-= T2i / 550D users UNITE! (2) =-

DS_Monsoon wrote in post #12191665
I use the Meike battery grip...

Thanks DS... sadly no odd bug, this was reported on the different sites before purchasing and I even asked about it on this very form (perhaps its previous incarnation) about this Error 50 with the built in flash .

My grip is the Opteka one... also as close to the Canon as possible.

Now, in this case I didn't see any battery depleting at all, just an Error20 after the Error50. I'll avoid using the built in flash this time and see if there is a better indicator on this new batteries I just inserted.

For all the folks reporting on this, could you please provide info as to whether you are using 1 or 2 batteries in the Grip?

Thanks again,
Rafa.

So many great posts while I was out hiking!

@rafa that ERROR 50 issue a strange one to me, I don't own any off-camera flashes so whenever (albeit rarely) I use a flash it is the onboard and I bought an Opteka grip but when I got it, it said Meike on it (Opteka on the box though) and I use 2 batteries in the grip (I have 2 OEM and 2 aftermarket, I swap between the sets but don't mix them). I have never had an ERROR 50 or 20... hope you don't have more issues and find a way to not run into that again.

I did run into an issue though, the top dial next to the shutter button wouldn't work, it physically turned but it wasn't adjusting aperture or ISO in the camera... I turned it off and on, tried again, same thing, then one more time and it worked, and has been working since... glitch or physical internal damage?

I also run evaluative with manual EV compensation, it gives the quickest most consistent results for me.

RafaPolit wrote in post #12191820
Thanks DS... sadly no odd bug, this was reported on the different sites before purchasing and I even asked about it on this very form (perhaps its previous incarnation) about this Error 50 with the built in flash .

My grip is the Opteka one... also as close to the Canon as possible.

Now, in this case I didn't see any battery depleting at all, just an Error20 after the Error50. I'll avoid using the built in flash this time and see if there is a better indicator on this new batteries I just inserted.

For all the folks reporting on this, could you please provide info as to whether you are using 1 or 2 batteries in the Grip?

Thanks again,
Rafa.

Rafa, somehow I missed your original post on this issue, and I don't know what any of those error messages mean, but for whatever it's worth, I use the Meike grip and always have two batteries in it, except for the other day when I had one battery charging.

I've never gotten one of those error messages, even when using the onboard flash, and I've never run out of battery. The only place I've ever even noticed a low battery indicator is on the camera readout itself, and that was only once. Normally, if I know I've got a big shoot coming up, I make sure to recharge my batteries before I go.

Natums, that is not comforting to read! And does the battery metering work correctly? That is, you get a 'im getting low' advice, then a red, later a blinking red? Are you using 2 or 1 battery in it?

About your dial... are you sure the on-off button wasn't turned off by accident? It could be a glitch, but it also could be that actual electronic thing detecting the turns is a bit lose and could eventually fail completely. Hard to know, that's why I usually stick to Canon products!

Rafa.

natums wrote in post #12191831
So many great posts while I was out hiking!

@rafa that ERROR 50 issue a strange one to me, I don't own any off-camera flashes so whenever (albeit rarely) I use a flash it is the onboard and I bought an Opteka grip but when I got it, it said Meike on it (Opteka on the box though) and I use 2 batteries in the grip (I have 2 OEM and 2 aftermarket, I swap between the sets but don't mix them). I have never had an ERROR 50 or 20... hope you don't have more issues and find a way to not run into that again.

I did run into an issue though, the top dial next to the shutter button wouldn't work, it physically turned but it wasn't adjusting aperture or ISO in the camera... I turned it off and on, tried again, same thing, then one more time and it worked, and has been working since... glitch or physical internal damage?

I also run evaluative with manual EV compensation, it gives the quickest most consistent results for me.

That's interesting. My Meike also came in an Opteka box. I thought maybe because it was a used grip and that was the only box the guy had. Maybe they're the same company, but being branded differently for different markets?

Talking about camera set up I have a question about White Balance? What do you guys use in indoor, outdoor. I asked because the author of the book I am reading about exposure preferred Cloudy but I put mine to Auto all the time. Thanks in advance.

