Cameras Bought new Canon EOS 450D

[dOmInIX]

Hey guys, I just got the EOS 450D today...I'm amazed, camera is fantastic...I didn't have any problems with focus so far as some people did. I'm really happy with the purchase, the camera feels solid and powerful. Screen is really big but you immediately get used to it.



http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/

I didn't take the kit lens (18-55 IS), instead I took the EF 28-105 mm F/4-5,6 USM.

I was in town today with friend to test the camera, spent 4 hours walking around and getting used to it. I still have much to learn, I didn't try almost nothing with it yet.

Here are few sample photos I took today, some are RAW..No processing in PS. Resized with imageshack > I'm too sleepy to get a resizing software, I'll get Adobe Photoshop CS3 in few days hopefully.



max zoom


long exposure










These are just samples to see how the camera works..

BTW, a question for Jack, Wimmer and others: What's the best and fastest way to convert RAW images? I got the CD with the camera but I'm not sure if Zoom Browser is the best program.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to say..

 

[SDNR]

Good for you Dom ....enjoy it

 

[Giannis]

Great news! Congrats mate! Another member with a descent camera

I want one of those

 

[cawimmer430]

BTW, a question for Jack, Wimmer and others: What's the best and fastest way to convert RAW images? I got the CD with the camera but I'm not sure if Zoom Browser is the best program.

Congrats!


There should be some sort of CD included that allows you to install a program that can deal with RAW (NEF) images. In my case my Nikon D40 came with a Nikon Picture Project software which is currently the only program on my computer that can handle RAW images. Maybe Adobe Photoshop CS can too, but not Photoshop 7.0 which I am using.

I tried looking for some programs that can handle RAW files and are easy to download from the Internet. This is the best I could find on CNet. Make sure you read the USER REVIEWS before downloading because some of the programs are really crap and unreliable. Look for the ratings too.

raw images software downloads and reviews at Download.com

 

[Choleric]

You can upload RAW directly into photoshop and edit them there. It is one of the best programs to use as well.

 

[DaSilva]

Congrats with the new weapon!
How is the live view ?!

 

[ree]

Congratulations and great first photos!!

 

[dOmInIX]

Congrats!


There should be some sort of CD included that allows you to install a program that can deal with RAW (NEF) images. In my case my Nikon D40 came with a Nikon Picture Project software which is currently the only program on my computer that can handle RAW images. Maybe Adobe Photoshop CS can too, but not Photoshop 7.0 which I am using.

I tried looking for some programs that can handle RAW files and are easy to download from the Internet. This is the best I could find on CNet. Make sure you read the USER REVIEWS before downloading because some of the programs are really crap and unreliable. Look for the ratings too.

raw images software downloads and reviews at Download.com

Yes, I got the CD, there is a software for converting RAW..I was just wondering if it is enough. Thanks for the advices Cristian, hope to learn some things from ya!

Congrats with the new weapon!
How is the live view ?!

Thanks. It's a cool feature when for example you have to shoot something but there is no place to look through viewfinder..And the screen is 3'' so it is nice. Otherwise I keep it turned off, I prefer the 'old' way.

I'll keep you guys updated..

 

[Zonda]

Congratulations man, I'm thrilled you're satisfied!
And CS3 is a must. Check if you got something that has anything to do with Phase One with your package. That happens sometimes. If so, get it!
It doesn't have as many settings as PS but the settings it does have give a much better result than PS, and it is alot smoother for editing large group of photos quickly.
There's a 30 day trial here, you really should check it Dom, you won't regret it!
Phase One -

 

[dOmInIX]

Thanks Christian..I didn't recieve it with the package..Thanks for bringing it out, I will check it out.

And yes, CS3 is great, can't wait to get it!

 

[NevadaJack]

Yes, I got the CD, there is a software for converting RAW..I was just wondering if it is enough. Thanks for the advices Cristian, hope to learn some things from ya!

.

Congratz on the new Canon. Use it well...

The Canon disk with the software uses DPP and is an excellent editor. It is Canon's version and some say the conversion of RAW images is superior to others. You can convert and adjust the RAW in DPP and directly open the JPG in CS3 or other external editors. I would evaluate DPP before you go and try some other program.

 

[Germaniac]

Congratz on the new Canon. Use it well...

