3 Top Tips

[Honestman]

Ok - despite your best advice (or at least MOST peoples advice) I had to give in and get the D30 as my starter DSLR. It is awaiting delivery by the Fat Guy in the Red & White suit. I do have the instruction book to look through (aren't some wifes nice?)

So, the question is - as I am totally new to all this digital SLR stuff -

If you could give three tips to set me off in the right direction - what would they be? I am looking for ANY kind of advice which will help to produce pictures that not only make me happy but also convince my wife what a fantastic idea it was to buy ANOTHER camera!

I will have D30, Canon 28-80 USM (and have seen what looks a bargain 550ex but thats not in the bag yet - either mine or the fat guys!)

I know you will have the answers as you guys seem to know the answer to any question posted on here.

regards

Tim

[Belmondo]

honestman wrote:If you could give three tips to set me off in the right direction - what would they be?

Tim:
1. Take lots of pictures. With digital, it doesn't cost anything, and it's the fastest way to learn.
2. When you're not taking pictures, read....read everything you can get your hands on including a lot of the older threads in this forum.
3. Concentrate on post-processing skills. Your ability to salvage otherwise marginal photographs will contribute significantly to your enjoyment of the hobby.

Are you actually getting a D30? Or did you mean D300? They're similar, but definitely not the same thing.

Tom

[Honestman]

Tom

Definitely a (mint) used D30 (it was delivered Friday). It was £479 boxed with all software, instructions 16mb CF card - hope that was the bargain I think it is.

Thanks for the tips - I'm already reading and compiling a folder / book of all the useful things that I pick up (any suggestions how I can print the WHOLE of this forum out?????????? - now that WOULD be useful.

Tim

[Belmondo]

That does sound good! The D30 is a fine instrument from everything I've heard. Best of luck to you with it. We expect to see some really great things from you starting in about 11 days.

Tom

[arthurb]

One of the answers was "Take a lot of pictures", I agree.

Also try the multiple shots mode. I was always afraid to use it with my film cameras since at 4fps it could use a roll of film in just a few seconds.

Just like the old film advice, to always have more than you think you will need. Always make sure that you have a spare memory card (or 2) with you.

We all ecpect to see some pictures posted no later than Dec 26... :)

[Vegas Poboy]

Top three tips for new users
1. Read the manual & play with the settings while you're reading
It's good to know what you have

2. Make sure you check all settings before you shoot
I try to keep my camera on some presets in case I need it fast.

3. Clean compact flash after verifying downloading and having a fully cahrged battery on hand.
I changed my settings to shoot without a CF card and missed part of an event I was shooting.

I've been shooting with the 10D since August and these tips I use daily. Last thing is to practice best thing about digital quick results and reshoot. Good luck
Poboy

[IndyJeff]

Get something other than the 16mb card. That won't hold many pictures.

Sounds like a pretty good deal too, I am not sure what 479 converts to in USD but it still sounds like a good price for body, lens and a card to get started.

Cingratulations on the new camera too.

[ahmadof]

I don't really have three tips to add, just one...
This is less important obviosly to the quality of pictures you will take, but i think is important anyway.

figure out what 'workflow' best suits you by playing around with different browsers and how you want to store/ backup your photos. This will keep you from massive amounts of unorganinzed pictures on your 200 gig hard drive. Also, if it is easy to get to and compare exif data from different shots, it really speeds along the learning process. have fun

[Jahfakin]

I bought a used D30 (if you can call it used, i had no signs of ever being used) last month for $599 with the grip and battery. I thought hard about it. The 300D looked good, but only for a second. Now that I got the camera, I know for a fact i would not have been happy with the 300D. The 10D would make me very happy though. I think the D30 is an outstanding camera, better than any 5mp fixed lens camera, and in every way. The only problen is that it has 3 AF areas and the low light AF issue (which can be fixed with a deditcated flash or ST-E2). This camera will produce stunning 8x10 (or 8x12) images.

as for the tips.

1: Shoot a lot.
2: Read a lot.
3: get useful gear (flash, grip, memory, batteries, and lens)
4: shoot some more and know your gear and what works best in what situations.
5: shoot RAW for landscape/outdoors
6: shoot JPG for portraits.
7: get the cheap 50mm f1.8 lens (a must for all Canon owners)

Cangrats on your new camera. Good to see you got one. No one is honestly selling their D30s. They are rare to come by used.

[Roger_Cavanagh]

There are more than 3 here:

http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/05_whatnow.htm

http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/11_goodhabits.htm

Regards,

[daaaveman]

Roger. Nice site. I'll visit you often now that I've found you. Thanks much.

[ssim]

Congratulations on the new camera. There have been alot of very good suggestions and tips here and I don't think I could add very much more other than:

Treat your wife really really nice so she will let you acquire all the associated toys that goes with this.

[Motorsports Photo]

ssim wrote:
Treat your wife really really nice so she will let you acquire all the associated toys that goes with this.

Hee hee hee, Really thats probably the first tip to pay attention to.

Beginning with the D30:

BIGGER CF card. If you can afford it get a 1 gig microdrive. The work well in that camera and it will let you shoot most of a day without having to do file transfers. Especially if you follow the others advice to take lots of pics.

Always format the CF when you put it back in the camera.

Buy a CF card reader. Using the USB cord that hooks to the camera is PAINFULLY SLOW.

Start with large jpg until you get to know the system. Then you can mess around with RAW. (After 3 years I still shoot jpg)

Dont listen to anyone on the message boards when they say the D30 is no good, you need a 10D. (-:

-Pete
(still a D30 user, and 10D owner)