Cameras-n- Stuff

Just uploaded a few of my favorite bird photos from around my house. Yes, the emus live just down the street. I have no idea why someone has emus in their yard, but there they are. The duck and the swans are residents of a small lake about a mile from the house. All the others were taken right outside my kitchen window.
Birds are amazing creatures. They are fun to watch just to see their habits and how they interact with other species of birds. Enjoy.

Most of these were taken with my trusty Canon 70-200mm L lens, mine happens to be the f/4.0 lens. It is one of the most useful lenses Canon has ever manufactured. More recently, I have been using my new Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens
to compare the image quality with the Canon lens. It does pretty well.

Don't waste your money, check out the online backup comparison

Unfortunately I have learned this way too late. But you can learn from my mistakes. Backup your files now!.

File backup is much simpler now than it was back in the day. You needed to burn your photos and important files to CD, then later it was DVD. Or, if you had enough stuff, you could purchase an external hard drive to do the job.

Now all that is still possible. You can never be too safe. But there is another option. You can keep your files at an online storage facility. These things are totally secure. Most have your files backed up on more than one server in the event of server problems. And considering that it costs only a few bucks a month, it is the easiest and cheapest way to fly. Take a look at this online backup comparison to see if one of these suits your needs.

As I mentioned, I have had experience with this. Even now I sit here looking at an external hard drive that has some of my best photos on it… literally thousands of digital photos from about 2 years of my life… unavailable

What happened is that I was in the process of replacing a computer. I had this hard drive attached to my old computer and on it (as well as on the old computer) are ALL my photos from the first two years of owning a DSLR. Of course, no online backup was available then, or, if it was, it was not common knowledge.

I disconnected the hard drive in order to connect it to the new computer, which I did. What I did not do was make sure the photos were transferred to the new computer. And because I was giving the old computer away, I deleted the information on the hard drive… poof… gone.

A couple of weeks later, I heard this clicking sound from the external hard drive. It was the “click of death,” as I have now found out. I could not access the hard drive.

I called around only to find out that I could pay someone to retrieve my photos – for a price – and the price was not cheap. It seems that you need a totally sterile lab environment to do this, and the companies that do it would not give me a hard estimate. Each one said the same thing: “It could cost anywhere from $500 to $2500 to get your files off the hard drive.” The estimators said that it would more likely be toward the upper end of the estimates. Waah!

So, my advice to you is to get a backup strategy. Whether you continue to keep your files on personal disc or an external hard drive, or online… just do it.
Check out this online backup comparison. It could save you much heartache.

Black Swallowtail on Zinnia

With digital cameras at their most affordable, anybody can be a photographer these days. Problem is, it takes more than a camera to take good pictures. But with the right training, you can learn to take better pictures.

It takes a certain eye, a way of seeing things, to take pictures that make people go “Wow!”. Fortunately, it can be learned. And the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

If you’re interested in becoming a good digital photographer, I recommend the “Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros,” a free report.

Start by taking a look at these most common mistakes people make when taking digital pictures:

1. Not knowing your camera – If you never read your digital camera’s manual and learn its features and how to use them, you won’t be able to make the most of it.
2. Not using a tripod – Tripods allow you to take the sharpest pictures even in low light. Use one as often as possible.
3. Not giving the camera time to focus – Digital cameras need time to properly focus and get the right exposure. It can take a fraction of a second or a couple of seconds. Account for this when taking pictures.
4. Relying too much on zoom – Using the camera’s zoom feature makes the picture grainier. Get as close to the subject as possible.
5. Taking pictures against the light – This makes the subject dark and the background too bright.
6. Relying too much on the flash -Natural light gives the best pictures, so use it as much as possible. Flash tends to make images look harsh.
7. Not taking enough pictures – It’s almost impossible to take the perfect shot at one try, so take many pictures. With digital photography, this doesn’t cost you extra. Try different angles and compositions.
8. Always putting the subject dead center – Learn the rule of thirds in composition, and you’ll have more interesting pictures.
9. Forgetting to check the horizon – When taking pictures with the horizon showing, make sure it’s level.
10. Selecting a low-resolution setting – Your camera will allow you to select different resolutions. Don’t be tempted to choose a low resolution just to save on memory space. Instead, buy additional memory for your camera and always take your pictures in high resolution.
11. Trying to take too much – Don’t try to include too many things in one picture, such as people and scenery. A picture is more effective when it’s focused on a single subject.
12. Not using the camera – You’ll never know when a good photo op will come up, so have your camera with you at all times.

