatre company. It was awesome to work with a light kit! The photographer has a Calumet 750 set with 2 reflector umbrellas and a giant soft box (4'x3' I think...)

Here are things I'm saving up for:
- 5D Mk II ($2,500)
- EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM ($1,299)

If I get the tour or NYC, I will buy the 5D Mk II.

#32. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

I stupidly tried to clean my focus mirror because there was so much dust inside, and I accidentally scratched it up. Also, the spring on the mirror is off it's track. I have to bring it to a repair shop on Monday. I wish they were open today. Good news is that it should cost less than $100...

NEVER stick a microfiber cloth inside the camera. Learned that the hard way...

#31. Car trails

I've done a few car trails before and tried them again tonight, but they didn't turn out the way I wanted. The headlights were blowing out the picture, and the background was too dark. Here's one shot I was okay with.

50mm ~ f/10 ~ ISO 100 ~ 2s

I should try again with a longer exposure and a tripod. I held my camera on a fire hydrant to steady it.

#30. Happy New Year!

I went to Borders and bought "Digital Photography Lighting for Dummies" today. It's a great read so far! I've been wanting to gander into more lighting for a while.

I found this site from a Canon forum and decided to give it a try. I still prefer Flickr at the moment.
http://365project.org/cheriet/365