How to fix Canon Error 01 with new lens?

best canon lens ef image

Emzii

I have a canon zoom lens ef 75-300mm which I use on my Canon 500d Rebel t1i but when i use it to take photos it comes up with Err 01 "Communication between the camera and lens is faulty, clean the lens contacts". I already have cleaned the lens contacts, how can i fix this?

Answer
Look on page 209 of your user manual.

It tells you to clean the lens contacts which you did.

Did you also clean the contacts on the camera?

If this is still a problem, you may have a malfunctioning lens.

Too bad you went for price over quality. The Canon EF 70-300 mm lens is a much better lens.

How to autofocus a new Canon 550D (Rebel T2i) SLR lens?

Christal

I broke my original lens and bought the same standard Canon 550D lens (EF-S 15-55mm) to replace it. How do I set it to autofocus again?

Answer
Have you check which position that the Switch is sitting on? Either On AF or MF. If it the switch is sitting on MF than Move that Switch back to AF.

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what is the best camera for action and distance shots?

best canon lens action shots image

MOLLYxMUSH

I'm considering getting a SLR, possibly a canon? I want one that I can get good shot from a distance and take action shots(for sports, etc.) without a blur.

Answer
This is how I do it; that's as affordable as I can make it....

- Canon 500D.
- 75-300mm IS lens

In my eyes; this is as cheap and light as it is possible.
Advantage
- cheap
- light
- long reach
disadvantage
- plastic mount. not as durable
- slow lens i think it is a 6.3 at 300mm
- not protected from the elements

For sports photography, having long reach is just a small piece of a bigger puzzle.
- getting as close as you can to the player or the person. They stand on teh sideline for a reason
- fast lens (some use 300mm f/2.8 <-- very expensive)
- if you are taking picture in harsh weather conditions. Dirt bikes; snow... You need weather protection... Canon 7d + 70-200mm f/2.8

edit; the rest of it is knowing the gear you are using....
fast shutter speed to freeze the action
high iso to get the faster speed
getting the proper exposure... etc

What are the main difference between all three of the Canon Rebel cameras?

ploppingdu

I love taking pictures and my brother has the nikon D40. I've taken lots of pictures and I really would like a Canon instead of a Nikon, I know the T1i has HD video taking option, but what is the big difference between the XS and XSi? Aswell I would like the cheaper one but I want one that can take good close up's and I love taking action shots, like sports (hockey, skiing) What would you recommend? Pro's and Con's.

Answer
Real simple: Except for slight speed difference;
The XS is a base model with a 10.1MP CMOS sensor (better for low-light than Nikon D40/D40x/D60/D3000 - which all have a CCD)
The XSi adds live view ( but focus is much slower in LV mode) and 2.2MP more.
The T1i adds HD video but won't AF in video mode, so you must focus before recording & hope your subject doesn't change distance or manually focus. It also ups the resolution to 15.1MP.

The lens matters more than the camera (all three should work for you). I'd recommend getting it at a camera store as they will help if you have any problems (try getting photo help @ Walmart).

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What is a good non-DSLR camera that I can change the lens on?

a35 dslr camera + zoom lens image

RenegadeRe

I need a versatile camera that will allow me to changes lenses, if need be. I can't drop $600 on a DSLR but I want the best camera I can get for the money.

Answer
All prices from B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Sony NEX-C3 $599.99

Sony SLT A35 $649.99

Olympus PEN E-PL2 $479.95

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 $599.88

Nikon 1 J1 $596.95

NOTE: Some prices reflect an Instant Savings from B&H that may end in a couple of weeks so you might want to check their web site for details. All cameras shown incluse a zoom lens and free USA shipping.

Of these 5 cameras the Sony SLT A35 is the only DSLR. One of the reasons for considering it is the fact that it uses the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount which gives you access to a large selection of previously owned Minolta Maxxum AF lenses. A Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 zoom lens from 1985 will auto focus on the A35 as it should.

The Sony NEX-C3 uses Sony's new "E" lens mount. Currently there are 7 lenses available for this lens mount.

The Olympus and Panasonic models use the Micro 4/3 lens mount.

The Nikon1 J1 uses the new Nikon "1" lens mount. Nikon currently lists 4 lenses for the "1" mount.

The Sony SLT A35 and NEX-C3 use the same sized sensor which is much larger than the 4/3 sensor used by Olympus and Panasonic and considerably larger than the sensor in the Nikon J1.

If I were spending my own money it would be for the Sony SLT A35.

What is the difference in sony DSC-HX100 and SLT-A33L?

time

They have same price tag. But DSC has 30X zoom and SLT has no zoom what this means which one should I buy?

Answer
The last time I looked, the Sony A33 was a bit more expensive that the HX100.

You are comparing two totally different cameras. The HX100 is what's called a superzoom, or megazoom camera. Sometimes even the term 'bridge camera' is used, but I despise the term.

Superzooms camera are at their core, are compact cameras with a large lens attached, and usually some extra controls and options. They have the same small image sensor packed with too many pixels, and the same poor image quality as a compact.

