Upgrading my Canon EOS

Salam and hi to all,

After using my first DSLR camera (Canon EOS 500D) for awhile, I realized that I needed more. Thankfully enough, at that time, I had enough money stashed away for an upgrade project. The game was set. The research was given a 'go'.

Countless hours and 'almost' sleepless nights had gone through searching and reading from reviews and forums for the right DSLR camera replacing my not-that-old-yet-trusted Canon EOS 500D. The old camera had opened my eyes to the expanding and evolving world of digital creative photography. Adding a new one, would only hoped to further this still-freshly-found motivation and interest.

Coming from 3 digit Canon EOS (ie the '500' in EOS 500D), many had said that it was a logical step to get better hardware among the 2 and 1 digit Canon EOS cameras. The specifications and prices of said cameras would then be the deciding factors. The one digit Canon EOS camera can set me back around RM5500 and more (body only) plus a few more thousands for the lens. The one camera  I started to have great interest in was Canon EOS 7D. 

In-depth review of Canon EOS 7D can be found here.

It was introduced a few years back in late 2009. The hardware specifications are fantastic with 2 integrated DIGIC 4 image processor and a full frame coverage photo shots through the viewfinder while the ISO level can reach up to 12800. It is a 18 mega-pixel shooter covered in sturdy magnesium body signifying its status as a semi-professional level among Canon EOS camera line-up.

However it was just too costly to me. I was stricken by it. I knew if I waited a bit more and perhaps save some more money, I could get my hand on one unit of that camera and called it my own. On the other hand, I found that there was another Canon EOS camera revealed fairly recent (late 2010) which has an articulated screen. The camera specification was tuned akin to the Canon EOS 7D. It was a Canon EOS 60D.

In-depth review of this camera can be found here.

After reading more about this fairly new camera, I felt that this was the camera for me. The articulated 3.0 inch screen is invaluable in many photo shoot situation. Many has praised its inclusion with this camera stating extending its value to be a more multi-angle shooter. Although Canon has placed this camera for serious enthusiasts category, it's specifications are slightly in-favour of replacing a quite old semi-pro level Canon EOS camera, which was Canon EOS 50D.

EOS 60D is a 18 mega-pixel shooter with a single DIGIC 4 image processor and able to record 1080p video out-of-the-box. However it is not a full-frame coverage photo shots through the viewfinder. It is cropped at 95% coverage. Meaning, the result photo will be cropped about 5% at all sides from what you see in viewfinder.

Thus, with large sum of money in my hand and a peace of mind (knowing I had made up my mind) I went to Boeing Photo Sdn Bhd (located inside the Mines Shopping Centre in Seri Kembangan) and purchased the camera. I 'almost' jumped with joy knowing that they had the unit I wanted with kit lens 2 (EF-S18-135mm IS). When arrived home, I went into the internet and had the camera registered with Canon Malaysia Online Registration. 

My road to further discovery in the world of digital creative photography had just been paved with solid assurance. A few accessories were needed to complete my photo-taking experience. I will write more on this later. 

Till next time. Wassalam and good bye.

My First DSLR...

Salam and good day to all,

My first camera DSLR was a Canon EOS 500D with kit lens 1 (EF-S 18-55mm IS). I bought it out of my rising interest on photography and one other personal reason. The camera was a great joy and an excellent introduction to the wide world of creative DSLR photography. The possibilities of taking great photos was then in my hand. However, using compact or point-and-shoot camera can enable one to take great and memorable photos yet it lacks the 'punch' and 'kicks' of going further into the world of creative photo captures and compositions.

Link to in-depth review of this camera can be found at: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos500d/

Thus, whenever I had the chance, I would be taking photos and learning how to catch great moments through the viewfinder of the my Canon EOS 500D. Only then I realized there are more to taking photos than just squeezing the shutter release button.

There are things that I have to be aware of, for example ISO meter, aperture value, exposure compensation, shutter speed and more. The more accurate you are at measuring and setting them up, the more accurate the colours and lighting present in the photos. I started to think that photography is not only about the emotions and the precious moments that you see in front of you, but it is also about capturing the right amount of lights and colours to make your compositions/photos meaningful and appreciable.

I think I will be more mature in photography as I experimented more with my camera settings and shots. The more you use it, the better you will become.

That's all for now. Wassalam and good bye.

Bought a new tripod...

After much debated mishaps on my part, the old tripod which I bought a year or two ago was broken. Sad but true, the tripod was broken and in need of replacement. Taking photo without a tripod when it is needed is not an enjoyable situation at all. As many photographers (and videographers too) would have said, a tripod greatly helps in keeping the camera (video recorder) still or unshaken. It is also instrumental to capture still photos such portraits, landscape shots such as mountain ranges or even sea shores during sunset/sunrise.

Thus, the search for a new tripod began. After many hours of research (forums and reviews), I finally made my mind on a Velbon VS-443D. A tripod designed to be multi-purposed in its usage. It is useful in normal use portrait and landscape shots as well as allows for capture of images at close range or macro shooting.

Below is a few photos and a youtube video review of the tripod. The review showed how flexible and dynamic the tripod is thus allowing for multitude of ways to capture images and videos.

  

The pros:

1. The build quality is excellent. The whole tripod is made of aluminium except for the ball-head which is made of magnesium (which is also very good).
2. The ball-head can be tilted and locked according to my needs. As a result, the camera can be freely positioned (for example: upside down, at awkward angle etc).
3. The total height of the tripod (after all 4 leg sections are extended) is good enough for me. I do not have to bend over just to compose my shots through the viewfinder all the time.
4. Multitude of positions it can accommodate to suit my photo shoot needs.
5. It is not heavy to carry (about 1.85kg). A bag is provided out-of-the-box for easy carry.
6. The price is within my budget. :)

The cons:

1. The ideal weight for this tripod is about 3kg. The maximum load it can support is about 5kg. Well, first of all, this is not a big problem for me as total weight of my camera (camera+semi-telefoto lens+flash) would not exceed 3kg. Thus it is more suited for use with camera (compact or DSLR) and light-weight video recorder.

All-in-all, I think I have made a good decision on purchasing this tripod.

Well, what do you think?