Canikon theatre presents...

[CrAzY PiCs]

Scene- 1: A year back, CrAzY PiCs was happy with his Canon Powershot S5is.

Scene- 2: Two three months back, he realises that DSLR is the way to go, and starts saving for it. He feels increasingly frustrated with the s5is and feels the need for a better camera. (Although he realises, better equipment does not mean better pictures).

Scene- 3: A month back when he was thinking about DSLRs.
I am looking to buy my DSLR (Finally, finance is arranged somewhat!!!). Problem is, I have a maximum budget of around 40k, and i am not sure what would be the best way to spend it.

Choices.
1. Canon 550D kit / 550 D + Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens.
2. Canon 1000D + Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens + Canon 18-55 IS+ Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Decision (almost! )
Almost decided on Canon 1000D + 18-55 IS + Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS + Vanguard MAK 233 Tripod + 8gb card + bag.

Scene 4: Almost a week of thinking later-
Budget has been increased to 50k. Now, with the increased budget, the choices are-

1. Canon 550D + Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens. + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. - Approx 54k.
2. Nikon D90 + 18-105 VR kit. - Approx- 51k.

Scene 5: Confusion confusion-
Nikon d90 prices have almost crashed. Its now considerably cheaper!

Scene 6: Another week of thinking (Almost ended up running naked on the streets shouting eureka!!!), CrAzY PiCs is on a chennai -> Bangalore volvo bus, on a quest to find his true love.

Scene 7:
The search has come to an end. Thanks to all for their suggestions.
Once again, thanks to all!

Scene 6: An ISO 3200 sample shot from my new cam (Shot in JPEG. Resized with PS)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4837344013_7097e9713b_b.jpg

Scene 7: My first major possession with my own savings!!! :p
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4837943218_6ddf0eca3f_b.jpg

Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i.
Canon 18-55 IS+ Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Scene 8: Upgrades planned. (Timelines depending on bank balance! :p )

1. 50mm f/1.8 II. (Most probably in September.)
2. Tripod.
3. Carry case. (Waiting to see if the canon carry case is any good!).

This is a huge step for me, and requires a lot of learning. Review will be updated as i get more comfortable with the equipment.

[KrishnenduKes]

It is actually raining this year!

Approved

Hearty congratulations! :)

[powerslave]

Congrats! It's the best feeling in the world. Feels better than buying a new car. Guess the only better feeling (for me) would be buying a zx12r.

[Cyclops]

Hey CrAzY PiCs, congratulations on your newest acquisition! It really is raining DSLRs (especially Canon) in thePIN. Wow! Hoping to see all threads moving on a faster pace now.

[synn]

Congrats!

p.s. Should'a come over to the dark side. :D

[CrAzY PiCs]

Hearty congratulations! :)
Thank you! :)
Congrats! It's the best feeling in the world.
Hey CrAzY PiCs, congratulations on your newest acquisition! It really is raining DSLRs (especially Canon) in thePIN. Wow! Hoping to see all threads moving on a faster pace now.
Only problem is- I am completely new to DSLRs. So, it would take time to get adjusted to this life.
Congrats! p.s. Should'a come over to the dark side. :D
Yes. Hopefully, this decision was right! Hardest part of this purchase was getting to decide between the 550D and the Nikon D90. Trust me, i didnt expect to get so confused!

[KrishnenduKes]

Only problem is- I am completely new to DSLRs. So, it would take time to get adjusted to this life.


Don't worry. You will adjust quick. Ask Anvancy. He is even preparing a tutorial! :)

[Vicky]

Congrats mate!

Very good choice of gear... both lenses offer excellent performance vis a vis their prices!

LOL! we're getting more and more soldires into the 'Canon Camp'!

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

so now we have three 550Ds.woohoo!

Your primary objective is to update the firmware to 1.0.8

Buy a minimum class 6 8GB(or more) card for movie recording.

Go to Menu.
Under Second Tab Select Picture Style.
Go to User Def 1 and select it by pressing DISP button.
Go down to Contrast section and slide the pointer to your left till it reaches just before the minus sign.
Save it and use this Pic style.
Your pics will have more details in terms of clouds and trees.

Anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

Go to Menu.
Under Second Tab Select Picture Style.
Go to User Def 1 and select it by pressing DISP button.
Go down to Contrast section and slide the pointer to your left till it reaches just before the minus sign.
Save it and use this Pic style.
Your pics will have more details in terms of clouds and trees.

Anvancy

Thanks for the details. And when are we going to see some of your stuff?

[Bibudesh]

ooo. So another 550D'er . Congrats CP and share some 'GOOD' pictures (I dont think u'll be able to go wrong with that cam).

Lets see whose 550D is best utilized ;) ...