The Canon disk with the software uses DPP and is an excellent editor. It is Canon's version and some say the conversion of RAW images is superior to others. You can convert and adjust the RAW in DPP and directly open the JPG in CS3 or other external editors. I would evaluate DPP before you go and try some other program.

I would strongly recommend DPP!!! As would many others, as Jack has said...it is very user friendly and synced with windows explorer which is great. I would suggest it is easier to bulk edit RAW in DPP than CS2 but that is me.


Now that I've started shooting in RAW, this is my process:

1. Shots downloaded from card using 20d EOS utility

2. All images selected and opened in DPP's Edit Image window. All unsatisfactory images are marked (alt+1) for deletion.

3. In DPP's main window, all marked images are selected (ctrl+alt+1) and deleted.

4. Images opened in the Edit Image window again. Sharpness added (1-3 out of 10), curves adjusted.

5. Images exported as 16-bit TIFF. This is important as editing as JPG is detrimental to quality (each generation of JPG saved is progressively lower in quality). 16-bit TIFFs however retain all the quality of the RAW file (RAW is 12-bit - I think JPG is 3-bit?).

6. Images then opened in Photoshop. Edited (layer masks, curves, levels, brightness/contrast, saturation, colour balance, blur, dodging/burning, extra sharpness, etc) and then saved as high quality JPG using the "Save for Web" function. (TIFFs cannot be saved using standard 'Save as...'). A way to speed up this procedure is through using photoshop's "Actions"... basically you record the process of saving to web, and you can 'Re-play' that action on any open.

7. After editing process is completed I then delete the TIFF files - very important as they can be over 50mb each!



It is fairly time consuming to begin with but 1) it gets quicker and 2) it's well worth the results Hope that helps!

 

[dOmInIX]

Congratz on the new Canon. Use it well...

The Canon disk with the software uses DPP and is an excellent editor. It is Canon's version and some say the conversion of RAW images is superior to others. You can convert and adjust the RAW in DPP and directly open the JPG in CS3 or other external editors. I would evaluate DPP before you go and try some other program.

Thanks, I sure will! Yes, I'm using DPP (it's called 'RAW image task' but it's the same thing), it's quite useful program.

I would strongly recommend DPP!!! As would many others, as Jack has said...it is very user friendly and synced with windows explorer which is great. I would suggest it is easier to bulk edit RAW in DPP than CS2 but that is me.


Now that I've started shooting in RAW, this is my process:

1. Shots downloaded from card using 20d EOS utility

2. All images selected and opened in DPP's Edit Image window. All unsatisfactory images are marked (alt+1) for deletion.

3. In DPP's main window, all marked images are selected (ctrl+alt+1) and deleted.

4. Images opened in the Edit Image window again. Sharpness added (1-3 out of 10), curves adjusted.

5. Images exported as 16-bit TIFF. This is important as editing as JPG is detrimental to quality (each generation of JPG saved is progressively lower in quality). 16-bit TIFFs however retain all the quality of the RAW file (RAW is 12-bit - I think JPG is 3-bit?).

6. Images then opened in Photoshop. Edited (layer masks, curves, levels, brightness/contrast, saturation, colour balance, blur, dodging/burning, extra sharpness, etc) and then saved as high quality JPG using the "Save for Web" function. (TIFFs cannot be saved using standard 'Save as...'). A way to speed up this procedure is through using photoshop's "Actions"... basically you record the process of saving to web, and you can 'Re-play' that action on any open.

7. After editing process is completed I then delete the TIFF files - very important as they can be over 50mb each!



It is fairly time consuming to begin with but 1) it gets quicker and 2) it's well worth the results Hope that helps!

Thanks for your explanation, I'll try to do it that way. Thanks for advices.


BTW, what do you use to view/browse your photos? I have 'ZoomBrowser EX' that came with my camera. It is nice program but I'm not sure how to select only one image or few that I want to work with, rename, put a tag etc. (there is only 'select all' option).

Photography is really addicting.

I plan on getting 50 mm F/1.8 just for fun and then later some UWA (Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 10-22mm or Tokina 11-16mm).

 

[NevadaJack]

Thanks, I sure will! Yes, I'm using DPP (it's called 'RAW image task' but it's the same thing), it's quite useful program.

Raw Image Task (RIT) is not the same as DPP. You reach RIT when using the browser. DPP is a self-standing program. It should be on your disk, if not, you can download it from the Canon site. The latest version is 3.41.

