If anyone is thinking about getting a Canon 5D, check E-Bay's Deal of the Day. They are offering brand new 5D MarkIII at a $750 discount from list. Maybe Canon is clearing out their inventory for a new model?
I use Lightroom for all my printing needs (free for 30 days) or look at FastStone, a rather useful program once you get used to it (free, but they bug you for donations). Both will do custom sizes. Picasa (free) probably will also, but I have not used it in over a year and don't remember what is available for printing. Others will have more recommendations to look at. There is a lot of stuff out there if you know where to look.
I've read this "RAW is not an image format so you can't see the image" numerous times. While there is an element of truth in it, it is a bit misleading.
1. Any image we see will be a bit different than any digital representation. So you can't really "see" any digital image, even a jpg or .tiff file.
2. If you can't see a representation of a RAW image on your monitor that is the fault of the software on your computer and you need to find software that will allow you to see a representation that, if not perfect, is at least good enough to recognize the image. If your windows browser on a PC won't show you such an image you might want to download and install Microsoft's Camera Codec Pack. That will allow you to display RAW images in Windows [file] Explorer. You can find the pack at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829 The download and installation takes less than five minutes but you will have to re-boot.
3. Sure, you can edit a RAW file and get an almost infinite variety of different edited images. How is that different than for a jpg or tiff file or any other image format (sorry, I know RAW is not an image format, but I just don't completely understand that). With a RAW image the editing process may have more merit, but a lot of today's cameras really do a pretty good job of PP automatically.
I've read this "RAW is not an image format so... (show quote)
The Microsoft codec link listed will not work with Windows 8. If you are using Win8.1 then use this link: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=41337 for the proper codec.
I recently upgraded from a Panasonic to a Canon 70D. And yeah, I was disappointed in the camera file naming system. Then I realized that all decent digital cameras create a new folder on the memory card when the numbers roll over to 0001 (which makes it easier if you are using a custom naming system). I use Lightroom's file renaming utility to incorporate this number into the file name. Now the sequential numbering system will far outlast the mechanical life of the camera. If you don't use Lightroom, there are many bulk renaming programs out there. Fast Stone Image Viewer can do it. Or search at download.cnet.com
My tastes change over time, but I will always respect the early 20th century photographers Adams, Weston, Steichen, Stieglitz. My current favorite is Rose Mandel.
Be careful: once you start printing, it can be addictive. We talk about how digital photography does not have the incremental costs of film photography. But printing can be expensive. ;-)
Printing costs are not all that bad, but matting and framing will destroy your IRA account!
According to those ads, by now I have won 20 million dollars, I can claim 100 free iPads, and the entire female populations of Russia, China, and Thailand want to date me, along with every American woman over 50 with huge boobs.
Dusting off my old Canon G5 for a trip. The little remote control wasn't working, so I assumed I needed a new battery. Replaced the battery, but still can't get the remote to trigger the shutter. I don't think I need to have the self-timer turned on. But I can't make it work either way. I've also flipped the disc shaped battery over, trying it both ways, since I'm not sure how it's supposed to be placed. Any ideas on what I might be missing? Thanks
Have you tried it with the self-timer activated? Thats the way it works on my 70D.
Don't forget to check the SD card itself. There is a data lock switch on the left side of the card. If the switch is in the down position, it won't write any data on it. Make sure you slide that switch in the up position. This has happened to me before using SanDisk cards.
Been there, done that. Since I have never found a reason to lock the card, I now put a drop of glue on the lock switch to avoid accidentally locking the card.