Learn Photography Master Thread

[dave]

I was told that the rebels are not so ideal for casual snap shots since it takes time to focus. Is it true for the t6i as well?

[Something Fishy]

I was told that the rebels are not so ideal for casual snap shots since it takes time to focus. Is it true for the t6i as well?

Every camera takes time to focus, the question is just how much.

The speed of achieving focus is directly related to two things: the equipment and the subject. There is a direct correlation between the level of the camera and lens and focus speed. A $7300 1Dx and 70-200 f/2.8L lens will focus far faster than a $400 T5 and 18-55mm lens; you get what you pay for, no doubt. Additionally, generally speaking, a DSLR will focus faster than a mirrorless camera (this is becoming less and less true with the latest cameras), which in turn will focus far faster than a P&S.

As far as the subject goes, a brightly lit scene with contrasting shapes will allow the camera to focus quicker that a dark, plain scene.

All that being said, when you hear friends and relatives complaining about "slow focus" on their DSLR, 99% of the time it's the user's unfamiliarity with their focus systems . There's a reason there are literally dozens of focus settings and menu items. Take the time to understand your camera and you'd rarely be complaining about slowdowns.

Now to answer your question directly - the T6i is an incredible, fast camera. It won't focus as quickly as a camera that costs 20x as much, but honestly if you have issues getting your T6i to focus I'd be willing to bet that you'd have the exact same problem with a 1Dx.

[whYME]

All that being said, when you hear friends and relatives complaining about "slow focus" on their DSLR, 99% of the time it's the user's unfamiliarity with their focus systems . There's a reason there are literally dozens of focus settings and menu items. Take the time to understand your camera and you'd rarely be complaining about slowdowns.

They may also be trying to focus in live view. That'll make you want to throw your camera really hard into a brick wall...

[Something Fishy]

They may also be trying to focus in live view. That'll make you want to throw your camera really hard into a brick wall...

LOL very true.

[Zalc]

They may also be trying to focus in live view. That'll make you want to throw your camera really hard into a brick wall...

Unless you have Focus Peaking, then it is only mildly infuriating...

[Something Fishy]

Unless you have Focus Peaking, then it is only mildly infuriating...

Focus Peaking is for manual focus. Autofocus in Live View is enough to make you want to go back to the Stone Age.

[Zalc]

Focus Peaking is for manual focus. Autofocus in Live View is enough to make you want to go back to the Stone Age.

BTW, is this true even for Canon's newer DSLRs like the 70D with "Dual Pixel" AF?

They advertise it for video, but it should help with pictures as well, no?

[Something Fishy]

BTW, is this true even for Canon's newer DSLRs like the 70D with "Dual Pixel" AF?

They advertise it for video, but it should help with pictures as well, no?

It's getting better and better, but still incredibly slow compared to regular phase-detect (which is done through the viewfinder, and, in most cameras, has it's own sensor and processor).

[Zalc]

It's getting better and better, but still incredibly slow compared to regular phase-detect (which is done through the viewfinder, and, in most cameras, has it's own sensor and processor).

Thanks. Seems like the mirrorless cameras are finally forcing them to evolve (at least a little)...

[Something Fishy]

Yes, absolutely. The problem is that they're trying to grab focus features from mirrorless, when in that respect they were highly superior to begin with! This underlines the laziness of Canikon in realizing that the future is in mirrorless. Both of them are dabbling, quite unsuccessfully, at this point.

In the meantime Panasonic is stealing the filmmakers, Fuji the serious amateurs, Sony E the consumers, and Sony FE the pros. Instead of waking up and smelling the roses, Canon and Nikon they think they're safe in their duopoly, that they're big enough to weather a complete market revolution without adapting.

If all this sounds familiar... remember Kodak?

/rant

[Zalc]

/rant

Tachlis, what will it take to get you to switch to mirrorless?

I.E. what does canikon give you that mirrorless is still really lacking in?

[Something Fishy]

Tachlis, what will it take to get you to switch to mirrorless?

I.E. what does canikon give you that mirrorless is still really lacking in?

Compared to the only real full-frame mirrorless option, the Sony FE system, Nikon's advantages for me are: ecosystem, autofocus performance, ergonomics, compatibility with all the gear I already own, battery life (10-20x longer life). And that's not counting having to relearn everything - my muscle memory is dialed in to Nikon; switching systems could be a pain, literally.

[otr114]

I recently bought the sony a6000 and have been using the kit lens. I am looking to buy a new lens. I use the camera to take pictures of my kids. I am looking for a lens that is not too pricey  that will give good bokeh and works well in low light. What would you recommend?

[VacationLover]

I recently bought the sony a6000 and have been using the kit lens. I am looking to buy a new lens. I use the camera to take pictures of my kids. I am looking for a lens that is not too pricey  that will give good bokeh and works well in low light. What would you recommend?

Zoom lens or prime lens? I would recommend aiming approx for a 35-105mm depends on your needs and budget

[Zalc]

Just took this picture of my menora, taken in RAW on a LG G4, edited slightly in snapseed. How would I improve this picture?



I do have a micro 4/3 camera with a 25mm f1.7 lens if that is what is missing.

here is the RAW and jpg if you want it. (Password is mudateZa).

Thank you!

[akivak]

How this look, taken from my galaxy s4

[Zalc]

How this look, taken from my galaxy s4

If the glare was there unintentionally, you can remove it by cleaning the lens gently

Nice pic

[akivak]

If the glare was there unintentionally, you can remove it by cleaning the lens gently

Nice pic

Was intentional, added after

[akivak]

Just took this picture of my menora,  How would I improve this picture?

Maybe add some warmth to the picture

[whYME]

As long as we're posting menorah pictures here's one I took years back