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Thanks for the details. And when are we going to see some of your stuff?

Soon Ken..Soon.

Anvancy

[CrAzY PiCs]

He is even preparing a tutorial! :)
His thread is one thing i am looking forward to!

Anyways- During my search for the cam, felt like their is a lot more material available for canon (forums etc). Nikon really needs a good photography forum.
Very good choice of gear... both lenses offer excellent performance vis a vis their prices!
Hopefully, i'll get to add the 50mm f/1.8 II to the list, by september!

Beautiful entry level lenses are one reason i went ahead with the Canon.
so now we have three 550Ds.woohoo!
:p
Your primary objective is to update the firmware to 1.0.8
The only improvement seems to be a glitch in video (with some lenses)? Video is not something i'll use currently.
Go to Menu.
Under Second Tab Select Picture Style.
Go to User Def 1 and select it by pressing DISP button.
Go down to Contrast section and slide the pointer to your left till it reaches just before the minus sign.
Save it and use this Pic style.
Your pics will have more details in terms of clouds and trees.

Anvancy
Done. Thanks! :)

Increased the saturation to +1 too. IMO, canon cameras are shy on the colours. Yet to check the results from the new settings.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

His thread is one thing i am looking forward to!

Anyways- During my search for the cam, felt like their is a lot more material available for canon (forums etc). Nikon really needs a good photography forum.

Hopefully, i'll get to add the 50mm f/1.8 II to the list, by september!

Beautiful entry level lenses are one reason i went ahead with the Canon.

:p

The only improvement seems to be a glitch in video (with some lenses)? Video is not something i'll use currently.

Done. Thanks! :)

Increased the saturation to +1 too. IMO, canon cameras are shy on the colours. Yet to check the results from the new settings.

Some have reported an increase in quality of still shots also after the update.its better to be on the updated side.

Saturation,contrast can all be adjusted afterwards.will wait for your new shots.

Anvancy

[CrAzY PiCs]

Lets see whose 550D is best utilized ;) ...
Not till i get out of my 'waterbottle-round-the-neck' schooling days. :p

[CrAzY PiCs]

Another set of shots i found interesting.

Took this shot with the 55-250, in camera macro mode. Nothing spectacular, but what impressed me is the usability of the 100% crop.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4865777800_ec39187043_z.jpg

Here is a 100% crop from the same. Really impressed with the camera, as of now.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4864990319_201050dcfc_z.jpg

(PS- I upgraded from a P&S to my first DSLR. Take that also into consideration while reading these points)

[powerslave]

^ That is really good especially 100% crop!

[CrAzY PiCs]

Tried a few shots with the 55-250 coupled to my cheap close up filter. Usable at 55, however the DOF makes focussing almost impossible at 250.

And it goes so close that i almost hit this dragonfly on its head! :p

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4870879316_21cd93d47d_z.jpg

[sandeep_141]

@ Crazy Pics

Congrats mate :)

[CrAzY PiCs]

@ Crazy Pics

Congrats mate :)
Thank you.

To share another happy moment with the 550D. My first picture to get into flickr explore-

"Solitude"
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4884986251_1799f9f33e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoughtsexpressed/4884986251/)

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Beautiful Composition!

Anvancy

[CrAzY PiCs]

Your primary objective is to update the firmware to 1.0.8
Just completed this objective of upgrading the firmware to 1.0.8.

Pics from the past two months can be see here. This cam has met my expectations and then exceeded, but then- thats always almost the case with everyone's first DSLR.

Only one concerns till now- I miss the reach of the S5is. Although the 55-250IS compensates by being a fantastic lens, and i think its the most VFM item in my list!

Will be buying the 50 1.8 this month! (Waiting for salary. :p)

Sharing my latest with the cam + 550 -250IS - (Has been posted in the non-wildlife thread as well)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5017328456_e73de6cabf_b.jpg

[shutterbug]

Crazy pics, Congrats on the came, and gotta say dude, those are some beautiful shots you have put up in this thread. I am sure there is only one way to go for you, up!

[CrAzY PiCs]

Crazy pics, Congrats on the came, and gotta say dude, those are some beautiful shots you have put up in this thread. I am sure there is only one way to go for you, up!
Thank you! :)
Will be buying the 50 1.8 this month! (Waiting for salary. )
Took another baby step today. My first experience with a prime! Hopefully, this will be result in a good learning curve. :)

Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8 II
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5041808816_f6dc48f101_z.jpg

The list as of now-
550D + 18-55is + 55-250is + 50 1.8 II

[CrAzY PiCs]

Guys / Anvancy:

I am looking to buy one of the Raynox lenses. Would you all recommend Raynox MSN202 or Raynox DCR250?

