Owning Multiple Cameras – Part 2

…different cameras for different uses

By Marc B

Owning Multiple Cameras – Part 1 explored street photography and special occasion photography. Below are some suggestions of camera types that are suitable for specific situations. Remember, any camera is better than no camera at all!

Landscape Photography
Landscape photography is all about wide open spaces, detail, sharpness and rugged equipment. You can use a few different cameras for this type of photography.  The only essential would be a camera that can use filters as landscape photographers have a need for a few different types of filters (ND, ND Grads, circular polarisers etc.).  A Compact System Camera (CSC) is ideal for this as they are light, some are weather resistant and have some high quality lenses that can take a filter.  Another advantage of a CSC is that they are compact enough to go in a backpack if you are hiking, but good enough quality to get awesome results.  The lens selection is great and there are plenty of cameras to choose from.

Everyday Photography

There are times when the phone camera just doesn’t cut it (indoors, low light, if you need to zoom) and you need a camera that can far outdo the results from what your phone can do but you don’t want to lug around a big DSLR.  For this there is a range of small but high quality cameras available with built in Wi-Fi so you can still share those moments instantly.  But now you can do it with awesome quality.  Some cameras that fit this category are the Canon S120, the latest in a long line of ‘S’ series cameras that are known for their low light performance, the new Fujifilm XQ1 which is the smallest Fuji camera yet to feature their very well respected X-Trans sensor and it also features no low pass filter for extra sharpness.  Other cameras are the Sony RX100 II which is very small but with a larger sensor size than most other compacts for exceptional image quality.  All of these cameras feature Wi-Fi and all have apps available to stream your images to your smart device for uploading to your social networking site of choice.  The main difference being that your photos will be of a much higher quality than your friends’ photos.

Travel Photography

Travel photography encompasses such a wide range of photography styles (architecture, portrait, landscape, street and general photography) that it is impossible to find one camera to do it all.  The best option here is to take two cameras (this article assumes photography will be a major interest when you go on holidays), one of them should be your DSLR or CSC with appropriate lenses, and the other should be a good compact super-zoom camera.

The DSLR is the go-to camera that you use for the majority of the trip, these photos are unrepeatable events and you should use your best gear to capture them.

The compact is your back-up camera and is the camera to take with you if you find yourself going to events that do not allow (or you simply don’t want to take) a DSLR.  The compact should have a big zoom for those times when you need to get in close and Wi-Fi for transferring to your smart device to share the moment with friends and family.  Some good options here are the Panasonic TZ40 with a 20X optical zoom, Wi-Fi and NFC.  This comes from a long line of very successful travel zoom cameras from Panasonic.  The Olympus SH-50 also features a slightly bigger 24X zoom lens with an advanced 5 axis image stabilisation feature when using video to really steady those hands.  It also uses a 16 MP BSI CMOS sensor for great low light ability.  Nikon also has the popular S9500 travel zoom which features a 22X zoom, 18MP sensor, Wi-Fi, GPS for tracking where you took the photo and full HD video recording.

These are just a few options of cameras available for these photographic styles, there are plenty more in-store so come on in, call us or check out our website to see what else we have on offer!

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Winter Tips: How to shoot in the snow

With winter well underway we thought it was time to put a few tips together for anyone looking to go out and shoot in the colder months.  If you get a chance to take photos in the snow (for the lucky few that actually get snow in this big old country of ours), there are a few things to keep in mind.  Below are a handful of things I discovered while walking the streets of Europe during the coldest months and dealing with snow, sleet and rain.

The first thing anyone will tell you is that keeping your camera’s batteries warm is a necessity. This is spot-on as the cold temperatures can dramatically reduce the performance of your batteries.  When possible, keep your batteries housed within an internal pocket so that they are warm and retain their charge better.  Make sure they are fully charged at the start of each shoot and have a spare one handy as batteries lose charge quicker in cold weather.  Always be ready to shoot!

Pay careful attention to your exposure.  Some scenes that are predominantly white may cause confusion to your exposure metering system and attempt to underexpose the photo, giving a greyish look to the snow instead of a crisp white.  If this is happening you can either set your exposure manually to get the result you want or overexpose the photo by 1 to 1.5 stops on the exposure recommended by your camera.

Be mindful of where you step to ensure you don't leave footprints throughout the scene.  An ideal solution is to wake up and trek out early before the snow begins to melt and before people walk around, leaving footprints everywhere.  I was lucky to be in Hyde Park, London where it had snowed the night before and made it to the park first thing in the morning.  I captured some great shots of the park while it was almost deserted with a thick layer of snow on everything. By around 10:30am it had reduced to a snowy mush and looked decidedly less photogenic.

