Thank goodness for insurance...my Digital Rebel and zoom lens went swimming this morning while I was out shooting fall color near the White River and the tripod fell on an unstable bank...UGH UGH UGH...

Anyways - I am looking to replace my camera body with the Canon 10D and a 17-40 pro zoom lens. That leaves me with the following lenses in my bag: a 28mm prime, a 50mm prime, and a 200mm prime along with a 1.4x Canon teleconverter. I'm thinking about trading in the 200mm for a 70-200 pro zoom lens. However, I *think* I would like to get a zoom in between 40mm and 70mm, or should I just stick with the 50mm prime to cover the ground in between and perhaps trade in the 28mm for an 85mm? I like shooting with primes, as they are small and light, but love the convenience of zoom. What do you guys think?

Jen, a nice problem to have, choosing between lens-( except for the swimming one) I like the zooms, of course since I went Nikon last year, I only could get one lens- the Tamron 28-300 XR. I really like it, but if I could, I would get some prime pro lens. Some year? I missed some good shots last week because I didn't have anything stronger than 300.

Sorry about your camera. I know how it feels...almost like losing an old friend after all the places you've gone with it. When I got my Canon S1 IS in June, I gave my mom my old Fuji 2600. She was so happy to have a digital camera, as when I was trusted with taking the digital photos, we usually got the ones from the lesser-used film cameras be I uploaded mine (it was a BIG pain w/that camera.). A few weeks ago, my 9 y/o brother wanted to take some photos with it, and she let him. Now, the lens won't retract, it gets a "fatal error" message, and it makes funny sounds.

In the 2 1/2 years I used that camerot if-mas in I took lighthousing on the '02 NJ Challenge, two large-scale trips (CT/RI/MA and Lake Ontario), several odds and ends lights, and myriad non-lighthouse places. I m haven 2,000 photos with it.

So, to make a long story short, I "feel your pain". And, typing this post, I am having a serious sense of deja vu. I think I actually dreamed about typing this. See? I even visit the CF in my subconcious.

Well, Jen ordered the 10D and a 17-40/4 L superwide zoom pro Canon lens...thanks to the insurance company. I did feel like I was losing an old friend. I loved the Rebel and shot over 15,000 images with it in the last year. Now, I can get the 10D with a vertical grip for less than I paid for the DRebel a year ago...pretty sad!

But did you salvage the CF card???

Sorry to hear about the loss of the old camera. Will you be fishing in the vicinity of the loss to try and recover the body?

If you enjoy your new one as much as you have enjoyed the Rebel, it will be an unfortunate incident that worked out to your advantage.

That's one of the good things that came out of this whole escapade...the last shots taken with my now semi-dry DRebel...


"Dreams of Autumn" - yes, this one has been Photoshopped a bit to create a "dreamy look".


"In the Creekbed" - no manipulation.


"Deeply Rooted" - no manipulation. This was right about where the camera fell in.

The first thing I did was yank the card out of the camera. It was a bit wet but otherwise seemed fine, as the images show! I've heard that CF cards have gone through the washer and made it out alive and kicking. I will be sure to post some images of the destroyed camera and lens when the new 10D shows up early next week.

Great shots, Jen.

But you shouldn't try to teach your camera how to swim like that. The water is too cold this time of year. Next time buy it a wet-suit and you should probably be OK.

bobo

Jen,

Sorry to hear about your camera! I've been checking out the new 20D, but it's a bit expensive. Maybe my Digital Rebel would like to go for a swim, too. (Just kidding!)

I've been thinking of selling my EOS 3 and using the money for another digital camera. Then the Rebel would be my backup. But, I just made a down payment on a cruise, and I'm planning to get our plane tickets this weekend. So, it's just a thought at this time.

All but one of my lenses are zooms. I like the flexibility when doing aerial and wildlife photography.

Those shots are cool. What manipulation are you doing? The first one looks like a painting. The third one you didn't manipulate looks like one, too.

Let me know what you think of the 10D compared to the Rebel.