The Sony A33 is a dSLT camera (nearly identical to a dSLR) and has no zoom because there is no lens permanently attached to the camera. dSLRs and dSLTs never have 'zoom' numbers attached to them for this reason. The A33 crushes the HX100 in just about every single way but one.

You'll never have the zoom factor in the A33 because of the large image sensor. Cameras like the HX100 with its small image sensor can pack a lot of zoom in a smaller lens. The larger image sensor requires a larger lens to get the same reach, that's why you see pro photographers at football games with those massive white zoom lenses that cost a small fortune.

What people don't know is that a cheap superzoom camera with a 15x has more reach than that super long dSLR lens, it's only that large to make up for the larger image sensor. Of course the dSLR image quality is better by leaps and bounds.

So what do you want? for simplicity, and lower weight and size, go for the HX100. Because the lens is fixed, once you buy it, you are done. If you want a camera with the potential to deliver pro image quality, and the ability to change lenses, add a flash or other accessories, go for the A33. One note, the Sony A37 is coming soon and replaces the A35 which replaced the A33 which is a first generation dSLT.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/45636/sony-a37-nex-f3-camera-specs

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IS the HD video on the Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i the same as the 7D ?

best canon video lens 550d image

HandsomeFr

I'm really only interested in the HD video, specifically what it can do at 24fps for the artsier look... What are the main differences in video between the 2 cameras? Thanks!
Better why....??? I need specifics please!

Answer
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035FZJHQ?ie=UTF8&tag=0610-20

Review: I'm a frequent upgrader and loyal Canon fan. I traded up from an XSi last year to the T1i, and now this year to the T2i. I was within days of ordering the 7D until they announced the T2i, with all the features I wanted from the 7D at half the cost. I immediately pre-ordered the T2i and have been having some fun with it over the last 24 hours. The verdict so far? I am in love with this SLR.

I believe the last few iterations in the Rebel series have been comparable in quality. The T2i shares much of the same pros and cons with its predecessors, and ultimately, not too much has really changed. That said, the very minor things that did change were huge to me. I'm big into video, which is what got me looking into the 7D. Both the 7D and the T2i have the stereo audio input jack. My T1i just had the built-in mono mic which was unacceptable for someone who is doing more than home videos with this camera. So that feature, along with full manual control of video recording (not available in T1i), and 1080/24p (and 30p if that's your preference) makes this a common sense upgrade if you're serious about video. 720p/60 is also really cool for the silky smooth framerate, although I personally find the movie-like feel of 24p video best.

As for what the camera is really made for, still photography, it is still the king at (in the mid-entry-level DSLR class). 18 megapixels really, truly is more than any person really needs. My XSi from a couple years back met all my needs with 12mp, however, 18 creates for even better bragging rights to the general public. "How many megapixies is that thingy? Eighteen? OMG! You are such a pro!" Anyway, back on track now. The noise levels in most photos I've taken are pretty decent for 18 megapixels. It's comparable to the noise on the 15MP T1i from what I've experienced so far. 6400 ISO is now a default option instead of an expanded setting (12800 ISO still is), which is nice to have, though you'll hopefully never have to use it.

The kit lens is of course the same old 18-55 I've bought practically 5 times over now. A great budget lens and excellent value, but I absolutely can't go back to using it after buying some of the better lenses Canon has to offer. If the money's there, you will not regret investing another few hundred dollars some better glass. Otherwise, the 18-55 is a great lens to start out with.

Only major complaint I have is the white balance in incandescent lighting still isn't as accurate as I'd like. I also wish they kept the same LP-E5 battery so the two I already have would be compatible with both of my cameras. And a nitpick, the "Rebel" name is stupid, to be completely honest. It should be named "550D" as it is in the Europe market. SDXC support is cool, but I can't really comment on it as I'll be using SDHC cards for the foreseeable future. Oh, and the slightly redesigned buttons are a welcome change. A little more ergonomic than before.

In conclusion, if you're thinking about upgrading from a T1i, there isn't really a compelling reason to unless you are okay spending hundreds just for the sake of having the latest in gadgetry (what I do), UNLESS you are in it for the video support, which is AMAZING at this price point. You used to have to spend at least a couple thousand on a professional camcorder to get the kind of video support that you can now get in a consumer DSLR at a very reasonable price. Thanks, Canon! Oh, and amazon got it to me super fast too!

What is a good camera for film and cinema?

andrew

Ok, I want to start making my own films. I was thinking of getting the Canon Rebel T2i but I dont know if it is a good camera. Please give me some advice, thanks! Oh and i want the price to be under $800. Thanks!

Answer
Hello,

I myself am looking for the right film camera for me, but the camera you say that you are thinking of getting, is not really for filming. Yes, the cameras such as the Canon Rebel T2i, Canon 50d/7D/550D are great cameras, they are not for film. Although they shoot film, they are for picture quality, and mainly if you want to use these cameras for filming, the quality will be OKAY unless it is still footage. What you want, is a camcorder which are mainly for film.
For example, the Panasonic Pro AG-HMC150 3CCD AVCHD 24fps Camcorder (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-AG-HMC150-AVCHD-24fps Camcorder/dp/B001DKELYC/ref=pd_zg_rss_tr_e_172421_2) is slightly over the price of the Canon 7D. BUT, this camera is strictly for film, while the canon 7D, or the camera you are looking at, are basically for picture. So all in all, what you want is a camcorder and you can look at this site that gives you the "Top Rated Camcorders of 2010-2011", and it will display the price, features and reviews for many camcorders!

