w00t! Just got a 300D!

[Ronin]

Heh...yeah, it's not the most exciting thing ever. I'm sure lots of you have one but I'm just super happy about it.

I picked it up today and someone will be by later on tonight to buy my faithful ol' G2. *sniff*

http://ronin.forwardhost.ca/cdr1.jpg

http://ronin.forwardhost.ca/cdr2.jpg

I love her already.

[jojo77]

I got one a couple weeks back and love it. Now I'm trying to learn everything about photography and that's why I'm here. Congrats on your new baby :lol:

[drisley]

I went from the G3 to the 300D and was never happier.
Fast zoom, no more shutter lag, clean pics even at ISO1600! It's awesome! Not to mention the ability to get creative DOF.

BTW, those are great product pics. What did you use for lighting and backdrop?

[vfilby]

I received my rebel today as well, and my g3 will be gone later this month. I love my new rebel, she is so perrty! I even have the lens hood for the efs lens which makes it look alittle ridiculous... Actually she is sitting beside me now, "good little Rebel.'

I bought my rebel for the same reasons as drisley and I am super impressed with it. All the talk of it being light and having no heft; it has enough heft for me after a g3.

The only thing that I am not used to is the lack of exposure feedback. On the G3 it was instantly shown through the lcd screen but here you have to use the histogram and your skillz. I am sure ti will just take some time to adjust.

Vince

[drisley]

I'm not sure what you mean by no exposure feedback?
The G3 behaved basically the same as the 300D.
WHen looking thru the viewfinder and you half press, you get the exposure readings (aperture, speed, etc, depending on mode) in the viewfinder. That is exactly how the G3 behaved, except you looked at the LCD (no feedback at all in the viewfinder on the G3!).

You still had to take a picture and look at the histogram afterward. There was no realtime histogram on the G3.

[vfilby]

What I meant was that as you adjusted the shutter speed the G3 compenstated by adjusting the output to the lcd screen so you knew approx how dark the shot was goin to be. With SLR you can't really adjust the light going to the viewfinder so you can't judge the brightness by the viewfinder. Could be me, maybe I shouldn't have eaten those mushrooms....

I'll get used to it I am sure, maybe I should get a light meter.

The only really, truly annoying thing about the Rebel is its low light AF behaviour: firing off the flash like a rave is not what I want it to do. I am sure I won't be using the built in flash enough to risk that sillyness.

Vince

[ron chappel]

Hey congrats guys and gals!
I must admit that i do often forget how exited i was when i finally bought the 300D :D
The amazing thing about mine was that i bit the bullet and ordered it 2+1/2 weeks before christmas and it juuuuuust arrived on christmas eve :D :D :D :D
how good was that!
Thanks once again to the shop,canon australia and most of all ,those poor bastards in the factory that were doing 24hr shifts before last christmas :lol:

[drisley]

What I meant was that as you adjusted the shutter speed the G3 compenstated by adjusting the output to the lcd screen so you knew approx how dark the shot was goin to be. With SLR you can't really adjust the light going to the viewfinder so you can't judge the brightness by the viewfinder. Could be me, maybe I shouldn't have eaten those mushrooms....

I'll get used to it I am sure, maybe I should get a light meter.

The only really, truly annoying thing about the Rebel is its low light AF behaviour: firing off the flash like a rave is not what I want it to do. I am sure I won't be using the built in flash enough to risk that sillyness.

Vince

Ah ok, I see. There is the DOF button that gives you feedback about diff apertures. Plus, you can use the exposure meter in the viewfinder to give you a good idea. The LCD preview on the G3 and p&s isnt really accurate anyway. Think about when you are using long exposures in a dark room. The LCD preview would be basically black. It doesnt take into account the exposure time (not accurately atleast).
Using a DSLR will help you learn how to get more accurate exposures than you could with a P&S. It will just take some learning, as I'm sure you know.

[vfilby]

Of course, I was just saying that I had learned to gauge the exposure well by the LCD and now I have to break that habit and use other tools such as the exposure compensation thing in the viewfinder.

Now I am off to play with my new toy. Any bets on how long it takes me to buy an accessory? ;-)
Vince

[drisley]

Do you have a flash yet? If not, that would be a great first accessory.
The 50mm F1.8 is also a GREAT way to improve your lens quality.
It only goes on and on.

