Digital Photography Tips and Links.

I’m really missing my my Canon S3 IS digital camera. It had some prollems and is back w/ Canon for a warranty repair. The lens mechanism froze, it wouldn’t fully retract, nor would it extend. Bummer.

I’ve been trying to shoot several days every week. We’ve had amazing light here in San Francisco, with some spectacular sunsets. After nearly 7 months with this camera, I feel like I have an inkling of what I’m actually doing. And I love some of the results. This isn’t to sound boastful. I mean, anybody can take some good shots with digital, provided one is willing to spend time understanding how their camera works & what features it offers.

Here are some interesting digital photography tidbits:

Flickr is about the best, most amazing resource one can find. Free membership, photosharing, and tons of useful features- I paid the $25 for a “Pro” account. I cannot communicate how tremendous Flickr is. Search others’ photos and prepare to be inspired by what’s possible.

I’ve gotta find a better way to upload my photos to Flickr. This is a time consuming task when selecting them one-at-a-time using the “upload” page. I’ve narrowed it down to two options.

Flock is a full web browser that has a user-interface for Flickr and Photobucket websites. Drag and Drop and batch upload images in a pinch. Just don’t expect me to leave Firefox anytime soon… or ever.

jUploadr is a photo uploader that offers rich features for flickr users. I’ll prolly give this a shot first, just haven’t yet. Remember, I need my camera back first before I have anything new to upload.

Wanna add some interestingness to your profile page? fd’s Flickr Toys can you. Go to the “Profile Widget” link and type in your user name, and cut ‘n paste the given code to your profile. You’ll have one of those swank widgets on your profile that includes your pics and some of your more interesting stats.

Also of interest is Flickr Inspector. This easy tool gives you great insight into your profile and usage… And… you’ll get a Flickr Score! oh. Not that any of us are competitive or anything… (okay, my current score is 1192). I guess scores are like golf, you’re trying to go low. lol. Anyways zee stats zat zees ”eeen-speck-tohr” offers are worth a look.

Another thing to do is GEO-TAG your pics. Put ‘em on a map and let people search them geographically. Here’s a short screencast video explaining how to map your pics.

If you wanna see what I’m talking about, you can always peep my flickr profile and my flickr map. By the way, I’ve had 850 new & unique visitors so far this month (total 3,350 now). Thanks for coming by!

I’ve mentioned dpreview countless times as a great resource for photogs. But I just found this article on correcting barrel distortion. Definitely visit if you’ve got a long zoom or shoot lots of wideangle.

…I’ve decided my camera is too valuable to not protect better… So, I’m getting a bodyguard for it. Yup, you read right. I’m figuring it’s time to invest a little.

Many Canon S3 IS users swear by using a lens adapter to protect the body and lens element/mechanism of this precious 12x optical zoom camera. Yeah. I’ve been reading up on this stuff. And about that 6-72mm f/2.7 lens… (quote from Luminous Landscape Canon S3 IS review)…

“The lens on this camera is a 12X zoom with a focal length of 6 – 72mm and an aperture of f/2.7 (wide end) to f/3.5 (long end). The focal length needs to be put into context with its 35mm equivalent; 36 – 432mm. This is a huge focal range, and a very fast aperture for such a long lens. If this lens had been designed for a 35mm full-frame camera it would weigh 25 lbs and cost more than most cars.”

Go ahead, argue this point if you like. The fact is: that’s some pretty fast glass, almost impossibly compact while it extends only 1.1” out of the body, and is included on a point & shoot (P&S) digital camera for under $360 from solid retailers these days. Sheesh.

But can this P&S do all I want? I dunno. But I’m planning to get a lens adapter to help make sure I don’t ever have a problem with the lens again, but I won’t get a UV lens (like most get) to cover their lens. Nah, I’m planning to go with a Hoya HMC circular polarizer. I figure we get some pretty hazy & foggy light in SF, so this should be a winner. It’s a solid performer and way less than the ($100) B+W MRC CP I’d think about if money was no object.

I also plan to get a rubber lens hood to help when shooting towards the sun. And it will further help to Cover My Glass.

Alright, it doesn’t stop there. Since I’ve got a lens adapter (uh, not yet, please just follow my stream of consciousness here)… I’m gonna use the 52mm front threads. I’ve been very interested in IR photography. That’s Infrared for those not in the know. I’ve simply gotta see this stuff happen. Tons more info about IR photography here.

While I’m not planning further upgrades, lens, or filters… I wouldn’t be opposed to considering a wide angle converter, prolly the Raynox HD-4500P .45x ($90), and maybe a Raynox MSN-202 Macro Lens ($65). But I doubt I can afford to get that carried away, maybe not even all that necessary.