My current kit includes-

550D + 18-55is + 55-250is + 50 1.8 II.
S5is + close-up filters.

Since this is going to be my only macro equipment for sometime, would DCR250 make more sense over MSN202, as an all-rounder? I would be using it with S5is and also 55-250is lens. Will the MSN 202 end up with such huge magnification that, it cant capture slightly bigger objects, like butterflies, if needed.

Also, for comparison- here is a pic taken today with the Sonia close-up filter + 55- 250IS + 550D. My expectation is to capture a lot more of the details, without the chromatic abberation and vagueness associated with close-up filters. My budget currently cannot go above 5k. Hence, choice is restricted to Raynox glass.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5062196294_c79fb1042e_b.jpg

[CrAzY PiCs]

Would you all recommend Raynox MSN202 or Raynox DCR250?
Ordered DCR 250.

Had one more go with the Sonia filter today. Its cheap (at around Rs.100). Its got distortion almost everywhere except at the centre. But still, i'm going to miss it for introducing me to macro. Hopefully, Raynox will blow all these thoughts out of my head. Long wait!!! :p

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5064146777_dfdf9b7f2f_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5064146777_dfdf9b7f2f_b.jpg)
(Click to view in flickr)

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Thank you! :)

Took another baby step today. My first experience with a prime! Hopefully, this will be result in a good learning curve. :)

Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8 II
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5041808816_f6dc48f101_z.jpg

The list as of now-
550D + 18-55is + 55-250is + 50 1.8 II

It seems that I am only the sitting duck without any primes.the 50mm has dropped to all new low.I remember the song from ABBA...money money...

Anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

It seems that I am only the sitting duck without any primes.the 50mm has dropped to all new low.I remember the song from ABBA...money money...

Anvancy

And I am the other extreme duck without ANY zooms in my kitty!

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

And I am the other extreme duck without ANY zooms in my kitty!

does your style require zooms?

Anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

does your style require zooms?

Anvancy

Give me a well performing zoom and I will take it if I have the cash.

[CrAzY PiCs]

Ordered DCR250
Got my Raynox DCR250 yesterday. Initial impressions posted here (http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/showpost.php?p=21075&postcount=725).

Now the kit becomes-
550D + 18-55is + 55-250is + 50 1.8 II.
S5is
DCR250 + close-up filters.

[KrishnenduKes]

Got my Raynox DCR250 yesterday. Initial impressions posted here (http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/showpost.php?p=21075&postcount=725).

Now the kit becomes-
550D + 18-55is + 55-250is + 50 1.8 II.
S5is
DCR250 + close-up filters.

Congrats on your newest procurement! :)

In less than 4 months of acquiring your first SLR, you are already into procuring specialist equipment! You are getting pretty serious with your photography. All the best!

[CrAzY PiCs]

Congrats on your newest procurement! :)

In less than 4 months of acquiring your first SLR, you are already into procuring specialist equipment! You are getting pretty serious with your photography. All the best!
Thanks a lot. :)

Next up, is a DIY flash diffuser for the 550D. A film roll case (Dont know exact name!) used to do the job with the S5is, but the flash in 550D is a lot bigger.

[CrAzY PiCs]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5165982816_d4c1bb8ecb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoughtsexpressed/5165982816/)
Click to view in flickr!

My fav shot till now with DCR250 here- http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoughtsexpressed/5164255143/ Posted in the DSLR pic of the day thread as well.

[CrAzY PiCs]

Just upgraded firmware to 1.0.9.

Fixes a phenomenon in which tone jumps become noticeable in some images, depending on the shooting scene, when shooting with the Auto Lighting Optimizer settings (Low / Standard / Strong).

You can update it here-
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eosdigital7/firmware.html

[CrAzY PiCs]

Here is one image taken at 6400 f/1.8. (Raw processed with Canon DPP, and downsized with PS)

Only lighting is from a candle, that too in an open place.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5276166523_0e73a88487_b.jpg

Question:

My Current set-up -

550D + 18-55is + 55-250is + 50 1.8 II.
S5is
DCR250 + close-up filters.

Would a flash / tripod make more sense as my next investment?

[hitanshu]

Flash.........

[CrAzY PiCs]

Flash.........
Unfortunately, work kept me away all this time from everything. Long exile from the site, with very few outings with the cam as well. No additions have been made to the garage except for a Sandisk 8GB SDHC Class 4 (Since i havent used video much).

Total storage capacity bumped upto 12GB now!

[KrishnenduKes]

Unfortunately, work kept me away all this time from everything. Long exile from the site, with very few outings with the cam as well. No additions have been made to the garage except for a Sandisk 8GB SDHC Class 4 (Since i havent used video much).

Total storage capacity bumped upto 12GB now!

It shows photo currently unavailable!