First attempt at photogrophy

[app1rwd]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and new to photography. Been attempting to make photographs for the past two days with this Canon 1Ds Mark II which I won purchasing a $1.00 raffle ticket for a local benefit. Had to go online to figure out how to use it because I all ready misplaced the instruction manual. Anyway, in my search for a manual online I came across this website. I read a few threads in the various forums and everyone seems very friendly. So I’m uploading my first attempt at photography and would greatly appreciate any comments.

[Michaelmjc]

You won it with a 1.00 raffle ticket? nooo you serious?, go buy a lottery ticket. That is just amazing, congratulations. What lens do you have for it?

the first picture is very nice, the map is a great idea. The second is ok, it is a little tilted though.

[Ricko of Fla]

Very nice for your first try ,you lucky dog. You got the # 1 camera on the market.
Welcome to the fourm.
Ricko

[Nidz]

Nice one. Maybe you could try it with flash on. It seems a little noisy. Maybe pump down the ISO a little bit.

Still well done on your first try. Good stuff.

[app1rwd]

The lens for this shot was a TS-E 90mm f/2.8. In addition to that lens, I also received the EF 100-400mm f/4.4-5.6 IS USM. Thanks for replying

[app1rwd]

Thank you Ricko...I think I'm going to be spending a lot of money on on a bunch of stuff so I am not sure how lucky I am from a financial point of view

[app1rwd]

I will retry this again once I purchase a flash. Thank you for your feedback

[count zero]

Congratulations! I'm jealous!

Thank you Ricko...I think I'm going to be spending a lot of money on on a bunch of stuff so I am not sure how lucky I am from a financial point of view -- robert

Yes. We also have this problem! ;) But you can use your money buying some lenses and additional stuff.
I have spent all my money on the body (350D) with kit lens. Some days will pass until I will buy my first equipment! :D

Your shots are really good. Keep up the good work.
And welcome to the Forum!

[Curtis N]

Welcome to POTN!I am not sure how lucky I am from a financial point of viewCurrent price at a popular online retailer is around $7,200.00 US. So be careful! This stuff is easy to steal and pawn.

Did you ever find the instruction manual online? Try the download library at canonusa.com

[kenyc]

You are a lucky dog! Wow! Off to a good start with the pics as well. Are you sure you're not pulling all our legs?

KAC

[Az2Africa]

I'm not questioning the poster, but am I alone in thinking that 1Ds, a tilt-shift lens and a 100-400L are a bit of an odd combination for a charity raffle? Who was the donor? B&H?

[Spearin]

I'll buy your camera and lenses off of you for $2.00... You would be doubling your money! ;)

[app1rwd]

This was a benefit for a fallen fireman and many local business in the county offered items to be raffled off. There were actually three camera stores involved who donated the items. The organizers of this event grouped some of the items together. In this case all Canon equipment was grouped and placed on one tray. The way the raffle works is you purchase as many tickets you want for $1.00 each. You then place those tickets on what ever tray you might be interested in. I must confess that I did buy twenty tickets. I placed one ticket on the tray with the Canon equipment because it looked very impressive. The reaming nineteen tickets I placed on the tray for a chance to have a date with Gloria Just who is our local “Julia Roberts”. Needless to say, my luck with women has never been good. When they drew the tickets, there was hardly any fanfare when I was recognized as the winning ticket holder for the Canon equipment. However, the place rocked when my friend James was recognized as having the wining ticket for the date with Gloria.

[app1rwd]

I don't thinks so...

[app1rwd]

Thank you very much for your comments and hospitality

[app1rwd]

Thank you for your comments and while I may have misrepresented the total cash outlay ($20.00 instead of $1.00), I give you my word that I’m not pulling your leg.

[app1rwd]

Hopefully I can keep a close eye on this stuff so I do not anticipate any problems with respect to theft Thank you for the tip on the Canon library. I did eventually find this link and was able to downlaod a copy of the manul.

[Spearin]

Alright, $40 then!

