Camera Labs

I would like to see a workshop on testing your equipment for correct operation.

The reason I ask this is I have noticed a lot of members stating they have sometimes returned lenses 1, 2, and even 3 times before they got an example they are happy with.

Frankly I don't know how to tell if I have a good example of a lens for instance. I will assume many novices may be unsure but when I see these posts I get slight paranoia thinking what if I have a bad example of the lens and never detect its faults. Is it obvious do I have to conduct some critical testing to establish its not in spec and then if I do what is the procedure for returns and what do I say to the retailer in relation to a defective item.

I know this is tiny tots but I would really like to know how people tell when they have a inferior product.

Regards

Paul

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Why isn't phonetically spelled the way it sounds?

I have seen one suggestion here for a sensor cleaning tutorial, what about making this a general "How to look after your equipment" workshop. This could cover things like:
How to clean a lens (the glass and the mount).
Sensor cleaning.
Cleaning the camera body.
Battery charging and conditioning.
How to treat memory cards.
Looking after your tripod (keeping the joints tight).
Checking for firmware updates and installing them.
Maintenance of flash units and lighting.

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Nikon D90
Nikkor AF-S DX; 18-105 f/3.5-5.6G VR, 55-300 f/4.5-5.6G VR, 35mm f/1.8G
Speedlight SB-700

http://keystrokesukimages.com

I'd like to see some more of;

- filming tips with DSLRs: the filming techniques.
- light painting
- night photography
- perspective

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D90

Much like everybody else, I'd like to see a detailed workshop of how to clean and maintain the different parts of a DSLR. How about workshops on the following subjects?
1) Macro photography
2) babies / children
While I have managed to take some really good photos in both categories, they were results of coincidence and experimentation rather than of true knowledge...

Changing the saturation in camera.


p.s. I love the workshops so so so much. Gordon is brill.

Deep sky atrophotography (long exposure). It's a must!

Understanding the histogram. I don't have a clue!

a workshop on how to achieve the vintage effect.

thanks

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jjai

Finally made it back to this wonderful forum after a long time of experimenting with my new DSLR.

Topics I'd like to see?
1) Understanding the camera's histogram
2) Effective composition of landscape scenes

Hi Gordon

Things i love to learn from you are as below.

1) Flash Photography

2) Low light fast moving objects photography , Ex: Dance programs , children running fast at home ( all this without external flash usage(is it possible) , which means only with the built in flash)

3) Bird Photography

4) HDR tutorial

5) tips on basic photography as for which aperture which shutter speed and ISO to use.
Ex: For Av 3.5 , the Tv to be used like 1/200 and ISO 100 this i would love to see for both day light and night photography.

6) Cable release tutorial

7) Portraits of children(indoor and outdoor)

Pet photography (indoor and outdoor)

9) 70-200mm F2.8L mk1 and mk2 review(My fav) i am bit selfish here as i can peacefully buy these lens if i go through your video review as i have done for Canon 50D

10) Lens Cleaning or Maintenance....

11) B&W photography with right kind of composition ..

12) How to go for firmware updates and install them....

13) Effective usage of strobes(when and where)

14) Silhouette photography....

I love these tutorials from you which goes this way..

"Hello ! I am Gordan Laing , editor of Cameralabs.com "

I cant wait to see the above reviews from you.

Cheers
Mano

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Canon EOS 5D mk III|Canon EOS 7D | 70-200 F2.8 L IS II USM | 400 F5.6 L USM

Mano, I think those are too much to do all
And, things as HDR tuts, are written in the forum, so check it out!

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Hi Gordon.

No idea whether this has been mentioned before but I just noticed there's nothing yet on composition. Since it's a pretty basic subject that affects just about every photo you might want to say a few words on the subject.

I understand that lack of time will probably be the main factor why you can't add new topics to this section on a regular basis. It's not exactly the most developed part of CL. A few options spring to mind to compensate for this.

1. There's a lot of quality information in the forum. Some threads contain so much information on a subject that you could consider placing a list of recommended threads on various topics. Some are already stickied but there's no central list of recommended threads.

2. Given the enthusiasm of many of the forum members I wouldn't be surprised if people here would be willing to contribute articles on a subject particularly close to their heart. Can't hurt to ask.

Ben
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When in doubt..... Press the shutter.

Hey Gordon. Would just like to say thanks for all the work you have done it has really helped me with my photography. I would love to see a sports photography workshop as I have started photographing it and would love to know how to do it properly.
Thanks

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

I'd suggest having a look in the dedicated section. There's a sticky where Gorden and other people (including myself) have posted a number of pictures, tips, etc...

http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtop ... highlight=

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...

maybe smaller types are better