What would you do?

JohnN

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Hi,

I knew that would draw you in :)

Anyway recently I've been accused of having camera ADHD (mostly true) and know I have a case of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), so I'm thinking of putting away one of my cameras, probably the 60D, using only the 5D for a while.

This is to make me learn as no matter how much I read I have a bad habit of taking the easy way out, you know dropping from manual to AP to have a better chance at getting the photo I'm after.

I was thinking the 5D as theres no auto ISO so I would have to learn that too.

Anyway what would you guys do and do you have any suggestions?

Ta,

John
 
Use neither, buy a full manual analogue camera, and really learn about making the most of what you got ;)
 
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By saying you have ADHD does that mean you use the equipment you do have a lot? I can't see that as a problem. If you mean you don't pay attention to what the individual settings do and then spend all your time in auto as a result could be a problem. It doesn't have to be if it's giving you the results you want.

Personally, I've never had my camera in auto and learn by shooting repeatedly at the same sort of events and using trial and error. Most of the time I see signs of improvement,

As for GAS, I too would be susceptible to this if I didn't set myself a rule of selling a lens before I buy another one... It's tough but it does work for me!
 
hehe, I did cause some confusion there - I guess having kids I figured everyone would know ADHD, my bad.

Tina I appreciate the offer but I'll pass ;)

I suppose "all the gear and no idea" may be close to it - although I hope not quite no idea, just not as much as I'd like.

I don;t think I could quite drop to a fully manual - apart from anything else my eyesights not good enough and they really would always be out of ficus - which reminds me I'd better get that optician booked!

Luke, you could be close there, but not in auto - usually in AV or TV modes. I do try to swap lens for lens but as you can see by my sig it didn't really work out!
 
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FAIL :)

I have 7 kids.. I didn't know....

you have 7 kids !!! jesus... glutten for punnishment much?



As for the OP, i did something very similar, i limited myself to one lens a month, so say the 5d and the 50mm 1.8, and no flash, see what you can do with it, and learn the limitations, i nearly allways use AV or TV mode but dont see that as a hinderance as i can change enough settings to get the image i want now :)

i think most of all, just enjoy it, and if your getting the images you want yout going in the right direction...
 
Thank you Chris - I was thinking that or the 85mm, I'll do that - should be interesting over Christmas
 
i've only ever had a 350D and then up to a 5D... it wasn't that long ago (on a TP meet i think) that i actually became aware that other cameras has auto ISO and the like. Stick at it with the 5D - switch between manual, Av & Tv - it'll soon become second nature. Just be prepared for a mucky sensor :D
 
I suppose "all the gear and no idea" may be close to it - although I hope not quite no idea, just not as much as I'd like.

ah sorry i didnt mean it to be insulting, the phrase just sprang to mind :)

when i got my camera i only set it to M mode because i knew that although i'd make alot of mistakes to begin with the learning curve would be near vertical and after a while i'd have a good grasp on how the exposure triangle works through trial and error.

it worked and i really have no idea how to use the other modes like aperture priority and the like!

so my 2p's worth is just to stick with manual mode and you'll get the hang of it soon enough
 
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In case anyone's wondering how its coming along :)

4.jpg

4.jpg


Quite a departure from my usual stuff - I even branched out into B & W + an abstract!!

I'll add my 500px account to my sig and you;ll see.
 
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Just about all DSLRs offer PASM, and most of them have a fully automatic mode too. Use whatever works best for you in any particular situation.

Manual is straightforward, and there's nothing special about it. I was using it all the time when I was about 10 or 12, with a folding Kodak 120 film camera, because I didn't have anything else. The camera was completely manual/mechanical, with no meter and a shutter that had to be cocked separately.It worked very well.
 
It depends what your hobby really is.

Your hobby might genuinely be trying out new cameras, getting to play with the technology with them.

It might be collecting camera gear to own, and use once in a while.

It might be learning the craft of photograhy the techniques behind capturing images, and knowing exactly ho to get a certain look.

