I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I just wanted to log on real quick to wish a happy Christmas to all. Our day was filled with love and presents! My amazing parents bought me some lens cleaner pens and a tri-pod! YEAH!
And my husband...he is taking me on a ferry ride in SF next weekend to Tiburon so we can shop and take pics. The best part (aside from spending the day with him)....getting my new lens! That's right...tomorrow we are buying my EF-S 18-135 mm! Can't wait!
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Lens Fever!
I have lens fever, which I am learning is very dangerous!
As you are well aware, from my last post, I am in the market for a new lens and with Christmas around the corner, my timing is perfect! However, Santa may be on a budget. There are two lenses I am looking at. Option A: EF-S 18-135 mm. Option B:EF 24-105mm L. I very quickly learned the benefit to buying an L lens.
Most of you might ask, what is the big difference?...PRICE, about $600 to be exact. Now when I really think about it, this is going to be an investment so I want to make an educated decision. I did a little reading on-line and read some reviews. Of course, the reviews for option B are out of this world, I mean it is a luxury lens from Canon and takes pristine shots, prevents dust from getting in the lens, is amazing for landscape, portrait, action....Honestly, I could not find a bad thing about it accept for the price tag.
Option A had some very solid reviews...everyone loved the price, love the capability and photos it takes. Someone even said they tested it against their 24-105 L lens and on a few photos they could not tell the difference. Now there are some negatives, new terminology I learned - Vignetting and lens creep. Lens creep I am not so concerned about. Basically it is when the lens will zoom itself out if you hold it vertically...solution, keep it on your camera and hold it horizontally. That is not a deal breaker for me. The vignette I learned it when the color brightness starts to fade from the center of a picture to the outer edges. You have probably seen this when people edit their photo in photoshop and have a picture that they make the edges fuzzy. Some like it because it causes you to focus on the center of the photo. For me, not a fan. I like a clean picture. But there is a solution to vignette...dial the f stop down some.
I wanted to share my frustration. I was exited, thinking I would do some reading and the reviews would help me make my decision, but sadly I am still confused. One thing I am leaning on...I am still a beginner and the L lens is used by a lot of professionals. With that said, I may turn to the EF-S lens as it is still a GREAT lens. Maybe when I get to that professional level the L lens will be back on my list.
For now, the L lens may stay on my fantasy Santa list....
As you are well aware, from my last post, I am in the market for a new lens and with Christmas around the corner, my timing is perfect! However, Santa may be on a budget. There are two lenses I am looking at. Option A: EF-S 18-135 mm. Option B:EF 24-105mm L. I very quickly learned the benefit to buying an L lens.
Most of you might ask, what is the big difference?...PRICE, about $600 to be exact. Now when I really think about it, this is going to be an investment so I want to make an educated decision. I did a little reading on-line and read some reviews. Of course, the reviews for option B are out of this world, I mean it is a luxury lens from Canon and takes pristine shots, prevents dust from getting in the lens, is amazing for landscape, portrait, action....Honestly, I could not find a bad thing about it accept for the price tag.
Option A had some very solid reviews...everyone loved the price, love the capability and photos it takes. Someone even said they tested it against their 24-105 L lens and on a few photos they could not tell the difference. Now there are some negatives, new terminology I learned - Vignetting and lens creep. Lens creep I am not so concerned about. Basically it is when the lens will zoom itself out if you hold it vertically...solution, keep it on your camera and hold it horizontally. That is not a deal breaker for me. The vignette I learned it when the color brightness starts to fade from the center of a picture to the outer edges. You have probably seen this when people edit their photo in photoshop and have a picture that they make the edges fuzzy. Some like it because it causes you to focus on the center of the photo. For me, not a fan. I like a clean picture. But there is a solution to vignette...dial the f stop down some.
I wanted to share my frustration. I was exited, thinking I would do some reading and the reviews would help me make my decision, but sadly I am still confused. One thing I am leaning on...I am still a beginner and the L lens is used by a lot of professionals. With that said, I may turn to the EF-S lens as it is still a GREAT lens. Maybe when I get to that professional level the L lens will be back on my list.
For now, the L lens may stay on my fantasy Santa list....
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Its been a while since my last post. It is crazy that the holiday season is quickly approaching which is another reminder how fast time flies!
I am still enjoying my Canon, but have recently learned that I need another lens. Before you all start thinking that I am making up an excuse to go out and buy more 'stuff' let me explain my reasoning.
The 50mm lens I bought with my camera is amazing! I have really enjoyed taking photos and learning my camera with this lens. With that said, I have learned that I am limited in my photos. The lens is great to take portraits which is why I have so many pictures of Tyler (for those that don't know Tyler he is my 5 year old yellow lab). Now taking portraits is really fun, but I want to be able to take pictures of other things, like maybe a group photo. With the 50mm lens I am finding it difficult to take such photos because the lens will auto focus on the closest subject and somewhat blur everyone or everything else. Still, a really cool affect, but I would like a little more control over my pictures.