The Canon Rebl T2i shoots some pretty great video just as good as the Canon 7D, and I will post a link in the "sources" of some really helpful filming tips, where they are using the Rebel T2i to film the video.

But for the price under $800, I would look on that site for a handheld HD camcorder, or get the camera you want, but the Canon 7D is a very good option with proper lenses too, but the price is steep of $1500-$2000, plus $300-$400 for a good lens. :/
-Also you must remember that the camera is not what gives you good quality; it may help, but it is very minimal. You will need a good Lens for your camera to give it the best quality possible, and also look into lighting, and adjusting color contrasting and color grading when you are EDITING the film (look up some tutorials on youtube to adjust color to give it that cinematic look) so that way you have the best possible image. (I will give some links in the bottom that helped me with some film makig tips) Hope this helps :)

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How do you clean your DSLR camera?

professional dslr camera lens image

Macky R.

I have a Sony a390 DSLR camera and my original lens that came with the camera is getting dust and other particles in it from switching to my zoom lens. I need to know how to clean it properly. I also want to know id there is a way you can clean the mirrors inside the actual camera when you have the lens off.

Answer
DO NOT touch the inside of your camera! Take it to a professional to get the inside cleaned. You can end up completely ruining your camera if you do it wrong yourself.

For the outside, I suggest you buy a camera cleaning kit. You can but them very cheap on ebay. It should tell you how to use it on the back of the pack too.

What's the difference between professional cameras and regular digital cameras?

Amanda

I've wanted to get a professional camera for a while (the ones with the huge lens), but I still have to save up enough money (it's hard to have money when you're 14 and without a job). I wanted to know the differences between professional cameras and digital cameras, like why do professional cameras create amazing photos, but digital cameras make crappy ones?
And do you know if there are any ways to make digital camera pictures look as good as professional camera pictures?
Thanks!
Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned that I'm taking photography class

Answer
a couple things you should become aware of:

1--the camera does not make the photo, the photographer does, however, once you know what you want to tell the camera to do, you have to have a camera that will do it. point and shoot cameras are designed to be easy to use for someone who doesn't know what they are doing, hence they do not have the controls or emphasis on quality that a camera built for someone who knows what they are doing does. a good photographer can take a good photo with a $5 camera or a $50,000 camera. a student needs to learn on something that costs from $100-$700 in order to learn enough to operate the $5 and $50,000 cameras though.

2--before buying a more capable camera, you need to learn about them enough to understand why you want one. a "huge lens" is not always desired or necessary for example. if you simply run out with your current level of knowledge and buy an expensive camera, you will end up buying something that doesn't do what you need it to and could end up spending money unnecessarily as well as learning poor technique. so my point here is much like the first one. educate yourself. quality photography is first about the photographer's knowledge, second about the equipment used.

3--since you are not a professional, you don't need a professional camera. you are a student so you need a student camera. and likely, what you think is a professional camera, is not. professional dslr's cost well over $1000, more like $2000 and up. student dslr's cost around $600 but probably look like professional cameras to you. 35mm slr's are only around $150 but can produce professional looking images too.

4--the differences between pro and consumer cameras are numerous but the main difference you need to concentrate on right now is getting a camera that you can use in full manual. this means that you don't use any auto features and you have to set all the settings yourself based on your knowledge. you need to learn manual white balance, iso, aperture, shutter and focus. learning to control each of these things individually and being able to decide when to effectively use auto features and accessories is what divides professionals from snapshooters.

good luck and start reading! read a basic photography manual, photo magazines and talk to local photographers and camera sales people. much of what is said will be over your head but you will start to understand as you immerse yourself in things. taking a photo class of course is vital too.

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Can you list camera lens brands from best to worst?

best camera lens canon image

Jonathan G

I bought a canon xsi and I need help choosing a lens, I'm planning to get a 28-300mm lens, if you can point out the advantages and disadvantages on the camera lens it would be so great.

Answer
Don't get something with such a huge focal length range. Making a lens that can cover such a range means that they have to make a lot of sacrifices in image quality. Also, most photography happens in the 20-100mm rang so there's no point having a physically huge lens on your camera when most of your photography doesn't require it. The whole benefit of SLRs is that you can switch lenses.

How many camera lens do you need?

Jenna:))

Hello, I have a canon DSLR and I have the 18-135mm standard zoom lens. I love it, I've taken some great pictures with it. Thing is, I want to take pictures of wildlife and landscape. So do I need a new camera lens for those?

Answer
For wildlife, most definitely, Animals are notoriously skittish when it comes to people. You want to have access to at least the equivalent of a 400mm lens on a 35 mm camera (longer if you can afford it). You could probably get by with the 18mm focal length on your kit lens for landscapes. Though eventually you might want to get a better lens. (nothing wrong with your lens, but there are ALWAYS better lenses available!)

For landscapes, you might want to try panorama photos, where you take several photos in sequence but with each photo, the lens is moved a little before the shot is taken showing more and more of the landscape as the lens sweeps to the left or right in increments.

