Digital SLR Photography Essentials?

[g8rbeckie]

Hi everyone! I was very interested to read all the comments/feedback on the other thread about lenses...so I wanted more info on other items as well!

I have a Canon EOS Digital Rebel (an oldie)...but I think most of these questions apply to any SLR!

What is your favorite camera bag? I have one that I'm not thrilled with...to difficult to unzip, and when I want to change lenses quickly it's a pain. Plus, it's...manly, LOL!

What do you use to clean your lenses? For removing day-to-day fingerprints and smudges?

Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned? Mine is 5 yrs old and there's stuff in the viewfinder (not on the pics), but it seems to be getting a bit cloudy. I wonder if a good cleaning would help??

I learned in a class once that using an external flash is helpful to diffuse a flash when there's no way to avoid using one. Does anyone have one? Pros/cons?

What lens could you not live without?

anyone do macro photography, and if so, what is a good lens for that?

ok - thanks everyone!! Can't wait to learn!!

 

[nikkiARNGwife]

What is your favorite camera bag? I need to know this too b/c I've always hated mine lol

What do you use to clean your lenses? For removing day-to-day fingerprints and smudges? Usually the hem of my shirt "gasp!" ...but when I think of it I use a lens cleaner that free with my last lens purchase..not sure of the name.


Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned?Not as of yet but I'm sure I will need to soon..my Rebel Xti is 3+ years old

that using an external flash is helpful to diffuse a flash when there's no way to avoid using one. I have a Speedlite 430EX and I like it..I still go without flash as much as possible but it's good for inside shots

What lens could you not live without? my 50 mm

 

[heathergw]

What is your favorite camera bag? I love the Crumpler million dollar bags, I have the 4 mil... but need to get the 6 or 7 to carry everything

What do you use to clean your lenses? I have a little rag that I got for cleaning my glasses in my bag... otherwise I use my shirt... I know, BAD

Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned? I haven't yet, but really should

I learned in a class once that using an external flash is helpful to diffuse a flash when there's no way to avoid using one. Does anyone have one? I use mine often... to enhance natural pics. I use it for fill light to get rid of harsh shadows on a sunny day, if it's overcast out then I don't but that's mostly what I use it for and sometimes use it indoors if needed

What lens could you not live without? 50mm 1.4

anyone do macro photography, and if so, what is a good lens for that? I have a macro lens 105m f/2 on my wish list for my next lens... although you all are pretty convincing about the 30mm 1.4, lol.

 

[digideb]

Okay, camera bags..I know about these! lol I have a LowePro bag which is great b/c it's waterproof & great for rugged stuff!
I also have a TracyJoy Joey bag, but she doesn't make them anymore.
Then I have this bag! :wub: this is my favorite "every day" bag! It's so big, so I don't have to carry a purse too! It's got great pockets & the sections inside (for lens, flash ,etc.) you can move around to make everything fit how you want it! I get SO many compliments on this bag & noone thinks it's a camera bag at all!

Cleaning: I just use a little cloth that I bought in the vision center at Walmart made to clean glasses with. lol

 

[Stacey42]

I have a Curmpler bucket bag. It's nice but awkward. I use it when we travel. I bought a small padded bag off of etsy for day to day stuff. I generally only have the camera with me, no accessories so I don't need anything big

I clean my lenses with one of those anti static cloth wipes you get for cleaning your glasses, becuase I always have one with me

Don't have an external flash & my camera is only a year old so I've never had it cleaned

I just use the kit lens 18-55mm. It works just fine. I'm going to try out a 35mm one to see if ti works better around the house.

I found a macro lens that works awesome & cost about $20. It's an Opteka 10x macro lense & screws onto the end of your existing lense

 

[nun69]

What is your favorite camera bag? I have this one and LOVE it!!!!


What do you use to clean your lenses? For removing day-to-day fingerprints and smudges? Usually the hem of my shirt ...but I do have a lens cloth that I use for my pictures when I paper scrap...if I remember to use it, that is the one I use....

Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned? nope
I have a Speedlite 430EX and am still really trying to figure out how to use it

What lens could you not live without? I just bought a 50 mm 1.8 but am still figuring out how to use it and now that I see nikki has it I may be PM's her with quaestions

 

[Shawna]

What is your favorite camera bag? I have a Tracy Joy Kimberly bag (one of her original styles) but after 2+ years using it I'm so ready for something new. I'm planning on ordering a DSLR 2.0 from Shelly (Pink Punk Boutique) in the next few months, just gotta decide which fabrics I want!

What do you use to clean your lenses? For removing day-to-day fingerprints and smudges? um mostly the hem of my shirt lol, I think I have a cleaning kit around here somewhere so I should probably dig it out!

Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned? not yet, but my XTi is about 2.5 years old so I probably should have it done soon

I learned in a class once that using an external flash is helpful to diffuse a flash when there's no way to avoid using one. Does anyone have one? Pros/cons? I have a 430EXII and a Sto-fen flash diffuser for it, it's great for taking photos indoors especially in low light! I love mine!

What lens could you not live without? I use my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and my Canon 50mm f/1.8, but I would love to have the 50mm f/1.4 and the 85mm f/1.8!

 

[kristine]

What is your favorite camera bag? I just use the one that came with my camera, but I need to get a new one as I don't have room for a spare lens.

What do you use to clean your lenses? One of those cloths for cleaning glasses with

Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned? Nope..

I learned in a class once that using an external flash is helpful to diffuse a flash when there's no way to avoid using one. Does anyone have one? No, but it's on my wish list
What lens could you not live without?
50mm 1.4

anyone do macro photography, and if so, what is a good lens for that?
I really want the Nikon 105 2.8 but realistically the Tamron 90mm is more within my reach. Not for a while though!

 

[aggiefamily]

What is your favorite camera bag?
I have a Crumpler 5 million that I love. I use it for more like a heavy duty bag for when I am going to be a bit rougher on a bag. And I have a dslr bag from Pink Punk Boutique that is more of an everyday bag. Mine is the one shown here: http://pinkpunkboutique.com/boutique/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=67


What do you use to clean your lenses? For removing day-to-day fingerprints and smudges? I use the cloth that came with my lens. It is the same thing as a sunglasses cloth.

Has anyone ever had their camera professionally cleaned? I had mine cleaned when it was under warranty because there was a piece of dust the dust sensor thing couldn't shake off. If I was to get it cleaned again I would send it in to Canon.

I learned in a class once that using an external flash is helpful to diffuse a flash when there's no way to avoid using one. Does anyone have one? Pros/cons? I love my speedlite! It is on my camera most of the time.

What lens could you not live without? Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 stays on my camera. I am getting a Canon 55-250mm f/4.0 or something similar soon for taking photos at sports games. The Tamron will still be my fav. I love that lens.