Why You Should Be Shooting RAW

Somewhat of a short post but has a few good reasons to be shooting in RAW format if your camera has the functionality.

There’s some confusion as to what the RAW photo format actually is, and, like any good photographic fact, it can incite forum flame wars as quickly as the mention of the words Leica and Bokeh in the same sentence. Although it comes in various flavors — seemingly one for every different camera model — RAW is essentially the raw data from the camera’s sensor, hence the name.

I love RAW, when I first got my XTi, I switched it over to RAW+JPEG shooting and I really like being able to have maximum flexibility with my files once I get them onto computer. Not only can I change things like the White Balance, I can shoot in B&W and revert to color if I so desire. Not to mention, I find the RAW file crisper than the JPG file the camera spits out as well.

Make sure you read Why You Should Be Shooting RAW over on the Wired.com Gadget Lab.

Tags: gadget lab, RAW, Tips, wired.com

Sensor Cleaning!

“Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.”

Quote complements of the Dalai Lama, so here you go - sharing my knowledge!

Was going through some photos and noticed a few spots in them, all in the same location. So I tried some test shots using this Monitor Test Shot and adjusting the levels in Photoshop with different lenses and had the same result - sensor dust.

Next I did some searches and viewed some contacts streams who had cleaned their sensors before and came to one conclusion. Copper Hill Images. I read through the tutorial and checked out a few other links, and came to the same conclusion that some of my other contacts had come to as well - there is nothing wrong with cleaning your own sensor as long as you are careful - just like anything else. Working with computers for the past 10 years or so, I’m comfortable with electronics so maybe that’s a plus.

On page 1 of the tutorial, I was pleased to read this:

There is a bit of hysteria about how dangerous canned air is but it actually isn’t if you follow these guidelines:

• The only time to use canned air is when a bulb blower cannot dislodge a big particle.
• Don’t shake the can beforehand; there’s nothing to “mix.
• When spraying with it, keep it perfectly upright and move the object you’re blowing NOT the can.
• Always let a little air out before spraying an optic. Propellant has a tendency to build up towards the valve and will come right out if the can has been sitting for a while
• Don’t let the jet-straw get any closer to the sensor than 1″ or 1½” or just inside the lens mount.
• Use very short bursts, no more than a one second shot; “freezing” will only occur when you use a prolonged stream of air.

Using these guidelines, we have never had any problems with canned air. If by some chance the canned air cannot remove the dastardly stuck-on specks, try ignoring them for a day or two, in many cases, they will pop off on their own. If you can determine that the speck is a dust mote and NOT a big particle of debris or grit which canned air should be able to remove, then it should be safe to proceed with a wet cleaning. If it definitely is an unmovable piece of grit or you’re not sure what to do, then, by all means, send it to the manufacturer for cleaning.

Following those directions to the letter, I proceeded with an initial cleaning and you can see the results above after the first cleaning. I had removed three of the offending particles with success! Another quick blast directed at the spot of the last remaining large particle, and another test shot confirmed it was gone as well. The sensor still shows some dust spots but it’s nothing of consequence in my opinion, it was more the large three that I was after…

So, be careful, use a clean environment and follow those tips and you shouldn’t have a problem with cleaning your sensor. The Copper Hill Images tutorial is very detailed, and takes you through a four step process, fortunately I’m satisfied my sensor is clean enough without having to go so far as using sensor wipes and fluid.

Tags: copper hill images, dalai lama, DIY, quote, sensor cleaning, tip, tutorial

Running 35mm through a 50’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye

Over on Flickr, lslphoto has managed to feed 35mm film into an old Brownie Hawkeye box camera.

Yes it works! I have Walgreen’s process my film into negatives (no prints) for $2.29 and then I can scan the abnormal width and length of the entire filmed print with my new Epson Perfection V500 photo and negative scanner.

I think I’m going to have to try this out!

Running 35mm through a 50’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
Originally uploaded by lslphoto

Tags: 35mm film, box camera, DIY, do it yourself, kodak hawkeye brownie, lslphoto, tutorial

Good Samaritan…

Just wanted to say thanks to Magda, a friend of Mike’s. Mike was with me when I accidentally dropped my Canon Digital Rebel XTi/400D about a week ago. His friend Magda offered up her backup Canon Digital Rebel XT/350D as a loaner while mine was in the shop. Mucho gracias, I really can’t thank her enough!

My buddy Sime used the above image on a DPS poll pondering insurance… in my case, this was covered under my house insurance - I have an accidental damage rider on my policy - but with a $250 deductible, it wouldn’t have been worth it in this case…

Tags: 350d, 400d, broken camera, canon digital rebel xti, digital photography school, DPS, magda, mike, xt, xti

Polaroid memories

CNN.com is running a report on Polaroid memories over on their iReport.com beta site.

Polaroid is saying goodbye to its iconic, white-bordered instant pictures. It expects to stop selling the film next year.

Generations of photographers have watched Polaroid pictures develop almost magically before their eyes, but digital photography has made the instant photos seem less instant.

We want to see your favorite Polaroid pictures, whether they’re from an old family album or a recent art project.

Send us your photos and tell us if you’ll miss your Polaroid cameras.

Be sure to check it out and add any Polaroid memories you may have!

Tags: Cameras, cnn, film, ireport, polaroid

Kodak Brownie Hawkeye

The third and final (for now) TLR camera arrived from ebay yesterday! Introducing my Kodak Brownie Hawkeye…

Tags: Cameras, kodak brownie hawkeye, through the viewfinder, ttv

Anyone want an XTi body?

I had a feeling this was gonna happen!

 The rumors are true. Canon’s took power features from the high-end EOS models and creature comforts from the PowerShot line, and merged them into the 12.2-megapixel EOS Rebel XSi DSLR, with Live View LCD view-finding (previously only seen on EOS-1D Mark III and 40D), a 3″ LCD screen with 230,000 pixels, and the Digic III processor found in nearly every new Canon model. There will be two kits, body only for $800 and one with a starter 18-55mm lens for $900. Jump for full details and more pics.

The rest of the specs are over at Gizmodo.

Here’s a list of some of the changes over at DP Review.

Tags: 450d, camera, canon, xsi

Most Popular Cameras on flickr

Interesting… showing Canon Digital Rebel XTi and XT at the top of the list of DSLR cameras used on flickr. See the graphs on flickr’s camera finder.

New Camera!

After much debate and shopping around, my new Canon Digital Rebel XTi has arrived! 10MP of digital SLR goodness! I can’t wait to start playing with it and getting back into the swing of “real” photography.