[vfilby]

Here is the order in which I plan to accessorize:

Flash 550EX or 420EX what ever I can afford at the time; being soon.
50mm 1.8 lens
75-300 USM or another zoom capable of wildlife and sports. Any lens recommendations would be appreciated.

Vince

[drisley]

I think the first 2 sound very good, but the 75-300 USM MAY leave you disappointed. It's hard to say. Some people like it, others dont.
I would recommend the 70-200F4L, but that may just be too much $$$.

Have a look here at many of the lenses, and sample pictures, and see what you think.
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon

[ron chappel]

I don't particularly LIKE the 75-300 but i do like spending the minimum required so this lens does do well in that regard.Here are some pics taken with it.Please note that while this lens is not as good at the long end,the two pics taken @ 300 are not really representative of it's ability-it's abit better than they show
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@205mmf8.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@190mmf5.6.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@135mmf4.5.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@210mmf6.3.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@300mm%20f5.6.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@300mmf5.6.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@75mmf8.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@75mmf9.htm

The next better lenses worth looking at are the 100-300 canon and the 70-300 sigma APO macro superII


But if you have the money to spend on the 70-200/4 L then do that!It is an awsome lens :D

[Ronin]

BTW, those are great product pics. What did you use for lighting and backdrop?

Thanks! I write for www.hardcoreware.net, a website that does computer equipment reviews so I started building a little spot in my place for product shots.

I call it my "Ghetto Studio" because that's exactly what it is. Big sheets of white paper, some $2.00 plywood from Home Depot (only two pieces...they keep products from sinking into the carpet) and a $5 IKEA light. Extremely ghetto but it doesn't look half bad. I don't need it to look awesome but a simple white backdrop is great for product shots.

http://ronin.forwardhost.ca/ghetto.jpg

[piku]

can you take a "behind-the-scenes" pic of your "ghetto studio"? ...i want to see that ^^

[Ronin]

Sure..maybe in a bit...

But I'm telling you...it's just two piece of paper taped (not even GOOD tape...) to a corner with some wood under it.

Seriously. :)

[piku]

i kinda can imagine it ^^ ... a box cut in half diagonally

[drisley]

Looks really good if you ask me!
What type of light? just a regular tungsten?

[ron chappel]

Nice one ronin :D
Did you have the option of custom white ballance on the G3?
I like the slightly soft shaddows in the hornet shot.Using one light and relying on the white paper for fill-in works out extremely well

[c0ntr0lz]

Congrats and Welcome to the 300d Club!!!
will you be joining the 310d Club?

[Jmurman]

Welcome to the 300D club!

You'll be spending LOTS of money before you know it! My first lens purchase was the Sigma 70-200 2.8, followed by the 420 EX flash and a 1.4 teleconvertor and extension tube. My last purchase was the Tamron 28-75 2.8 Di which I really love.

Enjoy!

[Ronin]

Congrats and Welcome to the 300d Club!!!
will you be joining the 310d Club?

Is it seriously worth it to do the firmware hack?

As for the ghetto studio...seriously...just a regular lightbulb in an IKEA desklamp with the adjustable arm that costs $5.

Yes, custom white balance on the G2. Still figuring out how the 300D does it. All I did was custom white balance and then a little auto levels and auto color in Photoshop.

Thanks guys, I never knew the product shots were very good at all.

[vfilby]

Is it seriously worth it to do the firmware hack?

I would say so, but my rebel is used so I had no problems with violating the warantee or such.

Basically it gives you this:

- Flash Exposure Compensation.
- ISO 3200
- The ability to set the focus between AI Servo, One Shot and AI Focus. AI Servo doesn't quite work, you have to hold the shutter half down to use the servo, but the take a picture you have to lift your finger slightly and press down. You can't just press down from the half down position.
- Mirror Lock Up
- Ability to change the size of the embedded JPG when shooting raw.
- plus more custom settings...

Did I miss any important ones?

Vince

[evilenglishman]

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[Ronin]

...good lord, you're l337. Too l337 for me, man.

