Welcome to day 3! This was a hard one for me. I was working on one idea, and it just wasn’t working out, so I ditched that idea and decided to shoot my 5D Mark II. I actually shot it with my two Alien Bees 800 with large softboxes to camera right and left. Left was my main light and right my fill.I shot it on my black granite tile to give a slight reflection.

Today I also read page 101 in my 5D Mark II manual, Mirror Lockup.

Tags: 365 Project, 5D Mark II, camera, canon, Day 3

So I get home today and there is a lovely Amazon box waiting for me.  I quickly open the box, and there it is.  The new Canon 40d.  I proceed to unpack the the camera from the box.  I slowly take out each piece one by one.  The instruction manuals are on top.  Next the strap.  I pull out the bubble wrapped camera and examine it.  It is absolutely beautiful. Next I pull out a smaller white box.  Inside is the strap, the 28-135mm IS USM lens, the USB cable, the video cable, the battery cover, and….that’s it.  Yep, no battery.  No battery charger.  WTF!!!???  I look inside the camera.  Nope, battery not there.  I open the package with the instruction manuals.  Nope, no battery or charger.  Frantically I look at the packing list.  Yep, the battery and charger are supposed to be there.  Alas, I finally give up.  The contents check list says to contact the vendor if there are missing items.  So I call Amazon.

Me – “Yeah, hi.  Amazon? I just got my camera and it is missing the battery and battery charger.”

Amazon – “Um…OK.  Let me put you on hold and check what that is supposed to come with.”

Me – “Fine.  Great.”

After 2 minutes or so…. Amazon – “OK, yes those items should be included.  What we need you to do is send the package back to us and we will send you a new one. Is that OK with you?”

Me – “I guess it has to be. I don’t really have any other choice. So how soon can I expect the new one?”

Amazon – “24 to 48 hours.”

Me (in my head) – “You have got to be F***ING KIDDING ME!!!!” (to Amazon) ” OK fine.”

What else can I do.  I thought about going to buy the same camera at Circuit City, taking what I need and then returning it, but with my luck, that would end up being more work than it is worth. So I sit and wait. Admiring the awesome new camera that I can’t use because I have no power! UGH!

Tags: Amazon, camera, Photography

I just ordered a new camera from Amazon. I bought the Canon 40d with the EF 28-135 IS USM lens. I currently have the Canon Rebel XT with an 18-55 lens on it, but I thought it was time to upgrade. I have been taking a lot more pictures and I am trying to get the best quality possible. That said, the XT has been great over the past couple of years, but I am ready for more. Some reasons that I decided to upgrade include:

1. As I said, I am shooting a lot more, and feel I am ready for a closer to professional level camera.
2. I want to have the best picture quality and the XT has an 8.2 megapixel sensor, whereas the 40d has a 10.1 megapixel sensor. The 40d also has a newer image processor (the DIGIC III) vs the older processor in the XT (DIGIC II).
3. I wanted something that felt a bit more solid. The XT does feel a bit plastic at times, and the 40d with the magnesium case, is a bit heaver and feels more sturdy.

All in all the Rebel XT is a great camera, but I think the 40d will be even more enjoyable to shoot with and whether or not I actually get better picture quality, it will feel like I do. I will update more once I get it (should be Monday) and post some pictures of the unboxing.

Tags: camera, Photography