DPP has many more adjustment options including NR/ Lens correction, and a full host of the normally seen image editing stuff. It is more versatile and may provide you more control over your workflow. It is a more professional piece of software than RIT.

 

[Germaniac]

BTW, what do you use to view/browse your photos? I have 'ZoomBrowser EX' that came with my camera. It is nice program but I'm not sure how to select only one image or few that I want to work with, rename, put a tag etc. (there is only 'select all' option).

I use DPP (that is, Digital Photo Professional) and Vista's version of Windows Explorer, which handles RAW files really quite flawlessly - virtually zero load up time, big thumbnails etc, and compatability with the embedded windows image browser. I don't know about ZoomBrowser, but generally if you want to select more than one file, click on an image then just Ctrl+click or Shift+click on others.

I plan on getting 50 mm F/1.8 just for fun and then later some UWA (Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 10-22mm or Tokina 11-16mm).

You'll have lots of fun with both! I recently bought a 50mm f/1.4 USM when I was in Boston... I was so excited as I had been wanting it for about a year and a half. The day after I bought it, I was switching lenses, and rested it on my body's lens mount. A few moments later I absentmindedly picked up the camera, the lens flung off onto hard concrete and rolled/bounced a few feet to a stop. It is now completely unoperational. I could have killed someone, I was SO disappointed... I had taken less than 100 photos with it.

Moral of the story... always lock your lens in place! And don't be a dimwit like me! Ha.

But yes prior to that forgettable experience I'd been using the f/1.8 quite regularly for low light situations (night photography, gigs etc)... a lot of fun.


Attachments @ f/1.8 on the 50mm...

 

[NevadaJack]

Nice images! Is this with the MK II nifty fifty...?

I feel for you on the 1.4 loss... gad, isn't that an expensive piece of glass?

 

[dOmInIX]

Raw Image Task (RIT) is not the same as DPP. You reach RIT when using the browser. DPP is a self-standing program. It should be on your disk, if not, you can download it from the Canon site. The latest version is 3.41.

DPP has many more adjustment options including NR/ Lens correction, and a full host of the normally seen image editing stuff. It is more versatile and may provide you more control over your workflow. It is a more professional piece of software than RIT.

Yes, I have it on my CD, it's already installed! Thanks a lot for the help.

I use DPP (that is, Digital Photo Professional) and Vista's version of Windows Explorer, which handles RAW files really quite flawlessly - virtually zero load up time, big thumbnails etc, and compatability with the embedded windows image browser. I don't know about ZoomBrowser, but generally if you want to select more than one file, click on an image then just Ctrl+click or Shift+click on others.



You'll have lots of fun with both! I recently bought a 50mm f/1.4 USM when I was in Boston... I was so excited as I had been wanting it for about a year and a half. The day after I bought it, I was switching lenses, and rested it on my body's lens mount. A few moments later I absentmindedly picked up the camera, the lens flung off onto hard concrete and rolled/bounced a few feet to a stop. It is now completely unoperational. I could have killed someone, I was SO disappointed... I had taken less than 100 photos with it.

Moral of the story... always lock your lens in place! And don't be a dimwit like me! Ha.

But yes prior to that forgettable experience I'd been using the f/1.8 quite regularly for low light situations (night photography, gigs etc)... a lot of fun.


Attachments @ f/1.8 on the 50mm...

Wow, I feel really sorry for you. I think I would feel the same way if it happened to me.

Nifty Fifty is great lens considering the price..

btw Germaniac, you might want to see this forum, me and NevadaJack joined recently: Canon Digital Photography Forums - Powered by vBulletin

 

[Germaniac]

Nice images! Is this with the MK II nifty fifty...?

Yessir!

I feel for you on the 1.4 loss... gad, isn't that an expensive piece of glass?

Yessir =( Fortunately it looks like it will be covered under my travel insurance. It is now with Canon Ireland who are assessing whether or not it's economical to get it repaired... I'm hoping it's not, cos then my insurer will likely give me a new one very sad though, especially to see such a beautiful piece of glass go to waste...

 

[Germaniac]

btw Germaniac, you might want to see this forum, me and NevadaJack joined recently: Canon Digital Photography Forums - Powered by vBulletin

K... just registered!

 

[dOmInIX]

I was wondering if some of you guys have Manfrotto tripod? I'm considering Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head with Manfrotto 055XPROB legs..