tlc

You have the 7D don't you? The 6D needs a trigger to set it off camera, it doesn't have it built in like the 7D. Which one did you end up getting? I have another friend who has one and he has had Canon and he said it is fantastic and they are so much cheeper.

Its a pretty spiffy lens, I have 3 friends who have it! I have the canon f/4 version it is great. Great shots, its awesome for action!

Awesome, did you use the flash for any of these? I have been meaning to ask you how do you like your YN flash? is it ok? easy to use? I got a Canon 430exii but I want another one so I can use off camera and was thinking about getting a YN.

I think the thing with your particular camera it is geared towards the Pro photographer and it is a professional grade camera, therefore it doesn't have any scene modes like sports or action or night mode etc, you options are auto or manual. I can understand perfectly what T is saying, I was exactly the same about 12 months ago and I was happy about that. BUT once I discovered what my camera could do if I made it work for me it was amazing! Manual and semi manual modes A and S are like a whole new world, you have control of the camera and it works for you. In saying that the scene modes mentioned about are very good on the DSLRs there days and they are geared to each scene for example the sports mode will generally have a fast shutter speed. Scene modes are not auto and this is where i think the issue with your camera lies. I really do know how hard it is to get your head around learning the Exposure triangle and making it work for you, I basically was shooting in auto and P mode for years before actually learning this stuff, I couldn't get my head around it. then one day it just seemed to fall into place. Editing can play a big part too, you can make ok images look fantastic with a bit of editing. DO you have the camera on jpeg mode or raw. I would use jpeg till you get some decent shots you like then you can go to raw and learn how to edit, thats another whole ball game. And yes I was originally one of these ones that didn't do any editing but once I found out there is a whole new world out there with raw files and editing I just loved it, I enjoy editing the raw files as much as I enjoy shooting the pictures. Think with raw files the same as a negative, it has all the info there it is up to you how you want to manipulate the image and how you want it to look. Another good tip to use in ambiguous lighting if your not sure about the iso is if the camera has an auto iso mode put it on that and it will default to the lowest in the best light and compensate for lower light situations. Then you only have to worry about the aperture and shutter speed. Think fast moving fast shutter like Huga said 1/500th even higher if the light is great and between f/4 and f/8. Just experiment and see how you go.

I have just been having a bit of a read up on your camera and it has a very cool feature in the P mode, p stands for programmable, most DSLRs have P mode and it is kind of an auto setting, with the sony however while in Program AE mode, you can rotate either the front or rear control dials to select different combinations of aperture and shutter speed settings than those normally chosen by the autoexposure system. (That is, if the automatic program would have chosen 1/125 second and f/5.6, you could instead direct the camera to use 1/60 at f/8 or 1/30 at f/11, to get greater depth of field.) This is a very handy option for those times when you need some measure of increased control, but still want the camera to do most of the work for you. We personally use this capability more than Aperture- or Shutter-priority metering in our own shooting. An added wrinkle in the Sony A850 is that turning the front control dial sets the mode indicator to PS (program shift/shutter priority), while turning the rear control dial sets the indicator to PA (program shift/aperture priority), so you can take control of either shutter speed or aperture, letting the camera make the appropriate choice for the other variable. Basically this means if you are shooting something and you check the picture and want a bit more light you can decide if you want to open the aperture (lower number) or slow the shutter speed down. both will give you more light but you need to decide which was to go, if you slow the shutter there is more chance of movement and if you widen the aperture there is a more shallow depth of field. My source was here Huga has hit the nail on the head, just put it on any of the manual modes and have a play, its the easiest way to learn, when you look at the photos back take particular note of the exif data when you see a shot you like, this will be a starting ground for next time. A lot of it depends on the available light, the native iso for your particular camera is 200 so try not to go below if you can help it, you will get optimum performance on iso 200, but of course if you need higher inside or low light this camera should be well and truly capable.

I'm at work at the moment but will have a look when I get home. My first though without even looking at the photos is the shutter is too slow. But I will add more when I can have a proper look.

What sort of stuff did you learn in the courses you did? Learning the relationship between aperture shutter speed and ISO is a great place to start. Definatley post some photos, like Krislin I'm not a pro but a very keen enthusiast who has learn so much over the last 12 months. Happy to impart knowledge if I can help!

Mish, I just had a thought, could you start a thread with a few photos your not happy with I'm sure other would be happy to help you nut it out.

Mish, you should be able to take rocking shots with that combo. Snook recommended a great book called understanding exposure, to shoot on full manual you need to understand the exposure triangle and once you do it will all become clear, it's easy when you know how. You camera probly has a light meter read up on how to use that and understand what hyperfocal distance is and you will be set. Good luck.