[evilenglishman]

sorry i couldn't resist. :lol:

translation for anyone who thinks my computer is broken:

damn, when i saw the title of this thread i thought we would get some leet speak

[c0ntr0lz]

Congrats and Welcome to the 300d Club!!!
will you be joining the 310d Club?

Is it seriously worth it to do the firmware hack?

one of the best things in the hack is the MLU(mirror lock up)
comes in very handy for macro shots and long exp
but there are many more options
the AF selction tons of things

[Ronin]

What are the risks involved and...is it likely that I'll damage my camera?

[theoldmoose]

None and no.

And if it fizzles for you, you can easily restore your orginal firmware. Just download the 1.1.1 upgrade from the Canon site prior to experimenting, so you will have the original firmware close at hand, if need be.

[J___]

whats the mirror lock up do? open the shutter as long as you hold the shutter button down?

[vfilby]

whats the mirror lock up do? open the shutter as long as you hold the shutter button down?

When the mirror flips up it causes vibrations. MLU flips the mirror up a given amount of time before the exposure begins to let vibrations settle.

Regards,

[ron chappel]

J__,the shutter staying open as long as the button is held down is called 'bulb' mode Often just called 'B'

[J___]

ah. ok thnx guys for clearing that up.

i want to do the hack for ai servo. ai servo helps with autofocusing moving objects right? like birds in motion?

[vfilby]

It tries to predict the focus by tracking moving objects. The AI SERVO enabled by the hack does not fully work. You can hold the shutter button half way down to start focussing but if you fully depress the shutter button nothing will happen. You have to fully release and then fully depress to take a picture. Which generally means that all your photos will be out of focus by a bit -- unless you are really quick.

[briangig]

is a working ai servo mode going to be possible with future hacked firmwares?

[vfilby]

Perhaps, perhaps not. As far as I know there haven't been rumours of a new firmware. The current one is beta so one would assume that a non-beta version will be available at some point.

In short, my crystal ball is no better than yours.

[xrunner123]

I don't particularly LIKE the 75-300 but i do like spending the minimum required so this lens does do well in that regard.Here are some pics taken with it.Please note that while this lens is not as good at the long end,the two pics taken @ 300 are not really representative of it's ability-it's abit better than they show
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@205mmf8.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@190mmf5.6.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@135mmf4.5.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@210mmf6.3.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@300mm%20f5.6.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@300mmf5.6.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@75mmf8.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/75-300@75mmf9.htm

The next better lenses worth looking at are the 100-300 canon and the 70-300 sigma APO macro superII


But if you have the money to spend on the 70-200/4 L then do that!It is an awsome lens :D

Which priced lens is this? Is it the on priced at $189?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=S earchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=75-300+usm

[boxer82003]

i just upgraded my canon digital elph power shot s300

i dont really see what all the hype is about

"sarcasim"

but i did hit the clean button when i had the lense on i hope i didnt wreck it. do you think it did any damage i just turned it off then read the manual it said i wasnt supposed to do that opps i hope its ok

and yes i talk to my rebel too "good little rebel"

[DocFrankenstein]

Which priced lens is this? Is it the on priced at $189?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=S earchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=75-300+usm
Awww. :lol:

Nobody told you that you're gonna want the BIG L lenses for the rebel? :twisted:

the 70-200 f/4 is this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=183198&is=USA

If you can't afford it, or don't want to afford it, don't get the 75-300. Get the 50 mm prime. Compare the pics from 50mm prime and 18-55 and that would be the difference between 70-200 and 75-300.

Then you're gonna be hooked :roll:

[xrunner123]

Awww. :lol:

Nobody told you that you're gonna want the BIG L lenses for the rebel? :twisted:

the 70-200 f/4 is this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=183198&is=USA

If you can't afford it, or don't want to afford it, don't get the 75-300. Get the 50 mm prime. Compare the pics from 50mm prime and 18-55 and that would be the difference between 70-200 and 75-300.

Then you're gonna be hooked :roll:

The reason why I asked is because the poster said he used the 75-300mm and since he said that some people don't like it I just want to find out which one he used. His pics at 300mm look pretty good to me.

I did buy the 50mm 1.8 and it's like night and day compared to the 18-55. And that is a pretty good analogy, btw.