Canon DSLR User Group / Discuss

Mike Rollerson    says:

I've been using DSLR's for a couple years now, learning more and more neat little tricks all the time. I sometimes have other photographers come up to me to ask "what's that for?" when I'm out taking pictures. I'm sure everyone in this group has a different level of experience and thought it would be good to share the knowledge with everybody else. I didn't see any similar topics, so I figured I would start one.

To start off with a few..

1) External Flash: Built in reflector card

If you use a Canon flash, you might have noticed the white card that comes out when pulling out the wide angle diffuser panel (or maybe you've never pulled it out, or noticed there was a wide angle diffuser panel). Since finding out about the reflector card, I've learned to use it all the time. I found the best angle to be one similar to my picture above - the reflector card works great even in places where you can't bounce the flash off a ceiling, but don't want to use direct-flash on your subject. I usually set the exposure to +1 on the flash when using the reflector card as there is some light loss (since the flash is pointed at an angle and not directly at the subject).

2) Cap Keepers

Cap Keepers are an inexpensive product put out by "Sima" - usually selling for $1.50 - $2.00 a piece, they consist of an elastic band with a string and adhesive "dot" - you put the elastic band around your lens, stick the adhesive dot to your lenscap and never have to worry about losing it again. I've attached these capkeepers to all of my lenses and have never had a problem. The cap simply hangs when not on your camera, and since it's attached to a string you'll always know where it's at (no more stuffing it in your bag or pocket, then digging for it afterwards).

3) Canon Handstrap

A very helpful addition to the neckstrap, I've found it makes holding the camera still much easier and gives you a better grip with larger lenses or when carrying around a camera all day. These go on same connector that your neckstrap goes on (both are used at the same time). The downside (if you consider it to be one) is that you need a Battery Grip (which you should have anyways) attached to use the handstrap. Canon E1

4) Battery Grip

As mentioned above, I think everyone should have a battery grip attached to their camera. When I first heard of the battery grip, I figured "well that's unnecessary - I'll just switch batteries when one runs out." But the battery grip not only allows you to use 2 batteries at once, it adds a shutter release and focus controls to the bottom of the camera - this means that when you switch to portrait mode, your camera will still have a shutter button at the "top" of the camera (and not the left side). This makes portrait shots much easier and comfortable. Another benefit is that it "evens out" the camera by adding a little bit more weight to it.. very helpful with lighter cameras like the xxxD series or when using larger lenses.

5) RAW file format

RAW takes up more space than JPEG, and also requires you to process the images yourself (opposed to the camera doing it for you). So why would you want it?
RAW files contain data that can be modified after the fact, and gives you much more control of how you want the final image to turn out (whether its raising exposure, changing the white balance, or adjusting saturation/sharpness without degrading the image (as with a JPEG).
In fact, the image above was taken with Auto White Balance using RAW.. but the white balance was off. With a single click I was able to correct the colors using the included Canon software:


6) Securing your camera bag

If you look through my photostream, almost every image was taken in what was a large, crowded area. Lots of conventions, theme parks, etc..
The last thing you'd want is for your equipment to just go missing (not necessarily due to theft, but also from the backpack opening unintentionally and spilling over the floor). I've heard of the Canon backpacks doing this.. and that's exactly what I own. I found a quick solution that gives you peace of mind - locks. You can get a 4 pack of master locks (with keys) for under $10 - slip the lock through the loops on the metal zipper and never worry about it. The extra work of unlocking is very minimal and worth the effort.

7) Lens hoods are reversible

Lens hoods can be bulky and hard to store if you're not doing it right. I've seen people keeping the hoods in separate compartments of bags (or leaving them behind). One thing that some people don't know is that these are reversible:
By putting the lens hood on the opposite way (and screwing it in like you would normally), it will stay in place and take up very little extra space.

8) Rosco Gel Sampler Packs

Rosco sells sheets of gels for lights - these can be very useful, but also expensive (since most people don't need an entire sheet of a specific color). Fortunately, Rosco puts out sampler packs (a book containing each color, in a small cut-down sized. These are available at theater and lighting stores, or available online at retailers like B&H for $0.01 per pack. The great thing is that these fit over Canon flashes (use gaffers tape, velcro or rubber bands to hold in place). This means you get an entire collection of usable "colors" for just about nothing. Most people who read strobist already know about these, but my little addition is the ring (seen on the left) - you can get a 12 pack of "book rings" (metal rings that easily snap apart or back together) for $1.00 - remove the gels from the spiked pin (right side of image) that normally holds these together, and put it onto the book ring. This lets you easily remove and replace the different gels without adding extra bulk (some people will put together books of gels to take with them).
Originally posted at 9:21AM, 4 February 2009 PDT (permalink)
scubapup (a group admin) edited this topic 40 months ago.