photos by richard

My favourite photography store announced advanced ordering of the new Canon 50D. My 40D is less than a year old, and the main reason I bought it is still about the same in the 50D, so I see new reason to upgrade. The 50D does have 15 mega pixels, but I think I can go another year on 10.

Features

New 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor (4752 x 3168) with improved noise reduction, wide range ISO 100-3200 (H1: 6400, H2: 12800), 14-bit conversion for smooth color tones and gradations. Uses the APS-C sensor, so we still get the 1.6 factor on our lens.

Next generation DIGIC 4 Image Processor for faster processing, 6.3 fps (this is what I love about my 40D) up to 90 JPEGS using UDMA CF cards; 60 consecutive JPEGS or 16 RAW using standard CF cards.

3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) with multiple coatings for improved viewing and smudge-resistant protection.

Enhanced Live View shooting includes Face Detection Live mode.

9 cross-type high-precision sensors for accurate target subject acquisition and diagonal center cross-type AF point with f/2.8 and faster lenses.

New Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction setting to automatically even the brightness across the image.

Updated EOS Integrated Cleaning System with a fluorine coating for better resistance to dust.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output for displaying full high-resolution images on a High Definition TV.

Compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses and most EOS System accessories.

For more details, visit the Canon Press Release site.

With so many different cameras out there for you to choose from, it might be difficult for you to come to any sort of decision when you’re buying a new camera. But the truth is, whether you prefer an old crank-and-shoot manual camera (which is out of date!), or a new point-and-shoot digital camera, you can’t go far wrong with the new breed of Canon digital cameras.

Since Canon is a worldwide name, the quality and excellence of these cameras is undisputed. That’s why, when you buy any one of the Canon digital cameras, you’re assured of getting the best possible camera for your money.

This also means that with Canon digital cameras, you can choose the right camera to suit your level of expertise as Canon digital cameras range from the easy to handle point-and-shoot varieties, to the more complex SLR cameras which gives you the option of taking full control of the whole picture.

And with a number of features to be found on just about all of the Canon digital cameras, be they the simple family-fun type of cameras or the more professional-photographer type of cameras, you can be sure to find many options available to make the process of photography a fun and easy thing.

These Canon digital cameras are also good if you’re a novice photographer with ambitions to rise to the very top of your profession. The range available from the Canon digital cameras gives you the ability to choose something relatively simple and easy on the pocket, but which will also help you to take professional looking photographs.

If you look through the many Canon digital cameras available you will find that a host features such as digital macro mode, night shot, AE compensation, Exposure lock, and changeable image formats are mostly standard, as are such things as the ability to change ISO ratings, Histograms, Center-weighted and Evaluated metering, and adjustable white balance.

You also have the option of using fully automatic mode, fully manual mode, aperture priority mode, or shutter priority mode to take your photographs, along with the option available for you to use one of the pre-programmed modes such as Kids and Pets, Sports, Indoor, Beach, Fireworks, Snow, Underwater, Portrait or Night shot.

With this many features packed into the Canon digital cameras and more, you would be forgiven for thinking that the cameras would be weighty and bulky, when in fact the opposite is true. They are all of them for the most part very light and are ergonomically designed to facilitate easy handling.

This being one more reason amongst the many others, which leads the world to buy Canon digital cameras.

Ultra Compact Digital Camera 

Everything is getting smaller these days even the digital camera. Going from compact digital camera to the ultra compact digital camera is not surprising. To the photographer who wants to always have his/her digital camera about them, without the hassle of all the baggage, the ultra compact digital camera is a perfect fit. You can have it in your pocket or purse it is so small. Some boast of sizes at 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches and around 5oz. in weight. These go anywhere type of digital cameras may cost more than other cameras but the convenience makes up for it.

As small as the ultra compact digital cameras can be, like the Casio Exilim EX-S10, they pack some power and punch. Boasting as high as 10 mega-pixels, fast shooting speed and incredible durability. However, they take getting used to due to their ultra size. Be sure to read up on reviews of what other users are saying concernig their ultra compact digital camera, before purchasing one.

You will also want to pay particular attention to battery life. It is good to know when you need to charge the digital camera and how long it will last and any other accessories needed for your ultra compact digital camera.

There are many brands and models and all seem to fall in price ranges between $200.00 and $500.00. This can go up and down based on where you get it from and what features and accessories it has and you want. My friend bought one for his trip to China. It was impressive and small. The video it was able to take, the picture quality, and neat auto zoom lense, yeah, convenient at best.

