40D + questions

nikgone · October 23, 2008

Hi Guys

I'm a complete noob at digital photography and Canon DSLR. I bought an XTi last november and been playing around. Recently I played with a 40D and fell in love with it and decided that i will buy a 40D with 28-135. But I just thought I'd learn some basics from all the pros here

1. whats EF and EF-S?

2. Whats teleconverter?

3. are there any big differences between 580EXII and 430EX?

4.is the 28-135mm kit lens any good? if not good for a noob do you guys have any recommendation? I like to shoot random stuff haha

5. What is th general rule (or principle) on how to set up the shoemount flash (i assume thats what 430EX is)? and how to bounce for a better result?

6. Are those body armor thats sold on ebay any useful?

7. Are OEM battery chargers worth using? or the battery has to be charged on a canon original charger?

8. What type of camera bag do you guys recommend. I see myself in the near future to only have 28-135 (or something else that you guys recommend) and a 24-70L (i'm definitely saving money to buy that baby).

9. Is 24-70L a good general lens for portrait and landscape shooting? or just portrait?

10. for 40D, is there any problem? I heard some 40D has shifting focus or something like that...

Thank you guys once again. If you guys have any links to previous thread or source of info you could refer me to that would be great! so many questions make it hard (and also i dont know how to search) to search on the forum.

Appreciate your input

sincerely

Robinivich · October 23, 2008

1. whats EF and EF-S?

They're 2 types of canon lenses, EF lenses were originally to fit film cameras, and work on all modern canon cameras. EF-S lenses are designed specifically for APS-sized sensors that are smaller and cheaper to build. EF-S lenses are smaller and lighter than EF equivalents, and they cover wide angles that you couldn't get othewise. EF-S lenses fit the digital rebel series and the 20d-50d. These cameras can also use EF, they just crop the lens, which is usually a good thing, unless you want a wider field of view. The higher end 5d and 1d cameras can only use EF lenses, since they have bigger sensors that wouldn't be completely covered by an EF-S lens. This means your EF-S lenses aren't terribly useful if you upgrade to a top of the line model.

2. Whats teleconverter?

A teleconverter is an optic that mounts between a telephoto lens and the camera, and multiplies the focal length of the lens, usually 1.4x or 2x, at the cost 1 or 2 stops of light. Basically it magnifies the image from the lens, so a lens that's not long enough normally can be made longer.

3. are there any big differences between 580EXII and 430EX?

The key ones are that the 580EX II is more powerful, recycles faster, is weather sealed, and can be used to remote control a second flash off camera. It has some other feature advantages, but those are the big ones.

4.is the 28-135mm kit lens any good? if not good for a noob do you guys have any recommendation? I like to shoot random stuff haha

I don't have any personal experience with this one, but reviews are good. It's covers a large range of focal lengths, but on crop cameras (see #1) it isn't very wide, so for groups, landscapes, architecture, etc, you might find it limiting. Best would be to try it in a store and see what the range feels like. An EF-S equivalent that I own is the 17-85 IS, which gives a more useful range (the same on an EF-S camera as a 28-135 on full frame/film), but has a less raved about optical quality.

5. What is th general rule (or principle) on how to set up the shoemount flash (i assume thats what 430EX is)? and how to bounce for a better result?

All flashes that use E-TTL II (all recent models by canon, and some 3rd parties) will automatically adjust to you camera, so there's not alot to do besides keep shooting for pretty solid results. To bounce you just need to angle the flash head, usually by holding a button on the side of the head, the rotating. E-TTL II will do the rest.
BUT... there's a lot more to flash than this when you start getting technical, best to check out some threads in our technique forum for more in depth info.

6. Are those body armor thats sold on ebay any useful?

I've never used one, but this depends more on the person using the camera, there are entire companies devoted to making the things, so I'm sure some people find them useful.

7. Are OEM battery chargers worth using? or the battery has to be charged on a canon original charger?

Personally I never hear much discussion about about the chargers, canon does a pretty nice job, and it comes with the camera, or it should, if you're buying from a trustworthy dealer.

8. What type of camera bag do you guys recommend. I see myself in the near future to only have 28-135 (or something else that you guys recommend) and a 24-70L (i'm definitely saving money to buy that baby).

Too many choices for me to be much use! I'm sure someone else will pipe in with some helpful suggestions.

9. Is 24-70L a good general lens for portrait and landscape shooting? or just portrait?

This depends alot on which camera you're using it with, on a 40d it's probably just right for portraits, less so landscapes, but this is a very broad category. I know this lens is the principal breadwinner for many many photographers out there, but I suspect it's mostly used with full frame cameras.

10. for 40D, is there any problem? I heard some 40D has shifting focus or something like that...

Any product can have the odd defective sample, but I haven't heard anything out of ordinary in the rumour mill, and my own beloved copy is going strong after several months of ownership.

As for the rest, there are always some ongoing discussions about products, technique. Check the stickies in the various sub-forums for tricks specific to that type of photography, and the search should be on the upper right of your browser page!