Then, if you are very consistent in exposure and focus, you can use special software called a stitching application, which will electronically 'cut and paste' the multiple photos into a single large photo.

An excellent free application for this purpose is called Hugin Photo Stitcher you can find it on Sourceforge here:http://hugin.sourceforge.net/

Good luck!

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I would like to use filters on my new Canon Powershot G12 camera. What accessories do I need to buy?

best canon kit lens replacement image

Greenly

I have a new Canon Powershot G12 camera. I would like to be able to use polarized and special effect filters on this, but I'm confused about which type of adapter(s) to buy. Please advise! Thanks!

Answer
I would consider Ultimate Accessory Kit For The Canon Powershot G12 digital Camera Includes Extended Replacement NB-7l (1300 mAH) Battery + Ac/Dc Rapid Travel Charger + 52" Pro Tripod + HD Wide Angle Lens + 2X Telephoto + 3pc High Res Filter Kit + Much More

This Kit Includes Everything You Need To Take Full Advantage Of Your New Digital Camera
Hi Capacity Lithium 1300MAH Replacement extended Battery For Canon NB-7l , + 110/220 Ac/Dc Rapid Travel Charger For Canon NB-7l - A Spare Rechargeable Battery and Charger Is An Essential Accessory. No Power, No Pictures! + Additional Accessories
52" Professional Photo & Video Tripod- 3-Way Pan head, Rapid-Action Locks Legs, Built In Bubble Leveling, Quick release Platform, Rubber feet + Plus Additional Accessories
High Res 3PC Filter Kit : Clear Filter (UV), Polarizer Filter (PL), Fluorescent (F-DL), Close Up Lens Kit Includes +1 +2 +3 +4 + Plus Additional Accessories

What kind of lens should i get if i am interested in buying a Canon Digital Rebel XTi?

a_eberhard

I'm interested in buying a nice, easy to use camera. I've done a little research and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi seems to be my best bet. I'm a beginner at photography,so I'm kind of confused on the proper lens to buy. I don't really need a lens with like 50X zoom. Just looking for a standard beginners lens for a good price. Can anyone help?

Answer
the kit lens 18-55mm is cheap - but it has bad reviews.

you could go for the stabilised 17-85mm zoom, but that's a bit more expensive. But at least you'll have as much zoom as a compact!

if you're a beginner, and assuming you don't have an infinite budget, I don't think you can go for any lenses of the "L" family - these are very expensive, professional grade lenses from Canon, and they will cost a good deal more than the Digital Rebel XTi itself!


Final note: the Digital Rebel XTi is at the end of its life. To judge by replacement cycle, it seems VERY likely that Canon will announce a replacement next Jan at a big show, or at the latest in Feb. This will likely have 12mp (vs. 10mp), and will also offer "live view" (ie you'll be able to compose shots on the screen like on a compact, which can be useful in quite a few situations). So if you must buy an XTi today, make sure you get a DEEP discount.


Alternatively, you could try to look for older possibly higher-end models, where the successor is already out (rather than still to be announced). For example, these days, the semi-pro 10mp Nikon D80, w the kit lens 18-70mm, will go for say 1'200 dollars, which is comparable to what you'd pay for a Canon XTi w the sabilised 17-85mm lens. And the D80 is a much superior camera in many respects.

Hope this helps

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What is the big difference between the SLR digital cameras?

dslr or interchangeable lens camera image

Volleyholi

What is the most reliable SLR interchangeable lens digital camera?
Why are there so many good brand name cameras for a lower price than the Canon cameras, but it seems that the Canons sell the best?

Answer
There isn't one particularly reliable DSLR camera. It all goes down to what you're going to use it for; if you're a beginner, choose the entry-level ones, if you're a pro, go for the higher-end ones. There are a lot of brands like Pentax, Sony, Olympus but people mostly choose Canon and Nikon because they are experienced in this industry and have high standards of quality in their products and the quality of the images they produce.

What Is a really good Camera with Interchangeable Lens?

candy mand

Hi! I am a beginner with cameras so I don't really know whats good. I want to buy a good digital camera with interchangeable lens's and I want the camera to have a good battery life. Also I like High quality pictures so like a high mega pixel camera would be nice. Also Nothing really expensive like I don't know nothing over $200? I really want a good camera. Thank you!!!!! :)

Answer
There are no DSLR's under $200. if you don't want to spend more money on a camera than a DSLR is not for you! their lenses can cost more than the body.

For $200 look in to a Nikon L120 or any of the Nikon point and shoot cameras.
that's what I had to start out with, don't think you cant get a great picture with a point and shoot!

