Blog posts

Do you have adequate insurance for everything in your camera bag?

You’ll know if you take a few hours to inventory your equipment. I just completed this task and I explain how I did it below.

I finally decided to inventory my camera equipment this month. What else is there to do on a rainy, winter day? It occurred to me that if I had my camera bag stolen out of my car or on location, I would not know off the top of my head what exactly what was in the bag.

I decided to use an electronic inventory method, so I could provide my insurance company with a PDF, in the event I had my stuff stolen. So I laid out all my equipment on the floor, photographed all my gear, including camera bodies, flash, filter, SD cards, batteries, and other accessories. I created a Word Table with four columns and wrote down the serial number, date purchased, and the cost new. I inserted the photograph of the item in the first column. Next, I dug up all the receipts, so they were all in one place. I’ve purchased most of my equipment on Amazon or B&H Photo, so I was able to log on to both sites and retrieve my order history.

It is a good idea to contact your insurance company to find out what your home policy covers. If you are over the limit they provide, you may have to take out additional insurance.

Luckily for me, the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) provides $15,000 of equipment insurance with the annual membership.

So get started now, and don’t forget the SD cards, batteries, and lens filters. They all add up. It might be the best thing you’ll do all month.

If you would like the template that I created, contact me, and I will email it to you.

I have had my eye on several Mirrorless cameras in the past year. My interest was split among the Sony a7 III, the Fuji X-T3, and the Canon EOS R.

When Canon sent me an email last month that the Canon EOS  R’s price was being discounted by $700, it was a no brainer. I quickly purchased the camera and lens. I ordered it before Christmas and it was delivered on December 19, which made a nice Christmas present to myself.

My first impression when I took it out of the box,  was that it was much smaller and looked a little different than a Canon DSLR. As a previous Canon user, the controls are familiar; however, I have had to learn many new things about the camera. To understand them, I have visited YouTube many times. Still, the best aid has been David Busath’s book on the Canon EOS R. David does an excellent job of explaining how to use the features and also provides a refresher on lighting and exposure. I highly recommend David’s books which cover most of the popular DSLR and Mirrorless cameras.

The Canon EOS R is the tenth digital camera I have owned since I went completely digital in 2003. The majority of the cameras I owned were Canons, except for three, including a Nikon, a Sony, and an Olympus. Not only have cameras changed since then, so have my preferences and genres of photography. So far, the camera is beyond my expectations as I continue to learn about it.

In a nutshell, the reasons I like it are:

• The small size (because there is no mirror)
• The large articulating LCD screen
• The touch focus
• The face and eye detection
• The RF lens mount
• The built-in time-lapse feature
• The capability of using all Canon lenses with a special adaptor
• Over 5,000 AF points resulting is very sharp images
• Can connect to your smartphone using Blue Tooth/Wifi

In addition to the features listing above, I also love this camera is because it has an electronic viewfinder that shows precisely how the picture looks, including all Picture Style (color, contrast, etc.) settings, distortion corrections, white balance, highlights and shadows and exposure all LIVE as you look through the finder. It will be an excellent camera for travel and working on location. The camera feels great in my hands, and I cannot wait to use it when I visit Panama next month.

Will I stop using my Canon 5d Mark 1V?  I probably will not.  That camera is a workhorse, and I will continue to keep it in my arsenal as a second camera.

If you would like to read more information about the Canon EOS R check out the Canon website or Google the Canon EOS R and read many of the reviews.

I have been teaching photography for nine years, and the most common question I receive from my students is, “What kind of camera should I buy?”

That is a loaded question, so I’ve decided to break up a blog into five different posts to address this question. This is Part 5 in the series on purchasing a new camera. To read or review Parts I, 2, 3, and 4 please view the blog.

Below are the five questions you should ask yourself:

1. What is my budget?
2. Should I buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera?
3. Should I buy a full-frame camera or one with a cropped sensor?
4. Should I buy a new or used camera?
5. How can I pair the right camera with my specific interests in photography?

This blog post will cover the 5th and final question.

This should be the easiest question to answer out of the five.  By now you have read the four previous blog posts, and have a clear idea of what type of cameras are available based on your budget.

Next, you should narrow down what type of photography you are interested in. I have divided up photography interests into several categories:

• Landscapes
• Portraits
• Weddings
• Travel
• Commercial (products)
• Other (macro, forensic, food etc)

It is common for many of us to have more than one interest.

That doesn’t mean that you need more than one camera.  One camera will suffice, but your lens choice could differ for each category. However, if you can narrow down to one category, your decision will be much easier.

I recommend that you test a camera out before you purchase one. Consider how a camera feels in your hands, and carry it around with you for several hours. I once recommended a certain camera to a student where money was not an object. She tried it out and then went with a less expensive camera because it was smaller and fit in her small hand frame much better.

Beginners who want to learn the basics photography can learn with any DSLR camera.