It might be sharing final images that make other people's heads turn, or stop them in their tracks.

It might be making images you want to hang on your wall.

It might end up being a job.

It's probably some combination, but understanding what it is and embracing that is probably your best bet. If you're a gearhead, restricting yourself to one body will just annoy you (or maybe it'll make you happier via delayed gratifcation). If you're after the final image, restricting yourself to fully manual (which you're not just yet, you're still using the meter and autofocus and auto white balance) will needlessly add more things to set. If you're after the craft though then it's the best move.
 
go on then.. i guess i will ask... whats ADHD ?

It is a serious and sometimes not to be joked about (that will mean I get complaints about being too serious again) illness, my three sons have Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder OBD Obsessive behaviour disorder, which as a single father has been terrible at times.
 
Thanks.. On this occasion I dont feel daft for asking... But OP.. Seriously? where we all supposed to know that? :)

Considering it's one of the most over-diagnosed conditions in children, and has been for several decades, I'm honestly surprised there are people who don't know what it is. There's always been controversy about it, especially when it comes to medicating kids who have been diagnosed with it.

To the OP, I think perhaps you're a little too hung up on the process as opposed to the final image. Photography should be, first and foremost, about the images you get. If you're happy with your photos, then why does the mode you shot it in really matter? Unless you're not happy with your photos?
 
Considering it's one of the most over-diagnosed conditions in children, and has been for several decades, I'm honestly surprised there are people who don't know what it is. There's always been controversy about it, especially when it comes to medicating kids who have been diagnosed with it.

Quite an insult to parents such as I who have brought up three sons with it and know what we are talking about :nono:
 
why is it an insult?

onona isn't saying your kids don't have it. just that it is one of the most over-diagnosed conditions in children. which is true, having seen a lot of kids diagnosed through when i was teaching when actually they weren't adhd at all, it's actually an insult to the children who really do have adhd that its banded about so freely
 
watch this video

[YOUTUBE]zDZFcDGpL4U[/YOUTUBE]

skip forward to 3.30 if you dont have time to watch it all (and I recommend you do). Quite enlightening with regard to the spread of ADHD across the states
 
Yeah I caught similar virus last year. I could not stop myself buying gear, and ended up with 6 lenses 2 cameras and 3 bags. Last summer I promised to behave and gave away one camera and 3 lenses and 1 bag to my niece who is studying art (now we compete against each other).

I limited myself to 60D, 70-300, 17-50 and 60mm macro, I still need one ultra wide angle lens (thinking Tokina 11-16 or canon EF-s 10-22). This should cover most what I need. And ... I cheated for Christmas :-) I bought myself yet another bag :( but this is the one (I think) a Kata CS-15.

For me buying a good bag on budget was the trickiest ... but I am happy with this one.

Merry Christmas to all :-)
 
watch this video

[YOUTUBE]zDZFcDGpL4U[/YOUTUBE]

skip forward to 3.30 if you dont have time to watch it all (and I recommend you do). Quite enlightening with regard to the spread of ADHD across the states


That was very interesting Joe, may well pass it on to some of my colleagues :thumbs:
 
Hi. Kipax, 7 kids and no ADHD, I think thats admirable.
Joe, that was an 'enlightening' video, and most interesting that the rise in ADHD seems to correspond to the rise in standardisation and testing. I wonder if that's why when I was at school in the 'old' way we never heard of ADHD, but all these SATS tests etc seem to be for the benefit of the school rankings rather than the for the benefit of the children.

I might just try that 'collaboration' learning with an adult ed class I plan just to see if it does make a difference!
 
why is it an insult?

onona isn't saying your kids don't have it. just that it is one of the most over-diagnosed conditions in children. which is true, having seen a lot of kids diagnosed through when i was teaching when actually they weren't adhd at all, it's actually an insult to the children who really do have adhd that its banded about so freely

Ok, but many parents like me who's children (I do not have kids) do have it have a terrible life ourselves and people rarely see behind the scenes.

Any way will say no more, sorry, back to the thread.
 
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