Comments on: MCP’s Camera Bag: Equipment and Pictures from Past to Present

By: photography

photography — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:24:46 +0000

i love this blog.. thanks for sharing..

By: wayoutnumbered

wayoutnumbered — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:39:59 +0000

Thank you for sharing your gear! I’m a gear freak although my bank account does not allow me to indulge very often. I love seeing what lenses “pros” use and learning why. Thanks!

By: Fast Creative

Fast Creative — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:51:44 +0000

Beautiful shot! They were truly remarkable. You actually made the color come alive.

By: Jodi

Jodi — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:42:56 +0000

Yes – WB lens cap is on my lenses that have one all the time. I own 3 now – so if it is one of the three it is on – yep Bad for me is that I keep buying more lenses – hard to keep up and justify that many caps.

By: Life with Kaishon

Life with Kaishon — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:40:31 +0000

I loved this! Thank you! Do you keep your white balance lens cap on all the time? The man at my camera shop told me I should. I just wondered.

By: Rose

Rose — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:40:30 +0000

HAH! I am just beginning, and am still using full auto mode, but for the most part a, pretty happy with the photos that I am getting. (probably just as you were back when you started!) I know there is huge room for improvement, but I’m learning

By: Guera

Guera — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:06:52 +0000

It’s great to see how your photography and equipment has progressed over the years; very interesting for those of us not as far along the path as you.
I got my first DSLR in March 2008 – a Canon Rebel XTi with kit lenses and loved it! It was like a whole new world opened up and I learnt so much on that camera. I am trying to use manual mode more and more, but I need to get quicker, particularly when shooting kids. (Any tips for how to handle a fast paced shoot in manual mode?) I shoot in Av modes at high apertures 90% of the time at the moment – I love it for portraits.
A month ago I upgraded to the 5D Mark II which was a big leap from the XTi but I figured I should get a camera I could grow into rather than grow out of. I’m nowhere near doing it justice yet, but it’s inspiring to learn more and practice more and I already see an improvement in my shots. Some of that is probably to do with the news lenses I got (Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 and Canon 70-300) which are much better quality than those old kit lens. Plus I LOVE my 50mm f/1.8 that I’ve had for a while. Once the finances allow I’ll upgrade to some L lenses…the wishlist is never ending! First thing on the list though is an external flash that I’m getting for my birthday (today!). I just have to decide between the 430exII and the 580ex.
Thanks for posting this – always good to see how others have progressed.

By: Erica Lea

Erica Lea — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:58:07 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing – this is such an interesting topic.

I have been shooting with an SLR for about 1.5 years. Thanks to books, the internet, photographer friends, and experience, I think I have learned quite a bit. Not just about actually composing and snapping the photo, but also about editing.
I’d have to say it’s been about 5% equipment and 95% skill improvement. I started with a camera and two lenses. I have the same camera and lenses. I now own a remote shutter release, but it is not used all that often. Very handy, though.
I feel like I have so much to learn. Thanks for providing a resource to further the learning process!

By: Jodi

Jodi — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:05:22 +0000

Beth – I wanted more control and less surprises

By: Beth @ Pages of Our Life

Beth @ Pages of Our Life — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:39:25 +0000

Jodi,

Big Thanks! for posting this. 2 months ago I bought the Canon 40D with Tamron 28-75 2.8. I have just read my manual, Peterson’s “Exposure,” and Kelby’s Lightroom 2 book. I can’t learn fast enough to get the “look” that I know is out there. Your post is so encouraging because I can see that with work I can get there.

What was the best thing that helped you to leap off into manual??

Thanks,
Beth