A used camera or an entry-level type camera will do the trick and help save money.  A cropped sensor camera made by any of the main camera manufacturers will work just fine.

More serious hobbyists who would like to pursue photography past the amateur level should consider a higher end full frame camera.  Those who are starting a photography business or upgrading their business will find a full frame camera will provide more satisfying results in low light.  On the other hand, if one is pursuing landscapes only, a good tripod will enable one to capture images using a low ISO, where noise will not be an issue.

Mirrorless cameras keep getting better and better. As of this last blog post, Sony has released their newest full frame camera, the a7iii, for under $2000. (body only). It is definitely worth taking a look at it. At only 22 ounces, it can be a great choice for travel.

There are so many choices now for camera models, but the choice is yours.

Read the five blog posts, test cameras, and read reviews and you are on your way to owning a new camera.

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you have enjoyed this series. If you would like more information about private lessons or one of my destination workshops, please contact me.

We see a new phone coming every other day, most of the phones these days focus on features that attract a lot of users. Lately this focus has been more on a smartphone’s camera. The biggest problem is when it comes to choosing the right smartphone which has a good build quality and also a camera that clicks beautiful features. There are a lot of options and it gets difficult selecting one. The infographic has nicely described about the best of all the phones.

To begin with, the latest phone by Google called Pixel 2 is a great phone and has shook all the DxO rating records. The DxO image score for Pixel 2 is 98 and DxO video score of 96. The Pixel was the first phone after the Nexus lineup was halted. Both these phones are great and have a stunning features that make them appear different from others. Both of them have a dual band colors at the back which allows for better reception.

Next up is Apple, it’s a brand that has always been known for stunning cameras. Apple’s latest phone, the iphone 8 and iphone 8 plus. Both have a really great camera and now they also come with a BTS sensor. The iPhone 8 has a single lens with a 7 megapixel front camera and 12 megapixel rear sensor. If you are someone who has a bigger palm size then you should get the iPhone 8 plus which is a great phone that packs a much better battery like and even better camera, the iPhone 8 plus is capable of capturing portrait images as it has dua rear lens. Samsung’s latest phone, the Galaxy Note 8 is a great phone which does pack a lot of features, it also has dual rear lens and is capable of capturing portrait images. Lastly we will see two phones, one is HTC’s U11 which is a great phone and has a unique squeeze feature that allows to trigger any action inside the phone. Last phone is Huawei’s mate 10 pro. This phone has dual rear lens which help it capture portrait mode images. There are many such new entries coming. Hope you get to buy a good phone.

Reprinted with permission: https://techiespad.com/smartphone-camera-infographics/

I have been teaching photography for nine years, and the most common question I receive from my students is, “What kind of camera should I buy?”

That is a loaded question, so I’ve decided to break up a blog into five different posts to address this question. This is Part 4 in the series on purchasing a new camera. To read Parts I, 2 and 3, please view the blog.

Below are the five questions you should ask yourself:

1. What is my budget?
2. Should I buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera?
3. Should I buy a full-frame camera or one with a cropped sensor?
4. Should I buy a new or used camera?
5. What type of photography am I interested in?

This blog post will cover the 4th question: Should I buy a new or used camera?

Purchasing a pre-owned camera is a very practical alternative

for those who want to get their feet wet in photography. Many aspiring photographers choose a used camera for the following reasons:

• Low budget
• Indecisiveness on brand selection
• Wanting to learn the basics of photography before making a large investment

I usually recommend purchasing a used camera to students who are on a low budget and for new students who want to learn the manual modes on a camera. You don’t need an expensive or new camera to learn photography. If you think you would like to buy a used camera, research the brands and models and go back a few years to discover what was the most popular camera then.

Below is some guidance on negotiating the purchase of a used camera:

• Find out the current shutter actuations. You can refer to this site to find out the shutter count on most cameras. Shutter actuations are important because camera manufacturers publicize the shutter rating of the camera. Most entry-level DSLR cameras are only rated at 100,000 shutter actuations. Mid and high-end cameras have more durable shutters that are rated between 150,000 and 300,000 actuations.
• Test the camera prior to use, even if it is just a quick trip outside. This, of course, would only be possible with a local seller.
• Ask if the camera has ever been damaged. The same question would apply if a lens is included.

If it has been damaged, make sure you know the extent of the damage, i.e., body damage, and use this as a negotiating tool.

• Ask what accessories are included in the sale. Accessories typically included: a battery, charger, and at least one lens.
• Ask for the manufacturer’s warranty card if a camera is less than one year old. If the camera is older than one year, ask the seller to provide a warranty of at least 30 days.

I can offer advice on the camera-buying process because

I have bought and sold many cameras online in the past fifteen years. My recommendation is to avoid sites that do not provide seller reviews. Craigslist is the first site that comes to my mind as one to avoid; e-Bay and Amazon are better online choices because seller and camera reviews are provided. Each company also offers some buyer protection.

