Technology & Social Media Camera help needed

@Sackie Hint - working in low light will require a tripod as you cannot hold a lens stable at a shutter speed shorter than its focal length ie anything less than 1/60 sec for a 50mm lens will blur (or 1/250 for a 200mm lens, 1/1000 for a 1000 mm lens etc). Next purchase - Velbon tripod & cable release.

To limit blurring of the subject (photo 1), camera should be mounted on a tripod and you follow the subject, background will blur but the subject will be sharp. You require a faster shutter speed to 'freeze' the action.

 

Apologies for the quality of the photos (old scanned copies) & tightly cropped.


Be in front of the action to catch it



Or behind it.



Use a fast shutter to capture the action

All photos on Canon AE1 Program using F4.0 70-210 mm lens on Ilford B&W ISO125

 

Thanks for the feedback gents, its making more and more sense. I was watching a really good YouTube clip which explained how all three variables affect light but they also have a creative function, and it went through them. Thanks to the on line course i was familiar with most of it ( in theory at least).

Right so time for my tripod order. Any recommendations?

 

Velbon or Slik

Something like this - Linky

You need a cable release for your shutter as well to minimise camera shake when pressing the shutter.

 

I like anything Manfrotto. This is a good all rounder Manfrotto Befree Compact Lightweight Travel Photography Tripod | cheapest sale prices in Australia | and what I plan on getting as my 'travel' tripod as my usual one is too heavy and bulky

Pretty sure 200D has either wifi or bluetooth so you can pair the Cannon Camera Connect app which lets you control your camera from your phone (including shutter release). Failing that, the timer function is a good poor mans cable release

 

Thanks guys and gals. Whats the best website to buy camera gear?

 

Do you know the different between aussie stock and grey imports?

 

No clue. Quality? Price?

 

Grey market goods are legal, non-counterfeit goods sold outside normal distribution channels by entities which may have no relationship with the producer of the goods. This form of parallel import frequently occurs when the price of an item is significantly higher in one country than another.

Wikipedia

 

Nope, where it comes from and mainly about warranty.

There's a lot of online stores that stock grey import items. Nothing wrong with that, they're cheaper but there's no Australian warranty should you need to claim anything. From what I understand, you need to send it back to the country of origin to make a warranty claim which could work out timely and expensive.

I have a rule where I only buy (new) aussie stock bodies from retail stores and lenses I'm happy to buy grey stock or second hand even as long as I can inspect it as the chance of something going wrong with a body is a lot higher than a lens.

I've been shooting with Canon cameras for 16 years and have owned 9-ish bodies (and probably double or triple that for lenses, and yes, sometimes the same one several times over [long story]....) over that time from entry level to one step down from the highest spec you can get and have never had an issue. BUT, I really need to make my first warranty claim as my current workhorse body has been playing up but is still usable.

My online stuff I get from the store I linked for the tripod. They've always been good quality and quick to deliver.

Locally, I've found a great bloke at my local JB's who must see his commission targets reached for the month whenever I walk into the store. But he's always done great pricing on stuff and usually price matches the online stuff, even when it's a grey import I'm showing him but I have spent quite a bit of money there.

 

I'd recommend some decent editing software too if you want to take it seriously. Adobe Lightroom is a great photographers all-rounder with Photoshop being handy too but I would get Lightroom first. But that's just a whole other can of worms to learn!

 

Thanks for that detailed explanation @Kinnon. I'll get the manfrotto. Would like one with cable release separate from phone though cos I know I'd get annoyed at always having to set a timer

Editing software on my one day wish list after i can consistently take decent shots and learn more about photography in general.

Eventually I'm planning to take my own artistic shots to blow up and frame for my house. Price tags below for inquisitive guests

 

Do I need to buy the cable release separately?

 

Download the canon camera connect app anyway (shutter release not timer related there) and have a play as you can manipulate all sorts of settings through there.

Yes, cable separately. I have an old Canon one sitting around, when I have time, I'll see if it's compatible with your camera and if it is, you can have it if you want as I have no need for it.

PS I'd recommend the software sooner rather than later as that can be the difference between a mediocre shot and a decent one. But also agree with getting things right in camera first too.

Just in the middle of editing a video for work but when I'm done I'll trawl through some of my old photos and show the difference of SOOC (straight out of the camera) vs edited.

 

Wow thanks Kinon! If you find it and its compatible I'm more than happy to have it . I'll reply to sender with a thank you gift

 

Looking forward to it!

 

Thanks @geoffw ! I'll play around with it.

Just got off the phone with jb offering 199 for the Manfrotto Befree compact tripod. Harvey Norman was 249. I asked JB for best price and got it down to $175! On my way to pick up