When I purchased my Canon EOS 60D. I just splurged and decided to get a new Eye-Fi card with it. It’s a bit pricey, but I thought it would be worth it, because it automatically uploads the photos from my camera to my computer once it detects our WiFi network (and any other WiFi network I set the card up with).
It also geotags the photos, although I’m not sure how accurate it is. So far the geotagging info has been pretty accurate.
In addition to all that, the Eye-Fi software can upload the photos to various sharing site. In my case, the photos are uploaded to a private folder on my Flickr account.
A few weeks I discovered a new Canon EOS DSLR—the Canon EOS 60D—with an articulating screen, which I’ve been waiting for!!! It was rumored back in January 2010, and was released in late August, but I just hear about it a few weeks ago (where have I been?).
Screenshot taken from Canon’s site.
I went to Best Buy to check it out and it is much bigger than my existing Canon Rebel XSi… I was hoping Canon would have a Rebel with an articulating screen, but I guess they never did release one.
After seeing the 60D I wanted to get it, but I didn’t want to make an impulse buy. So I’ve been doing research and reading reviews and I decided that I’m going for it… I ordered some Amazon Gift Cards from Wells Fargo Gift Card Mall (so I’ll get 3x the points) to cover the cost and I’m just waiting for those in the mail to place my Amazon order.
I was initally just going to get the 60D with the kit lens (18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens) which is currently $1,267. But I’ve also wanted a f/2.8 lens for a while now and had the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF) on my Wish List. So I may just get the 60D body only for $1,100 + the Tamron for $499… Hmm, a $332 difference. I’ll have to think about this…
On a side note. As I was looking for Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 reviews on YouTube, I discovered a photographer’s channel that has a lot of good tips. Check out Dom Bower’s Channel and Dom Bower Photo’s Channel on YouTube. He also has a blog.
My coworker Ed just told me about new Canon cameras that are rumored to be coming out.
Here are the specs from CanonRumors: "60D & New Rebel"
60D Specs
– Articulating screen
– Metal body, similar To50D
– Upgraded 15.1mp APS-C Sensor
– 720p/1080p Video at 30fps
– Electronic Level
– New battery & battery grip
– Price about $ 1190
550D/600D Specs
– Articulating screen
– Body smaller than 500D
– Upgraded 15.1mp APS-C Sensor
– 720p Video at 30fps
– Price about $ 799
Here’s another article from electronista: "Canon may have 60D, new Rebel with swivel screens"
I’m really really excited!!!… These are the features that I’ve been waiting for… An articulating screen and video!!!… Dang!!!… I can’t wait…
[UPDATE]
I found another article on TFTS website: "New Canon EOS 60D, Rebel To Have Swivel Screens?"
They state: Canon is due to make new announcements about its products for 2010 at the PMA Photography Expo in Anaheim, California on February 20th.
[UPDATE]
I found another article on Photo Rumors website: "Canon 60D and 550D/600D rumored specs"
They state: Canon is expected to have an announcement on February 9th. Not sure if those cameras will be part of the announcement. Canon will not be part of PMA, but I believe they will still have some new products next month.
I’m sitting here under candle light since our whole neighborhood has had a total blackout for more than 1.5 hours. I was just about to post a journal entry when the power went out, so I lost everything :( I’m on my laptop now (running on batteries), so I’ll try to remember what I previously typed…
…
If you have been following my journal, you probably know that I have been researching a new DSLR camera with a swivel screen and/or a new lens. While I was researching, I found a website that had tons of video tutorial for my camera. The website lbguides.com doesn’t have videos for every camera, but luckily for me they have videos for both my Canon Digital Rebel XSI and Canon PowerShot A650IS.
For the XSI they have three many sections:
1. Getting Started: Learn about your camera’s basic features and some quick tips. (2 videos)
2. Scenes: Learn how to optimize the camera for specific scenes. (18 videos)
3. Functions: Learn how to set specific functions, e.g., delete, flash, etc. (30 videos!!!)
I went through several of the videos and learned more about ISO, spot metering and white balance than I learned from reading the manuals that came with the cameras. Now that I have a better grasp on how to set those up on the camera and I’m so surprised how much better some of my photos, especially indoor photos and pet photos looks.
With that said, I think I will put off getting a new camera (unless Canon comes out with a DSLR with swivel screen)… stick with my Canon XSI and keep practicing with it… With that said… hehe… I did buy some accessories for it.
First, I got an inexpensive Vivitar flash. I think it’ll greatly help my indoor photo with lighting, since the camera’s built in flash is way too harsh. I can direct the light up or to the side for an indirect flash. I’m hoping that this coupled with my new found knowledge of white balance will greatly improve my indoor photography.
Second, I bought an inexpensive prime lens; the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. It was under a $100 which is pretty good for a lens (I think) and I saw some really nice photographs on Flickr using this lens. So I’ll keep practicing with my camera and stick with it for a bit.
I’ve been researching different DSLR camera recently because I haven’t been that happy with some of my photos from my Canon EOS Rebel XSi. My photos just don’t seem to be as sharp as other people’s photos with similar subject matter.
Another reason I wasn’t so happy with my camera was the lack of an articulating screen (a screen that swivels)… which I liked on my previous point-and-shoot camera, Canon PowerShot A650IS (below).
It made it easy to take macro photos at weird angles or photos of a crowd taken from above. I wish Canon made an DSLR with a swivel screen.
Some of the DSLR with a swivel screen that I found were the Nikon D5000, Olympus E-620 and the Lumix G1.
I asked around for people’s opinion and many photographer said that if I was not happy with the quality or sharpness of my photos, then maybe I should consider getting a better quality lens than the kit lens that came with my camera…
So I’ve been looking around and researching about lens for my camera. There is so much I need to learn. I didn’t know many terms they used like USM, ES, prime, etc… but as I’m reading I’m slowly getting to know the terms a little more.
So now I’m not quite sure what to do. I can get a better quality lens (if I figure out what I want), but that still doesn’t solve the fact that my camera doesn’t have a swivel screen… but if I get a new DSLR camera with a swivel screen, then I will most probably get it with a kit lens and later want a better quality lens again… Additionaly, I would be moving to a different camera system, meaning I can’t use my Canon lens on the new camera…
So I’m going to keep doing my research… I can stick with my Canon XSI for now but I really want to improve the quality of my photos, so I’ll continue to search for tutorials that may help me with my Canon XSI for now.