It may seem like a lot to think about, but with practice, these things will become second nature.

For those who want to learn even more digital photography techniques, check out the free report, “Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros.” It’s a short but info-filled guide that will have you shooting digital pictures like a pro in no time.

Find out more about “Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros” here:
www.learndigitalphotographynow.com. Or, if you are still in search of the best camera for YOU, go to www.digital-photographic-resources.com.

Happy Shooting!

I have been searching for the best walk around lens.
Here is what I am looking for:

• Image quality is always the top consideration.
• Must have good wide angle range – 18mm preferred
• Must have good long range – 200mm minimum
• Image stabilization is preferred
• Wide aperture for good shutter speed – 2.8 would be ideal, but that is quite costly
• Fast focus
• Not so expensive I have to take out a second mortgage on my house

The Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 satisfies every one except the f/2.8, but that one feature would raise the price to over $1000, so I will have to forgo

the 2.8 aperture.I have been using the Tamron 28-75 lens as my walk around lens for about 4 years now – no complaints from it – it has served me well, and I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat. But I am a gearnut, right. It’s a cross I must bear. It’s how I am put together. So I search for good cameras and lenses.

I was considering the Tamron 18-270 because it has some very good press and user reviews. And, of course, my trusty Tamron 28-75 has been absolutely awesome. But when I started reading the user reviews about the Sigma 18-250, I could not disregard it as the next possible walk around lens for my Canon 30D.

Here are a few of the comments from the folks that bought this lens at Amazon.com and B&H Photo that have helped me come to my decision that the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens is the right walk around lens for me:

“The cost of the Sigma lens was more than $300 less than the Nikon lens while the quality of the pictures is comparable to that of the pictures taken by the Nikon lens.”

“Overall: Images sharp, great all-in-one lens, just as good as Nikon’s 18-200 if not better in image quality, focus speed and of course, zoom-range! I’ve replaced my Nikon all-in-one with this one, and I have no regrets…”

“I recently bought it to replace my Sigma 17-70mm and Canon 55-250mm IS lenses. This 18-250mm is very much like the 17-70mm in overall quality. It is of high quality! I’ve used it mostly so far for night photography and also for fast action, and wildlife (crocodiles in Jamaica; can’t trust that ear to ear smile of theirs). All the pictures I shot with it were hand held and the OS system performed flawlessly…Also, I’ve checked its macro ability, and found it to be approx. 1:2.5, far better than Sigma’s very conservative spec. Very highly recommended!!!!”

There are actually a few lenses I have found that have very good user ratings as “all purpose” or “walk around” lenses. You can see them at www.digital-photographic-resources.com.

Happy Shooting!

I wish I had thought of this. It is a totally AWESOME service. A 10 to 12 megapixel photo would print great on an 8 x 10 canvas without any help from the techno-wizards, but Canvas on Demand can take any ordinary snapshot and turn it into a piece of art.

My job is to review and present the best photo equipment and resources available, and I’m telling you that this one is good, real good. They take your ordinary snapshot and make it a memory that your loved one will cherish forever. CanvasOnDemand.com-Your Photo on Canvas as Art! Click here!

Here it is Boys and Girls!

A basic slideshow of my photos, mostly from my yard. I used a Canon 30D (DSLR) digital camera with some pretty basic photography techniques and image processing skills. Images were all processed with Adobe Photoshop CS4. Video produced and directed by yours truly using Adobe Premier Pro.
Many of these photos can be seen at my website: www.thewayeyeseeit.net.

Panasonic created a winner in the point and shoot “zoom” category with the Lumix DMC-TZ5. Just about one year later, they have given us the Lumix DMC-ZS1 and the DMC-ZS3. (In the European market they are known as the TZ6 and TZ7 respectively. Am I alone in thinking that continuing the “TZ” brand would make more logical sense? And why is there no ZS2?)

This article will compare the Lumix ZS1 and ZS3.