With that said, I have been looking at a few lens to buy. My father law recommended a great lens, the Canon 25-105 mm. It is a very nice lens with a very nice price tag. I have been looking in to the Canon 18-135 mm. This is a great lens that would let me take pictures of everything (landscapes, portraits, action shots, wildlife). I have a little more reading to do on the lens, but this may be at the top of my Christmas List...heads up Santa!
However I have been having fun taking photos with my current 50 mm lens. I have also been doing some reading on photo editing software and lightroom 3 looks like a great program. Currently I am using the HP media software that came with my laptop. It is not as powerful as lightroom, but does the job for now. Here are some of my most recent favorite photos:
I am still enjoying my Canon, but have recently learned that I need another lens. Before you all start thinking that I am making up an excuse to go out and buy more 'stuff' let me explain my reasoning.
The 50mm lens I bought with my camera is amazing! I have really enjoyed taking photos and learning my camera with this lens. With that said, I have learned that I am limited in my photos. The lens is great to take portraits which is why I have so many pictures of Tyler (for those that don't know Tyler he is my 5 year old yellow lab). Now taking portraits is really fun, but I want to be able to take pictures of other things, like maybe a group photo. With the 50mm lens I am finding it difficult to take such photos because the lens will auto focus on the closest subject and somewhat blur everyone or everything else. Still, a really cool affect, but I would like a little more control over my pictures.
With that said, I have been looking at a few lens to buy. My father law recommended a great lens, the Canon 25-105 mm. It is a very nice lens with a very nice price tag. I have been looking in to the Canon 18-135 mm. This is a great lens that would let me take pictures of everything (landscapes, portraits, action shots, wildlife). I have a little more reading to do on the lens, but this may be at the top of my Christmas List...heads up Santa!
However I have been having fun taking photos with my current 50 mm lens. I have also been doing some reading on photo editing software and lightroom 3 looks like a great program. Currently I am using the HP media software that came with my laptop. It is not as powerful as lightroom, but does the job for now. Here are some of my most recent favorite photos:
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I took this picture at my birthday celebration at my mom's house. Augustina is my 4 month old niece and I just love this photo because she is totally about to cry (you can see the tear in her eye!).
Since taking photos, my nieces have been one of my most favorite subjects (beside Tyler, my dog of course!). The more I take snapshots of things the more I realize that I really like taking photos of people. It has been nice to take a few snapshots of landscapes, but people are so much more entertaining for me.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Finally, some pictures!
For the past three days I have been staring at my camera, waiting for the lens to arrive. Thank god for my amazing Uncle! He is a total camera genius and has everything known to camera for Canon. He let me borrow two lenses which caused me to go snap happy.
I took my new toy to my brothers this afternoon, he bought a house finally! Here are some of my snapshots. Just an fyi, I shot these all in automatic. I know you are saying, WTF?!?! My uncle had a great suggestion and told me to to shoot in auto for about a week or so so I can get comfortable with holding the camera. The other good thing to this is seeing what setting the automatic setting uses, so I can start to learn what to set the exposure triangle to when I take my own pics!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
T-minus 3 days!
That's right, 3 days until the big buy! I have been so MIA lately because I didn't want to bore people with a 28 day countdown until I buy my new camera. Now that it is a three day countdown I figure it is safe to return to the world of blogging!
To catch you up to speed, I am buying a Canon T1i camera on Friday. Many of you are going, what the hell is that? In normal terms, I am buying a super cool DSLR camera! I will post some pictures of my new super cool treasure when it arrives. To help me get ready for the camera, my wonderful husband bought me an early birthday present - a media friendly HP laptop. And I LOVE IT!!!! I got it last weekend and have been playing around with it so I will be somewhat better prepared to edit and organize the fabulous photo's I will be capturing!
So bear with me, the photo's are coming...I know you can't wait ; )
To catch you up to speed, I am buying a Canon T1i camera on Friday. Many of you are going, what the hell is that? In normal terms, I am buying a super cool DSLR camera! I will post some pictures of my new super cool treasure when it arrives. To help me get ready for the camera, my wonderful husband bought me an early birthday present - a media friendly HP laptop. And I LOVE IT!!!! I got it last weekend and have been playing around with it so I will be somewhat better prepared to edit and organize the fabulous photo's I will be capturing!
So bear with me, the photo's are coming...I know you can't wait ; )
Sunday, July 25, 2010
And the winner is...
So my trip to the camera store was a success! First, I must apologize for calling my brother a smart-photog. I will know refer to him as wise-photog! Without his help I would not have learned as much as I did.