Thanks Annie, so you just plan ahead and never let the batteries deplete? I wouldn't like that approach much, as the life expectancy of a battery is severely lessened if you recharge before its depleted. I know modern batteries are supposedly 'memory free', but still... so you have no idea how the camera behaves when batteries are running low?

Thanks a lot for any info,
Rafa.

Peter2516 wrote in post #12191857
Talking about camera set up I have a question about White Balance? What do you guys use in indoor, outdoor. I asked because the author of the book I am reading about exposure preferred Cloudy but I put mine to Auto all the time. Thanks in advance.

Peter, I read that too, and tried it, but I didn't care for it. I just leave my WB set to auto and adjust in photoshop or lightroom as necessary.

RafaPolit wrote in post #12191864
Thanks Annie, so you just plan ahead and never let the batteries deplete? I wouldn't like that approach much, as the life expectancy of a battery is severely lessened if you recharge before its depleted. I know modern batteries are supposedly 'memory free', but still... so you have no idea how the camera behaves when batteries are running low?

Thanks a lot for any info,
Rafa.

It's not something I've had to do often, but I don't want to run out of battery power just when I need it most.

So far, the only low battery indicator I've noticed (operative word here is noticed...doesn't mean the grip didn't give me one too) is that little icon on the camera, and I've never let it get down to the red zone. So I guess the answer to your question is no; I really don't know how it will behave when the batteries are really low.

AnnieBananie wrote in post #12191865
Peter, I read that too, and tried it, but I didn't care for it. I just leave my WB set to auto and adjust in photoshop or lightroom as necessary.

Great!! thanks. Talking about battery grip I also have the Meike so far so good to me knock on wood.

A collage of the views from inside a 50 years old, 8 storey car park.

Peter2516 wrote in post #12191857
...What do you guys use in indoor, outdoor. I asked because the author of the book I am reading about exposure preferred Cloudy but I put mine to Auto all the time.

Peter, I actually thought that piece of advice on Understanding Exposure to be right on the mark!

This is my approach of recently:
- Cloudy for everything outdoors
- Flash if I'll turn on flash, even for fill
- Tungsten for all indoor pictures

That said I only shoot RAW so everything can be changed in post.

Rafa.
PS. oh, and my new motto is Avoid Auto WB like the plague!

marubozo wrote in post #12186118
Welcome in advance.

The nifty fifty is certainly cheap and provides a lot of bang for your buck, but if you are looking for a solid everyday walkaround lens it's a bit too long IMO. Remember, on a 1.6x crop body that would basically be like walking around with an 80mm lens.

If you have just a little more money to spend on a good prime I think it's far more versatile to shoot for something in the 28-35mm range, which puts you at close to an effective 50mm focal length which is considered "normal" on an old 35m or full frame body. Both Canon and Sigma make a few lenses in this range and you'll get even better glass and some added benefits such as better auto focus mechanisms which will come in quite handy in low light.

thanks a lot for the advice, man.

so i've been thinking about this, rummaging the internet and trying to figure out where to best put whatever money i will have to put into lenses after this purchase, and my immediate conclusion is that i should wait a bit, take a ton of photos with varying focal lengths on the kit lens, see what i wind up shooting at more and which focal length i find myself most in need of a fast lens in, and then see where i'm going with this.

if it isn't obvious, this is my first foray into slr photography.

Wow Annie

Those settings you suggested were way off from what the camera was calling for? That's weird, like I said the program mode was ISO 3200 F 10-13-20 and shutter speed 1/4000 I found some pics at 1/400 F20 ISO 6400. Now I did realize just now I had my camera lens set a 1.2m -00 and not 2.5m-00 could that of had any effects?

RafaPolit wrote in post #12191916
Peter, I actually thought that piece of advice on Understanding Exposure to be right on the mark!

This is my approach of recently:
- Cloudy for everything outdoors
- Flash if I'll turn on flash, even for fill
- Tungsten for all indoor pictures

That said I only shoot RAW so everything can be changed in post.

Rafa.
PS. oh, and my new motto is Avoid Auto WB like the plague!

Thanks Rafa that helps a lot. I will try that. I just came across that topic in undestanding exposures yesterday. I just need to get use of shooting RAW for some reason I am still shooting in JPEG.