But if you do end up making your budget higher than I would recommend getting a Nikon D3100, Perfect for beginners like yourself!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon---D3100-14.2-Megapixel-Digital-SLR-Camera---Black/1222817.p?id=1218237704411&skuId=1222817

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=3683818746613691799&id=pcat17071&type=page&ks=960&st=nikon+point+and+shoot&sc=Global&cp=1&sp=&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q6e696b6f6e20706f696e7420616e642073686f6f74~~f349%7C%7C4e494b4f4e~~nf403%7C%7C24313530202d20243139392e3939&list=y&usc=All+Categories&nrp=15&iht=n

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What is that funny wobbling star beside the moon?

best camera lens to photograph the moon image

timetwitch

Tonight, just beside the moon, there is something really bright. The last time my dad pointed something like that out, it was Jupiter. But tonight my family agrees, so I know its not just my eyes - whatever that bright thing is beside the moon, its wobbling! It isn't staying in one spot, or moving along a path. I thought it might be a satellite but I can't tell... What is it? It sort of look like its wobbling in one spot near the moon, like a skier behind a boat is the best I can describe it. Is it a UFO?

Answer
I was just taking photographs of the moon an hour or so ago and saw what you are talking it is Jupiter... I've seen it quite a few times and it has never looked like it has been moving in any way... Even through the lens of my camera... It might be something going on in the atmosphere where you are... If you want more info about it you can google it as star next to moon and it will come up with a good list about it...

How do you photograph stars and the moon with a digital camera?

flyddw

Using ONLY an automatic digital camera, what's the best way of taking pictures of astrological stuff? No telescopes or zoom lens beyond 135mm. I can place the camera on a tripod and take long exposures (< 10 seconds). Current camera: Sony DSC-F828, but the question is really aimed at ANY digital camera.

Answer
Open it up for the full 10 seconds. For that short a time, you will not need to track the stars with a motor drive.

Note that the full moon is MUCH brighter than even the brightest star, so a 10-sec exposure of the full moon will be overexposed. (You'll have to experiment to determine the exact exposure for the Moon; it depends on the sensitivity of the CCD inside the camera).

For stars, you will probably not get much at 10 seconds, unless you are at a very dark-sky site (rural area). But it's worth a shot.

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What is the best digital SLR camera or Interchangeable lens camera?

best camera with interchangeable lens image

David

I'm a beginner looking into some cameras. I want a camera that has a lot of room to grow with and isn't necessarily the most expensive nor the cheapest on the market. I am also stuck in between getting a DSLR or Interchangeable lens camera. I'm looking at the Sony NEX 5N, NEX 7, Nikon V1, among some other Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras.

Answer
The "best"? Nikon D4 or Canon 1D X

The best entry level dSLR would be the Nikon D3200 or Canon 1100D

If you want a smaller camera with interchangeable lenses then the Nikon V1 would be better than the J1

What Is the best photography quality camera for the money?

Alejandro

I'm interested in purchasing a Photography quality camera with interchangeable lens's like the ones i used in photography class not the basic tiny digital camera. I can't recall the the camera names. I don't even know where to began. I just love how all pictures come out beautiful.
Also I know these cameras can get expensive...so what it the best quality in the lower price range.

Answer
The very top end are Hasselblad, but most people cannot justify a 60 megapixel camera that costs more than a new family car.

The most popular ones with a good user base are Canon and Nikon with the lower numbers e.g. D7 being more advanced than the higher numbers e.g. D70 or D700.

Pick a camera you are comfortable with and try to get to hold one in a real store.

The lenses are the expensive part but package offers before Christmas are usually good.

Sony has it's Alpha range of cameras, but these use MemorySticks and have more unusual mountings as Sony see best!

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What are some things to look for when buying a digital camera?

best overall camera lens image

Dani

I bought my first digital camera over a year ago. I didnt know anything about them so I just picked one because it had a rechargeable battery and that appealed to me. ....I hate that camera with a passion. It either takes really dark pictures or the flash is so blinding that unless you're a mile way from the thing you want to take a picture of, all you get is a washed out -white picture. I dont want to make this mistake twice.

What are some things I need to look for in order to get a good, high quality digital camera?

Answer
Forget about the pixels. The number of mega pixels has no bearing on the quality of the final picture, unless there are so few pixels for the print size that the printer/computer has to make the pixels bigger to 'spread out' and cover the area. If the largest size print you think you would ever make is an 8x10, then there isn't a camera on the market today that has 'too few pixels'. More megapixels simply means you can do more cropping and still have maximum quality at larger sizes. Pixels don't create the quality, they simply maintain it at larger sizes. Having 20 buckets of paint doesn't tell you anything else about the paint in the buckets. It simply tells you the amount, not the quality.

It's more important to look at overall quality. There are three major components that determine overall quality of a digital camera's pictures.
A) Lens
B) Sensor
C) Processor

These three parts of a camera are the most critical in maintaining the quality of an image from the time the light strikes the front lens element until it is safely stored as on your memory card.

We can go in depth if you'd like, but the easiest thing to do is look at brands that have good reputations; Nikon, Canon & Sony. These three manufacturers have the best overall ratings. To make any more specific of a recommendation, I would need to know more about what you want your camera to do. Your best bet for advice is a local specialty camera store. The largest chain of specialty camera stores is Ritz/Wolf Camera. They guarantee the lowest price for 30 days & you can speak to an associate who knows about cameras and who will take the time to help you decide which camera has the features you need. And their Performance Guarantee program is the best in the business. Where else can you bring in a camera that's been ruined by water damage, multiple times of five years, and get free repairs & replacements? Additionally, sometimes the picture problems you're describing are caused by the camera being in the wrong setting or mode when you take a picture. Ritz/Wolf gives you a free 9-week training course when you buy a camera from them. That will allow you to use your camera to its full function, and maybe eliminate many camera problems and get the most out of your equipment.

