New member needs help

[lurechunker]

I am new to the forum and asking for help. Our granddaughter plays basketball and I would like to photograph her. I kayak and would like to photograph birds. Is the EOS 760D the camera for me? Other? What lens or lenses? How can I protect my equipment form damage from saltwater? Thank you.

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

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@lurechunker wrote:
My 80D with 18-55 from Canon store will arrive tomorrow. I think I made a mistake by not getting the 28-135. Should I leave the 18-55 in the box and send it back? I'd like to start with an "all-round" lens and one long enough for back yard birds.

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Do you mean 18-135, instead of 28-135?  The 18-135 lenses are pretty good.  BUT, they will likely cast a shadow when you try to use the flash.  I know that older 18-135mm lenses cast a major shadow on a T5, so I would expect a shadow on an 80D.  The 18-55mm lens has a 35mm equivalent of 29-88mm, which is pretty close to 24-70mm that is very popular for use with full frame camera bodies.

The  STM version of the 18-55mm is a really good lens.  I would hang on to it.  I can guarantee you that whatever plans you have for using the camera, you will find new scenarios to use it.  I would keep the 18-55mm, and pass on buying a 18-135, so that you can budget more money towards your birding lens.  If you can afford to do all of the above, then by all means, buy all of the lenses you want.

[lurechunker]

I do not understand any of that but I know beauty when I see it. Beautiful shots. Maybe some day......

[ebiggs1]

"Whatever Sigma did in their firmware, so far they seem to have got it right."

Hey you got a MTF chart to prover you lens is good or are you going to let those beautiful photographs do it for you?  

No, all kidding aside those are top drawer.

[lurechunker]

A 14 yo granddaughter has expressed interest. How about the T6 for her?

[John_SD]

Great stuff there, Waddizzle. In a genre that seems over-saturated, these really stand out as being above and beyond. Fabulous. 

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:

I do not understand any of that but I know beauty when I see it. Beautiful shots. Maybe some day......

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In a nutshell, I have not been one to applaud Sigma because their lenses seem to have a hard time focusing.  I have also been critical of my copy of the 150-600mm "C" lens.  When I use it at 600mm, the images are softer than those at 500mm.

One positive note for some Sigma lenses is the Sigma Dock.  It is a device you can use to update the lens firmware.  You can also use the Sigma Dock to perform AFMA, Auto Focus Micro Adjustments, which is what I was describing.

My lens was never sharp at 600mm, and even then it had a "front focus" problem, which means the sharpest plane of focus was in front of target.  I made an AFMA, which pushed the plane of focus away from the camera.

After the firmware update, which did not clear out my AFMA settings in the lens, the lens now seems to have a "back focus" problem.  It is as if my AFMA adjustment setting is no longer needed, which would be a good thing.  

I think my posted shots are a bit OOF, with the lens exhibiting "back focus", which seems to be apparent from the rocks.  While the shots may seem to be in focus, I think the subject is at the near edge of the DOF.

[EDIT]. My point is simple, though.  The Sigma and Tamron lenses were similarly priced, and reported to have similar IQ.  I chose the Sigma over the Tamron for mainly one reason, the Sigma Dock.  

Tamron has since released a more costly "G2" version, which is reported to be better than their original 150-600mm.  I think Sigma may have finally figured an AF algorithm that finally works as advertised.  I was able to update my lens without sending it in to the factory.   The cost of the dock is far less than the cost of the shipping to the factory to have them do a firmware update.

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:

A 14 yo granddaughter has expressed interest. How about the T6 for her?

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The T6 is a camera body that is a good teaching tool.  But, it is one that a photo enthusiast will quickly outgrow.  The camera body lacks a handful of features that are found on nearly ever other Canon DSLR: i.e.; external microphone, mirror lockup, etc.

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:

I am very happy with my 80D and 100-400 L. I probably would have liked the 18-135 better than my 18-55. Live and learn. My thanks to all who have posted. I am hooked on photography. Next purchase will probably be a Tamron 150-600 G2. Need to rob a 7-11 first. 

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You might have liked the 18-135 better, but the 18-55 kit price point was a better deal.  They were giving you a quality lens for next to nothing.  The 18-135mm kits were not as good a value, because you were paying nearly list price for the lens.  

Personally, I think you may have been disappointed with the IQ compared to the 100-400mm.  If you want a good standard zoom lens, then check out any of the Canon 70-200mm lenses, or the 24-105mm lenses.  

I also recommend the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, solely because of how much it can teach you about photography, and fast lenses.

[lurechunker]

Is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom adequate for a beginner?

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:

Is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom adequate for a beginner?

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Indeed.  You will love it, once you get the hang of it.

[ebiggs1]

"Is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom adequate for a beginner?"

LR is not a 'beginner' tool.  It is a full on professional program aimed at a certain part of the professional market.  It is a limited editor as its main intent is a data base.  It is designed to help pros keep track of thousands upon thousands of photos. Its limited editing abilities is sufficient for most adjustments.  But it is not in the class of a real post editor like Photoshop.

A far better 'beginner' package is Photosop Elements. It has additional features that appeal to that segment of the market.  It is the best of LR and PS combined in a toned down post editor interface.