Last but not least, welcome to Dgrin and I hope you enjoy it here!

ziggy53 · October 23, 2008

Robinivich,

Thanks for the great answers.

I also have the Canon 40D and I have had no problems with focus anything, in fact, I can compare the focus speed and accuracy to the Canon 1D series. It's not quite as fast as the 1D, but it's very good and very accurate.

I am not a fan of the Canon EF 28-135mm, f3.5-5.6 IS USM. It's not that it's a bad lens, it just doesn't suite my way of shooting. It's not a terribly fast lens to begin with and a bit too soft wide open IMO. All of that limits my creativity.

My current travel kit, and the first thing I pick up when I go anywhere, includes:

Canon 40D
Sigma 10-20mm, f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Canon EF-S 17-55mm, f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm, f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm, f/1.4 USM
Tamron 1.4x teleconverter
Canon 1.4x teleconverter
Close focus adapter, 3.3 diopter, to fit the 50mm, f/1.4, gives about 1/2 lifesize.
Canon 500D, 77mm, diopter lens with 67-77mm ring to fit 70-200mm, f/4L, gives almost 1:1 at MFD.
2 - Sigma 500 DG Super flashes
Charger and spare battery.

I put this kit together over the last couple of years and there is very little I can't do for most of what I do. It's just extremely versatile. I am not suggesting that all of these would need to be purchased immediately or exactly these items, only that this kit is extremely satisfying and produces consistently professional results. The Canon lenses mentioned are all capable of working ay their largest aperture and the Sigma works well at 1-2 stops closed, which is where I usually need it.

Many folks would substitute the Canon EF 24-105mm, f/4 L IS USM for the middle/normal zoom lens, but I would have more lens changes and I would miss the f2.8 for both DOF control and more accurate AF.

I usually add any number of the following DIY flash modifiers:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

... and/or a Demb Flip-It:

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/

Nikolai · October 23, 2008

I'm totally with Ziggy on 28-135 and 24-105, and my lens set pretty much matches his (10-22, 17-55/2.8 IS, 70-200/2.8 IS, 100-400, etc. ).
While both are fine lenses and I've seen amazing shots taken with them, one is a bit soft and both are a bit slow. Besides, on an APC sensor they are both not wide enough for my shooting habits to be my "walkaround" lens.

ziggy53 · October 23, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

I'm totally with Ziggy on 28-135 and 24-105, and my lens set pretty much matches his (10-22, 17-55/2.8 IS, 70-200/2.8 IS, 100-400, etc. ).
...

I should add that I do sometimes substitute the f2.8 version of the Canon 70-200mm "L" for the f4 version that I usually carry (although I don't have the "IS" version of the f2.8).

For instance, a couple of months ago I knew I was going to be shooting partly inside an aircraft hanger for an event. I took the 70-200mm, f2.8L and I was very happy to have it for the interior presentations and the larger aperture was very handy to have and to use.

In that case, I also had a second camera, normally stowed in a "holster" bag, with the "normal" zoom attached.

It was a lot to carry but it worked really well as I often had to transition quickly from one camera to the other.

Nikolai · October 23, 2008

ziggy53 wrote:

I should add that I do sometimes substitute the f2.8 version of the Canon 70-200mm "L" for the f4 version that I usually carry (although I don't have the "IS" version of the f2.8).

For instance, a couple of months ago I knew I was going to be shooting partly inside an aircraft hanger for an event. I took the 70-200mm, f2.8L and I was very happy to have it for the interior presentations and the larger aperture was very handy to have and to use.

In that case, I also had a second camera, normally stowed in a "holster" bag, with the "normal" zoom attached.

It was a lot to carry but it worked really well as I often had to transition quickly from one camera to the other.

I don't own f/4 version

, but I do use two bodies when shooting events

nikgone · October 23, 2008

Thank you guys SO MUCH for the informative answer!!!

Any recommendations on lenses for me as a beginner? I'm still in school so I dont have time to goto a place and take pictures. mostly i just take pictures of people, portrait, and probably school buildings.

I have no idea when you guys said 28-135 has a softer edge and stuff like that haha, but 17-85 is also f/4-5.6 and USM IS so I don't know the specifc difference between those two except the zoom range.

When comes to buying lens...is it

1. fixed aperture > changing aperture? (f2.8 vs f/ 3.5-5.6 as an example)

2. buy zoom lens that the range i work at is at the middle of its zoom range? or top range? or bottom range?

3. I'm looking at 28-135, 28-105, 17-85, 17-55. I can't really decide!!! somehow the new 18-200 looks appealing because it covers every range!

4. I tried to read the definition of aperture but i'm still not understanding it... smaller f stop = ...lest say f/ 1.8 = LARGE aperture = faster lens = produce blur effect on the background (<--bigger or smaller depth of view on this one?).

5. diffuser...reflector...bouncecard.....what do those do!?!??!!

argh too many questions to ask i even hate myself now.

Does Dgrinners ever go out on a photowalk or something like that? If you guys have one in los angeles area i'd be totally down to go (after i buy my 40D)

Nikolai · October 23, 2008

nikgone wrote:

Any recommendations on lenses for me as a beginner?

