outdoorphotographycanada.com

[lizzywinona]

Hello everyone

I have been loving my new found photography hobby. I use to shoot pictures in high school and have take it up again since my purchase of a Canon Rebel XSI in the spring. Very addictive hobby! I would have to say my favourite lens is the 100 mm Macro lens I purchased at the photo and digital show a few months ago. The photo and digital show is where I discovered this magazine as well. I hope to have a few more lenses under my belt in the near future and a Mac computor with the photo editing programs to match. All this takes time but in the mean time I am having a blast exploring everything and learning as much as I can

Cheers
Elizabeth

[Bluenoser]

Welcome Elizabeth, I also have an Xsi and a variety of lenses, one of which is the 100mm f2.8 Macro. I really enjoy shooting Macro.

Which part of this wonderful country are you from?

Hope you enjoy yourself here.
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We don't stop laughing because we get old, we get old because we stop laughing.

[lizzywinona]

Thanks for the welcome

I am from the Toronto, Ontario area.
Ok let me pick your brain, I am on the hunt for a couple of good lens. I need an opinion on a good wide angle and a good portrait lens. Want something that will give a good sharp picture even if I zoom it in 100% on the computor. I think that is why I love my macro lens so much and to be honest am using it 95% of the time because the quality is so good. I like the range of distance on the "kit" lens 18mm to 55mm but the quality is just not there. Any suggestions?
Do you enter any of the monthly contests?

Cheers
Elizabeth[/u]

[Bluenoser]

Well, believe it or not the 100mm f2.8 makes a very good portrait lens.

For wide angle, there a lot of options, but if you have the coin, I'd suggest looking at the "L" series lenses. Are you looking for fixed focal length or zoom? I guess that depends on what you're going to use it for.

The 18-55 isn't a bad lens, but again the "L" series are the top of the line and image quality is exceptional.

A nice walk around is the 24-70 f2.8 or 70-200 f2.8, but both are pricey. Around $1600 and $2800 respectively.

Here a site that gives pretty good reviews if you want to check it out.
http://www.canonlensreview.com/

There are a number of others too, just google "Canon Lens Review".
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We don't stop laughing because we get old, we get old because we stop laughing.

[lizzywinona]

Hello

Yes I have been using the 100MM macro lens as a portrait lens and I find it works nicely, like you said the quality is great. Thanks for the advice, it helps point me in the right direction. I do have an L series lens, the 70-200mm F4 L series. The 2.8 is out of my budget right now All in time, just have to save those images in my head for when the glass comes in. I do think I'll get another lens shortly, I'll just have to narrow it down and get one for now.
Any other tips and tricks and great equipment advise you can pass on I'll gladly take, I am trying to be a sponge for anything I can learn. In the next year I want to take an on-line or night course to really fine tune this craft.


Cheers
Elizabeth

[Bluenoser]

The Digital Photography School is an excellent website for learning - http://digital-photography-school.com/

It has a little of everything. The forums there have every type of photographer from newbie to Pro and all are helpful and willing to share knowledge/experience.

The forums are great, with sections for critique, general chat, equipment, and even a forum for just sharing your shots.

If you're really getting into photography I highly recommend you check it out.


Cheers
_________________
We don't stop laughing because we get old, we get old because we stop laughing.

[lizzywinona]

I had a quick peek at the website, it looks great, thanks.
Any insite on watermarking? I have seen several websites for downloading programs for this but have no idea which one is best?
Do you have any opinion on sigma lenses?


Sorry if I ask so many questions

Cheers
Elizabeth

[Bluenoser]

I don't use watermarks myself, so can't really give a recommendation on a program for making them. I know GIMP is a free program that's supposedly a lot like Photo Shop, but whether you can create watermarks or not I don't know. Someone at DPS will have an answer though.

Not well versed on Sigma lenses either, sorry. From what I've read they seem to be of good quality. Again, this is exactly the type of knowledge that's abundantly available at DPS.

Don't worry about the questions - We ask, we learn. We don't ask, we don't learn.

Cheers
_________________
We don't stop laughing because we get old, we get old because we stop laughing.

[WesternGuy]

Hi Elizabeth and welcome to the forum. It's a great place to meet and greet fellow photographers. You mentioned that you were at a Trade show a few months ago, was that the one put on by Henry's? I was visiting the Toronto area at the time and had the opportunity to take in a few days - my first Trade show of any size and what an experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the "education" sessions that they had running and of course drooled over all the new equipment.

If you are looking for a good wide angle lens, may I suggest the 16-35 L IS Mk II. It is a little pricey, but I have one and the IQ is fantastic. As far as a walk-around lens is concerned, I am using the 24-105 mm as my walk around lens. It has just enough "wide" at the 24 end and is a nice low end telephoto at the 105 end. I have other telephoto lenses for more reach if I need them. I also have the 100 mm Macro that you mentioned and just love it - the IQ is great and the close-up images are fantastic. For a portrait lens, your 70-200 should make a good portrait lens as well, particularly if you keep it about the 85 to 135 range. These are my thoughts, I hope they help a bit.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[lizzywinona]

Hello

that is so helpful, I am probably going to splurge on a good general lens today and I had narrowed it down to the 24-105mm. Bit pricey but there is no sense getting something that just won't give me the results no matter how good I get. I'll keep note of the 16-35mm looks great. For now I think I need to start with the general 24-105mm to cover more of my bases but goodness know what I'll come home with.
Yes it was the Henry's photo and digital show I was at, did the full two day, tooks some seminars and soaked up as much as I could. Can't wait until the next one.
I looked into the photoshop elements as you suggested and I think this could be the best economical choice for me to use on my laptop, thanks.
Going on the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo walk today, should be fun!

Cheers
Elizabeth