My 1st DSLR - Canon 400D

[galliano]

Hi all,
1st and foremost, big thanks to all in Clubsnap. There really is so much info in this forum. Also thru you folks, I gotten my gear all 2nd hand. Bought a Canon 400D (body) with 12 months warranty left, + a 17-85mm IS USM lens. Once gotten, i went berserk with snapping shots. I even got a Flickr account (at long last) haha.. I simple love taking close-up happy human shots with close aperture for the nice blurry look.

Anyway, i do have some questions:
1) my firmware is only 1.1.0. I saw online that the latest was 1.1.1. Should i DIY upgrade?

2) Since its all 2nd hand stuff, should i send to Canon for servicing? Must pay? Body still got warranty.

3) I've not gotten a tripod and flash. Will go slowly and simply enjoy what i have 1st. But I'm looking for a diffuser for my built-in flash. Tried MSColour earlier, but non-available. But i did search on the net and found diff types, i'm looking for the simplest .. a simple plastic card/filter will suffice. Any recommendations where to buy and how much?

Thanks.

 

[galliano]

I read somewhere that my EFS17-85mm lens has distortion on the edges when used wide. I assume this is what you guys are talking about? ... or maybe its just crap photography skills.

 

[flipfreak]

the lens has pretty obvious distortions. but other than that, it is a good starting lens if u don't shoot straight things exclusively.

 

[sexalicious]

1) my firmware is only 1.1.0. I saw online that the latest was 1.1.1. Should i DIY upgrade?

Actually it's all depends if you wanna make the effort to upgrade yourself, for myself, i dont really bother to upgrade my firmware as there's no significant changes, it just come as it is.

2) Since its all 2nd hand stuff, should i send to Canon for servicing? Must pay? Body still got warranty.

if you actually find that your camera has some problems, then send it in. you might or might no pay, as it all boils down to what you're servicing for, if you're doing some like GE, you might have to pay $180 or more. normal CMOS cleaning would only cost up $21.

3) I've not gotten a tripod and flash. Will go slowly and simply enjoy what i have 1st. But I'm looking for a diffuser for my built-in flash. Tried MSColour earlier, but non-available. But i did search on the net and found diff types, i'm looking for the simplest .. a simple plastic card/filter will suffice. Any recommendations where to buy and how much?

Just DIY a bounce card from art friend, located at Takashimaya 3rd floor or buy the Garyfong's diffuser.

anything Pm me.

 

[canonG9]

1) my firmware is only 1.1.0. I saw online that the latest was 1.1.1. Should i DIY upgrade?

when you try to download the firmware, it has information on the changes in the new f/w .. if you think it's necessary, then go ahead..

Firmware 1.1.1

Specifically ..

Q: What has been changed in version 1.1.1 of the firmware?

A: The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated.
Adds detailed information about three new lenses.
Adds details about EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, and EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM. This makes the correct lens names appear in Exif information and in printing when using PictBridge.

Polish has been added as a new display language in the menu screens.

 

[galliano]

when you try to download the firmware, it has information on the changes in the new f/w .. if you think it's necessary, then go ahead..

Firmware 1.1.1

Specifically ..

Q: What has been changed in version 1.1.1 of the firmware?

A: The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated.
Adds detailed information about three new lenses.
Adds details about EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, and EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM. This makes the correct lens names appear in Exif information and in printing when using PictBridge.

Polish has been added as a new display language in the menu screens.

noted. Guess no point changing now.

 

[galliano]

Need to ask you guys ... I'm assuming that with my current 17-85mm F4-5.6 lens ..its much harder to autofocus in dim lighted situations .. right? Especially when comparing with the previous F1.4 lens i was trying out from a loan.

I realize now with this lens .. its very very difficult to autofocus. Even with my ISO tuned up to 1600, I can't even snap the shot.

What should I do in cases like this? I tried however to switch to manual focus, and no problems with that. Is this how i have to do it from here on, considering i do not like the strong effects of a flash. :embrass:

 

[canonG9]

same prob.. switched to MF for dim light shots... but as it was dim and the VF is small.. my shots were actually blur as my focus was a bit over or under..

 

[galliano]

same prob.. switched to MF for dim light shots... but as it was dim and the VF is small.. my shots were actually blur as my focus was a bit over or under..

Might be a good idea to buy another pair of lens with bigger aperture like EF 50mm f/1.8. Though i not sure if it will help a lot on terms of the brightness @ night.

 

[zerartul]

Let me explain abit, the reason why making it iso1600 wont change your chance of focus is cause all it did was increase sensitivity but not allow more light in for the focus mechanism. A larger aperature lens like F2.8 and F1.8 allows much more light in for focus this allowing easier focus in dim light.

A solution to this in indoor location is to use a af assist. This can be found in Speedlites and some third party flashes where a red beam of light will be emitted from the flash to allow focusing. You can also actually lift up your camera flash for AF Assist via the inbuilt flash but its rather disturbing as the flash gives short burst of bright light.

Its actually quite hard to manual focus under low light. Even using a F2.8 lens with 40d which has a bigger viewfinder, I cant acheive proper manual focus via VF.

 

[galliano]

Let me explain abit, the reason why making it iso1600 wont change your chance of focus is cause all it did was increase sensitivity but not allow more light in for the focus mechanism. A larger aperature lens like F2.8 and F1.8 allows much more light in for focus this allowing easier focus in dim light.

A solution to this in indoor location is to use a af assist. This can be found in Speedlites and some third party flashes where a red beam of light will be emitted from the flash to allow focusing. You can also actually lift up your camera flash for AF Assist via the inbuilt flash but its rather disturbing as the flash gives short burst of bright light.

Its actually quite hard to manual focus under low light. Even using a F2.8 lens with 40d which has a bigger viewfinder, I cant acheive proper manual focus via VF.

Thanks for the advice. Will go try the AF assist tonight again.

Last night, I had a super damper experience with my 18-85mm IS lens. Went downstairs to capture a mini Sepak Takraw match at the HDB court. I wanted to catch the boys in action with an appropriate shutter speed. Using 1/125 and ISO 1600, my aperture could only go max F4. Pictures turned out really dark and almost can't see. Its only after i turn on my built-in flash then could i capture a litted shot. But i totally do not like the flash effect.

What should i do?
1) get a diffuser
2) get a proper flash
3) get a lens like F1.8?

 

[nixontkl]

for outdoor shot at nite and the subject are moving around, dont think that evn f1.8 is enough to give you that extra spd u need to capture a clear sharp pic. best to have a flash gun and bounce or diffuser, best both.

but to use flash to capture the game, i think u may annoy the players with your flashing

there are many way to DIY a bounce card, from less than 50 cents to $20. from simple paper and rubber band to hard acrylic sheet. I DIY my own bounce card and diffuser

http://clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=339826

here is another DIY diffuser that is very good and simple

http://clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=341199

 

[conquer500]

you need a faster lens.

and btw, was 1/125 enough to capture all the available light? what did your meter tell you?

 

[noob117]

Thanks for the advice. Will go try the AF assist tonight again.

Last night, I had a super damper experience with my 18-85mm IS lens. Went downstairs to capture a mini Sepak Takraw match at the HDB court. I wanted to catch the boys in action with an appropriate shutter speed. Using 1/125 and ISO 1600, my aperture could only go max F4. Pictures turned out really dark and almost can't see. Its only after i turn on my built-in flash then could i capture a litted shot. But i totally do not like the flash effect.

What should i do?
1) get a diffuser
2) get a proper flash
3) get a lens like F1.8?

A flash would be best if the player don't mind. as flash helps to freeze moving objects.

if he minds you could buy wireless radio flash triggers, with the wireless you will be able to place your flashes off-shoe

and setup the flash so that it does not flash right into the player's eye... however i think they are quite expensive. :think:

 

[dw2chan]

wireless radio triggers are not all expensive. you can get them off ebay for cheap. they will not be as reliable as pocketwizards (heard they are about 95% effective), but if you're not doing this as a job, you can afford to miss some shots.

but yes, do get a proper flash. you'll need one eventually so getting a diffuser for your built in flash would be a waste. and why not get a 50mm 1.8 at the same time? these lenses are cheap but are very sharp and fast.

 

[noob117]

wireless radio triggers are not all expensive. you can get them off ebay for cheap. they will not be as reliable as pocketwizards (heard they are about 95% effective), but if you're not doing this as a job, you can afford to miss some shots.

but yes, do get a proper flash. you'll need one eventually so getting a diffuser for your built in flash would be a waste. and why not get a 50mm 1.8 at the same time? these lenses are cheap but are very sharp and fast.

yes a proper flash and big aperature glass is a good combo.

PWs rock!

i also forgot to mention if u have a master canon speedliteEX(eg. 550EX, 580EX)

you can wirelessly trigger other via IR speedlites, however that requires line of sight.

 

[diver-hloc]

noted. Guess no point changing now.

Have to disagree with you dude.....

Without the upgrade.... ur camera won't be able to correctly ID the 2 new Canon lens (18-55mm IS & 55-240mm IS). No worry lah...... upgrading firmware is very easy. Just follow what was written in the canon website.....

Happy snapping......

 

[sanfong]

Hope you enjoy your 400D which I'm really happy with it too.

 

[galliano]

Hope you enjoy your 400D which I'm really happy with it too.

Oh yes .. enjoying it all right 1st thing i did last week, was to take pictures of my granma's dog. Used a 50mm F1.4 lens, borrowed from friend.

For the complete set of Muffin pics =
http://www.flickr.com/gp/22512453@N04/1h5Jpe