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Sunday, January 30, 2011

What are you using?

So I'm desperately curious as to what camera/lenses AND flash you ladies are using. Instead of asking each of you who's photo I admire (really all of you) I thought I'd tell you what I use and see if you'd tell me the same, either here in comments or as a post in your blog :). Aaaand I really hope you all don't think I'm too demanding! I feel like I have so many questions and requests. I've learned sooo much in the past 30 days from each of you and truly appreciate all the comments and support. It's been great fun getting to know you all!




Today's pic. I took with my 50mm f/1.8 and my Cannon Rebel XS (which also came with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens). That's the extent of my equipment right now. I almost never use the flash and am wanting a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for my birthday. Any other suggestions? I'm still very currious as to if a flash would help me get better light and thus better focus. . or if I just need to stick with learning in natural light right now.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

What a cute shot!

I use a Nikon D90 with a with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. I have an external flash, but I don't use it often (as I don't really know how to use it all that well).

Keara @ Now I Know What Life Is All About said...

Aww! I love this picture!

I am going to try to get better with telling my settings and info. I did just go back and do the last 2 days. Here is also a little about me and what I use... http://nowiknow365project.blogspot.com/2011/01/little-about-me-and-answering-few.html.

I am just sticking with natural light now.

Andrea said...

Aww so cute!

I have a Nikon D90 with a few lenses. Tamron 17-50 2.8 ( My main zoom) Nikkor 35mm 1.8 (my go to Prime) and a 50 mm 1.8 which I never use. Also a Nikkor 70-210 zoom but thats mostly my lens for the kids soccer games and stuff.

I have a external flash but I don't like to use it. I am never very happy with the results of using it unless I use it off camera. And I only use it if I have to.

I would say stick with natural light til you are happy with your focus and other things. The flash won't make it easier. It has a HUGE learning curve to get it bounced right with out making your pics look very flashy.

hipchicagomom said...

Accck! I am looking at the same camera you have (Canon Rebel XS) - do you like it? I originally couldn't get a DSLR until the end of the year, but some circumstances have brought me into a situation where I'm able to purchase one as soon as I'm ready. :)

Anonymous said...

I have the Canon Rebel XS too, with the 18-55mm lens. I want to look into another lens as well.
How do you like the 50mm?

Kristal said...

Love the shot!

I have a Nikon D40, 18-55, 55-200, 50mm, and recently added a light scoop. I am using my 50mm for the 365 project this year.

As for the light scoop, it is really cool and pretty easy to use. But mostly I do everything I can to not use a flash. Just don't like how it washes everything out.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I have a Canon T1i. I have a 50mm f/1.8, which I'd like to sell along with a set of macro filters. I have a 50mm f/1.4. I have the kit lens 18-55mm IS. I have a zoom 5-250 IS f/4. I have a 100mm macro f/2.8. I also have a speedlite 580 EXii. The macro & speedlite I just purchased on Friday. My 50 mm f/1.4 is the lens most often on my camera.

With regards to your focus. I had issues with that until I took my camera off "auto focus points". (Your camera has several focus points) Basically I told my camera I want to decide, which focus point to use when focusing. I use the middle one, press the shutter half way down to lock the focus, and recompose the shot. Does that make sense? Hope so. (In my camera manual it talks about this on pages 66 & 67.)
~ingrid

Susan said...

Cute! And great lighting.
I have a Sony alpha 350. We bought a Sony because we had some Minolta lenses that were compatible with it. I also have a Minolta external flash that I use occasionally. Eventually I would like to switch over to Nikon though.

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

It's a great shot. I have the same camera and same lenses. I also have a couple of Quantaray lenses that I use sometimes. I, too, use manual focus much of the time.

Melissa said...

You are definitely not demanding! Asking questions is the best way to learn and we're all here to help! :) This picture is so insanely cute and again, I want your lighting! :)

So I have a Canon 50D and a 50mm 1.8 (never use), a 35mm 2.0 (always use), 70-300mm (currently selling), 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 (my go to zoom lens, still never use) and the kit lens (most hated, haha). Okay all that said. I like prime lens, 50mm, 35mm etc. I feel like you get sharper photos, but that's me. However, I do think everyone should have one zoom lens because you never know when you'll need that zoom. I'm hoping to sell my old Rebel and purchase the 50mm 1.4. The quality in that lens is a million times better than the 1.8. As regards to a flash, don't get one. I've had one for two years and I pull it out occasionally and have no idea how to use it. If you need a flash, get a light scoop and use a force flash with your on camera flash for fill lighting. It's a cheaper way to get a bounce flash effect. I love natural lighting the most and highly recommend really nailing exposure with it before you move on to flash. You'll get there. You're sharpness has really improved this month, I noticed a difference in my absences too! You're learning a lot quicker than I did, I struggled for a long time. Keep asking questions! :)

Tracy said...

http://workofheartandsoul.wordpress.com/about/
My whole list is here, except what's in my studio.

Karin said...

Katherine, I think I have pretty much the same equipment as you have right now (using a Rebel T1i). Just got the 50mm f/1.8 lens in December. I look forward to hearing from you how you'll like the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, should someone be so kind as to give it to you for your b-day:)

Anonymous said...

I use a Nikon D7000 with a 35mm f/1.8 lens most of the time. I am getting ready to get the 50mm. I also use a speedlight 600.