Tammy

Jen and Tammy,

It's really too bad that neither of you can manage to attend the Reunion. Y'all could hold a class on photography. And I'll bet there would be standing room only. I'd show up if I had to hang from a light fixture.

bobo

Bob,

If Jen held a class, I'd be attending, too. I still have a lot to learn. I am comfortable working on a computer though since that's what I do for a living... It's sometimes easier for me to fix other people's computers and problems than my own.

I wish we could attend the reunion, too. I lost a lot of sleep wondering if there was a way we could. I considered going alone since I get 4 weeks a vacation and 12 sick days a year. (Randy gets a total of 3 weeks PTO.) But we've been planning an Alaskan cruise for two years and decided to splurge on a mini suite with a balcony. Plus, we have a family trip to Florida planned for October. I'm hoping my 11 year old Saturn will run well for another year...

Anyway, though we've seen most of the Apostle Island and Minnesota lights, I'm hoping to go on the boat trip before the reunion if it works out. I'm eagerly awaiting to hear if this is a sure thing and if there's room for us.

Tammy

Jen,

Did the Digital Rebel come with a manual? If so, do you still have yours? If there was one, I seem to have misplaced it.

Tammy

Tammy, I most certainly do have the manual! Email me your address and I'll get it off to you. I no longer need it... We're going on our first cruise the first week of December with Holland America with my in-laws and brother-in law and his wife to the Western Caribbean, so I'm pretty excited!

I could have gone to the 20D but I'd rather sink my money in glass - I've been lusting after the 17-40 L for almost a year. I got both the 10D and the 17-40 for the same price as the 20D body alone...I'll keep you posted as soon as I get it!

Tammy, the painting effect is something called "gothic glow" - it's an action for Photoshop you can download here. There are some really cool effects on this site but I am not sure if they will work with Elements or not.

I actually emailed Dave Hannum about a month or so ago, expressing an interest in holding a photography class, perhaps in exchange for room and board or something discounted. I told him that I was approached by several people on the Keweenaw trip about what a great idea it would be since I was answering so many questions about digital stuff (I love to talk photography anyhow!) and it sounded like the itinerary is not set yet, but they would keep me in mind.

Jen,

You know that you've got two people signed up already -- Tammy and myself. I would anticipate that the response to your class or classes at the Reunion would be phenomenal. When I say classes, I am referring to something like Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. And I would attend all three.

DAVE, ARE YOU LISTENING? PLEASE?

bobo

Ditto here!

Jen if it comes to pass, you can add my name to the list of attendees!

Wow, Jen...

That site you linked to is great. Now I have to figure out how to 'install' all these different effects I downloaded as ZIP files.

Any suggestions??

As I talked John through on the phone...

1. Download and unzip whatever action(s) wanted.
2. Place the ".atn" files in your Photoshop>Presets>Photoshop Actions folder.
3. Open Photoshop, and load your actions menu (Window>Actions).
4. In the upper right corner of the menu, there should be a little arrow pointing right. Click that arrow, and select "load actions" from the menu choices.
5. Once your actions are loaded into your action menu, open the image you wish to apply special effects to. Then highlight the action choice in your action menu, and click the "play" button at the bottom of the action menu.

That's it!

Thanks, Jen. It worked great and those are some neat effects.

Jen sorry about your camera but maybe it worked out "ok" in the end.

You can add my name to the list if there is any way you will be teaching a photography workshop at the 2005 Reunion.

Jen,
Tom and I would definitely be interested in your photography class at the 2005 Reunion.

stick with the good primes

i have a 50 1.8 as well as a sigma 105mm prime
want to add a 20mm prime and maybe a 200MM L prime so,etime next year to go with the KIT and my sigma 28 -300

skip the 10D and get the 20D

I've got a rebel myself and am looking forward to a 20D sometime in the next year or so

Dale, wish I'd known you were looking for a 200mm prime - I JUST sold mine yesterday. I decided on the 10D because I like the feel of a larger camera in my hands - and big it is, alright!