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The Big Camera That Can!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

If you have an SLR Digital Camera, please read this.  In desperation early last month I wrote a post called "The Big Camera That Can't Please Help" I was having trouble getting quality interior photos with my Canon Rebel camera.  The response I received was nothing short of amazing. Cheryl Johnson and Norm Fisher offered me some excellent advice while a few wanted me to sell my camera on ebay and buy a Kodak V570.

Well I took Cheryl and Norm's advice and as you an see the difference is amazing.  The first photo below was taken on "Auto Program" with exterior flash which is the setting Canon support recommended I use.  The second photo is taken on with the setting on "Manual" with the film speed set to 400 and the aperture set to 6.3 also using an exterior flash.  And I didn't even use a tripod on this photo!  This was a very dark room with no lights on and all the window shades closed.

So before you get rid of that expensive SLR camera please try these settings.  What I have found out is that I have a "Cadillac of a Camera" that will do more than I ever imagined. All I needed to do was to learn some of the settings and experiment a little.  Now that I have learned some new settings a whole new world has opened up for me. I now use the "Auto Program" for exterior shots and the "Manual" mode with the settings mentioned above for interior shots.

Sure there are those that like a simple point and shoot camera but for those that have made the investment and want more from their digital SLR camera consider this:

a) The array of settings an SLR camera offers

b) An array of lenses from wide angle to super zoom lenses are available

c) Rapid fire sports setting is available so you can get rapid fire photos and never miss your child or grandchild's touchdown run.

I am so happy I didn't sell my Canon Rebel and really appreciate all of you that gave me some awesome advice which resulted in a new lease on life for my Canon Rebel. Turns out there was nothing wrong with my Canon Rebel camera. I just needed some great tips which I surely received.

  "Auto Program setting"

  "Manual Setting"

 

 Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker 
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.

Posted by

Native Idahoan and Boise Idaho Real Estate specialist serving Boise, Meridian Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell and the surrounding Treasure valley area of southwest Idaho. Specializing in residential, investment, land and commercial real estate. Search thousands of MLS listings at Boise Homes for sale and learn all about Idaho by visiting Search Idaho Homes

Comments (19)

Inland Empire Real Estate Short Sale Pro
InlandHomeFinder.com - San Bernardino, CA
InlandHomeFinder.com
Wow! What a difference.  I usually touch up all my house pics in photoshop. Even when my camera can't produce the results I need I can tweak everything in Adobe.  I'm glad everything worked out for you.
Mar 30, 2007 10:36 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Thanks Nick....both of these photos were not touched up and every time I tried to lighten the dark photos in auto mode they would turn out too grainy and hazy.  This new setting has gotten me so excited about taking interior photos again!
Mar 30, 2007 10:43 AM
Bryce Mohan
Bryce Mohan Photography - Bellevue, WA

George, thanks for posting. Let's show those P&S users who's boss! (just kidding, I think Jeff is very helpful with his suggestion of the kodak for most folks).

Anyway, glad to hear this is working so well for you!  

The funny thing is after an informal survey of the professionals I know, we all feel that P&S cameras are more complex overall, because each is different, has a different set of buttons and 'features' and performance varies so much. SLR's are actually pretty easy once you get the hang of them.

Cheers, -B

Mar 30, 2007 12:37 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Thanks Bryce...I have fallen in love now with my SLR and was close to giving it up a month ago!  I just want everyone to know that it is usually in the user not the camera where problems arise.  Have a great weekend.
Mar 30, 2007 01:27 PM
Patrick Brady
The Danberry Co., Realtors - Sylvania, OH
I agree with you.  Using the manual settings on the camera really does help you take better pictures.  The biggest thing that I see on a consistent basis is that the camera does not flash when you would think that it should.  It results in the dark pictures that you saw above.
Mar 30, 2007 02:12 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Thanks Patrick....once I started using the manual settings I mentioned I have had no problems at all.  Have a great weekend.
Mar 30, 2007 02:15 PM
Duayne Weir
Investment Realities LLC/MarketLink Realty - Ham Lake, MN
Minnesota Real Estate Agent

George,

Thats quite a difference in photos. Good thing you found those settings before you sold it on ebay at a loss.

Good Day!! have a cup of java and a smile on me :)

Mar 30, 2007 03:22 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Thank you Duayne....I appreciate your comments.  Have a great weekend.
Mar 30, 2007 04:01 PM
Keith Zimmer
RE/MAX Results - Saint Louis, MO
Big difference, The SLR's are great you just have to have the time to learn or play around with them. Glad to see your enjoying taking pictures.
Mar 30, 2007 05:07 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA
Thanks for posting that!  I kept thinking about asking which settings you changed to make the most difference.  Getting the hang of how to drive a manual camera definitely gives a "creative high".
Mar 30, 2007 10:50 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Keith...thank you very much. I have fallen in love with my Canon Rebel!
Mar 31, 2007 04:11 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Thanks Cheryl....I actually become a "Fun" camera to use and I like experimenting with it to find the best setting for a certain situation.  Knowing me I think a point & shoot camera would get old and I could never be as creative with it as I am with my Canon Rebel.  Thanks again for all you did to help me.  I appreciate it more than you will ever know.
Mar 31, 2007 04:14 AM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon
George, thanks for the post, I have a Nikon DS70 and have struggled with it too.  I have learned so much from AR just about how to use my camera that I am getting better. I really want to some day be as great with my camera as Bryce.... lol
Mar 31, 2007 05:41 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Good for you Thesa...I can't tell you how much fun I am having with my Canon Rebel after learning the manual settings.  I would have gotten so bored with a point and shoot camera because I have always been very creative minded.  I'm glad you enjoy your Nikon DS70 as much as I have learned to enjoy my Canon Rebel.  SLRs are exciting cameras when one takes the time to learn them and they are not difficult to learn.  Have a great weekend my friend.
Mar 31, 2007 05:59 AM
Ted Mackel
Keller Williams Realty Simi Valley - Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley Real Estate Agent

George, 

 

I rarely use the automatic setting.  Good move on not selling the camera.  The Cannon Rebel has a wider angle lense than the kodak and it does not distort.

Jun 01, 2008 02:39 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Ted - Thanks and have a great evening.

Jun 01, 2008 02:51 PM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

George - Which model Canon Rebel do you have?  I looked at the Canon and the Nikon SLR models this past Saturday but I haven't bought either one just yet.

Jun 01, 2008 10:36 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Sam - I purchased the Canon Rebel EOS and after I wrote this post I purchased an amazing Canon Ultrasonic EFS 10-20mm wide angle lens.  It can get so much of a room in a picture and there is no fish bowl effect.  Good luck to you.

Jun 02, 2008 06:33 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

Sometimes its the camera and sometimes it the cameraman that makes the difference.  Like all tools you need to learn how to use them.

Jun 02, 2008 01:20 PM