Beginning with the basic specifications that are identical in both cameras:

* 10.1 Megapixels
* 12x Zoom Range (25-300mm)
* Optical Image Stabilization
* 80-6400 ISO Range
* 27 Scene Modes with Intelligent Auto
* Image Quality rated highest among Digital Compacts with similar features (DPReview.com)

The features that are different (ZS1 vs ZS3):

* LCD – 2.7″ (230k resolution) vs 3.0″ (460k)
* Image Sensor – 1/2.5″ vs 1/2.33″
* Video – 848×480 30fps video w/mono sound vs 720p 60fps video w/stereo sound

These 3 features add just over $100 to the price tag for the ZS3. Yet, in spite of the extra $$$, the Lumix ZS3 is outselling its ZS1 cousin by a large margin. Why??

The reason is that most digital compact camera users are now quite comfortable with using their “point and shoot” camera for their basic video needs. And the difference in this feature is significant when you consider many folks are now viewing on big screen HD televisions.

The other big difference is the LCD screen. While 0.3″ does not seem that big of a deal, when added to double the pixel resolution (230,000 vs 460,000), the view quality of the live view and playback is significant.

With respect to image quality and printing images, in a comparison test against other super zoom cameras, the ZS1 and ZS3 were dual winners at DPReview.com.

The final word comes from those who have actually purchased the camera for personal use. After all, the consumer has the last word in satisfaction.

Checking the user reviews at DPReview.com and Amazon.com, both cameras rated highly – at least 4.16 out of 5. In fact, at Amazon, the Lumix ZS1 rated at an impressive 4.67 (out of 5).

As you make your digital camera buying decision, keep the Panasonic Lumix ZS1 and ZS3 in mind. And do not forget about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5, which has the same features as the more expensive ZS3 with respect to video and image quality (there have been some upgrades to the way video is recorded in the ZS3 that take up less storage space and give the user an option as to the recording mode, but the TZ5 video is comparable to its newer sibling). Picking up the TZ5 would produce a savings of more than $150.

Here is a sample of the video produced by the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3… Very Impressive for a Digital Compact!

Much more about highly rated cameras and photo related information is available at http://www.digital-photographic-resources.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Rasku

With digital cameras at their most affordable, anybody can be a photographer these days. Problem is, it takes more than a camera to take good pictures.

It takes a certain eye, a way of seeing things, to take pictures that make people go “Wow!”. Fortunately, it can be learned. And the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

If you’re interested in becoming a good digital photographer, I recommend the “Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros,” a free report.

Start by taking a look at these most common mistakes people make when taking digital pictures:

1. Not knowing your camera

If you never read your digital camera’s manual and learn its features and how to use them, you won’t be able to make the most of it.

2. Not using a tripod

Tripods allow you to take the sharpest pictures even in low light. Use one as often as possible.

3. Not giving the camera time to focus

Digital cameras need time to properly focus and get the right exposure. It can take a fraction of a second or a couple of seconds. Account for this when taking pictures.

4. Relying too much on zoom

Using the camera’s zoom feature makes the picture grainier. Get as close to the subject as possible.

5. Taking pictures against the light

This makes the subject dark and the background too bright.

6. Relying too much on the flash

Natural light gives the best pictures, so use it as much as possible. Flash tends to make images look harsh.

7. Not taking enough pictures

It’s almost impossible to take the perfect shot at one try, so take many pictures. With digital photography, this doesn’t cost you extra. Try different angles and compositions.

8. Always putting the subject dead center

Learn the rule of thirds in composition, and you’ll have more interesting pictures.

9. Forgetting to check the horizon

When taking pictures with the horizon showing, make sure it’s level.

10. Selecting a low-resolution setting

Your camera will allow you to select different resolutions. Don’t be tempted to choose a low resolution just to save on memory space. Instead, buy additional memory for your camera and always take your pictures in high resolution.

11. Trying to take too much

Don’t try to include too many things in one picture, such as people and scenery. A picture is more effective when it’s focused on a single subject.

12. Not using the camera

You’ll never know when a good photo op will come up, so have your camera with you at all times.

It may seem like a lot to think about, but with practice, these things will become second nature.

For those who want to learn even more digital photography techniques, check out the free report, “Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros.” It’s a short but info-filled guide that will have you shooting digital pictures like a pro in no time.

Find out more about “Digital-Photographic-Resources”.