Speaking face to face with an expert is your best bet, but if you'd like to tell me more about what you want your camera to do, I can recommend a camera to look at first.

What is the best Sony camera with the nightshot feature in your opinion?

Indigohipp

I wanna know of all the Sony Handycam Camcorders with the nightshot feature, which one is overall the best in your experience? Which one has the best focus/image quality/performance? Right now I have a DCR-SR45 and it has good nightvision, but it has autofocus problems and the image quality is a little grainy so I'm thinking about upgrading. I only use it in the dark so I just need to know how they perform with Nightshot on.

Answer
Currently, the HVR-A1. It is the pro-grade sibling to the consumer grade HDR-HC1 (which I have).

Low light and auto-focus do not get along because when the light is not sufficient (which is why you are using the infrared emitter), the auto focus cannot decide what to focus on. The HC1/A1 has a ring on the lens barrel that can be used as a manual focus ring so you do not need to rely on the auto-focus mechanism.

As well, that graininess is all about low light video capture. You may get a little less graininess from the A1/HC1 because it has a larger lens and imaging chip than the SR45. If you want to eliminate that graininess, then you need to move to lenses that are 70mm lens filter diameter or larger which places you in the $3,000+ camcorder range - and most of them do not have a built-in infrared emitter (hence, no NightShot mode), have an IR filter installed inside the camcorder and adding an external IR device won't get what you want in zero light.

Yes, I know - the A1/HC1 camcorders are a lot more expensive than the entry level SR45... but you asked for "best".

The HDR-HC9, HDR-CX500 series, HDR-XR500 series all have NightShot. You can confirm this at the Sony.com website in the Camcorder section. In the camcorder's specs, look in the "convenience features" for S-NS or something similar - this is "Super NightShot". I think the feature has been dropped from the "standard definition only" camcorders.

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How do I convert a digital camera's zoom from x increments to mm?

dslr camera lenses zoom image

Kinsey6

I have two digital cameras, one with a 10X zoom and another with a 15X zoom. I want to get a DSLR camera but don't know how to compare the zooms I have on my current cameras to how they're measured in mm on DSLRs. So what I'm wondering is, what is a 15X zoom equal to in mm, and how do I convert a 55-140mm and 55-300mm zoom lens back to x increments?

Also, I see some camera bundles with 2.5X lenses. Do these make, e.g., a 140 or 300mm zoom lens 2.5 times longer, or only provide a simple 2.5X zoom on the camera's body?

Thanks

Answer
Actually, you don't bother unless you're just curious. Then its simple division - divide the long end of your DSLR zoom lens by the short end. An 18-55mm zoom thus has a 3.05x zoom ratio (55/18 = 3.05).
A 70-200mm zoom has a 2.85x zoom ratio.

AVOID all "bundles" you might find on Amazon or eBay. Other than the acual camera and lens about 90% of the items included in "bundles" is junk. Things labeled as "2.5x Tele Lens" or "0.43 Wide Angle Lens" are NOT lenses they are cheap screw-in attachments that will do more to degrade your images than they will to help it. Also, notice that nothing included in these "bundles" has a name brand or even a name - just vague descriptions such as "... high power digital flash ..." or "... 4 section tripod ..." or "... 3 pack of digital filters ...". Junk. Junk. Junk.

Buy from a local store or a reputable on-line dealer. Here are just three:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com
http://www.adorama.com
http://www.keh.com

What lenses do you think are ideal for all kinds of photography?

Susan Fern

I plan to buy a DSLR camera. I am a bit confused as to which lenses I should buy for covering almost all kinds of photography. If I buy 18-55, 35-100 and 100-400mm, can it be said that it is a good combination. I don't like big zoom lenses like 28-200 or 18-250. What are your opinions? I would like to hear from you.

Answer
Hello Susan. Your confusion is more than apparent. What I'm going to suggest is based on spending the last 39 years learning about and enjoying photography.

Buy the DSLR of your choice with the lens that comes with it. Now remove from your mind any idea of buying another lens. Spend the next 6 months learning how to use your new camera and learning the capabilities and limitations of the lens that came with your camera. During this time you'll also begin learning what type of photography you like doing the most.

Suppose you discover that exploring the close-focusing capability of the 18-55mm zoom is fascinating and you decide that you'd like to get into true macro photography. None of the lenses you listed is a macro lens so you'll have spent money needlessly and still won't have the lens you really need. A true macro lens will give you a 1:1 (life-sized) reproduction ratio. Take a picture of a 10mm long ant and it will be 10mm long on your sensor. A close-focusing (misleadingly labeled as "macro") zoom lens will seldom exceed a 1:4 (1/4 life-sized) reproduction ratio. Your 10mm long ant will be a mere 2.5mm long on your sensor.

Suppose you decide that shooting in low-light without the flash gets your creative juices flowing. You'll very quickly want a fast prime lens like a 50mm f1.4. A lens like this allows use of a lower ISO to achieve a faster shutter speed and a low ISO is always better for image quality.