Fantastic, love them all especially the first ones. What are you using for your editing and are you shooting in raw? If its a toss up between the 50-500 and the 100-400 I've seen photos from both and the Canon wins every time.

Well keep up the good work, I am dabbling in Landscape and HDR at the moment, I know it is not everyones cup of tea but it's something different. Ill be really interested in hearing how you like the 100-400 if you get it, lots of mixed reviews out there I guess like anything. I'm happy with the 70-200 for my dog action shots but might want something a bit longer down the track. MY Facebook Page is here if you wanna have a look at some of my recent stuff.

Wow Haka is a stunner! The flash has been a bit of a learning curve to say the least but doing ok with it. Cooper is still not over the infection, all Ab's and AI's finished so will have another look at it closely in the morning and reassess. It does look ok but still red and moist which is not good. He has been such a good boy though, taking his tablets like a boss and wearing a shirt 24/7 for the past two weeks, lucky it is winter! :laugh:

Whoops forgot to mention great shots CC. I nearly broke my leg jumping off a stool I was standing on to get some spider shots one night, I couldnt find the spider in my view finder, moved my camera and the dam spider was about 2 inches from my face, boy did I move quick! This was the offending spider! You could also set some shots up to practice, this one was for a bokeh challenge in one of my photography groups. The bokeh in the background was made form one of those lamps with the little holes in it to make the light come through. Don't forget to try your macro lens for other things, it can make a good portrait lens and I have used mine for action lots before I got my 70-200.

Mmm tips, not sure I'm the right person to be asking. :laugh: I've still got a lot to learn. So far I have learnt, not to use a wide aperture, if you have enough light head towards f/11 even a bit higher. You will still get good depth of field as you are so close to the subject and closing your aperture down will give you more of your subject in focus. I don't like using a tripod but of course it will help and easy if you have a still subject. Use a slower shutter speed and higher iso to compensate for the aperture being closed down. If you are in really low light try your flash. (there is a special ring flash you can get for macro. I don't have one) Don't do macro when it's windy :laugh: I use manual focus and focus on my subject, this is tricky but if you sway your subject will go in and out of focus you have more chance to get it right as with auto focus it will refocus everytime you press the shutter. If doing hand held, and slower shutter speed try resting against something to steady yourself. With the fungus shots, I was laying on the ground and although holding the camera had my arms firmly on the ground. I have found light to be the most important thing I guess like with all photography its all about the light. Light your subject and you will see so much difference, try not to cover your subject with your body, let the sun in on it. Just remember that the focal plane is so narrow so focus on the exact thing you are wanting to be your main subject. Hope some of thats been helpful, you will figure most of it out as you go along. Are you shooting in Manual mode? It will make a big difference.

Fantastic shots!

Glad to hear your recovering ok, hope you are getting lots of Koda cuddles! Nice shots, he is growing so quick!

Agree with Huga, the 50mm is a great lens and the Nikon version in my opinion is a much better lens that the Canon although the pic quality is on a par. However I don't necessarily agree it is great for landscapes although it will do the job, if your kit lens is wider it would be better for landscapes. You can use it for lots of stuff dogs and horses will be perfect subjects with the 50mm on your camera. Have fun!

In case anyone is wondering what the big board is behind the dogs, its my home made back drop, a piece of ply with some stain on it. I am learning to use the flash and wanted something a bit more suitable than just a plain wall.

Just a few fun shots, well fun for Tully Jo the rest just look annoyed with me and Cooper looks so sad!

What a beautiful boy!

Thank goodness they got it all and Jake is going to be ok. They are good at making us worry! Cooper are just lyphomas this is the second time hes had the one under his arm done, he is allergic to the stitches so very irritated by the whole thing. Now with the infection it's worse. On the plus side today it doesn't look as red and angry and he slept last night so hopefully he will begin to heal now!

My 4 all get done fortnightly, no fuss and no drama, after their bath it takes me about 30 seconds per foot. Such an easy and simple job it's crazy how people can be so ignorant about it. My guys don't need their nails cut as much in summer as we are out and about more. I always aware how their nails are too as we visit nursing home and hospital and raggedy nails and old skin don't mix!

What's happened to Jake? Hope he is ok? I've got a sick one too, Cooper had some lumps removed and its been a rough week, a bad reaction to the stitches and now an infection, hoping for a better night tonight. Hope everyone else and their puppies are well!

So sorry Pers.

Shesha looks like a gorgeous girl, lovely shot of her! I loled when I read something lurking in the undergrowth! :laugh: