Bob Crum

Did everyone see the rainbow last Saturday? I'm so excited. I got some exquisite photos with my $45,000 Hasselblad camera. Sorry, I can't share them with you. I pushed a wrong button and poof... accidentally deleted them all. I probably should sell the clunker... you think?

I was returning from Ventura when I saw it and knowing how fleeting rainbows can be, I stopped a few miles out of town and shot a few photos. Back in town I got a few photos from here and there with mixed results. Results don't always satisfy expectations because cameras don’t always fulfill intentions. That explains why lousy photos are... ahem... never my fault!

Back to business. If you already have a respectable camera, dSLR or Point-&-Shoot, this week's column may, or may not be interesting but last week I said that I'd list my gear and why I use what I have. Must be done because a camera is an essential component of photography. Key word: Essential!

Nikon, Pentax and others make great cameras. I prefer Canon. My prime camera is a Canon 7D Mark II. I bought this camera because of the awesome 65 all cross-type AutoFocus (AF) points for high precision AF at remarkable speed. I need that!

Focus speed is not important when I'm shooting Sespe Creek mermaids but remember, as a photojournalist, my work entails shooting events. Fast and accurate focusing is very important. Otherwise, I don't get paid. That's not good. Are all the photos I shoot in focus? No! But isn't that what the delete button is for?

Another important feature is the ability to record on two memory cards simultaneously: On an SD card and on a CompactFlash (CF) card. But I don't do that. I prefer to record RAW images on the SD card and the backup jpegs on the CF card. I also record video on the SD card because I can buy a larger capacity less costly SD card than CF cards. Now you know.

The 7D2 is also sealed remarkably well against the elements. If I choose to, I can safely shoot crashing waves up close on the coast or desert tortoises on a windy day without concern. Lenses are a different matter. Among the many, those are the camera's main features. BTW, I still have my six-year old 7D that I take with me on assignments as a backup.

Which brings me to this important point. There are several great camera brands. They all do marvelous things photographically speaking. But they also all have a quirk or two. If you are intending to purchase a new camera, specifically a dSLR any time soon, take your time and explore all the options. Go to a camera store and fondle the camera. Are the controls and menus intuitive and easy to understand? Most importantly, exam the specifications. Does the camera allow you to do what you require? You must chose very carefully because you don't just buy a dSLR camera... you will be buying a system: A Canon system, or a Nikon system or a Pentax system. The system is comprised of camera, lenses, flash units and accessories of all kinds. Most components are not interchangeable. Choose carefully!

That's it for this week. Next week, the all important lenses. Also a brief overview of new crop of mirrorless cameras that are gaining in popularity. I'm even looking seriously at a couple of them. Ahem... just looking!
Happy shooting!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: bob@fillmoregazette.com