[d-mac]

To get back to the photo's When ever you shoot objects to that nature always get rid of all reflections on your subject. polerizing filters work great.
good job!

[Michaelmjc]

wow I cant believe that, thats so awesome. for 20 bucks you got over 12 000 worth of stuff, soo lucky man.

[app1rwd]

I really do have mixed feelings about this. I do not know anyone who is a photographer (amateur or professional) and not having had any experience in this medium myself, I’m not getting the same feeling of appreciation that say someone who has all ready spent a lot of time, devotion and resources to this art form has. In just a short time I been experimenting with this camera I come to realize that there is so much I need to learn from a basic technical perspective before I can begin to even try something artistic or creative. Also, there are certain essentials that I will need to purchase in terms of additional equipment like a tripod (cause I’m learning that I can not really use the large lens without one) and then there is the ball head for the tripod. What has got me really confused are all the choices and this is just one of many items I’m thinking I am going to need. There is also the software end of this and the fact that my PC needs more memory to handle the files sizes which are huge when you shot RAW. I had to stop shooting in the RAW mode just so I could get a grip on managing the file. While there are prudent ways I’m sure to go about purchasing all that is needed, one thing is clear - for anyone is serious an about being an amateur photographer they will be spending a ton of money over time.

[Reigh Higgins]

Welcome to the forum. You are lucky!!

[queenbee288]

This was way better than a date with Gloria.

[sunbeast]

When they drew the tickets, there was hardly any fanfare when I was recognized as the winning ticket holder for the Canon equipment. However, the place rocked when my friend James was recognized as having the wining ticket for the date with Gloria.[/quote]


Bro....maybe you need to post a picture of Gloria!

[kenyc]

I really do have mixed feelings about this. I do not know anyone who is a photographer (amateur or professional) and not having had any experience in this medium myself, I’m not getting the same feeling of appreciation that say someone who has all ready spent a lot of time, devotion and resources to this art form has. In just a short time I been experimenting with this camera I come to realize that there is so much I need to learn from a basic technical perspective before I can begin to even try something artistic or creative. Also, there are certain essentials that I will need to purchase in terms of additional equipment like a tripod (cause I’m learning that I can not really use the large lens without one) and then there is the ball head for the tripod. What has got me really confused are all the choices and this is just one of many items I’m thinking I am going to need. There is also the software end of this and the fact that my PC needs more memory to handle the files sizes which are huge when you shot RAW. I had to stop shooting in the RAW mode just so I could get a grip on managing the file. While there are prudent ways I’m sure to go about purchasing all that is needed, one thing is clear - for anyone is serious an about being an amateur photographer they will be spending a ton of money over time.

Hey, I'll give you $50 for that setup and even throw in my 20D.

KAC

[jra]

One option that you may want to consider....you could sell the camera and then buy another less expensive but still very capable and high quality camera (such as a 20D or a 5D if you want to stay full frame) and then have several thousand dollars to put towards the "extras". Just a thought.

[app1rwd]

This whole thread is a FRAUD!

Response: Not sure how you come to that conclusion but I suspect your reasoning is flawed. Perhaps it is because you do not understand how the raffle worked. There were many items being raffled off. I think the total was around 300 plus items in all. And as you so aptly noted there was some smaller cameras there as well. I think Wal Mart and Target each donated something of the point and shot variety you mentioned. All items were donated by various businesses in our county. One of the items was a Toyota pickup truck (not sure of the model) from one of the local Toyota dealerships.

Think about it. Nobody in their right mind would have a raffle & give away a top line camera. Makes no sense. For $1 tix to non-photographers, would give away a simple point-shoot. Wouldn't make more money with expensive camera (nobody but dedicated readers of this forum would know its worth).
Would sell same # tix with cheaper camera, and make gobs more money. AND, what was last time there was a raffle for something so expensive with only $1 ticket.