Article by: Dan Feildman

Photography is both about knowing how to use a camera and also knowing how to make decisions. Today’s media projects images that can be difficult to understand, and learning photography can help you to understand what you’re being showed every day on television, on the internet, and in movies. Photography is a good way to occupy your time, especially if you are a teenager, as it is fun and harmless. Besides that, it’s a great way to bring a community together for a project, such as photographing activities and gatherings.

When you buy a digital camera, you have to know how to take care of it to keep it in its best condition. In order to have the clearest photos possible, you must make sure to regularly clean your optic lens and keep from leaving fingerprints on it. If this happens, parts of your pictures will be blurry, and dirt can build up over time. Not all cleaning products are suitable for a camera lens, so make sure that you don’t use tissue paper, any household cleaning solutions, and definitely not saliva. Instead, you should buy the proper products at a camera store, in order to keep your camera at its best.

Understanding how your camera focuses will help you get better pictures. Just about all digital cameras these days have autofocus with two-step shutter release. In dark lighting, you will notice that when you press the button halfway down, a red light appears for a moment, but not in areas that are lighter. Then, when you press the button down fully, there is a flash. When you hold down the button halfway, that focuses the image, and when you depress it fully, the camera takes the focused image. If you want the subject of your photograph not to be in the center but still focused, first center them in the middle of the picture and focus the frame by pressing down halfway. Without removing your finger, reframe the picture with your subject in the right position, and take the picture. Your subject will still be focused.

One aspect of taking a pleasing photograph is depth of field. When you look at a picture, you will notice that all the area surrounding the focused subject is also focused. This area is called depth of field. In order to change the way the depth of field in a picture is seen, focused, and lit, you must change the width of your lens. The wider the lens is, the smaller the depth of field will be. To decrease the depth of field you can also move closer to your subject. To increase it, you can use a smaller lens or move further away from your subject.

A great technique that helps photographers create eye-catching pictures is the rule of thirds. This is a composition technique, create a pleasing balance between the different objects in a photograph. In order to use the rule, divide your screen into six different parts: three horizontal sections, and three vertical. The focal points, where the eye is attracted when it first looks at a picture, are where the lines intersect. Placing the subjects of your pictures at or near the focal points can help create a balanced and attractive picture.

Landscape photos are very popular and can be very nice-looking. The whole photograph will need to be in focus, unlike some pictures where only a certain part is in focus. In order to have the picture completely focused, you’ll need to have a short focal length. This will create a larger depth of field, and everything will be focused. In order to creating a pleasing balance between land and sky, or water and sky, you can use the rule of thirds. Furthermore, if you want a sense of three dimensions, you can have a subject in the foreground.

A tripod is a good investment in photography, especially if you want to take panoramic pictures. You’ll have to set your tripod in a place where you can swivel the camera smoothly from left to right, and not up and down. You will have to figure out where you want your pictures to overlap, so that you don’t have huge gaps in your resulting picture. Once you figure that out, you can swivel your camera in one direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, to take the pictures you want. Once you’re done, all you have to do is put them together with a simple graphics program or photo-editing software.

Recommended for More Help

Need to improve your digital photography techniques? Pick up your free digital photography guide for better photos…almost instantly. You can also find help for choosing a new digital camera at www.digital-photographic-resources.com.

What is a Prosumer camera?, you might ask.
Prosumer is the highest you can go without actually getting into the DSLR cameras.
You can expect to pay more for a prosumer digital camera than you would for a mid-range compact camera. But you get so much more. Prosumer cameras are for photographers who want to take more control of their shots, rather than letting the camera select the settings.
So, with that said, the Highest Rated Prosumer Compact Camera is… drum roll please… (and, yes, I know this is a blog titled Canon…, but, hey, I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em)

Panasonic DMC-LX3

Here’s the formula for determining the highest rating:

• Check DPReview.com Camera Ratings (this could take a while – there are lots)
• Check Imaging-Resource.com Camera Reviews
• Narrow choice down to Canon G10, Nikon P90, Panasonic Lumix LX3 (trust me, I want the Canon to win)
• Check User Ratings at DPReview, Amazon, B&H Photo
• Enter all these numbers into my computer brain for analysis.

Voila, my brain spits out the winner!
(The Canon G10 came in a close second)
I spent lots of time compiling these results, not just for Prosumer Compacts, but for other categories, as well. I posted them on a Squidoo lens and on my website: www.digital-photographic-resources.com.