Popular brands for the ultra compact digital camera include Panasonic, Canon, Cascio, Olympus, and Sony. remember to read the reviews and do a little leg work. The best ultra compact digital camera price will be obtained by doing some comparisons across several brand names and model types.

Best Price for Your Digital Camera

Finding a digital camera best price can be a little difficult at first. However, outlining what you are looking to do with your camera, your level of experience, who it is for, may help determine the digital camera best price you seek. There are places to go like stevesdigicam.com that provides extensive reviews on just about every digital camera available on the market today. Also, do not just settle on one place to shop for the best digital camera price. A good place to go is digitalcamera-hq.com or buy.com.

You will need to be concerned not only about the right digital camera best price but about digital camera features and accessories as well. I would advise not to jump on the most inexpensive digital camera, as that it may not have the features you want. Carefully review features, like memory, shooting speed, megapixels, zoom, focus, image stabilizer, lighting, and especially download capabilities to your PC.

Next, determine what you are going to be photographing with your digital camera. Are you shooting landscape, people, action sports, your kids, or are you going to be using it for school? Are your kids going to use it? That is a big factor here.  So, not only waht you are shooting, but also who will use the digital camera. You may want to buy a cheaper camera that you are not afraid to let get used and abused if you will.

Those who are beginners at this may want to buy the most expensive camera, unless you are going to photography school like the Art Institute. otherwise, look for a camera that will meet your immediate needs and will give you a first hand experience. The digital camera best price for you would be on low end.

Finally, there are many brand names and models to choose from. Obtaining the digital camera best price can be found if you apply the principles listed here versus just jumping out of the boat to purchase a digital camera. A little research can save you hundreds of dollars.

Night photography is a little more difficult than daytime photography in that you have less light sources to use to make sure that the picture is captured properly. You also have the problem of camera shake which will cause your picture to blur. Let us look at a few of these terms in order to understand night photography a little greater.

How A Photograph Is Captured

The film used to create your photograph is coated in a substance which is sensitive to light. Once you click the button to take the photograph you're opening the lens to allow the light to come in. This light and the substance on the film react and, in effect, the photograph is actually burned onto the film.

Day Photography

By using the above explanation, you can say that the lighter the scene is, the shorter the amount of time you need the lens open. The more you leave it open, the more the light will burn the film which will result in your photograph being over-exposed or too white.

Night Photography

Again by using the above explanation on how photographs are captured you can say that the darker the scene is, the longer you need the lens open. This is because it will take longer for the light to burn the film. Your body characteristically shakes and because the lens is open for so long this can cause ‘camera shake’.

Camera Shake

Ever thought you had taken the perfect photograph, only to get it back and it is blurry? This is due to camera shake which is caused by your body shivering while the lens is open when you take the photograph. As you are not holding the film steady the light source is moving, burning the film and creating a blurry image. This is easy to fix by using a tripod, which is a must in night photography.

Shutter Release Cables

These cables are required if you do not require any camera shake. They attach to the button you use in taking the picture and will ensure that the camera is spotlessly steady when the lens is open, taking care of that malevolent blur that will appear in your night photography. Of course, you still have to have the camera steady by using a tripod or setting it down on something which isn't moving.

Great photographers know about lighting.  These artists use available or artificial lighting to create memorable photographs.  The lighting in a photograph can establish a mood and it can make a photograph more dramatic.  The lighting on a theme can make them seem angelic, or it can make them appear evil.  Natural lighting for photography is different at all hours of the day and at varied times of the year.  The natural photography lighting is varied in the winter and in the summer.  The natural photography lighting is diverse on a showery day and when the sun is shining brightly.

The photography lighting used in most great photography is unsurpassed in the early morning hours or purely before the sun goes down.  Lighting at sunrise presents shadows that make for more interesting pictures.  The same is true about photography lighting at twilight.  The shadows at twilight are magnificent, and these make the photographs more interesting in most cases than those taken in the middle of the day.  The sun shining in the center of the day is very stark and bright.  This might be used by a photographer to capture certain events, but this photography lighting will create a much diverse photo than the same topic taken at twilight or at dawn.

Photography Lighting Makes for Artistry

Photography lighting shows the artistic instincts of a photographer.  The photographs of the greatest artists show that they capture a moment in time to provide a dramatic picture that will capture the imagination the viewers.  A poor person photographed in a bright light might be more pitiful to those that view the photo.  This photography lighting will make a difference in the emotions of the people as they view this photograph.

