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Archive for the ‘Camera Accessories’ Category

So yesterday I had the urge to check prices on a new Canon 50D. It’s wishful thinking to be sure, but I the seductive lure of the 50D beckons and I wanted to see just how out of reach it really was. Much to my surprise I found a site listing the camera for $717, an unbelievable price to be sure. So much so it made me a touch suspicious. It was being offered by SupremeCamera.com so I went to Google and typed in the name to see what kind of reviews the site was getting. The first entry stopped me in my tracks:

Beware of Supreme Camera.

From this link you get all sorts of information about this site which basically confirms the price is too good to be true. The site is suspicious, the address is suspect and pretty much everyone agrees it’s a place you should avoid.

By my own research the price was listed at $717 yesterday and now it’s listed as $669. I think that pretty much confirms something odd is going on.

With all of us shopping for bargains we need to keep in mind that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. And just as we need to research a product before purchasing, it’s a good idea to check out a website before you hand over your credit card info.

Looks like I’ll be sticking with the major sites like Amazon and won’t make any forays into untested waters.

Looks like I’m not the only one talking about bigger hard drives and RAID arrays. Outdoor Photographer has an article which looks at different drive solutions for backing up your photo collection. They are also fans of the USB external drives which can be added to your system in just a minute or two. They also discuss some of the more powerful options.

Having a large number of large files is a good problem to have. A large file means lots of data and, ultimately, that means more options for creative expression. If you shoot RAW, you already know that gives you expanded control over the final results-but that control comes at the expense of file size. Plus, many cameras nowadays have built-in editing and “art filter” functions that, because you may save more than one version of the same file, once again, increase your need for storage space.

Hard Drive Decisions

Last night the filters for my lenses finally showed up. I figured since I spent the big money on the lenses I should spend the money to protect them. And of course I mainly shoot outdoors so a polarizer is always necessary. I can’t say I use the UV filters very much.

It’s almost depressing that I paid more for shipping on two filters which weigh a pound, versus the shipping I paid for 2nd day ground on a 6 pound lens and the filters took over a week to get here! And finding the right size filter for the big Sigma, which is 86mm, wasn’t exactly easy. I ended up getting one made by Sigma themselves so hopefully the two were made for each other!

The other filter is a warming circular polarizer for my 18-200mm. I’m anxious to see what kind of effect the warming aspect will have. Since this is the lens I use most of the time it seemed like a good idea to get a stacked filter. I would have gotten one for the 86mm if I could have found one. If it turns out to be a big benefit, I’ll get one in the 77mm size for my 70-200mm lens.

Everyone uses a polarizer and lots of people use the warming filters, anyone got experience use this layered combo?