Ordered a New Camera

Big Chris

Big Chris

SAHD/Knifemaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
3,273
I have had customers complain that my picture taking skills suck :D.
I have been getting very upset at my current camera trying to decide how much light to show, or if what I see on the screen is what I really want the picture to look like. The other thing is that with two toddlers and another not far behind it is awful waiting for our current camera to decide to take it's picture. We always seem to miss the action because it is over. Well with the cyber monday deals she saw a Canon DSLR camera on sale. After a lot of research and web reviews we decided to get it. Hopefully it will allow me to take better pics (with a bit of practice), and we will not be missing our kids action moments.
So my question now is what camera do you makers use for photos? I know that several of you take some really nice knife photos.
Also what is the photo editing software that you use for putting the very nice displays together?

Chris
 
Right now I am using a pretty old D40 from Nikon. Ive used a rebel (older forgot which one, think it was the T1 or something like that) and liked that as well. Basically any of the nikon or canon DSLR of either there middle road cameras will work great. I have been thinking of grabbing a T3I or Nikon something like 3200. I would be curious as well what others like to use. How much were you planning on spending by the way?

Have ya spent some time at the photographers forums at all? There are a few that are pretty cool and have lots of info.
 
I picked up a Canon t4i on ebay for cheap as well. Looking to use it for capturing my son's soccer games, but also use my knives as subjects.
 
I use a Nikon D200 for digital, Nikon f3s and an F4 for slides which I scan at 4000 LPI if I want a really high quality digital image, for medium format I have a Bronica ETRS but I don't use it much now that I have a 6x7 roll back for my 4x5 cameras, if I want to do a full on magazine quality shoot I use 4x5 cameras and shoot chromes and get them drum scanned. For digital image processing there is only one software, Photoshop.

I have been a pro photographer since 1982 but with everyone shooting their own and the economy being in the toilet and digital making most of the darkroom work unnecessary, the photography is no longer my main business

-Page
 
Carl, what lens do you plan to use for your son's soccer games and how old is he? Been shooting soccer for a while now and cna tell you that Glass is nearly the most important item for the games.
 
oldrifleman said:
Carl, what lens do you plan to use for your son's soccer games and how old is he? Been shooting soccer for a while now and cna tell you that Glass is nearly the most important item for the games.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. Kinda new to other than point and shoot photography. He is U11 competitive. They will be moving up to the full 11 a side soon, so I will need some "zoom" to the lens. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
You will really need at least a 300mm to do U11 and up any justice. the 70-200 will only get you to 25-30 yards even with cropping the picture. The T4i has decent noise so you can swap ISO number for shutter speed. If you have decent light you could use the 70-300 (the L version being stellar, but pricy) another option is the Canon 100-400, It gives you more reach and in sunlight would work alright. A good option, but only available used is the Sigma 100-300 F4. I just sold mine, they are really sharp, but a little finiky on the focus ( they go for about 600-800used on fred miranda.com). The only other zoom is the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 monster (very heavy) and expensive expect to pay 1800 and up used. If you are in pure sun the the 70-300 (epecially the L) will be a great choice, overall I would try to find a sigma 100-300 F4 if you can swing it. Also shoot sport in AV mode, on the sigmas or L glass shoot wide open (smallest F number) and keep your Shutter speed above 1/1000 and have fun!. Here is one from my daughter's U10 team
IMG_2665.jpg
 
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Just bought a Canon SX40HS from Wal-Mart. I did quite a bit of research before buying a camera. I really wanted a DSLR, but with funds being what they are, I had to settle for a point and shoot. The SX40 has manual controls if you want to mess with the White balance, F-stops and ISO. If you don't, then just rely on the stabilized auto focus. You can also choose to use one of the many pre-programed settings such as landscape, night-shots, burst, foliage, etc. It has a 35X Optical zoom that really brings things far off up close. I'm still learning the ropes but having fun doing it.

My local Wal-Mart had it marked down to $329. They didn't have a display out and I just happened to notice them in the bottom of the case. When she pulled them out, there was one marked "Display" and it had a note on it that said it was 20% off regular price. Got it for $263.

Here's one of the moon taken 2 nights ago...

IMG_0084.JPG

And the first picture I took of a knife...outdoors...no photo tent

IMG_0028.jpg

I resized it down to 640 x 480 and it distorted just a little. At least on my screen it did.

Big Chris said:
I have had customers complain that my picture taking skills suck :D.
I have been getting very upset at my current camera trying to decide how much light to show, or if what I see on the screen is what I really want the picture to look like. The other thing is that with two toddlers and another not far behind it is awful waiting for our current camera to decide to take it's picture. We always seem to miss the action because it is over. Well with the cyber monday deals she saw a Canon DSLR camera on sale. After a lot of research and web reviews we decided to get it. Hopefully it will allow me to take better pics (with a bit of practice), and we will not be missing our kids action moments.
So my question now is what camera do you makers use for photos? I know that several of you take some really nice knife photos.
Also what is the photo editing software that you use for putting the very nice displays together?

Chris
Click to expand...
 
oldrifleman said:
You will really need at least a 300mm to do U11 and up any justice. the 70-200 will only get you to 25-30 yards even with cropping the picture. The T4i has decent noise so you can swap ISO number for shutter speed. If you have decent light you could use the 70-300 (the L version being stellar, but pricy) another option is the Canon 100-400, It gives you more reach and in sunlight would work alright. A good option, but only available used is the Sigma 100-300 F4. I just sold mine, they are really sharp, but a little finiky on the focus ( they go for about 600-800used on fred miranda.com). The only other zoom is the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 monster (very heavy) and expensive expect to pay 1800 and up used. If you are in pure sun the the 70-300 (epecially the L) will be a great choice, overall I would try to find a sigma 100-300 F4 if you can swing it. Also shoot sport in AV mode, on the sigmas or L glass shoot wide open (smallest F number) and keep your Shutter speed above 1/1000 and have fun!. Here is one from my daughter's U10 team
View attachment 314811
Click to expand...

Wow thanks for all that info. Sounds like I am going t need to save up some moola before spring season. :( Or I need to finally sell some knives here. :rolleyes:

Great shot and looks like it was a great shot as well. ;)
 
Oldrifleman, how is this lens? Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

I know it is not an L but at my level I can't see spending the bucks you are talking about. Maybe later if I really like the hobby.
 
The Canon is a good lens. Don't buy Sigma, they are not built well (I fixed cameras for several years and a lot of Sigma lenses came through), the internals are junk and they have a lot of flare issues

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That is a decent lens and will serve you well. The issue is it a slow lens (f4.5-5.6) that men's you will have to go to a higher ISO to keep the shutter speed up. Rule of thumb is twice the focal length. For sports I want as fast as I can. Do not be afraid to go ISP 6000, you can use the canon software (DPP) to clean up the noise. Remover you can clean up noise but not motion blur. Also the lens IS (stabilization) really only affects camera shake, it does not do much for subject motion. On the topic of Sigma, they have had spotty QA at least in terms of their autofocus accuracy. They will calibrate them though. And recognize that they also some the most sought after non-OEM brands. Steven
 
I wouldn't rule out the Sigma lenses. The 70-200 f/2.8 is much better Than the Canon 70-300.

IMG_9691-vi.jpg


My son shoots with my Sigma (above pic)while I shoot with a Canon 300 f/4 L (below)

IMG_0588-vi.jpg
 
Another thing about the 70-200 is that if you need additional reach you could add a sigma 1.4x tele converter (about $150-200) which get you a 98-280 F4. Steven
 
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