Tag: Photography

I go through phases of considering getting a new digital camera. Considering all my current digital cameras are all DSLRs of one sort or another it would be a major investment to change to mirrorless.

Looking at my local chain of retailers the options for DSLRs are slowly dwindling with some cameras listed but ‘awaiting stock’ for months at a time. The insistence by the EU on everything being able to charge via USB C could be partially to blame for this.

It’s very unlikely that any existing models will be re-engineered to accept USB-C rather than Micro-USB or similar.

OK so what options are there….

• Go all in with a new mirrorless body and lens, I would need at least a couple of zooms (Ultra-Wide and Wide-Short Telephoto)
• Buy a second-hand DSLR – OK if it was APSC, just the body would be enough, full frame would involve more lens
• Stick with what I have now.

The first option whilst it is attractive, would cost quite a lot and I am not sure I could justify the expense, would my images improve that much? I have my doubts.

Second-hand has its attractions too, but some of the examples I’ve seen on MPB are not exactly in top notch condition, bumps and scrapes on a camera less than 5 years old seems a bit off to me, when I look at some of my own that have very little sign of wear and tear. Second hand mirrorless is an alternative, but the cost would be slightly lower than the new option similar I suppose to a new DSLR set up.

Which leads me to the last option…. zero cost and I have what I need for the type of photography I love to do. Plus I more or less understand all the different settings on those camera bodies fairly well. I still have to look at the manual for the Nikon D300 from time to time!

The lack of video, or high resolution video is of no concern to me, I only shoot still images anyway.

What about you? Mirrorless, DSLR, Film?

The term ‘Vintage’ is often mis-used. If you ask a number of people how old they would think a ‘Vintage’ item should be to be classed as ‘Vintage’, you will get a variety of answers.

Take these two cameras, the EOS30 film camera and EOS20D digital camera.

I bought the EOS30 in about the year 2000, so nearly 25 years old, and the EOS20D 20 years ago.

Now in film camera terms, I wouldn’t class the EOS30 as vintage, almost too modern compared to a lot of film cameras people love to use these days. A lot of people think it is a digital camera when they first see it, but there’s no rear screen.

The EOS20D is old by today’s standards but is it ‘vintage’ ?

In my opinion it still takes great photographs, yes it might not be the best performer in low light or at high ISO settings. But for every day typical photographs taken in RAW mode it is pretty good. And at 8 MPS if you are only using the images for social media then it’s more than enough.

Batteries are still available and it takes an 8GB CF Card, but no higher than that.

What do you think a Vintage Digital Camera is? Please comment below.

Reading that title might make you think of bench pressing full camera bags!! Yes they can get heavy, but I was thinking of another way!

I try to keep as active as possible, as a 65 year old retiree, it has to not be too strenuous, but enough for me to close my activity rings on my Apple Watch each day.

Exercise for me is mainly walking, sometimes at a slow pace, sometimes at a fast pace if I’m going somewhere listening to music.

Today I took my camera with me on a photo walk, it didn’t matter that I had been around these streets in the town many times before. Looking around you often see things that have changed, or something you hadn’t noticed before.

I didn’t take many photographs, but I enjoyed the walk and looking for scenes to shoot and the walk did me good. The quality of the photos wasn’t important either.

In most cases I can go back again next time and try again, may be with a different camera out of my small collection!

Today I used my Canon EOS600D. My EOS100D with a fixed wide angle lens is perfect for these photo walks, compact and light weight.

Until next time, take care, keep fit and enjoy photography too.

I have a monthly routine of checking over my cameras to make sure they are all ok.

Here are some simple tips you can follow to make sure your camera is always ready to be used.

Battery and Memory Cards
Every few weeks take out the battery and memory card. The simple action of removing them and putting them back in will clean the contacts without any additional work. Contacts can become oxidised over time and the simple action of removing the battery or card will clean the two mating surfaces and remove any oxidisation.

Charging Batteries
If you have more than one set of batteries, there’s no harm in cycling those as well at the same time. Charge up your spare set before putting them in the camera. Don’t worry about charging up the set that have just come out of the camera, it is best to store batteries partially charged and then charge them to full before use.

Cleaning and Maintaining the Exterior
For the exterior surfaces, some plastics can become ‘sticky’ as they get old. I use a car product that is recommended for use for maintaining dashboards and other black plastics. I don’t spray it on to the camera direct as it might find its way inside the camera, instead I spray it on to a microfibre soft cloth and then wipe the plastics with the cloth. Only use a small amount of the spray, you can always go over the surfaces a second time if required.

To get in to the small spaces I spray some of the liquid in to an aerosol cap and use a cotton bud to get in to the nooks and crannies. It really does bring up the shine again on hand grips and feels less ‘sticky’ after treatment.

I did the same thing on the rubber focus and zoom rings on a lens too.

You only need to do this sort of renovation treatment about once a year if that.

Visual Checks
Take some time to look at all sides of your camera and check for any damage, cracks in any plastics etc. Catching these faults early can be a blessing in the long term.

Clock setting
Check the clock setting in the menu to make sure the time is correct, the built in clocks on cameras are not renowned for their accuracy! I always set mine to local time when ever I’m travelling. It will then tie in with any photos I take on my iPhone and the iPhone will also record the location so the two sets of photos are easier to synchronise when you get home.

Your camera should be ready when you need it at short notice.

Take care and keep taking photos.