my bad ,maybe i failed to mention that the current lens also has IS, wasn't sure if you knew that. Here is the specs.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM


I'm loving it so far. As far as $ for protection plan v. lens upgrade. No matter what kit I went with I would have gotten the protection plan, so whether I buy a 17-55 now, or later, I still wanted some protection on the camera body.

 

Just got my E1 strap and Sto-fen diffuser today! Gonna play with them when I get home.

 

Let me know how that sto-fen works for you. Ive been thinking about getting one.

 

yah id like to see a pic w/ and w/o the diffuser.

Are you supposed to increase your aperture to adjust for any loss of light from the dif?

 

I dont think there will be that much of a loss of light since your supposed to use it at 45 degree angle towards the subject, so some of it goes directly onto the subject as oppose to bouncing off the ceiling. Its only 12 bucks though so theres not much to lose.

 

I can't speak for the Sto-Fens, but I made my own softbox out of a aluminum foil lined cardboard box and some thin white paper. I definitely lose a few stops with it, but it the lighting is much nicer.

Flash w/o softbox


Flash w/ softbox


I'm sure bouncing the flash off the ceiling would have yielded similar results in these pics.

 

Here's a few samples:

With Sto-fen:

Bounced bare flash:

Direct bare flash:

Direct with Sto-fen:

Direct bare flash:

Direct with Sto-fen:

Bounce off side wall:

Bounce off ceiling:

 

nice comparisons

 

$12, awesome.

 

Yeah I'm loving it so far. But I kind of love the E1 strap the most since it makes handling the camera so much easier. It felt so heavy without it.

 

35mm lens with low lighting is still pretty awesome.



sneak peak of my new catch can

 

Yeah I loved my 50 1.8 until I got my 580EX II. Now I can't stand shooting without the flash attached.

I want to go off camera now! I'm thinking of getting:

ETTL Cord
Light stand
Shoot through umbrella

Probably get it in the next week or so.

Still deciding if I want to go wired or save up for Pocket Wizards.

 

Get these:

Gadget Infinity :: Digital Camera :: Flash Trigger :: Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger Set V4

They are a very good value and have gotten great reviews. Im planning on getting a set soon. Also already got a light stand and convertable umbrella. Just waiting for the triggers!

 

I think Alien Bees has a pretty decent wireless controller/receiver too.

 

self


amiga

 

Wired works fine, if a bit cumbersome. It's a good way to get your feet wet for cheap. If you have the willpower though, definitely save up for the Wizards. From personal experience (I've got 3) they're like a Godsend, and worth every penny. They are by far the most reliable units out there, have excellent range, and you can use them to remote-trigger a camera too, if you buy the extra remote cord (think remote camera shooting from up to 1000'+ away!).

The Cactus units mentioned earlier are good on-the-cheap units, but they suffer from very short range and are prone to interference and mis-triggers. OK if you're indoors and close-up, but not so much for anything w/ distance or a lot of clutter (poles, beams, framework, any large metal etc. that can cause radio interference). They are cheap though, so worth a look. Also, Radiopopper Jr's are a good deal too (radiopopper - home). They come in sets or separates, and have the ability to manually control flash power remotely (depending on receiver model you get). They'll also work with Bee's to for power setting if you get the Studio receiver.

 

got a 35mm f/1.8 DX today! I'm loving the shallow dof.

 

Since my dad no longer uses it, he gave me this:





Nikon F4s. I remember him using it as we were growing up. I also got all of his lens and his SB-24.

Gotta go buy some film! BTW, that's a 20mm 2.8 attached

 

Yessssss. I got a Nikon D3000 for Christmas. Now I have to figure out how to take good pictures. Any tips?

 

shoot around first charlie

recent shoot this saturday with d40x 35mm 1.8f shot at 800 iso, 60shutter, optimized for portrait, incandescent setting.