You might find that wide sweeping landscapes are your passion and 18mm just isn't wide enough. Now you'll be wanting a lens as wide as 10mm to 12mm and those lenses you originally bought will be a further waste of money.

So, Susan, start with a camera and one lens. From July of 1971 to late 1972 all I had was a camera and a 50mm f1.7 lens. To zoom in I walked closer. To zoom out I backed up.

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Which Canon lens to use for shooting an outdoor music festival?

best canon lens for concerts image

I'm about to shoot my first concert - a major day/night outdoor music festival.

I will be using a friend's Canon EOS 20D with a 17-85mm lens, however I have been told that I might be better off using a different lens

Could you give any recommendations?

And perhaps any live concert photography tips in general?

I will have access to the photo pit, so distance from performers isn't a major issue

Many thanks

Answer
In the pit that lens will be ok for getting overall stage shots but not much good for closeup shots of the performers.
You will need a 200mm at least and it will need to be an f2.8 to get a decent speed.

a

What is considered a professional camera?

M

I am going to a concert and on the ticket is says "No professional cameras" I could be a professional photographer with a disposible camera...would that then be considred a professional camera? The camera I am bringing is a Canon Rebel XT with a Canon Zoom Telephoto lens. They will let me in with that....right?

Answer
the Xt is definitely not a "professional camera" in the technical sense, although many very good photographers use it and many pictures from the camera are published. Canon calls the xt a Pro-sumer camera, but if the concert people wanna be a pain in the a**, they could say it's a pro camera, especially if you've got one of those long white canon lenses.

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Which is a good semi professional camera and lens to buy?

best canon lens for portraits image

Deepu

I am teaching myself photography as a hobby and would like to make it my second profession eventually. I would like to go in for a DSLR camera (second hand (body only) costing around 400 dollars (300euros)) and a good lens for portrait and landscape.

I would prefer a Nikon or a Canon camera. Please advice.

Answer
You can find the lens best suited for portrait by visiting the canon web site. Also the Landscape lens (a wide angle) is NOT the same as a portrait lens.

Why don't you buy the cheapest camera with a short (range) zoom lens and go from their. Then you could have your scenic lens at one end and your portrait lens at the other end!

Can a 100mm macro lens be used for landscape and family portraits?

fiber

I'm thinking of buying a 100mm Canon macro lens. But I also need a lens to take some family photos of 50 or so people (either wide angle or from far away). Can I use the same 100mm macro lens for both? Any pros/cons?

Answer
A 100mm macro lens on any Canon dSLR with an APS-C format sensor (any non-professional Canon digital SLR let's say) will have a crop factor of 1.6x. That means that a 100mm lens on a Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel (just a random example) would actually be equivalent to a 160mm lens. In general, that focal length isn't going to be very useful for wide landscape photography or photos of large groups, but it would likely take very nice portraits of 1-3 people. That focal length is often considered part of the nice ranges of portrait lenses (around 85mm-180mm).

In a word though - "Nah" - that's not a good lens for both applications that you're interested in. Even at a straight 100mm you probably won't find an experienced photographer who will bless anything over, say, 35mm on the high end (no crop factor) for landscape/large group photos. On an APC-S sensor that would be about 17mm-18mm, which is quite common on zoom lenses now.

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What is the difference between mirrorless and EVIL cameras?

dslr camera lens terminology image

Hannah

Does mirrorless just mean NOT an SLR? Are all compact cameras mirrorless cameras? Is an EVIL camera just a little Friday night point-and-shoot digicam that you can stick big lenses on? Am I even using any of this terminology correctly? *sigh* So much to learn!

Answer
All of these terms are a bit vague.

EVIL means Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens
MILC means Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

And a newer term, Compact System Camera is also sometimes used.

Collectively these terms generally identify the cameras like the Sony NEX, Micro Four/Thirds cameras, and Nikon's 1 cameras. Generally anything between compact cameras and DSLRs.

I suppose that these cameras should be called bridge cameras, as that is in line with the original intent of the "bridge" idea. But the term bridge has been kidnapped by all of those low end run-of-the-mill compact cameras that have had huge zoom lenses slapped on the front of them.

There is some redundancy I suppose between the terms, as in the case of Nikon, the J1 does not have an electronic viewfinder, only a screen, so I suppose it would be a MILC. But then the Nikon V1 has an electronic viewfinder, so it could be a EVIL or a MILC.

And some micro Four/Thirds have an attachable electronic viewfinder, so are they MILC when the viewfinder is off, but a EVIL when the electronic viewfinder is attached?

And don't even get started with semi-transparent mirror cameras...

I suppose this is why the term "Compact System Cameras" is gaining popularity, as it is generic enough to be applicable to all of these cameras.

How do I work out the magnification of a zoom lens for a DSLR?

mouse_spin

I recently got a Canon EOS 400D digital SLR camera and I am looking to upgrade the lens for one with a more powerful zoom. However separate lenses are new to me so I am struggling to figure out which lenses are more powerful than others.

I was hoping someone would be able to tell me how you can either work out the strength of the optical zoom on Canon lenses, or give me suggestions of lenses to look at.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Martin.