Response: If you think this makes no sense then you probably never heard of a local car dealer donating a car for a raffle and while this camera is expensive a car is a lot more expensive. Just to set the record straight, you had to buy a book of tickets not just one ticket and a book contained twenty tickets. I previously apologized in an earlier thread for incorrectly conveying to everyone that I only bought one ticket. Some people bought five or more books putting all their tickets on one item in the hopes of having their ticket picked. Actually, there were quite a few photographers or at least people who knew how much these Canon items were worth. The camera stores that donated these items were selling books of tickets to their customers. There were over five thousand tickets for these Canon items. Now while that does not cover the retail value of the stuff, remember this was a charitable fund raiser. The point and shoot cameras did not do so well. I believe there were two of them and each one had less then one hundred tickets nobody really was trying to win them. By the way, it is rumored that the lady who won the Toyota pickup truck purchased fifty books that’s $1,000 dollars and put all the tickets toward the truck. County wide the organizer claim that over $250,000 dollars was raised.

The picture posted is not that of someone with first experience.

Response: Thank you very much for your encouraging words.

You have all been taken in. Readers of this forum should take a deep breath, count to ten before answering such cons.

Response: What is the con? I have asked for nothing of anyone. I think you need to be a little less cynical

Anyway, he's from NW New Jersy, where they're havong a bear hunt this week

Response: None!

[app1rwd]

Thank you for you kind welcome and hopitality...

[app1rwd]

Perhaps you are right cause she really is out of my league...though it might have ended up being cheaper in the long run

[app1rwd]

Thanks for the offer Kenny but I'm thinking that would not be an advantageous trade...

[app1rwd]

Another friend has suggeted something very similar...I think I'm going to keep what I have for now and see how things pan out.

[m3incorp]

Hey man, post a picture of that great win of yours; that way we can all drool in envy. You and your friend winning the most wanted items. Now that is what I call "super" lucky. I am sure somebody took a pic of him and "Gloria" also.

[bikerider]

"I suspect your reasoning is flawed."

Flawed? No, brilliant.


"What is the con? I have asked for nothing of anyone. I think you need to be a little less cynical"

Good question. Why would anybody waste as much time as you did is the question, not "what is the con?"


"I’m not getting the same feeling of appreciation that say someone who has all ready spent a lot of time, devotion and resources to this art form has."

As Lenny Bruce once said: "You can't con a con." Some of the sanctimonious, super-serious members of this forum fell for your story, hook, line & sinker. Great try.


"you probably never heard of a local car dealer donating a car for a raffle and while this camera is expensive a car is a lot more expensive."

Sure, an entry level car. And, everyone knows the value of a car, very few know the value of a great camera. Very unlikely a camera shop would have donated, as hey are all having a hard time making it in this market.

You've already acknowledged misleading us. Give up the ghost. Drop out of the forum, or come up with a differnet name.

Hey you're a cranky one aren't you? I think your comments about forum members is way out of line and I think you've missed the point of the responses. People here are not cynical and generally accept the things other people say. Certainly the story is out of the ordinary but not impossible and if untrue, so what. Our new friend may hang around and post more images and time is the ultimate judge of most things. I'm giving the guy the benefit of the doubt because I like happy endings.
Roger.

[Incomel]

I will trade you my 20D for your 1D. Think about it, my camera is 20x bigger and better, honest. It is like trading 20 shiny copper pennies for single, worn silver dollar. Now who wouldn't go for that. I will even throw in a whopping 256mb flash card! Wow!..........................LOL.............. Really, congrats on getting a great camera, look forward to seeing your pictures.

[mijbril]

....People here are not cynical and generally accept the things other people say. Certainly the story is out of the ordinary but not impossible and if untrue, so what. Our new friend may hang around and post more images and time is the ultimate judge of most things. I'm giving the guy the benefit of the doubt because I like happy endings.
Roger.

We accept what people say because we're Australian don't we Roger?? Anyway, you'd know yourself, those "win a house on the Sunshine Coast" tickets where you have to buy a complete book of tickets. Often they give away $80K worth of cars in these sorts of things as well. Who's to say this sort of thing does not happen at a more localised level in the worlds richest country??

