Suggestions needed for purchasing accessories (Page 2): That is a beautiful image! I like how the one budding flower is in clear focus and others are in the background. I understand...

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

CHG_CANON wrote:

I happily shot with a 75-300 for years, before I &... (show quote)

That is a beautiful image! I like how the one budding flower is in clear focus and others are in the background. I understand what you mean by you "learned" that it wasn't any good. I have too much time on my hands right now, reading about expert views on my equipment.

You guys have convinced me to stay with my Canon T7! Until I run into situations where it can't do what I want it to do. (I'm guessing, low light situations, or certain types of fast action shots)

I am interested in how I could punch up the color and contrast of some of my shots. What area of the menu on the T7 would I look at to do this?

What would you recommend as a good photo editing tool that is not complicated and is inexpensive?

Anyway, thank you all for your much needed guidance and expertise.

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

bleirer wrote:

It's always technique over tech. I would make s... (show quote)

That is great advice! Thank you, I will do this.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

ehall123 wrote:

That is a beautiful image! I like how the one budd... (show quote)

Your EOS T7 has a few ways of doing much the same:

1) Use the shooting mode on the camera that matches your situation, such as the Landscape for Landscapes, etc. See page 68 of your manual for details.

2) Use the WB setting that matches to your situation, Sun for Sun and Shadows for Shadows, etc. See page 131 of your manual for details.

3) Use the Standard Picture Style, but increase the saturation, sharpening and contrast. See page 76 for when the Standard Picture Style is available. Page 126 discusses making adjustments. Try making Saturation = +1 (one move to right of zero), Sharpness = 4 and Contrast = +1 (one move to right of zero). Use the Standard Style for a day / week rather than 'auto' and see if you like the results. They'll be subtle, you may want even more adjustments.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

ehall123 wrote:

I have not done any post processing yet. I don't have good editing software at this point. I really don't want to spend more than $400 for a lens, considering the camera was $500 with both lenses included.
Thanks for you reply.

Yeah, but your next camera will justify the cost of THIS lens, etc, etc ☺

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

FreddB wrote:

Yeah, but your next camera will justify the cost of THIS lens, etc, etc ☺

Yeah, I think I get it.... LOL. The problem I have, I think, is way too much time on my hands right now. Going a little stir crazy. I have a best buy gift card, so I think I'm going to try the 18-135mm canon lens. That will serve as my main go to, all in one lens for now.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

ehall123 wrote:

Yeah, I think I get it.... LOL. The problem I have, I think, is way too much time on my hands right now. Going a little stir crazy. I have a best buy gift card, so I think I'm going to try the 18-135mm canon lens. That will serve as my main go to, all in one lens for now.

Good choice!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

ehall123 wrote:

Yeah, I think I get it.... LOL. The problem I have, I think, is way too much time on my hands right now. Going a little stir crazy. I have a best buy gift card, so I think I'm going to try the 18-135mm canon lens. That will serve as my main go to, all in one lens for now.

For your next lens after that I suggest a macro, for during those "lock down" times or bad weather when you can't go out. A few lights, something for a back ground (cloth, leather etc) maybe a large box as a small "studio" (cover sides with paper, cloth or paint them) and some small subjects, coins, models, toys, jewelry, a potted indoor plant/flower even that cricket you found in the garage. And you are in business as a "Macro Photographer" Lot of books and online articles and tutorial videos to teach you how. Like: https://photographylife.com/macro-photography-tutorial There are lots of others, just Google "Macro Photography".

Here are samples, the background is a micro fiber lens cleaning cloth and the whole "studio" is less than 6" x 6". Subjects are dandelion seed heads as puff ball and after a bit of wind.

(Download)

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

robertjerl wrote:

For your next lens after that I suggest a macro, f... (show quote)

Beautiful images! I never really thought that much about macro photography. That is a great idea! Thank you.

tankdonovan Loc: Tennessee

ehall123 wrote:

I have not done any post processing yet. I don't have good editing software at this point. I really don't want to spend more than $400 for a lens, considering the camera was $500 with both lenses included.
Thanks for you reply.

You have great editing software that came with your camera Canon`s DPP

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

ehall123 wrote:

I bought the Canon T7 in November specifically for... (show quote)

DO NOT PASS GO, DON'T TUG ON SUPERMAN'S CAPE, DON'T SPITE INTO THE WIND, DON"T MESS AROUND WITH JIM AND DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH ABES.

ggab Loc: ?

ehall123 wrote:

I bought the Canon T7 in November specifically for... (show quote)

Can we assume you have the 75-300mm lens?
Can we also assume you saw the 70-300 IS USM II lens?

If both assumptions are correct, you will get much better results from the 70-300 IS USM II lens. The results will continue to get better as you get better as a photographer.

Regarding Abes, you have been given the answer.
Google "Canon Price Watch" for legit offers from legit sources on all things Canon Camera.

Kiriakos

PixelStan77 wrote:

Earl, Run do not walk away from Abe's. They hooked you by price. Check out a bible against Abes have been written here. Buy from a reputable dealer like B&H or Adorama.

You did not answer his actual question, a usual practice in this forum.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

My suggestion would be to go to KEH.com and set the filters for the lenses you want to look at. I only buy EX when there's a sale on, otherwise I go for BGN or even UG. KEH's condition ratings are EXTREMELY conservative. The very first lens I bought from them was rated UG and when it arrived I was simply amazed. The plastic had some UV fading but otherwise it was pristine and it worked beautifully. IF you want to save some money KEH is the place to go.

Rick

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Check out refurbished ep-s lens at Canon website. I am using their Macro 35 1:2.8 IS STM lens as my go to lens. Also have the Canon 55-250 EF-s. Very seldom use the kit lens that came with camera. Next Lens will be a wide angle and/or niffy fifty.

D-5008 Loc: Raleigh, North Carolina

Something that has not been suggested yet is to shoot in jpeg and RAW to start with. This will allow you much greater control when you decide to get into editing. Memory cards are cheap these days and IMHO the only reason not to shoot in RAW is when shooting action shots in continuous mode. In the end you will probably end up just shooting RAW if you enjoy editing. Good luck with your endeavors.