I went on a field trip to a marine animal rescue center with my daughter today as I wanted to shoot lots of pictures of the kids with the Sea Lions. Unfortunately they were all in cages, so picture taking was not that easy. Instead I got mesmerized by this beautiful white heron (is that correct) and I couldn't stop photographing him! Isn't he a beauty? All were taken at 100 or 200 ISO, f5.6 and a shutter speed of 1/640 - 1/1600 depending on his movement. If you want a great book on shooting in manual, check out this one - it is amazing and very easy to understand: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petterson (thank you to several of my scrapbooking friends for recommending it).
I thought I would provide a review on my camera now that I have played with it a bit in case any of you are in the market for a new one. I was using the original Canon Digital Rebel for the past four years, so my opinions are comparing the Canon 40D to that model. It is more difficult to use - it required me to actually read the manual which I never did on my old model. The buttons are confusing - which one to use to change which setting made me wonder why they couldn't have made things a little easier. But once you get through the learning curve, it is not hard at all. My pictures do seem much more crisp - which is what I was so desiring with a new camera. I love that I only have to do a few little edits to get awesome images (I always do an auto contrast, crop and sometimes a sharpening). The ISO increase is not as exciting as I expected. I had heard it goes up to 3200 which is great in low light situations. But it actually goes up in smaller increments to 1,600 just like my original model, but more increments between (100, 125, 160, 200, 250, etc...). To get to 3,200 you have to set a specific setting that will allow you to jump from 1,600 to a letter called H which is 3,200 with no increments in between. I love that the shutter speed will now increase to 8,000 where the old model was only up to 4,000. Another favorite thing is the file size - with 10 megapixels, I can crop and blow up images way better then before. Overall, loving the new camera - definitely worth the money and small learning curve! suzy
wow wonderful pics, as if it's dancing just for the camera :)
Maggie
Posted by: maggie | February 26, 2008 at 05:02 PM
These pictures are absolutely incredible!
Posted by: Susan | February 27, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Suzy, these photos are incredible. I really like the last two.
Posted by: Lisa M. Pace | February 27, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Great photos. Glad you are liking your new camera. I am still on a huge learning curve! It's all good though.
Posted by: melinda | February 27, 2008 at 06:55 AM
You're really doing an amazing job Miss Suzy! I'm proud of you for learning all those buttons!
Posted by: kendra | February 27, 2008 at 09:02 AM
You're really doing an amazing job Miss Suzy! I'm proud of you for learning all those buttons and dials!
Posted by: kendra | February 27, 2008 at 09:02 AM
WOW those photos are simply gorgeous Miss Suzy Q. GREAT job. I think the new camera loves you. =)
Posted by: Janette Zomer | February 28, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Those are great photos. Kendra had already told me that you read that book so I have already ordered it, I should be getting it soon! ;)
I signed up for 3 photography courses at a college in Quincy, but they aren't very advanced courses, wondering if I will learn much.
Great job, glad you like your camera!!!
Posted by: Kristi Smith | February 28, 2008 at 06:48 AM
WOW!! Suzy these pictures are AMAZING!!! They are so crisp. I got the Nikon D80 for Christmas and am still trying to figure it out. (Guess I should read the manual). And thanks for the tip on that book. I think I have it from a tip at AMM!!
~Patti
Posted by: PattiHutch | February 28, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Love the fourth one where his hair is blowing in the wind, cool pic! I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTi and love it, too. Canons are the best as far as I'm concerned!
Posted by: Charrie | February 28, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Hey Suzy... I am officially tagging you. You can read the rules on my blog. www.lisapace.com
Posted by: Lisa M. Pace | March 01, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I am looking for a new camera. I have the Rebel XT too and last week I had a little play with a Canon 30D. I LOVED IT! Now you say you are happy with the 40D and now I am confused! I suppose it all comes down to the amount of money I'm prepared to spend...
Love #4 the best!
XXLynette
Posted by: Lynette van Barrelo | March 01, 2008 at 11:56 PM