I don't want to bore you with the details, but thought I would let you know that I have decided to stick with Canon. After looking at Nikon and Canon, there was no question...Nikon is so big and heavy (my apologies to you Nikon lovers). Choosing the brand was the easy part. I soon learned you have a choice in buying body only (just the camera, no lens with it) or body and kit (you chose what type mm lens you want). And let me tell you - there are a lot of lenses to choose from.
Long story short I have decided to buy the Canon T1i. I was torn between the T1i and the T2i, but why pay $300 more for the T2i when the improvements made are minor. Come on, if you want me to pay $300 more there had better be some swarovski crystals on this thing!
I have about 4 weeks until my birthday and then its Happy DSLR present to me! My husband can hardly wait for me to buy this money draining treasure...but I think he is happy I have finally found a hobby.
Once I finally get the camera, I will let you know. I decided to get the body only and buy a 50 mm lens for $100. This way I can learn how to use the camera. Then for Christmas I get to go buy a BIGGER lens (oh yeah, bigger basically means more $).
Have a great Sunday!
I don't want to bore you with the details, but thought I would let you know that I have decided to stick with Canon. After looking at Nikon and Canon, there was no question...Nikon is so big and heavy (my apologies to you Nikon lovers). Choosing the brand was the easy part. I soon learned you have a choice in buying body only (just the camera, no lens with it) or body and kit (you chose what type mm lens you want). And let me tell you - there are a lot of lenses to choose from.
Long story short I have decided to buy the Canon T1i. I was torn between the T1i and the T2i, but why pay $300 more for the T2i when the improvements made are minor. Come on, if you want me to pay $300 more there had better be some swarovski crystals on this thing!
I have about 4 weeks until my birthday and then its Happy DSLR present to me! My husband can hardly wait for me to buy this money draining treasure...but I think he is happy I have finally found a hobby.
Once I finally get the camera, I will let you know. I decided to get the body only and buy a 50 mm lens for $100. This way I can learn how to use the camera. Then for Christmas I get to go buy a BIGGER lens (oh yeah, bigger basically means more $).
Have a great Sunday!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Blogging is completely new to me so please bear with me.
I am really excited to learn the art of photography and always wanted to learn! I finally pulled the plug and decided to buy one of these expensive treasures!
Unlike most expensive things I buy, I am not running out to the store to buy the best, top-of-the-line, most expensive DSLR I can get my hands on. I figure if I really want to get good at taking pictures I should do a little research first. And that is just what I am doing. I began with talking to my photog-wise Uncle at a family party this past week. He is like a walking almanac when it comes to cameras and photography. He suggested I take a look at two great cameras - Nikon D90 or Canon T21 (both apparently are great for beginners like me!).
He also sent me some great links to read up on and surprisingly I liked the reading. For those that don't know me, I'm more of a reality TV girl than a book worm. So when I found out I would have to do some real reading and research on cameras, I sort of cringed. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed learning about aperture and selecting the right lens.
My next step is to hit the stores. Normally when I do this, I walk away with a great pair of $250 boots or $150 blouse. Nope, not this time...I must remind myself - research, research, research.
My brother (photog-smart - not quite as photog-wise as our Uncle) has agreed to take me to the camera store to start playing around with some.
So that is where I am at now. I hope after this weekend to have a little more information on what brand I want to get and some idea on how much this little treasure is gonna cost.
I'll let you know how our trip to the store goes...
I am really excited to learn the art of photography and always wanted to learn! I finally pulled the plug and decided to buy one of these expensive treasures!
Unlike most expensive things I buy, I am not running out to the store to buy the best, top-of-the-line, most expensive DSLR I can get my hands on. I figure if I really want to get good at taking pictures I should do a little research first. And that is just what I am doing. I began with talking to my photog-wise Uncle at a family party this past week. He is like a walking almanac when it comes to cameras and photography. He suggested I take a look at two great cameras - Nikon D90 or Canon T21 (both apparently are great for beginners like me!).
He also sent me some great links to read up on and surprisingly I liked the reading. For those that don't know me, I'm more of a reality TV girl than a book worm. So when I found out I would have to do some real reading and research on cameras, I sort of cringed. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed learning about aperture and selecting the right lens.
My next step is to hit the stores. Normally when I do this, I walk away with a great pair of $250 boots or $150 blouse. Nope, not this time...I must remind myself - research, research, research.
My brother (photog-smart - not quite as photog-wise as our Uncle) has agreed to take me to the camera store to start playing around with some.
So that is where I am at now. I hope after this weekend to have a little more information on what brand I want to get and some idea on how much this little treasure is gonna cost.
I'll let you know how our trip to the store goes...
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