Canon Rebel XTi cameras for collections users thread

[Kujo]

ooo, and lastly.... When i am against a neutral background i.e. the projector screen I've started using (thanks for the tip Ed ) I have tended to go for a higher f numbers (between f20-f32) but from what I've been reading, you guys use lower numbers. Does this lead to big differences in quality?

[P1X4R]

kujo, just remember that high numbers like f20-f32 will bring into focus more everything around the subject's field (foreground and background). it will also be essential to keep the camera absolutely still. now with lower f stops like 2.8-4.0 the subject area will have areas of less focus. it tends to isolate or blur the subject from the background. also, it's easier to handhold your camera at these "fast" apertures.

[P1X4R]

Originally Posted by Kujo

Also, I have just purchased a remote cord, and when i set it to "timer/remote cord" in the camera settings, and have Mirror Lockup turned on, i have to double press the release - once to raise the mirror and again to open the shutter. Have I set it up wrong?

that shouldn't happen. you should only have to press the button on the remote switch once to initiate the process. do you have 1) C.fn (Custom Function 7-1) set to Enable and 2) Timer set to on?

[Blue Liquid]

Originally Posted by P1X4R

it's only 2 seconds used with Mirror Lockup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_lockup

Thanks P1X4R, I have Mirror Lock-up enabled but didn't think to use it with the 10 sec timer function. I'll give it a try!

[P1X4R]

Originally Posted by Kujo

What are the advantages/disadvantages of having fixed focul lengths. I've been tempted by the 60mm as it fits right between the two lenses i have (standard 18-55mm and 70-300mm) and so will fill that gap, but wondered whether i should be going for a zoom lens again.

Any tips/advice etc?

zoom lenses afford you the ease of framing your shot without having to move your feet.

prime lenses on the other hand (from what i've read) tend to be faster/sharper.

[P1X4R]

check out these two images i took recently with a 200mm prime lens.




Apocalypse was taken in very low indoor lighting last night vs She Hulk taken in a cloudy setting outside my backyard this morning. i always set my camera to AV (aperture priority) mode so that i have aperture control and let the camera calculate the "right" shutter speed to use. i'll also play with the exposure bias depending on how much light there is.

[P1X4R]

you have to play with the f/stops so that you get the proper focus for your subject. if you notice above, She Hulk's left hand extends forward. if i had used an f/stop of say 2.0 or lower than i could have easily blurred her hand which we wouldn't want. for this i used an aperture of 8.0 to bring all of her into focus in this frame. it was enough to also blur the background since the statue was positioned far enough from the wall behind her.

[HoldyourfireAl]

Originally Posted by P1X4R

check out these two images i took recently with a 200mm prime lens.




Apocalypse was taken in very low indoor lighting last night vs She Hulk taken in a cloudy setting outside my backyard this morning. i always set my camera to AV (aperture priority) mode so that i have aperture control and let the camera calculate the "right" shutter speed to use. i'll also play with the exposure bias depending on how much light there is.

"exposure bias"....what's that?

[HoldyourfireAl]

Are your pics so much sharper then some of ours because of the lens?

[P1X4R]

Originally Posted by HoldyourfireAl

Are your pics so much sharper then some of ours because of the lens?

not necessarily. technique goes a long way. the stock lens that i've seen here have produced some really great shots!