BTW, the pictures shown did nothing for me either, LOL....

Still, welcome to the forum & all that :D

[app1rwd]

" Some of the sanctimonious, super-serious members of this forum fell for your story/"

Sir,

I certainly respect your right to disbelieve this and hold no animosity towards you for that. However, your disdain and anger should be solely directed at me and not other members of this forum. The qualifiers you used to describe members of this forum are a bit over the top in terms of acceptable behavior as far as I’m concerned.

[app1rwd]

Appreciate your sensible approach and thank you for the benefit of doubt…

[app1rwd]

Tempting but no thank you...

[jothefish]

Come on - give the guy a break...
Why can some people not accept the fact that good things can happen to people.

Robert - you must have done something really good in your last life - great Karma!
Congrats - enjoy - keep shooting and keep asking questions.

One peice of advice to a newbie - always burn a CD (or rather DVD with your large files)!
Murphy's Law - your system WILL crash at some point!!!

[app1rwd]

...
BTW, the pictures shown did nothing for me either, LOL....

Still, welcome to the forum & all that :D

Thank you for the welcome and hopefully I’ll be able to post some pictures in the future that will move you.

[app1rwd]

Thanks burning tip...I have all ready had my PC crash on me. Was able to get it up and going but lost some pictures...

[D Boone]

Images both look too noisy, Get a tripod and Bump your iso up to 100. Lengthen the exposure time.

[app1rwd]

Thanks for the tip...I'm picking up a tripod today. Should have a flash by end of week

[mwinog2777]

" Some of the sanctimonious, super-serious members of this forum fell for your story/"

Sir,

I certainly respect your right to disbelieve this and hold no animosity towards you for that. However, your disdain and anger should be solely directed at me and not other members of this forum. The qualifiers you used to describe members of this forum are a bit over the top in terms of acceptable behavior as far as I’m concerned.

OK, if you insist, my disdain will be only for you. Thank you so much for respecting my First Amendment right for free speech.

[Curtis N]

Images both look too noisy, Get a tripod and Bump your iso up to 100. Lengthen the exposure time.Huh?

Exif info on both images indicates exposure time of 30 seconds, F/32, ISO 100.

What little noise exists in the images is caused by the long exposure time.

I suspect that what you think is noise in the second shot is actually the texture of the background.

[dgcorner]

Robert -- welcome to POTN... and congrats with your win! You might want to have the camera & lenses included in your home contents insurance. As one of the guys mentioned, that is the top camera, and very hot.

Nice pics too!

Cheers!

[D Boone]

Huh?

Exif info on both images indicates exposure time of 30 seconds, F/32, ISO 100.

What little noise exists in the images is caused by the long exposure time.

I suspect that what you think is noise in the second shot is actually the texture of the background.

I stand corrected... But I don't usually save peoples photos to view the exif info... I was not commenting on the background of the second pic, I realize that was backgound, rather that the first one looked noisy... But I think that the noise I was commenting on was just jpeg compression, and possibly a little camera shake...

[sasa007]

Just get some canon IS lenses and you are all set up.Holding camera still needs some praktice without IS...

Welcome to the forum.I am happy that there is still luck on the world, try to learn as much you can :)

[app1rwd]

Thanks for your input...and I did have some compression issues (at least I think I did on account of these RAW files are huge. I do appreciate you taking the time to comment...

[app1rwd]

Huh?

Exif info on both images indicates exposure time of 30 seconds, F/32, ISO 100.

What little noise exists in the images is caused by the long exposure time.

I suspect that what you think is noise in the second shot is actually the texture of the background.

Now that you have pointed this out it makes sense. The long exposure is because I did not have a flash. The second shot the background is a stucco wall that is rough and uneven. Thanks for viewing the pictures and providing feedback…

[app1rwd]

Just get some canon IS lenses and you are all set up.Holding camera still needs some praktice without IS...

