Any advise to a newbie?

[Vinny454]

Hi all,

I had a 2 MP P&S camera for years. I felt it was time to upgrade and was looking at a new high end P&S. The local photoshop had a great selection, but when I told them what I wanted to do (ranges from indoor low light to outdoor and mostly moving subjects) he suggested I try out a camera that had just arrived. He handed me a Canon Rebel DSLR and I went outside and took some shots then looked at them on the PC. Wow, what a difference. After a little research and reading reviews, I knew that the new affordable Digital Rebel would be hands down better than any P&S. So I purchased the following intially:

Digital Rebel Body
Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM
Sandisk Extreme 512 MB CF Card
Second Battery
Large carrying case
I already had a tripod and a card reader.

It took about 2 weeks to figure out several things.

1: I really do not like the auto modes
2: I needed a larger zoom lens and another CF card

I have since purchased a 75-300 f/4-5.6 USM IS lens another Extreme 512MB card and a 420 EX Speed Lite flash.

Am I in good shape or are do you guys have any suggestions on must haves/need.

Any tips for taking great shots, particularly in low light
situations. I usually shoot in Shutter Priority mode or full manual mode depending on the lighting.

Thanks

Vince

[defordphoto]

Vince - I think you have a heck of a start there. At this point I would suggest to just get out there and shoot your heart out. Get to know the capabilities and limitations of the camera and the lens. All cameras and lenses have their limitations and there are no perfect cameras out there, so while you're here on the forum, take our teasing of the Rebel camera tongue-in-cheek as it's intended.

The Rebel is a great camera and I know you'll have fun with it. It can last you years to come, unless you catch the nasty Canon-bug like some of here have and HAVE TO upgrade the next release, which is expected in February when Canon releases a 1D replacement. At least that is what we expect.

I have a D60 and a 10D and have the bug bigtime! Anyway, have fun and if it moves, shoot it. If it doesn't, shoot it and call it still-life.

[Vinny454]

Jim,

Thanks for the advise and I certainly do take any comments towards the D Rebel as they are meant. Several factors pursueded me to go with the rebel.

1: I am new to DSLR camera's
2: The initial investment needed
3: The full features of the 10D would have been wasted on me at this point with my limited experience.

One the most important factors is this. I have a 1 year guarenteed 50% trade in value on the D Rebel. So I can trade up the body to a 10D and not get totally soaked. Also I have been buying the better lens, CF cards ETC based on the fact that if I do upgrade the body, I already have the rest ready to go.

I have so far invested close to $ 4000.00 in my equipment so saving the extra $600+ right now was important.

Thanks

Vince

[defordphoto]

It's so refreshing to see someone that has made a smart, researched and informed decision. I'm confident you'll have a lot of fun with your new Rebel. Congrats!!

[arthurb]

So, Vinny, lets see some of your pictures!

[Vinny454]

I posted 5 pictures at the website below. Now take into account that I only relized the beefits of saving in raw format 2 days ago and the pictures are resized for the web. Also, almost all of the pictures I take are of my dog's as my wife shows them (except for the Staffordshire terrier which was his buddy in obedience class).

Be gentle boy's, I am still new to this.

Vince


http://members.rogers.com/grim_reaper/

[Motorsports Photo]

Best advice:

1. Keep a thick skin on message boards
2. Always make sure what others say actually works for you.

I find good tips here and lots of other strange ideas.

Sometimes its hard sorting one from the other.

Happy shooting,

-Pete

[arthurb]

Vinny454 wrote:
I posted 5 pictures at the website below. Now take into account that I only relized the beefits of saving in raw format 2 days ago and the pictures are resized for the web. Also, almost all of the pictures I take are of my dog's as my wife shows them (except for the Staffordshire terrier which was his buddy in obedience class).

Be gentle boy's, I am still new to this.

Vince

http://members.rogers.com/grim_reaper/

Never appologize!

The pictures look fine. My wife likes the dog with the head gear she thiks it might make a good Christmas card...