Answer
You already have two excellent answers, but I have this one in the can at all times, so here you go. My answer adds a little visual aid.

There is not a lens-to-distance equation. If we are talking about a "35 mm equivalent," a 50 mm focal length is approximately "normal" view without any magnification. For most DSLR's, the lens factor of 1.5-1.6 means a "normal" focal length would be about 31-33 mm. If we go back to a 50 mm "normal" lens then, a 100 mm lens would be a "2 power" lens, 200 mm would be 4X, and so on.

Just divide the smaller number into the bigger number and you get the "X" power of the lens. For instance, a 35-80 mm lens is 2.3X zoom. Divide 80 by 35 and you'll get the result. 35-80 mm lens is 2.3X zoom. Divide 80 by 35 and you'll get the result.

It is usually better to know what the focal length of a lens in "35 mm equivalent" is and judge by that, rather than relying on the "X" power of the lens. For instance, most point and shoot cameras start at about 35 mm and have either a 3X or 4X zoom. This would make it a 35-105 or a 35-140. I've seen some that start at 28 mm, though. A 3X starting at 28 mm is 28-84 and a 4X is 28-112. Neither one is a particularly strong telephoto lens and the 4X is just about the same as the 3X that starts out at 35 mm.

It's also important to realize that tradition dictates that lens focal lengths are usually expressed in terms of "35 mm equivalent," where "35 mm" refers to a 35 mm film camera. This is because of the relation between the sensor size and the actual focal length of the lens and the resultant angle of view of the lens.

I have one point & shoot that is actually a 5.8-24 mm zoom. This is a 4X zoom. The 35 mm equivalent is 28-116 mm. The sensor is 7.2x5.3 mm. (1/1.8") (And I wish I knew someone who could explain how the heck they came up with sensor size terminology!)

I have another point & shoot that is actually a 5.7-17.1 mm zoom. This is a 3X zoom. The 35 mm equivalent is 34-102 mm. "How could a shorter focal length give a longer 35 mm equivalent?" you might ask. It's because the sensor is only about 5x4 mm. (1/2.5")

I have a few Nikon DSLR's and - thankfully - they all have the same size sensor. They all have a "lens factor" of 1.5. This means that you just multiply the actual focal length of the lens to get the 35 mm equivalent and then you can make comparisons accurately from camera-to-camera. Most Canon's, for instance, have a lens factor of 1.6. On a Nikon DSLR, a 28 mm lens is the "35 mm equivalent" of a 42 mm lens. On most Canon DSLR's, the same 28 mm lens is the equivalent of a 45 mm lens.

These example are just to show you how freaking confusing it can all become if you try to make sense of the "X" power of a zoom lens.

Bottom line...

Check the 35 mm equivalent specifications for the lens. This way, you will be leveling the field and comparing apples to apples. More or less.

Here is a mini-tutorial I made myself to compare focal lengths. This is NOT a lens test or a camera test! It is merely intended to show the difference between various focal lengths. The lens was the Nikon 18-200 VR lens, which is (by definition) an 11X lens, but that 11X does not tell you what the final image will look like. I added one more frame taken with a 300 mm lens. The camera was a Nikon D200 so there is a 1.5X "crop factor," "lens factor," or "focal length multiplier." There is further explanation on the image itself. It would help if you click on "All Sizes" above the image.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/476181737/

This was done with two different lenses: the Nikon 17-55 and 70-300:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/1245831147/

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What is the best Canon lens to use for portraits?

best canon is lens for portrait image

Meghan

I have heard a 50mm 1.2 lens is the best for engagements, seniors, newborns, and things like that, but i'm really not sure what to buy right now!
Opinions?!

Answer
Unless you have $1600 extra, the f/1.2 is kind of overkill. I prefer the 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and the 70-200 f/2.8L for doing portraits.

Here is the current Canon lens lineup http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup

What lens should I purchase for portraits?

Ariel

I have a Canon Rebel T3i and I want a great lens for taking portraits, any ideas?

Answer
Pick your focal, they're all good for portrait.

24-70mm f/2,8L usm or 24-70mm f/2,8L usm II
50mm f/1,8 or f/1,4
85mm f/1,8 or f/1,2L
105mm f/2,8 usm or f/2,8L
135mm f/2L
70-200mm f/4L or f/4L IS or f/2,8L or f/2,8L IS II

For low budget:

Tamorn 28-75mm f/2,8

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Do I set my camera to macro when using macro lenes?

dslr camera macro lens image

David

I have a 15.1 megapixel camera, and a 60 mm macro lens (which im waiting to arrive)

im a newbie at photography, so do i have to set my camera to macro settings (the flower icon) when im using the macro lens?

Answer
Nope! DSLRs don't have focus modes like "flower", "mountain", etc. You just attach a lens and use it like normal.

What kind of Cameras can you put a Macro Lens on?

Noah-Sempa

I have a Camera,and its nice with a really good view, but I was wondering if I could put a Macro Lens on it. I really would like to take close up pictures,and I don't know weather I would need a new Camera, or I can just add a Lens onto it.

Answer
If would help just a tad if you mentioned the make and model of the camera you have.

A Dslr or medium format camera with interchangeable lenses is what you need.

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