70-200L f/4 IS Learning Curve?

[Mum2J&M]

So I was out in the mid-day sun yesterday (ugh) taking pics of the kids and my husband at the lake. Most came out with severe blow-outs and nasty shadows, go figure. Couldn't make much use of a flash as I was far away from my subjects. I tried many configurations - ISOs of 100, then 200 (in case this would help to get a smaller aperture/faster shutter speed). I tried spot metering in some cases to see if that might help. Seems like I failed miserably. Not sure if it's my error just not being familiar enough with this particular lens, needing to learn more about exposure in general, or if it would've been the same with any lens in that lighting situation, or all of the above. I have taken some great images with this lens in the past, but mostly in late afternoon. What tips do you have for severe mid-day sunlight shooting? And is there one lens you'd use over another?

As many can see, I've been through several lenses and have finally settled with the 24-70L and the 70-200L 4 IS. I am extremely happy with both. The "brick" somehow doesn't feel as heavy now that I've become so used to the Ls in general. When I first had it, I was judging by the only other lens we had at the time - the 18-55 kit. The only other lens I had that was on the heavier side was the Tokina 12-24. I know at this point, I need and want to practice a lot with these two great lenses and hopefully learn to get some good results. Oh - and I also have a flash again. B&H has been given rave reviews by me in their surveys. I asked if they would just send me back the two lenses I initially returned instead of making them send brand new ones. They said not to worry about it and that they had to send new ones. So I tried anyway. You guys were totally right about zooms. As wonderfully sharp as the primes are, I will stick with the zooms for now b/c it's just much more useful with these kids growing up. Portraits are few and far between and I am not a pro using them for others. I've learned some hard lessons and finally feel happy with my decision. Every lens has its purpose. I just had to find what was right for my situation. And finally have. Joke all you want, but I guess this is just something I had to do. Now, with your help, I'd like to learn how to make the most of these lenses... thanks for all your support.

[Mum2J&M]

Woops - here is a link to our smugmug site. You can see the above-referenced photos in our family album section. Thanks.

http://cleo68.smugmug.com/

[SkipD]

You've run into situations where a camera's exposure automation has trouble - highly contrasty scenes. The camera cannot possibly know what you want out of such situations, and it can only guess based on the way Canon programmed the camera and the operator's choices you've elected to use.

It's situations like these that I will often resort to my handheld meter. I also, of course, have many years of experience in analysing what my meters are telling me. The experience is invaluable, as is a basic understanding of the limitiation (called "latitude") of the film or digital camera that you are using in being able to capture a wide range of brightness.

I'd suggest that you find a book or two (such as Understanding Exposure (http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9752870-3668818?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183778013&sr=8-1)) to brush up on the basics and learn how to handle the not-so-basic situations.

By the way - you've done a nice job with the shots using fill flash. The flash is detectable (by the shadows it creates) but not overpowering.

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks Skip. I have that book and will have to look at it again tonight. It's one of those things I have to keep going back to as the situations arise. I really should've used my external flash yesterday, but don't have any batteries yet, lol. I understand what you mean about the camera being able to "figure out" what settings are needed. Would I have been better off in manual mode? Perhaps my guesses may have been better than the cameras at times? LOL.

[Mum2J&M]

Here's one I like taken early evening. Happy accident maybe.

http://cleo68.smugmug.com/photos/177261700-S.jpg

[blueM]

Here's one I like taken early evening. Happy accident maybe.

Looks good.

Wow. I thought I was keeping up with all your trials & tribulations, but obviously I've been out of touch. Primes all gone, huh?

Re. your initial question. I just try to bracket, if possible. If not shoot to the right & do the best you can in PP. My guess is that you will be moving around & changing your angle to the sun. Some will come out better than others. That's the beauty of digital, losers really cost nothing.

I'm not really qualified to comment on the technical issues here, but I think the problem is that there is more dynamic range in these types of shots than you camera is capable of capturing.

Back to the zoom issue. I'm glad that you've gotten over the weight issue with the brick. This lens is in my future. I hope to get my wife more interested in photography so the weight of this lens will be an issue.

Just keep shooting

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks Kevin. Don't worry. This is the first thread where I've actually "admitted" I've gone back to the zooms. I was too embarrassed and worried about it at first. Then I figured f*ck it. They're expecting it anyway. And I'd rather be here with some qualified, helpful support than not. I actually used the hood today for the first time. Not sure if it helped or not. Haven't seem to have had any issues with flare yet. I've just got to start getting out there around dinner time and not lunch time. ;)

[Mum2J&M]

Here's a guy (or gal) I met up with during our walk around the lake. Seems to need a bath.
http://cleo68.smugmug.com/photos/178260706-S.jpg

[chauncey]

I've got to agree with blueM, the easiest thing to do is bracket your images ( no disrespect, but do you know that technique). Also, are you shooting in Raw and doing post processing or shooting jpeg and letting the camera do the processing.

We are glad to help but need more info.

[Mum2J&M]

No - but I can start shooting RAW again now that I have some memory. Yes, I'm familiar with bracketing. I haven't done it since the film days.

[blueM]

No learning curve to RAW. If I recall, Mum, you have some PS skills (although I think you said you prefered not to spend a lot of time in PP), so I don't think you will have any problems. The flexibility is great to ignore.

I think I started with RAW, straight away, when I first got my 20D. The only time I've shot Jpeg is at a Parade of Homes show. Those shots were just professional interest & I didn't want to feel restricted to 100 shots per card in RAW.

[blueM]

BTW, I'll be following your progress with this lens. I have the non-IS version & will trade up to the IS vesion at some point (on my way to upgrading to the 5D).

I find that I can't hold the non-IS steady enough (monopod helps some, but it's a big hassle). This is, however, one sweet lens. :)

[Mum2J&M]

Yeah, I don't think I could do it without the IS. I think it probably makes a really big difference at this length. I'll have to try RAW again. It's just so time consuming to me and it seems to take up so much space. I also find downloading to be a pain, but it's likely because I just don't have enough experience with it.

[blueM]

It's just so time consuming to me and it seems to take up so much space.

Since I mostly shoot RAW I don't have anything to compare to. Space, yes but space is cheap these days.

PP is for rainy days or when your kids are in bed. I don't have that issue as my kids are 27 & 23. Whole different set of problems/fun.

[Mum2J&M]

In some ways I can't wait until my kids are that old, lol.

[blueM]

Don't know what you use for PP. I have been using Lightroom the last couple of months. I have been blown away by this program. My only previous experience has been with PS 6, & self taught at that.

MY PP has improved 100% with Lightroom. Best $95 I ever spent in photography (academic purchase as my wife is a teacher)

[blueM]

In some ways I can't wait until my kids are that old, lol.

Teen years can be a challange. My daughter is 27 & has become a real human being. That's kinda neat. My son has a few years to go, hopefully.:confused:

[Mum2J&M]

I did the free trial for Lightroom. My Stepfather uses it as well and likes it. I'd love to have it, but can't justify the cost right now as I just went through all this lens purchasing fiasco. I liked that it is relatively easy to use, but can still do the complex things you need it to - often better than PS. I went from Elements to CS3 back to Elements because I missed a lot of the "dumbed down" (a/k/a not completely impossible to understand) tasks that program can do.

[Mum2J&M]

I found I became friends with my Mother again in my early 20s. We did NOT get along during my teenage years. I can only imagine what it'll be like with two boys. Yikes.

[macroshooter1970]

I found I became friends with my Mother again in my early 20s. We did NOT get along during my teenage years. I can only imagine what it'll be like with two boys. Yikes.


then don't let it happen with you and your kids.