If you choose to shoot in JPEG then make sure your white balance is set to daylight so the snow will appear white.  If you know how to set a manual white balance in your camera then this could also be done using a photo of the snow although in theory this should give you the same white balance setting as the 'daylight' option.   If you shoot in RAW then disregard this advice as you will have a colour balance option during your RAW conversion.  I always shoot in RAW as it provides maximum control during post-processing. 

If your camera has no weather seals then take precautions to keep it dry.  My Canon 5D MKII DSLR is weather sealed and has survived through rain, snow, sleet, and hail with zero adverse effects.  I hate passing on photo opportunities and some of my best shots were taken during difficult weather scenarios.  Make sure you check for snow or water drops on your lens that will show up in the photo.  If moisture is present, ensure you dry it as soon as possible!  If your camera is not weather sealed then be extra cautious when water is present as cameras and water generally don't go well together and water damage is not covered under manufacturer’s warranty.

If you wish to shoot portraits in the snow then consider encouraging the subject to wear a bright, bold colour in order to draw attention to them so that they don't get 'lost' in the frame.  Red generally works quite well.

Dress appropriately for the weather. Think warm.  If it’s going to be windy then keep this in mind as the temperature can drop rapidly due to the wind chill factor.  One of the coldest days for me was in Edinburgh when the temperature was approximately 2^oC but then the wind picked up and it felt like I was in a deep freeze with the wind punching through every tiny gap in my clothing. I don't normally wear gloves while shooting but on occasion it has been necessary. This is when being experienced with your camera and knowing where all the buttons are is handy so that when you can only feel them with limited tactile feedback, the task is no challenge for you.

Acclimatise your camera when you go back inside.  I keep mine safely housed in my camera bag and under no circumstance will I ever remove the lens from the body until I am certain that the camera has reached the room’s ambient temperature which typically takes at least half an hour.  If you don't take this precaution then condensation may form inside your camera which can only lead to undesirable outcomes.

Finally, as with any form of photography, be on the lookout for any kind of photo that may present itself from macro to the grand-vista.  

If you do get a chance to shoot some winter photos then share your pics on this blog or with our Facebook community for live feedback and prize giveaways! We LOVE seeing photos taken by our talented customers and community fans!

Good luck and stay warm this winter! 

 - Marc @ DCW

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Crumpler Bags & Accessories Arrive At DCW!

We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Crumpler and as of now are stocking the full range of Crumpler professional camera and photography bags online and in all of our retail locations! We’re super excited to be the largest photographic specialist stocking Crumpler’s pro photo and camera range in the country outside of Crumpler branded stores.



Our Crumpler wall-of-pretty is here!

Crumpler is an Australian owned company that designs and manufactures an extensive range of premium quality bags that include professional camera and photography bags, laptop and technology bags, backpacks, casual sling packs and travel luggage. Complimenting their wide range of bags are numerous accessories that include camera straps, tablet sleeves and even compact gadget pouches that are easily affixed to their larger bags. To top is all off, Crumpler offers a lifetime warranty on their products as they truly believe in the quality of their goods! 

 

So if you're in the market for a new camera bag or accessory, why not join the millions around the globe and see what the hype is all about? We know you will be pleased!

Click here to discover more!

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Travel Photography Tips

Are you looking to travel and can’t decide what camera gear to bring, or you’re unsure what entails a good travel set up? Read on for some ideas for consideration when you get the itch to photograph! 

There is a lot to consider when planning your gear list for an upcoming holiday, what gear is essential? What is good to take and what could you really do without?

The first thing to consider is ‘What type of holiday is it?’  Is it long (6 weeks or more) or short? Is it specifically a photographic holiday or are you travelling with people who don't share your passion?  The first type is simple, take as much as you can.  If your goal is to photograph a specific event or location then don't hold back. Remember to pack the little things like extra memory cards, spare batteries, effects filters (ND, polarisers) cable release, tripod etc. as it's always better to be over prepared than under prepared.

The other type of trip is a little trickier to prepare for as you must prioritise and decide what to take when you can't take it all.

A lot depends on the type of photographer you are. Me, I like to travel light. I take only what I need, make do with what I have and use what I can in the surrounding environment (you’d be surprised how many natural tripods you can find!).  During my last major trip which lasted six months, all I carried was a Canon 5D MKII body, a Canon 24-70mm and a 50mm prime lens along with some secondary gear consisting of cleaning equipment, memory cards, spare batteries and a netbook with two external hard drives. I can safely say that I didn't miss any equipment during the entire duration aside from a tripod, though in all honesty the two times I would have used it wouldn't have been worth carrying it around for six months. Did I miss any shots? Sure, but I did capture more than I missed which is a win for me. Besides, I've missed several shots sitting in this coffee shop while writing this post which goes to show that you can't get them all!  