So, here’s what I hope to order this week, to have in time for my S3’s return:

• - Lensmate 52mm (black) lens adapter ($23)
• - Lensmate 52mm slip-on lens cap ($5)
• - Hoya HMC Circular Polarizer 52mm ($59)
• - Hoya R-72 IR filter 52mm ($39)
• - Lensmate Rubber Collapsible Lens Hood ($5)

Now, with $7 USPS Priority shipping from Lensmate totals $131. That’s a cheap “bodyguard” for a precious camera. And adds heaps of new features I simply don’t have without the lens adapter. I can’t wait to start snapping to see what I can push (-bad pun!) this thing to do. Just the thought makes me shutter (-worse pun!).

Do I need to consider a DSLR? Wow, that would be fantastic, but we’re talking a $1000 body and at least $1000 in glass. Prolly more like $1500 minimum for some relatively fast glass (like f/2.8 or better). I can safely admit, that is so NOT in my budget right now.

Anyways, I want a dSLR that simply doesn’t exist yet. But might in the next iteration of either the Canon EOS 30D (I’m thinking Canon EOS 40D here) or the Nikon D80/D200 (I’m thinking Nikon D90 here). Basically, here’s my future DSLR wish list and prognostication (I’m hoping Canon gets this right).

• - 10.2 megapixel or higher. While MP’s don’t always matter, they do when you start cropping a frame. I want as much flexibility as possible.
• - I’d ultimately want the Canon DIGIC III processor in this camera, I think it tops everything else on the market, period.
• - Secure Digital/ SDHC card format. Dontcha know SDHC is taking over the flash mem market? Currently an 8GB Transcend 60x SDHC card is $91 shipped, an 8GB Ritek 80x CompactFlash Type I card is $132. Personally, I trust Transcend (I use them now) and I don’t know hoot about Ritek.
• - 5 fps in high-speed continuous “burst” mode.
• - 1/8000 shutter speed capable - I don’t care if ISO 3200 is listed, it’s prolly not gonna be usable for anything. But a decent ISO 2400 would be great indeed, and a good ISO 2000 would be fantastic. Wow, that sounds weird just saying it.

The following features would just be gravy, but less “essential” to my decision:

• - I’d like to have the option of using AA batteries “in-camera.” I know Nikon currently offers an option to use AA’s in their extended MB-D80 battery pack.
• - I wouldn’t be opposed to a slightly larger screen, maybe 2.8” LCD with 270,000 pixels. I don’t care if it hurts battery life a tad. Seeing what you’re shooting is kinda important IMO.
• - I’m really rooting for Canon to bring this dSLR to market, so I can also wish for a swivel LCD. It’s immensely useful, when you need it. I almost can’t imagine not having this feature anymore.
• - Now, get all this into a package for $995 for the DSLR Body Only. That would be something amazing. I think that’s a goal all the mfr’s have right now, stay under a grand for a solid DSLR opener, and make money continually on lenses…

I think it’s all possible. Granted, I have no way of buying this dream camera, even if it were announced at PMA 2007 at the front of March. I’m not asking for a full-frame DSLR. I’ve totally dropped my wish for the Foveon X3 chip. I’ve gotten over the fact that a $1000+ camera body comes w/ only a 1-year warranty (that sounds iPod-ish to me, which is certainly NOT good).

I also need many good reasons to buy a DSLR, like features that aren’t available on my S3: Higher ISO’s, 5 fps shooting, more megapixels, 8000 1/f… some of these features would directly relate to having a Canon DIGIC III sensor.

I’m thinking this will be the new Canon EOS 40D, you heard it here first. Basically, an EOS 30D updated with 10.2 megapixels, a DIGIC III chip, ISO 2000 and 2400, sD/SDHC card format. It might have a 2.8” LCD, I doubt it will swivel. I also doubt AA battery use in-camera will arrive.

Do I care if flash recharge time improves, or if I can get 18 RAW shots vs. the real 13 RAW shots now in continuous? If AF goes to 11-point to compete w/ Nikon D80? If Direct Print or wireless connection is offered? Nah, not much. Who uses a dSLR and doesn’t at least color calibrate (proof) their images to a printer?

For anybody shopping, the current street on a Canon EOS 30D is just over $1100 for body only, about $400 less than it was 5 months ago (? I think Canon dropped retail price a whiles back). A better deal is Costco, where you can pick up the 30D body w/ 18-55mm lens & 75-300mm lens for $1230 after $220 in rebates (includes ship, doesn’t include possible sales tax). I pretty much won’t settle for less than the DIGIC III and 10MP- and I cannot afford $200+ in CF cards (2GB + 4GB) when I have 4+ GB of sD cards already.

Hey, the last time I went out on a limb, I was prognosticating X-Men 3 and the box office returns it would do. It (pretty much) nailed my estimates (only 3 days counted in official weekend for $102.7 million, I figured 4 days would be counted for between $105-120 million). It finished at $122.8 mil for 4 days. It also holds the #5 spot on top-10 weekends of all-time. Here's to hoping anyways... Cheers.

image credits: Flickr logo from Flickr.com, Flickr Profile Widget from fd's Flickr Toys, Canon S3 IS w/ Lensmate 52mm lens adapter from LensMate, Canon EOS 30D from Digital Photography Review.