St. Paul, MN Photos

Basic Equipment

I am a rookie and I bought my first DSLR camera in February of 2008. I had been taking a lot of photos for my blog and a friend encouraged me to buy a DSLR camera. They are expensive and I had no idea if I would even be able to figure out how to use it so I bought one of the least expensive models. I chose the Canon because I have owned several Canon point and shoot cameras and always like them.

Canon Rebel XTI – Shortly after I wrote this I bought a used XTI, it is not the latest and greatest camera by any stretch of the imagination but I am really enjoying it. It has a larger sensor than the XT and a larger viewing area on the back.  It also has more features like automatic sensor cleaning.  It doesn’t have the battery life my XT has but the previous owner included   A battery Grip. The XTI kit lens is the standard EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, the IS means image stabalizer something that I am learning to appreciate.

The lens I use the most is the number #1 the 18-55 lens that came with the camera. it is a great lens. Lens #2 was a must have. It is a Tokina 12-24 wide angle lens. it is a must have for my real estate business because I take most of my own interior property shots. I have a love hate relationship with it. It is heavy and has limited use compared with the smaller kit lens. I have gotten some wonderful interior shots with it and it is great for landscapes. I have been trying it with portraits and have taken some shots of flowers with it. It is growing on me but I am not sure I would have bought it if not for the interior shots and the tax deduction.

Lens number #3 is a Canon 50mm. It is the least expensive lens that canon makes. It has no zoom, and is small and light weight. I love it. It takes clear sharp photos and has a quick focus. The f/1.8 makes it a great lens for low light situations. I have gotten some nice night shots with it and have used it for portraits and close ups.  For me it is a must have lens and sometimes I leave it on my camera for weeks at a time.  When I don’t feel like taking photos . . which is rare . . I grab that lens and have some fun.

Len number #4 Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens OK I love this lens.  It replaces the kit lens for me. It is a little heavy but worth the extra weight.  It focuses very quickly and I am amazed at how sharp the photos look.  I took it out when it was dark out shortly after I bought it and I love the photos I got.

Learning how to use the camera was hard for a newbie who never used an SLR camera. I found the “Canon Eos Digital Rebel Digital Field Guide” by Charlotte Lowrie to be very helpful and I still use it. I also found some great videos on You Tube that give step by step instructions on how to use the camera.

More Equipment

1. Neutral density filter – it makes stuff darker.  I use it for night shoots when it isn’t dark enough and sometimes it is perfect for taking photos in bright snow.  A few times I have used it with a circular polarizing filter. I only have one ND filter for one lens. I don’t use it very often.

2. A remote - I use it a lot for shooting at night.  Yes I know the self timer can be used but this is much faster.  I had a choice between a wireless remote and the one in the photo with the cable. I went for the remote with the cable because it doesn’t use batteries, it is harder to lose, and Canon in their infinite wisdom put the sensor for the wireless remote on the front of the camera instead of the back where it should be.  I use the remote a lot, pretty much anytime I use a tripod.

3. Circular polarizing filter – I have one for each of my lenses.  Great for taking photos that include sky on a bright day. Also great for shooting water. I have read that these filters are over used and abused. I like them for bringing out the blue in the sky.  I also used on on my wide angle lens when I went to lake superior.  I am not sure I could have gotten the photos I got without it. When the sun hits the water it is very bright.

4. Monopod - I have a very inexpensive mono-pod.  I wasn’t sure if I would use it.  I use it a lot.  It is great for travel and will work in a pinch for night photos if I use the remote.  I use it indoors in places where they don’t allow tripods and I find that it is easier to keep my wide angle lens level if I use the mono-pod. Mine has a case with a strap which is very handy.

5. Camera bag – it doesn’t look very big but it has a lot of storage.  It is the 5 million dollar home by Crumpler. It has a lot of pockets and loops on it that can be used to attach other items.  It doesn’t look like a camera bag and I like that too.

6. Tripod – yes I need a new one. The biggest problem with the dang thing is that it is made of metal.  In the winter it just about kills me to touch it. It doesn’t matter how many pair of gloves I have on. The cold just comes right through. There have been times when it makes my eyes water.

7.  There is a piece of equipment I use that isn’t pictured here.  A bean bag. A friend let me use his last summer when we were shooting at night without tripods. The camera can be set most anywhere and the bean bag will support the lens. Very handy to have.

8. A couple of months ago I bought a Gorilla Pod.  When it came I was kind of busy and never even opened the package. Then a couple of weeks ago as I was getting ready for a short vacation I grabbed it and brought it with me. I had more fun with the dang thing.  It is perfect for urban night photography and low light situations where I would ordinarily use a tripod or not even try to get a shot.   The improtant thing abut buying one of these is that you buy one that is heavy duty enough.  I bought the SLR zoom which holds up to 6.5 pounds.  They make one that holds more weight too.  There is a ball head that comes with it. It has an adapter so a speed light can be attached to it.  With that my Gorilla Pod doubles as a light stand for off camera lighting.