Gear Bag

Gotta have a camera to take pictures, right?!

I started with a (used) Sony DSC-H2 point and shoot.  Amazing camera!  If anyone is looking for a great point and shoot, I would REALLY recommend this one!  I started out just on "auto", shooting photos.  Over time, I started developing an "eye" for photos.  I have the tendency to research things to death, so when I wanted to find out something, I found out!  I learned about exposure, aperture, the rule of thirds, contrast, lighting, etc.  Eventually I started playing with settings and programs, trying to get the best shots I could.  My favorite mode ended up being Exposure, since I love shots that really "pop" with color and contrast.

After maybe a year (or less!) of being comfortable with adjusting settings, I started itching for a dSLR.  I researched.... And researched... Talked to every photographer I could... And finally decided on a Canon Rebel.  The problem was, which Rebel?!  The problem was solved when I found out an old family friend had a use Rebel EOS for sale.  Decision made!  I bought it, and now the question was: Which lens to get!!

There are so. many. lenses!


So, back to the drawing board laptop.  I had a nice little blogging community going by now, so I asked around to see what people were using.  I researched brands and models.  I looked through folders of sample photos.  I counted pennies... And bought a Canon 17-85mm EF-S lens USM IS.  A week later, we left for South Dakota on vacation.  Perfect time to test a new lens!  I've had it for nearly a year now, and it is the perfect all-around lens.  Photo quality is sharp, it's got auto and manual focus, and enough zoom for most things.  I also discovered that if I use manual focus, I can do some pretty decent macro shots with it!

About a year later, after much more research, I bought a 75-250mm Canon EF-S lens.  It doesn't have the USM (which was actually a mistake, but it was about half the price as the USM), but does have IS.  I haven't gotten to use it a whole lot, but I'm sure over the summer I will be using it for wildlife, etc.  The auto-focus is a little slow, especially compared to the USM lens.   But for the price ($225) it's a great zoom lens!

Next on the wishlist is a 50mm prime lens, I think it would be really handy to have in my camera bag.  Speaking of camera bags, I just bought a new one and it's STILL not big enough!  Aaack!

I think lenses are like anything else... Can't ever get enough!

DSC-H2

DSC-H2

DSC-H2

Rebel EOS/17-85mm

Rebel EOS/17-85mm

Rebel EOS/17-85mm