Keri Payne Photography

What about Lenses??

Okay, so last time I told you that you might not want your kit lens.  Nope, that's not crazy-talk at all!!!

First, let's talk about sensors.  Unless you're buying a Canon 5D, or something similar, your camera will have a cropped sensor.  That means that a 35mm lens on a cropped sensor camera is really like having a 50mm lens (that math isn't 100% accurate - the crop is really 1.6% if you want to get technical).  The kit lens that comes on the Rebels is a 18-55mm IS lens.  If you're wanting to shoot sports - that's not really going to give you much in the way of zoom.  Even zoomed all the way, that 55mm is only going to give you about 88mm.  What you might REALLY want is the 70-300.  It's about the same price as the kit lens, and while not SPECTACULAR in quality, it's a good first lens.  An even BETTER option would be the 70-200 - but I'm assuming that you also just robbed a bank and we really shouldn't be having this conversation.

Now, about aperture.  If you're wanting to shoot portraits, or will be shooting indoors a lot, you're DEFINITELY going to want something with a small aperture.  The 18-55 kit lens only goes as large as 3.5, which is good, but you can get better.  What IS aperture, you ask?  Well, it's the amount of light that can get to your sensor at any given time, and it's also what allows those pictures where the background is all blurred.  Basically, the smaller the number, the more light your camera allows in.  Also, the smaller the number, the blurrier you can get the background.  If you're shooting indoors a lot, having a "fast" lens can mean the difference in needing a flash or not.  And pictures are ALWAYS better if you can get by without using the flash that comes on your camera.  Here's a better idea of what aperture is. 

So why did I just go into all that about aperture?  Because the BEST lenses for shooting in low-light are prime lenses.  These lenses don't zoom - they just ARE.  And they come in all sizes, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm.  The best thing about them is that their maximum aperture is 1.something.  Crank up your ISO to 400 or 800, and set your aperture to 1.4 or 1.8, and you can pretty much shoot in the dark.  And the very best, cheapest lens you can buy is the 50mm 1.8.  It's almost ridiculous how little this lens costs for the quality.  But I think the Amazon rating pretty much speaks for itself.  I personally own this lens and the color is amazing.  It weighs next to nothing too.  And although it's been known to not be very sturdy, I've had mine for almost 2 years and it's going strong.  I LOVE this lens. 

I'm definitely more of a prime lens kind of girl.  I love them!!!  And as far as zooming - well, you can always zoom with your feet!!!!

Helpful Hints:

• Did you know you can rent lenses and other camera equipment?!  If you're not sure what you want, then rent one or two of the ones you're considering.  Use them for a week in a variety of situations and base your decision on that.  Trust me - buying a lens that doesn't fit your needs is way more expensive than spending a little money on rentals.  Try BorrowLenses.  They have a great reputation and a big selection of all kinds of stuff!
• Lenses are one item where you should buy the best you can afford.  Camera models are updated all the time - but lenses last forever.  Good glass can make all the difference.  There are more expensive upgrades to almost all of the inexpensive, entry-level lenses, and you WILL notice a difference, both in your final images AND how your lens focuses/sounds/works. But don't hesitate to start with the "cheap" models.  If you decide you want to upgrade later then sell your "starter" lens.  They do a good job of holding their value because they ARE so popular!  Or keep them as a backup.

I hope this information is helpful!  Anything you guys specifically want to know? 

Choosing a Camera

I get this question all the time.  "What camera should I get?"  So I thought I'd answer it here, since maybe some of YOU have that same question. 

First of all, let me say upfront that I'm a Canon girl.  The ONLY reason being because my dad bought me my first "big" camera for my high school graduation.  It was a Canon Rebel, and I just kind of never looked back.  I eventually added a Canon Elan II to my collection, so when the time came to choose a DSLR, it was just natural to choose a camera that I already had accessories for.  Other than that, though, I don't really think it matters much whether you get a Canon or a Nikon - they're both the best of their class and you can't really go wrong with either.  I HAVE heard, though, that Canon lenses are a bit cheaper, but I haven't done the research to prove that. 

How many megapixels do I need:

• Quite frankly, that would be the LAST thing I'd really worry, or care, about.  The Canon Rebel XS, the cheapest in the Rebel series, has 10.1 megapixels.  The Rebel T1i, by comparison, has 15.1.  Wanna know what kind of difference that will make in your images?  Um, none.  Well, you'll need more, and larger, memory cards - but you're not going to get a better picture.  Not even if you blow it up to a 30x40 wall canvas.  I promise - you won't.  I currently shoot with a Canon 30D, which has 8.2 megapixels, and I have never ONCE wished for, or needed, anything more.  The only thing you might want more megapixels for is if you tend to seriously crop your images.  I'm talking cropping away 3/4th's of your image or something equally as drastic.  But really the best solution for that would be to buy a bigger zoom lens. 

Other things I think are overrated in a DSLR:

• Sensor cleaning (unless you're planning on shooting in the middle of a West Texas duststorm, or at Burning Man - just learn to do it yourself.  It's not hard and you don't have to do it that often, or practically NEVER if you rarely change lenses.)
• Video capability (are you REALLY going to want to haul around your "big" camera to video your kid's basketball game, or haul it up a ski slope?  Get a Flip or something similar and you'll have it everywhere you go.)
• Live View Function (you know, it's where you can hold up your camera and see what you're taking a picture of by looking at the screen rather than looking through the "peep hole".  This is a GREAT feature on little pocket cameras, but when you're spending that much money on a DSLR you'll just look like a goober using that big screen.  I'm just sayin'........)
• Kit lenses (think about what you want to photograph - if it's sports or nature you might want more zoom ability than the kit lens will offer.  If you're shooting your kids and family things, then you might want a prime lens.  Don't worry, next on my list is to explain all this, so check back next week.)

Things you might want on a DSLR:

• LOTS of frames per second (my camera has a setting for 5FPS, which is PERFECT for sports.  You seriously CANNOT take just one picture at a time when it's set that fast.  But 5 is probably plenty for someone not employed by Sports Illustrated.)

Size DOES matter:

• Definitely go to Best Buy or somewhere that sells the different cameras that you are considering and try them out.  Hold them, play with them, and pretend you're shooting with them.  I PERSONALLY think the Canon Rebel series cameras are too small.  I always feel like I'm going to drop one because I can't get a good grip on it.  The solution to that would be to add a grip to your camera.  Canon has great camera grips.  While they add extra SIZE to your camera, they also add an extra battery AND the ability to use AA's.  If you're on vacation and somehow manage to drain TWO batteries, you'd be able to pop into any shop and buy AA's rather than having to go charge your camera batteries.  With the grip also comes a vertical shutter release.  So handy!!!  I don't personally use one on my 30D because I find my camera to already be the perfect size and weight, and I don't need the extra battery power.  Sure would love that vertical shutter though!!!!

Where to buy:

• There are great online sources like B&H and Adorama.  They both also sell demo and used equipment, which are GREAT values!  I would not hesitate to buy used from either of these two sources, as they both have great reputations (I've used them both and have never been disappointed).  You can definitely get more camera for your money by going used, and no one will know but you and your bank account!!
• Another great source for camera equipment is Amazon.  They have great prices and I really love their rating system.

Final thoughts:

• Buy the best camera you can afford.  Even if that means you end up buying used.  If you're interested AT ALL in photography, you'll end up wanting more from your camera anyway - so why not start ahead of the game?!  But honestly - it really IS more about the photographer than the camera.  So never think, or let anyone tell you, that you cannot take a good picture with whatever camera you have.  On the other hand, lenses DO matter - but if you're reading this, they probably won't make much of a difference in your photography YET.  :)

Next monday:  What about lenses?!