camera help

Camera Cards

Camera Cards – Are they archival?

Another thing that I am asked by a lot of people is “How archival are digital camera cards”? People wonder if they should fill up a camera card then store it and buy a new one. I was not sure so I contacted Sandisk and asked this question and the response is below.

Question:

How archival are your digital camera cards?

Answer:

Camera Cards
Some old camera cards that still work great!

Hello Mike, Thank you for contacting SanDisk Technical Support. It is our goal to make sure you have all the resources you need to get the most from your product. Let me assist you with your concern. The files/pictures can retain on the card for 10 years, without using the card again, meaning just for storing the card. If you are continuously using the card, like adding more and more pictures (when taking using the camera), please understand that there is no guarantee that those pictures will never going to be corrupted. Data corruptions on the card can happen any time on all storage device, (Cards, Flash drives, MP3 player, and including the Hard Disk drive). Should you have further concerns, please do not hesitate to reply to this message. Best regards, SanDisk Technical Support

So I would say that it is still the best practice to get the images off the cards. Shot, download then back-up and reformat the card. If you do want to keep the image on the cards I would still download and back-up. Then store the cards in a safe place like a safety deposit box or at a friends house.

Camera Cards Archival?

The biggest issue with digital media, unlike film, is that it does not fade. It just corrupts! So if you take a card out in ten years and it is damaged that is it.

Be Safe…. PRINT!

I still say that the best way in addition to backing up your images is to print them. When they are printed you are not relying on technology to keep your images viable. I scan more prints than I do negatives or slides as people can find their prints. It is not perfect but it is better to have something to look back on even if it is fading a little.

Printing services

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Adjust images in PhotoShop

Using layers to adjust images in Photoshop

I am often asked what is the best way to adjust images in Photoshop?  So I thought it deserved a post on the blog to help you get the best images when editing.

Question: How do you do color and density corrections in Photoshop?

Answer: I use adjustment layers whenever possible.  Why? If you use adjustment layers then save the file as a PSD you can go back and see what you have done. You can make small adjustments from the last place that you adjusted without starting over. And finally if you get one image looking great and you have a number of others that need the same adjusting then you can drag the adjustment layer to other images.

So how do I do this?

1 – Open your image

2 – Select Adjustment layer (see picture below)

Adjust images in PhotoShop
Adjust images in PhotoShop

Read moreAdjust images in PhotoShop

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What to buy the photographer on your list

An oldie but a goodie, gifts for the photographer on your list …..

I get asked a lot from photographers and those that have to buy gifts for a photographer what is good to get/give for a present.  I have answered this before but thought that it is a good time to do it again as I have been asked many times this week. So lets go through some things;

Lenses/camera

Unless someone really needs a new camera it is more important to get better lenses than to get another camera body.  A GOOD lens will do far more to improve a photo than a camera body will. Don’t upgrade a camera just to get a new camera, save the money and get some pro lenses it will amaze you the difference a great lens makes to your photography. If you are buying for someone make sure you get them the lens that they need and not just any lens.

Canon 5D Mark IV with grip / battery holder.
Canon 5D Mark IV with grip / battery holder.

Read moreWhat to buy the photographer on your list

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Crop Factor

If you are using one the the APS sensor cameras, and most people are, here is a conversion guide for you to figure out the crop factor for your lenses..

The conversion guide give you the working MM of a lens when put on a crop sensor body.

So for instance a 50mm lens when put in a cropped body is actually 80MM. A 600mm lens when put on a cropped body is 960mm. Most times it is not important what the MM’s are but if you do need to know this will help.

Some of the APS cameras that are available are:

Canon Rebel line, Canon 10D, 20D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D, 80D, Canon 7D with the 1.6 crop factor

Nikon D7200, Nikon D500, Pentax K3 and the Sony Sony A77 with 1.52 (I used 1.52 – there are some versions 1.53 or 1.54 but it gets to confusing to add all these)

(there are more brands and models but this is a sample)

If you want a printable copy click here https://www.firstchoicephoto.ca/CropPage.jpg

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Just Google it!

I hear so often about people that put all their faith in what Google tells them.  If something is wrong they Google it. If they want to know how to do something they Google it. I do the same thing when I am stuck I do it with a lot of caution.  It is not just Google that can be an issue it is any place that offers free information. Or FREE courses and classes.

The other day I listened to a guest on the radio tell about the pitfalls of listening to on-line results about medical diagnoses. He was saying how much someone can be messed up by the results.  If you want to know how bad it is just Google something like “Red bump on arm” and see the results. Anything from a cancerous growth, to a steph infection, to a poisonous spider bite when all it was was a mosquito bite.

Read moreJust Google it!

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