Here are a few things I've learnt from my travels around the place -  

·       Take a Rapid Strap. Really. If you are going to be carrying your camera around your neck all day then you need a good camera strap. Those that are factory packaged with digital SLR cameras are terrible for any copious amount of time. The sling-strap was the single best investment I made for my travels as it has saved me from experiencing countless sore necks and shoulders at the end of a long day exploring through city streets.

·        Have your camera prepped and ready-to-shoot at all times. The only time my camera was in my bag was when I wasn't allowed to take photos due to regulations in some museums or if I thought I was in an area that I considered it a bit risky to have an expensive piece of gear on show. In fact, I didn't even bring an actual camera bag along but rather an old messenger-style bag that could just fit my camera in it along with my wallet, a spare battery and some memory cards.

·        Use your common sense when it comes to your security.  In six months of travel, the worst thing that happened to us was a credit card getting skimmed. Be aware of your surroundings and know when to put your gear away. The majority of people we encountered were very friendly and helpful, but do keep your eyes open and alert. The biggest risk is opportunistic thieves. 

·        Respect local rules in regards to photography. Most regions I've been to are fine with photography. I think Australia is more restrictive when it comes to photography rules than any other country I've visited.  In Europe for example, I don’t recall any museum that banned photography aside from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Even the Louvre allow photographs to be taken aside from flash photography which is understandable.

·        Try to educate yourself about the city you'll be visiting before you arrive. It really helps as most cities have a lot to see and you’ll find that time is insufficient. Plus, it's always interesting to discover obscure things to see in areas you visit.

·        Download your images to a hard drive daily as backup. I brought two HDD's and backed up to both of them every night. One I kept in my bag while the other I gave to my partner to carry just in case.  When you upload, also make sure you name the folder with the date and place which you took the photos.  This is especially helpful later on when you have potentially thousands of photographs and hundreds of folders to sort through. For example, my conventional folder naming would be along the lines of "01032013 Rome" which represents the 1st of March 2013 in Rome.  If the trip duration is lengthy then I’ll also separate the folders into months, making it a breeze to search through later.

·        Above all, have fun.  Try to live in the moment and don't spend your whole trip looking through the lens. Taking too many photos can potentially separate you from the scene and remove you from the experience so, as crazy as it might sound, sometimes you will just need to put the camera down and relax.  

- Marc Busoli

 * If you'd like to learn more about digital SLR photography, check out our exclusive range of Canon Academy Courses which may be studied online or in classroom tutorials with some of Australia's finest professional photographers.

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/category1315_1.htm

 

What's the best tip you have for travel photography? Share your tips below!

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Canon's 75 Trips in 75 Days Promotion

Can you believe the world has been afforded 75 years of Canon's photographic innovation and presence in the market? Time flies when you're having fun.

To celebrate their 75th Anniversary, Canon have launched the 75 Trips in 75 Days promotion:

They are giving away a staggering $200,000 worth of travel prizes, including:


5 x $15,000 Travel Vouchers

10 x $8,000 Travel Vouchers

60 x $1000 QANTAS Holiday Vouchers All you need to do is spend $90 or more on Canon products in a single purchase from a participating retailer (that's us!) and you can enter the draw online. Purchases need to be made between 1 October 2012 and 17 January 2013.Purchase Canon products and enter this fantastic competition, and don't forget us when you're touring the French countryside or having the road trip of a lifetime! Lucky ducks.

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Tamron's "Widen Your Horizons" Competition - Win $70,000 in Prizes!

Tamron Australia has launched some awesome new competitions around the theme "Widen Your Horizons"  where you can get the chance to share in prizes valued at over $70,000, including a 17-day Vietnam Adventure for two!

The theme is all about travel, and with the Tamron AF 18-270mm PZD lens being one of the most popular all-in-one zooms for the photo traveller, Tamron are highlighting their other excellent wide-angle zoom lens that is very popular for travel photography: the Tamron 10-24mm.

To enter the draw for the Peregrine Vietnam Adventure for 2 simply purchase any Tamron Lens from us and then enter the competition here. There are also "cash-off" consolation prizes to be won weekly.

And if that wasn't enough, there's a Photo Competition where you can be in the running to win "The Ultimate Camera Gear Travel Kit". 

You want more, you say? Well by entering the photo comp you can also be in the race to score yourself a fantastic Tamron 10-24mm wide-angle lens - winners are chosen fortnightly. Plus there are also "cash-off" consolation prizes.

The competition started on Friday 6th July 2012 and runs until Monday 3rd September 2012.

For further  information and terms and conditions jump on over to Tamron Australia.

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