It's a neverending question which has been discussed over and over. Depends on your budget and shooting goals/habits. Everybody's different in this way. My sincere recommendation - get 50/1.8 prime and start shooting. Then rent some good glass for day trips, so you can decide what you like and whatnot.

5. diffuser...reflector...bouncecard.....what do those do!?!??!!

The general answer is - if you don't know what it does, you don't need it. Wiki/google/search is your friend. Read and learn.

Suggestion: don't cloud your head with what different gear does. Set yourself a goal and try to accomplish it. You will pick up the info on your way, gear included.

Does Dgrinners ever go out on a photowalk or something like that? If you guys have one in los angeles area i'd be totally down to go (after i buy my 40D)

LA Shooters http://lashooters.org/ go out pretty much every weekend and then some. And while they are brand-agnostic

, most of them shoot Canon.

Plus subscribe to Western US thread in Location, Location, Location here on dgrin.

nikgone · October 23, 2008

So with bouncing flash off the wall is enough to achieve a softer lighting on the subject?

Still googling how the general rule of thumbs on how light should be bounced off to create a superb effect on the subject...

I

U

thx alot

Nikolai · October 23, 2008

nikgone wrote:

So with bouncing flash off the wall is enough to achieve a softer lighting on the subject?

Still googling how the general rule of thumbs on how light should be bounced off to create a superb effect on the subject...

I U

thx alot

"how light should be bounced off to create a superb effect on the subject"
Don't let me start <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/rolleyes1.gif" border="0" alt="" >

Portrait lighting is a very complicated question. It can be achieved with a huge variety of approaches, starting with non-assisted (i.e. ambient) lighting and all the way to elaborated studio setups. Check out both Yuri Pautov's and Liquid Air's classes in Monthly Assignments in Technique while Ken's topic is lighting glass, the discussion veers well into flash-aided portraiture).

nikgone · October 23, 2008

is that ROFL emoticon?

i'm just asking with just a speedlite 430EX, not elaborate setup.

but thx anyway

Nikolai · October 23, 2008

nikgone wrote:

is that ROFL emoticon?

i'm just asking with just a speedlite 430EX, not elaborate setup.

but thx anyway

You can bounce speedlite, yes. Depending on the availabilty and quality of the wall/ceilings, you can generally get a better result than with direct flash.

nikgone · October 23, 2008

Thank you for your patience in helping

NeilL · October 24, 2008

hostchecker wrote:

I thought the title said 400+ questions, thats funny

And it did look at first as if it was aheadin' to that there extint....

D

But there's hardly nothin' more pressin' than a unanswered question, or 400+, is there?

About lens choice...

I know, I know, I know the orthodoxy... start with the 50/1.8, work at an aim, buy the lens you discover you need. Yeah, yeah, yeah... BORING (somewhat)!!

But, ladles and jellyspoons, try the exhilaration of getting a truly superb lens and then let IT teach YOU what the world can look like!!!

clap

Getting what you don't expect. Now, isn't that a big part of photography?

Neil

Nikolai · October 24, 2008

NeilL wrote:

But, ladles and jellyspoons, try the exhilaration of getting a truly superb lens and then let IT teach YOU what the world can look like!!! clap

Getting what you don't expect. Now, isn't that a big part of photography?

Neil

That works too

Just need way more $$$ right off the bat

Besides, this way you'll become the hostage of that particular glass, essentially limiting your future potential decisions by a seemingly random choice of today.

NeilL · October 24, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

That works too
Just need way more $$$ right off the bat
Besides, this way you'll become the hostage of that particular glass, essentially limiting your future potential decisions by a seemingly random choice of today.

What a way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

D

nikgone · October 24, 2008

hehe I don't have alot of money....i'm just a poor student that will even be in greater debt once i get into dental school T_T

I decided to buy the 40D + 28-135 and just PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. EVENtually i'll have enough money to buy the 24-105 f/4L!!!!!!!!!!!!

and i'm trying to sell my XTi too for money to buy 40D.... stupid people on craigslist always playing me... someone wanted to buy my Xti + kit lens + 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 for 600$. then he asked what kind of 70-300... I told him it was quantaray's f/3.5-5.6 and he said thats not what he hoped to get...

come on now....alot of stuff for $600 what kind of 70-300 do u "hope" to get? It's a just like brand new XTi too...grrrrrrr I dont know where to sell my XTI....

JohnBiggs · October 27, 2008

nikgone wrote:

hehe I don't have alot of money....i'm just a poor student that will even be in greater debt once i get into dental school T_T

I decided to buy the 40D + 28-135 and just PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. EVENtually i'll have enough money to buy the 24-105 f/4L!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recommend the Tamron 28-75 f2.8. About $400.

I love the lens and use it all the events. I have tried a friends 24-70 2.8 and the pictures didn't look better in any way. Focus is just a little faster. To me the Size, weight, and price just isn't worth it for a little focus speed.

The Tamron is a hidden gem of a lens.

40D + questions

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