Online camera stores could also be a great place to consider buying a used camera. I often recommend KEH Camera, located in Smyrna, Georgia, as a good choice to buy a pre-owned camera. They offer many incentives to a buyer, including a 180-day warranty. KEH promotes its company as the world’s largest pre-owned camera store, so it is certain they will have a large selection of used cameras. Their staff is very knowledgeable and you can pick their brain to help you make a buying decision.

Cameras depreciate in value just like a car;

therefore, buying a used camera can be a wise choice.  Updated cameras with more bells and whistles replace older camera models every year. It is a good idea to research the leading-edge cameras from a couple years ago. I often recommend the outdated Canon Rebels (T3, T4, T5i) as options for a used camera. Often times, the money saved on a used camera can go toward a new lens. A good lens, such as a prime lens, can make all the difference in the world in making a good picture.

Whether or not you purchase a new or used camera is a personal decision based on your budget, knowledge and aspirations. You can learn photography and take great pictures with a new or a used camera. I highly recommend you research a camera brand online before deciding on one and that you read my recent blog posts on the Five Questions You Should Ask Yourself before You Buy a Camera, Parts 1-3. An educated decision can help back-up your personal decision.

I hope this blog has been helpful for those of you who are considering buying a used camera. If you need help learning how to use a used or new DSLR camera, check out my online courses, private lessons or immersion workshops.

I have been teaching photography for nine years, and the most common question I receive from my students is, “What kind of camera should I buy?” That is a loaded question, so I’ve decided to break up the blog into five different posts to address this question. This is Part 3 in the series on purchasing a new camera. To read Part I and Part 2, please view the previous two blog posts.

Below are the five questions you should ask yourself:

1. What is my budget?
2. Should I buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera?
3. Should I buy a full-frame camera or one with a cropped sensor?
4. Should I buy a used or a new camera?
5. What type of photography am I interested in?

This blog post will cover the 3^rd criteria: Should I buy a full-frame camera or one with a cropped sensor?

DSLR and mirrorless cameras have three sensor sizes (sensor size is measured from corner to corner):

• Full frame – 43mm, aka crop factor 1
• APS- 28 or 27mm, aka crop factor of 1.5 or 1.6
• Four-thirds – 22mm, aka crop factor of 2

Understanding a camera’s sensor size will lead you to make a more educated decision on the purchase of a new camera.

First of all, what is a sensor? A camera sensor in a digital camera is the rectangular plate that is behind the mirror of a DSLR camera. In a mirrorless camera, there is no mirror to cover the sensor, so it can be found when you remove the lens. The sensor captures light and converts it into electrical signals, which make up an image. Sensors are the most expensive part to manufacture in a camera, so smaller sensors are found in many prosumer cameras. These are known as APS and four-thirds sensors. A full-frame sensor, which is the same size as a piece of 35mm film, is more expensive to manufacture, hence it is found on more expensive cameras.

Learning how cameras are labeled by sensor size will help educate you further.

Cameras with a full frame sensor are also known as full frame cameras. Cameras with smaller sensors are known as cropped sensor cameras. Full frame cameras include some Nikon, Sony, Canon, Leica and Pentax models. Cropped sensor cameras with a APS 28mm sensor size include some Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Leica and Fuji models The APS 27mm cropped sensor camera includes some Canon models. The smallest sensor size of 22mm includes Panasonic and Olympus models. All the above cameras will produce an acceptable image, so how do you know which sensor size you should consider?

The sensor size affects the lens focal length and the quality of the image. A sensor that is smaller than a full frame sensor has a crop factor. The crop factor is the ratio of the full frame sensor size and the smaller sensor size. For example, if you are using a Canon APS camera, the sensor size can be calculated by the following equation:

 43mm/27mm = 1.6

The crop factor of 1.6 magnifies the focal length of a lens. A 35 mm lens on a Canon 6ti (APS sensor) would result in a true focal length of 56mm.

35mm x 1.6 = 56mm

There are advantages and disadvantages to a cropped sensor camera.

A 300-mm lens on a Canon 6ti camera would be 480 mm. This could be an advantage; however, on the other end, if you wanted to use a wide-angle lens of 15mm, the true focal length would be 24mm. Finally, a full frame sensor can provide a broader dynamic range and better low light/high ISO performance yielding a higher quality image than a cropped sensor. Cameras with full frame sensors are more expensive than cameras with cropped sensors. It all goes back to the question in Part 1: “What is your budget?”

The following image illustrates the different sensor sizes and the crop factors.

As always, I recommend you learn more about sensors by doing research. Below are some of my favorite articles and videos on this subject:

https://www.slrlounge.com/workshop/crop-vs-full-frame-cameras/

https://www.vistek.ca/buyingguides/dslrs/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/full-frame-cameras-deliver-impressive-image-quality-but-heres-why-you-might-not-need-it/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4_YokbwVNw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEGA6yrHcM0