The greatest photographers study photography lighting.  If they work in a studio to produce portraits, they know how to arrange the lighting instruments for the desired effects.  These photographers know how the light will bounce off the walls and the features of their topics.  Some of the great photographers will spend hours to practice with photography lighting to obtain a perfect portrait.  Most of the great photographers will not be satisfied with less than perfect photography lighting.  Those folks who view the images taken by talented photographers may not know how much time and energy they put into their craft, but they will appreciate the photographs that they present.

I have a photo quality ink jet printer that can print very good colour photos, up to 8x10, on photo style paper. I was intrigued when a number of well known retailers started offering to print digital photos for less than it costs me for the paper alone.

So, I ordered a group of 4x6 prints from one of them, by uploading the files to their website. If a store that does this is convenient to you, you can pick them up. If not, they will ship them for a small extra charge.

I ordered mine on a Tuesday, after supper, and they were delivered via regular mail that same Friday. I was impressed. That same store now has a walk-in 1 hour service for the same price.

To test the effect of extra pixels, I sent them the same photo 6 times. The only difference in the photos was the resolution:

- 150 dpi (600 pixels x 900 pixels)

- 200 dpi (800 x 1200)

- 250 dpi (1000 x 1500)

- 300 dpi (1200 x 1800)

- 350 dpi (1400 x 2100)

- 400 dpi (1600 x 2400)

The photo was a picture of a couple I know. One of them had highlights in their hair, and gel had been used, so hair was sticking out somewhat. When I looked very closely at the photos (naked eye only, no magnifiers) at fine details like the hair, I could detect a minor difference between the 150 dpi and the 400 dpi, (actually, there was even a bit of a difference noted between 150 and 200) but if the photos are destined for your photo album, you would never know the difference, in my opinion. I normally use either 200 dpi or 250 dpi.

On a 4x6, lets say you go with 200 dpi. That is 800 pixels by 1200 pixels. That is about 1 mega pixel. If you go to your local digital camera reseller today, you probably cannot buy a serious camera that is less than 6 mega pixels. A 6 mega pixel camera gives you about 2100 x 2800, which at 200 dpi lets you print a 10.5 x 14 print (most stores have 11x14 in their product offering). At 150 dpi, you can get an 12 x 18 easily from a 6 mp. (p.s. the store I used will NOT print anything less than 150 dpi). At my local store, a 12x18 was $11 Canadian in August 2008. My printer cannot even print that size. For a 4x6 they want 19 cents.

Based on my tests, a 6 mega pixel camera can print a great quality 8 x 10 print, which at 250 dpi needs 2000 x 2500 pixels. If you just need 4 x 6 prints, you will get great prints from even an ancient 1 mega pixel. Need I remind you that the current pricing is less than I pay for the paper alone.

Do I use my fancy photo quality printer anymore? Not very often.

I bought a Canon 40D during the winter and finally gave it a good workout this past weekend.

It was the annual church picnic, with several hundred people attending. Highlights of the day for me were the children's races and the volleyball tournament. Lots of sports photography type action to try my 6 frames a second camera on.

The 6 frames a second (with a huge buffer for about 70 jpg's) was awesome compared to my older Rebel, which only has a 2.5 frames per second, 4 frame buffer. I never truly pushed the camera in this way, as my largest run of frames was only 6 or so, although I did have some situations where I would take a 5 frame batch, wait 1 or 2 seconds and then take another batch. Not possible with the Rebel, as it took a while to save the first 4 to the CF card. It was great being able to predict where the action would be, aim the camera there, and start taking photos before the action arrived. That increased my odds of getting a perfectly timed shot.

I used "Sports Mode" most of the time, and although it did blur some shots, the majority were good. I was disappointed that it seemed stuck on ISO 400, as the book suggested it would also use 800. Most of the afternoon was sunny, and thus 400 was fine, but by the end of the volleyball tournament it was cloudy and ISO 400 was resulting in shutter speeds that were unacceptable to me. Apertures were also too wide, giving little depth of field. I will have to study that and see if there are ways of me getting better settings without resorting to Av or Tv mode. My understanding is that Sports mode gives me better continuous auto focus control.

If you have a 40D and have learned some tricks that will help me, please leave a comment by clicking on the link just below this final paragraph. Thanks.