Thanks for clarifying MT Shooter. Either way, I don't think I could lug either one of those things around even if I wanted to.

:)

I had to know what this lens looks like-Here's a link to the800mm. Close enough. http://www.settrade.com/brokerpage/IPO/webboardUpload/pic/reply281350.jpg

Let's see some fun Valentines pictures today! Forgive the editing on mine. I know not what I do. It was lucky that I got the dogs in the middle of the vignette and added lettering.

Happy Valentines Day From Kramer & Zoe

Your flowers are beautiful, and so are the photos you took of them. It makes me start to yearn for summer...but no, I am going to finish enjoying winter here in Minnesota. After all, we just got 18 inches of snow Sunday.

Hello bikeabit, I am new here too, and I have already learned so much. If you have a question about a certain subject, just start a new topic with your question or click on search at the top of the page and type in your topic. The discussions that come up between the "regulars here" are quite informative and sometimes entertaining. Also click on their names and visit some of their websites. There are some extremely talented people here and it's fun to view their work. Welcome to UH!

Well, while I am so new to using my DLSR camera, I know that I will want to take photos in lots of different situations and I will want to keep improving on the photos that I take. I do take most of my photos outdoors right now because our home has pine walls, and every photo that I take looks dark and yellow in it. I don't think the $40 flash will help me in that situation. So, I think I will keep on learning outside until I can afford the Canon Flash. Also, I will keep messing with my settings, and maybe I can get a decent photo inside my home. If not, I probably will learn something on the way. I am definitely not going to put any super glue on my Canon. :)
:) :)

Here is the information I was looking for. 1. Is my pop up flash going to work well if I buy a diffuser device? 2. Does my camera accept external flashes? 3. If I buy an inexpensive flash what I am I will I be disappointed with? 4. If I spend more money on an external flash which one would be the best value? I didn't have to ask any of these questions, but they all were answered in the back and forth between you two. Awesome. I love uglyhedgehog! :thumbup:

Is hot shoe flash a brand, or a type of flash? If it is a type of flash are there some brands that are better than others, or is there just one brand that would fit my XTI?

I have a Canon Rebel XTI. Could I use something like this on my camera? I just have a pop up flash on it. Newbie question here. :)

I never thought of taking the camera to a store to try out lenses. I will definitely do that when I am ready. Today I just discovered that when you have the kit lens switched to manual focus, there are 2 different places to focus it on the lens. I didn't know that, and I accidentally discovered it. I guess you could say that I'm one of those people that should be licensed to shoot a Canon. :)Anyway, I took a close up shot of an outdoor water spicket, and it was actually in focus. Amazing. This is the first time that I have been able to do this with my Canon. Here is the picture. Please tell me if you think it is in focus.

Water Spicket

Yes, I noticed that I was getting the landscapes crooked, and I have been better about taking note of that while I am taking a shot. I guess I have just been getting a little discouraged because my Canon pictures don't seem to be as sharp as my point and shoot shots. I noticed a new thing about the manual focus on the rebel today though, that I hadn't noticed before, so maybe I just need to spend more time making mistakes and learning before I even think about a new lens. I am glad to hear that you used your lens that came with it for 4 years. I'm going to keep trying. I tried to do a custom white balance today and all my shots are green, except the 2 I did in the cloudy setting. It's alot to learn at first. Thank-you, Linda, you are so encouraging.

I like to take lots of outdoor landscape type pictures, and I would like to take some pictures of wildlife and my dogs while I am out and about. I have the lens that came with my Rebel XTI. Would I benefit from getting an upgraded lens, or should I just keep practicing with the one I have? If I did get an upgrade, what would be a good one for me to start with? The files I am uploading are from my point and shoot last summer. I am wondering if I can take better shots with the Canon as is.

People fishing


Here's a shot that I would like to do better on


Paddle Boarding

My husband got me this camera for Christmas to use on my paddle board. I couldn't wait until summer to try it, so I have been using it. It has more control than a point and shoot, it takes amazing picutures, has lots of cool settings, and it's really tough. I took these pictures at 27 below 0 fahrenheit this morning. I can't wait to try it in water!!

Sunrise through the Trees


The Sun Feels Good this Morning


Seeing my Shadow the Day Before Groundhog Day

I forgot to mention that the camera is an Olympus TG1. :oops:

Jim, I followed your instructions and I ended up with a much better picture today, but I still made a mistake that I'd like to share in case there is anyone like me reading this. I got a step by step instruction sheet off the internet on how to create a custom white balance on a Canon Rebel xti. It said to choose any setting between the green box and M. It said you could do this in Manual, but if you're new at this, the other modes might be easier. Well, I am new at this, BUT I've only been using M mode, and I understand how to bump up the exposure in it, even though I didn't know that's what I was doing until you explained it to me. So...I set my custom white balance in AV, because I am new and I was following the instructions. Well, when I tried to bump up the exposure, it didn't work in AV like it works in M, and I couldn't figure it out. It was 5 degrees fahrenheit with a 20 mile hour wind out of the north. I took the picture and made a beeline for my car. Now do I have to get rid of that custom setting somehow, or does it just disappear after you shut the camera off? I will post my new picture here after the voting. Then everyone can tell me what they think. The good news is that I learned a couple of things. :) Thanks again for your help, Nightski.