Re: Easy newbie Canon Rebel XT 1st questions

Today Dave commented courteously on the subject at hand

> Two more quick thoughts.
>
> Why not just down size your pic so they fit on the screen
> in the 3:2 format? Cars, being much longer than high fit
> this format better in my opinion. You would have a bit of
> space at the top and bottom, but this is done all the time
> by others.

I very much appreciate the knowledge and experience of the
people here about digital cameras, and their general
experience with photography. But, Dave, why is it that
everybody wants to give me Photography 101 lessons everytime I
post?

I've already got this thing nailed down. I recorded a quicky
PSP 9 script to batch downsize "large" 5 MP images down some
and resave them for me. And, I've created a PSP 9 crop preset
to the correct 4:3 aspect ratio. And, I've got almost enough
experience already to know about how much more to allow at one
or both ends of a landscape shot.

One more time, for everybody: I am not, not, not an artistic
photographer. I abhor "dramatic" shots of cars, like people
take with a 24mm equivalent lens, down low, pointed up at the
grille of the car. I take my pictures at about 85mm, if I can,
to foreshorten the car some, because that makes it more
realistic looking. And, again, 99 44/100% of the time, I am
viewing my car pictures /only/ on my PC monitor. Yes, my 21"
Samsung LCD has a 3:2 1280 setting but I don't like it.

So, is it OK by you if I take, crop, edit, and save my
pictures the way I want to? I take no-thing away from what
you, or anyone else wants to do, including the "advice" that I
should save everything in 5 MP "just in case you want to print
large". Iffn that ever happens, I've got the original unedited
camera images, and I can quickly creat a print-only version.

> Regarding estimating distance and getting flash exposure
> correct: if you can estimate the approximate distance and
> set the flash accordingly, it shouldn't be much of a
> problem to check the LCD display with the histogram showing
> and then tweak the flash setting. I do this all the time
> when shooting macro with a manual lens and manual flash
> unit. Takes a bit longest, but really isn't all that big a
> deal.

No, that just doesn't work. If the flash pulse hits something
reflective, it /will/ majorly underexpose the image, much more
than the flash EV +2.0 will fix. So, the only solution is to
go to full manual, for which I need to know the distance, at
least an estimate.

> I agree that the tendency of manufacturers to leave off
> distance (and hyper focal) info is a PIA. It is what we
> have to deal with in this day and age though.
>
> Side note: Being 61 I fully appreciate your eyesight
> issues. For seeing the focus brackets in dim light I aim at
> a light area to find the bracket and try to remember where
> it is and recompose and focus. (not sure I explained that
> all that well) As far as auto focus in dim light, my D100
> and it's companion SB80 flash both have focus assisting
> lights. They can be turned on and off so there may be a
> menu function on the Rebel you need to find.
>
Thansk for everything, Dave. Just PLEASE keep in mind that I
do know a little something about photography, and being very
strong willed, I have very strong opinions about what I like
and the way I want to do things. OK? Friends? Good.

--
ATM, aka Jerry

"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall under the
pseudonym Stephen G. Tallentyre
.

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