Straps--neck or shoulder?

[John_SD]

For you guys or gals who do a lot of outdoor photography and are walking a lot, do you prefer your camera around your neck or shoulder? I have a feeling I'll be carrying mine across the shoulder as I'm finding the camera bounces around with the strap around my neck.

Received my refurbished Rebel T6 from Canon yestrday and have it set up and ready to go. I really like it. Pretty easy to set up, especially having spent some time with the manual. A handful of initial shots in 'A' mode reveal nothing weird, unexpected or alarming. Looking forwrd to spending a few hours at the local tide pools over the weekend at low tide and a lot more hours in the desert. I've got a 58mm B+W UV filter and can't wait to get outdoors. I've considered a lens hood, but can't think of how it will protect me at the seashore, tidepools or out in the dusty desert. But I'm open to any and all suggestions.

[ebiggs1]

Op/Tech makes the CPS strap.  Great strap.  

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

Op/Tech makes the CPS strap.  Great strap.  

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Neck Straps are great for carrying a camera without a lens attached to it.

[Waddizzle]

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@John_SD wrote:

Thanks for the tips, guys. I appreciate it. I'm starting to look around now for a replacement strap of the shoulder variety. There are a million choices! Still looking, but leaning toward the Optech Utility Strap - Sling. I will also look at the others you guys have mentioned.

I quickly discovered that the strap that comes with the camera is essentially useless to me, but the style may be OK for taking photos in museums, weddings, cocktail parties and whatnot. But for outdoor photography it's cumbersome  and awkward, at least to me. 

As for exposure, I'm already using Av as a "walking around" default, but maybe that isn't the best choice? What do you guys use for a default, if you will. I plan to venture into 'P' and Manual before the week is out. I am planning to use Av for the tidepools, but plan to experiment with 'M' at the pools too. I already wish I had a macro lens. Some very cool stuff in the tidepools at low tide. 

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If you are not already familiar with the "Exposure Triangle", then I suggest that you do a web search and learn about it.

I have found one way to get high contrast, sharp photos is to follow one rule of thumb.  I try to grab as much light [wide aperture] as possible, as quickly [high shutter speed] as possible, with as little effort [low ISO] as possible.  The only way to come close to meeting all three of those goals is shooting with good light conditions.  Anything else, which is most of the time, means compromising on leg of the exposure triangle with the goal of improving another leg of the exposure triangle.

As for camera settings, that really depends upon what you are shooting, and what leg of the triangle that you would sacrifice for the benefit of the other legs.  The leg that I choose to sacrifice is the leg that I let the camera choose automatically for me.  I shoot more still life and low action shots, compared to high action sports and wildlife photography.  I mostly shoot manual mode with Auto ISO.

Try to keep your ISO at 100.  Your camera will begin to show noise in your images when you get above ISO 400 or ISO 800.  This type of performance is pretty average.  If you want significantly better noise performance, then you will spend several times more money than what you have already spent.

Finally,  learn to shoot photos as RAW, instead of JPEG, and how to use the Canon DPP post processing software effectively.

[kvbarkley]

Be very careful around tide pools. I lost a T3i that got a "little" splash when the tide was coming in. At least I thought it was a little splash. The lens is still fine, though.

All was not lost, it gave me reason to upgrade to the T6S. 8^)

[John_SD]

Thanks, kvbarkley. You're correct, even at low tide you can get surprised by a splash. I was OK, though, as over the years, I've gotten pretty good at being able to "read the waves," as is typical of those of us in SoCal who spend time at the tidepools or beaches. The biggest dangers are slips and falls. I'm afraid we've all been there. 🙂

And thank you, too, to RobertTheFat. I'll be picking up a polarizing filter in short order. Though there wasn't much sun on the water when I was out there this weekend due to the marine layer, I'll need one soon anyway. 

[Waddizzle]

Canon does sell a waterproof camera, PowerShot D30.  

Your current gear doesn't necessarily have to get wet to get damaged.  Your gear isn't sealed, so prolonged or repeated exposure to humid, briny air cannot be a good thing.  Use some sort of a bag, as previously suggested with your current gear.  

[John_SD]

Thanks! I'll look in to those sleeves. 

[kvbarkley]

I splashed mine at Crystal Cove State beach...

[John_SD]

Since I live in San Diego, I usually hit the Point Loma tide pools, the ones by Cabrillo. Haven't gotten splashed yet, though I've t aken a tumble a time or two on the rocks. When I'm up at Crystal Cove, I'm either on the sand or at the Shake Shack LOL. 

[diverhank]

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@John_SD wrote:

Since I live in San Diego, I usually hit the Point Loma tide pools, the ones by Cabrillo. Haven't gotten splashed yet, though I've t aken a tumble a time or two on the rocks. When I'm up at Crystal Cove, I'm either on the sand or at the Shake Shack LOL. 

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Ha ha, talking about taking a tumble...Once I was at a beach at sunset taking pictures...before even had a chance to mount my camera on the tripod, a rogue wave came in and knocked me off my feet.  I was totally submerged but somehow managed to keep my 5D Mark III and the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II lens above water and undamaged...I was even impressed with myself 🙂