Basel Photoclub.
We are a group of enthusiastic photographers , some pro some semi- pro , but most of us just enthusiastic amateurs. We meet on a regular basis in Basel city centre usually twice a month, to take pictures and show/help each other learn various photographic techniques. Its all very casual, a lot of fun and very simple , those with experience help those without…. Pro photographers are always welcome if your willing to help teach, free of charge!! . This is a non commercial club.

We also organise the occasional day out to interesting locations. All member of EF are welcome to join us, it s free of charge . So if your interested in improving your photography , or simply want to know more about how your camera works and how to get the best out of it come and join us . It doesn’t matter if you have a simple point and shoot camera or a digital SLR there’s something for everyone at all levels.
We also have a flickr group where you can post your pictures and we can all comment on them , in a nice way of course. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1122933@N22/

Thanks alot for the sticky effort, Karl & Admin(s)!

By the way: The URL is linked to Zurich photoclub.

thanks osram , ill check it out ...

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the Canon EOS 450D please?
I ask as I've seen what seems to be a pretty good deal on one (749CHF, plus and 80CHF rebate from Canon) at Foto Marlin (the camera shop at Bankverein‎) in Basel in a kit with an 18-55mm IS lens.
I'm thinking of getting it as there's several things about my current camera (Fujifilm Finepix S7000) that are starting to drive me up the wall.

• Slow Start Time - it takes 3-4 seconds to get from switching on to taking a photo. As an example of how frustrating this can get, while out with the camera recently I saw a red squirral sat perfectly still chewing on something. It would have been a great photo, execpt by the time the camera had booted the squirral had got fed up waiting and run off!

• Long Shutter Lag - about 2 seconds typically with AF. I can get round this sometimes by pre-focusing, but when shooting anything that's not static this becomes problematic (have a go with the parrots at the zoo!)

• Slow Shooting Rate - Typically I can get 1-2 shoots off before it stops dead. Then it's a several second wait for it to 'reload'. Again, fine if what your shooting isn't moving...

• Inprecise Manual Focus - when using manual focus, the focus/zoom ring can be quite difficult. If you make more than the very tinyest movement you end up zooming instead of focusing. In the end, it takes long to manual focus than the shutter lag imposed by AF.

• Eats Batteries - I have two sets of rechargeables for it, but if left switched on (to get round the long start time, for instance) it'll just suck'm dry all too quickly

• RAW Mode - It will shoot in RAW, however Fuji don't provide a codec for Windows so the only way to view them is though their software. and all it can do is convert them to JPEG... which kinda defeats the purpose! It's mostly a problem when browsing - I'm quite happy using Windows Explorer, but without a codec all the RAWs show up a nice, meaningless white squares...

• Doesn't Cope Well in Poor Light - And by poor I mean anything other than good, strong sunlight! Even in when taking a photo in a shaded area or indoors it can require shutter times so long (even at F2.8) that you need a tripod. Bumping the ISO up to 400 get's minimal improvement, and punching it up to 800 (it's max) drops the resolution down to 3M and results in loads of noise - while still not getting much improvement!

Can anyone advise on how the Canon compares to this please?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Chris

Hi Chris,

Only found this short comparison via a google search:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...1030559AAK1Tus

Hi Chris,
i had the same reasons as you for geting rid of my fuji as well. The Canon Eos 450D is a great camera ... but as always its down to your budget.
There are 100's of different opinions to be found about all types of cameras , if your a nikon lover , or a canon lover .. doesnt make much difference its down to personal preference. The canon for the money is a great buy especially at the moment as it the 500d. Take a look at http://en.toppreise.ch and check out online prices as well.
Also dont forget theres a good second hand market around so try ricardo.ch for auction offers. Ive bought and sold on there without problems.

Hi Chris

I think you would be happy with the Canon. It's a great camera and 749 Chf is a good price too.

If you have a lot of Fuji RAW files then try downloading the free trial of Paint Shop Pro X2 Ultimate. It will read your files and allow you to save them as anything that you want.

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...1&tabview=tab0

Cheers

Nigel

Thanks for the thoughts everyone, I'll have to see how the old bank account's fairing...

Hi Butters. Take a look at the review of the 450d (also known as the Digital Rebel XSi in the 'States) on Steves Digicams.

I always visit this site when considering a new camera.
.
..
...

whatever you do , dont get the rebel, its from the grey usa market, and is usually not up to the same spec as european models. Also the guarantees do not cover the rebel in Europe. If you want to check out the reveiws try on www.dslruser.co.uk or www.digitalcameramagazine.co.uk

url is now basel

Well, I got one! Went and bought the 450D after work today, now all I need to do is figure out all the buttons...

WooHoo... congrats, we shall all look forward to the new and improved pictures ..........

Hiya all, ive been getting a lot of requests from people to join the flickr group . You may only join the flickr photo group once you have attended a meet.

The intention of the flickr group is to compare notes and make critique of each others work, and to help each other improve.

It is not a general , "hey look at my pictures" blog. So please keep your pictures that you post to the group to less than 10 pictures each meeting., and tag each picture with the the letters BSEF and the meeting date so we can track them. Only shots relevant to the meeting to be posted withing the group.

Once you have attented a meet and you mail me your details, then i will send you an invite to the group.
Thanks

Dear all, I've put the next meeting in the calendar for July 12th as discussed.

It seems I managed to lose the group on Sunday, although it's difficult to know how anyone could miss those guys with the telescopes on the front of their cameras! Anyway, I think I've got some quite interesting pictures around the Cloister area so I'm looking forward to seeing yours on the Flickr group.

Regards, Kevin

PS. Karl. can you give me admin rights to the flickr group

A shame I couldn't show up last time. But there are many interesting pictures, must have been a good day for photographing people.

Look like you guys had fun.

Hey, you're back!
So where were you hiding?

Hello guys,
I'm very happy taht there is a photograph group here in Basel!!! unfortunately in the last period i have not used a lot my camera due to my job and to the weather condition. Would be great to organize a meeting to take photo in basel or in the surrounding, there is something planned?

Hi , yes there is something planned both in Zurich and in Basel . Check out the calendar for meeting dates. 12th July is the next one in Basel.
your welcome to join us.

K

Hi Everyone,

I've been doing some long exposure night shots recently, like these;







And was wondering if anyone would be interested if I arranged a night shoot?

It would have to be quite late, probably between 2200 and 2300 one night, and I was thinking either a Friday or Saturday so we don't all have work the next morning

Please let me know if you're up for it, and if a few people are interested I'll set something up for the next couple of weeks