Welcome to the forum.I am happy that there is still luck on the world, try to learn as much you can


Robert -- welcome to POTN... and congrats with your win! You might want to have the camera & lenses included in your home contents insurance. As one of the guys mentioned, that is the top camera, and very hot.

Nice pics too!

Cheers!


Thank you both for the warm welcome and for taking time to view my photographs...

[app1rwd]

Good Morning Mark,

Thank you for again posting your continuing and evolving thoughts on this subject. Let me first say that I am pleased that you think these photos are of such excellent caliber as to be the work of a seasoned and experienced photographer. This is very encouraging. However, I must admit though that I am somewhat perplexed by a few things here;

1) Your mania in trying to disprove the possibility that winning a camera of this type in a raffle is totally out of the realm of possibilities.
2) Your use of such of such disparaging descriptions such as “sanctimonious, super-serious members” in describing those who are willing to accept the plausibility of all this.
3) Your obsession that there is something dark and nefarious about this. Your use of such phrases as “you can not con a con” have me wondering - are you admitting to being a con yourself here?

Your latest observation that you hold up to all who will listen as irrefutable evidence of my being guilty of mendacity is easily explained. However I’m sure that the explanation would not convince you otherwise as you are not willing to keep an open mind about any of this. Be that as it may, I shall offer the explanation anyway just to set the record straight because the accusation that I am guilty of mendacity is a pretty serious allegation and to my mind, bordering on slanderous.

Here is your – statement

–“The EXIF data shows a 30 second exposure. Is there anyone out there who believes this was a hand held photo by a first time photographer? If you do, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. This gets more bizarre with each posting. Clearly, the author of above is guilty of mendacity”

As you can see from the photographs these are basically shots taken on a table top. The lens I used was a small lens (TS-E 90mm) and the lighting source was without any flash equipment so there was what everyone is calling a long exposure. Now this part is a bit embarrassing but here goes. The first few shots I took did in fact turn out to be horrible - very blurry as I was holding the camera. You can understand why I would not post these. It did not take me long even with my limited expertise, to realize that I needed to stabilize the camera. I did this by using eight rather thick books and sitting the camera on top of them so I did not have to hold it still for such a long time. I would hardly call this bizarre and can not understand for the life of me why you think of it as such. The premise of your latest proof is based on the falsehood that the camera was handheld for these shots. Not sure how you have come to this conclusion but it is not fair to be leveling such serious accusations of mendacity based on this misrepresented fact.

Hope this reply finds you well and in good spirits…by the way do you have a site that I may go to that showcases some of your work? I would be interested to see it.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

oOo....I used to have a 100-400L..had it for a few months. I've also wanted a 1Ds MkII for quite a while now...

Post a shot of the 100-400L on the 1Ds, and I'll love you forever. :p

That'd be quite the combination. Congratulations.

[app1rwd]

Hello Ronald,

I’m going to try and get some work done with the large lens early next week. Unfortunately, work has got me traveling on the road and I did not bring the camera with me. I let you know when I post something…thanks for checking these photo’s out…

[Liberalis]

Welcome Robert, thats a nice bit of kit you've won yourself, and with the value may I remind you to insure it.

Congratulations, and also well done for your display of patience and manners.

I think it should be the rest of us typing in green.

Regards

Kris

[BottomBracket]

Robert, welcome to the forum! I am amazed by your luck, I do wish that something like that would happen to me sometime. I agree that it is good karma. We are mostly a friendly bunch here and please do not mind if a few (one so far) try to get you down. Personally I couldn't fathom why he's wound up so tightly about this thing.

Anyway, just explore your camera's capabilities and post questions at the EOS section if you need any help. I'm sure you will get a lots of tips and advice. Enjoy your camera!

[m3incorp]

Interesting I must say.........

[bikerider]

I'm really surprised there hasn't been a comment from a moderator yet on the comments by one particular poster:eek:.
Roger.

[digitalrebel]

;) Ill refund your dollar...

Verry lucky to have that camera... drool.