Greetings from a brand new guy

[Gene Bach]

Hey there all. I am starting to get into photography in a more serious fashion than I have in the past. I was searching around for forums where I could get good information, interact, and learn and found this place. My wife is also VERY interested in delving deeper into the world of photography so that will be nice in that it'll be something we can do together.

All we have ever owned are compact digital camers and they were OK, but not...I'm sure you know what I mean. I've been doing a little research, and talking to some friends who know a lot more than I do about this, and when our camer croaked last week it gave me the opening to take the leap upward.

I will be most interested in outdoor things and my wife will too I believe. However, we would like to be able to take good indoor photos too. I will be here quite a bit soaking up whatever information I can and hopefully become good at all of this.

What I have enroute to the house is a Cannon Rebel XTI body with two lenses: 1) Sigma 18-125 f/3.5-5.6 DC and 2) Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG APO-Macro. I also ordered UV protector glass filters for each lens, a Bogen (sp?) tripod, a wireless remote control, 2 gb ultra II memory card, and a Nova 2 AW shoulder bag. Basic I'm sure but it should be good enough to get us started?

Anyway, we're really looking forward to learning and having a great time. I would appreciate any and all suggestions for lenses, gear, etc. that you would be willing to provide. Thanks.

Gene

[crn3371]

Welcome to the forum! You've got a nice all around starter kit that will serve you well while you and your wife hone your skills. The only thing I would recommend is getting a spare battery. While the one battery will easily last you all day, they have a tendency to run out at the worst time. Check out the battery sticky over in the Accesories forum and pick yourself up a Sterlingtek battery for a spare. Happy shooting.

[Mark_Cohran]

Welcome to the forums. You'll enjoy it - but it's going to be expensive. :)

Mark

[dmstraton]

Say goodbye to your savings.

That is a decent start...for indoor may I suggest a 430EX and learning to "bounce" that flash. It will do wonders.

[Hermeto]

Welcome to POTN!

[XPHALCON]

Welcom to POTN Gene! Your biggest advantage is a wife who is as much interested in photography as you are. You don't have to hear things like:

"Are you done yet?"
"How long is this going to take?",
"Come on, just take it already!",
"Now what did you buy this time?",
"...and how much did you spend on that?!".

but anyway, my advice would be to become familiar with all your equipment, buttons, etc. Learn about metering and exposure, and shoot mostly in the "creative" modes of the camera, and post your pictures here so we can all look at them.

[pixelmama]

Welcome this forum is filled with great information and amazing photo's in the sharing section. People here will always answer you questions if you ask. I would recommend getting a few books starting with "Under sanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide".
Have fun with your new gear!

[samnz]

Oh dear...a photographing 'duet'. Might pay to get two of EVERYTHING! :) Na - welcome to the forum and spend heaps! Sammy

[Gene Bach]

Thanks for the howdys folks.

After looking around it would appear that the reading list is: 1) Owners manual 2) "Under sanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and 3) John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide".

I will definitely check those out, in that order. Thank you.

[MikeI]

Wecome Gene! Is this the same as MG from the CA forum? I'm thinking it is...welcome aboard!!!

[DanAus1983]

Thanks for the howdys folks.

After looking around it would appear that the reading list is: 1) Owners manual 2) "Under sanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and 3) John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide".

I will definitely check those out, in that order. Thank you.


It's actually 'Understanding Exposure', and it's a great book. That was a typo from whomever posted it before, but I didn't want you to rock up at Borders and ask for that! :lol:

And I definitely second reading the owners manual, you can download it in PDF format if you like so you can read it while you're waiting. Not sure of the link but it's on Canon's website...

[PuppyDogMom]

Understanding Exposure is a great book. I learned about it from this forum just by reading the threads, went out and got it, and have been devouring it ever since. If you don't have it, go get it!

[zacker]

Oh dear...a photographing 'duet'. Might pay to get two of EVERYTHING!

lol im thinking the same thing... better to spend all your $$$$ on two of everything now instead of spending it all on lawyers for the custody battle over the body and lenses later...lol

Actually, im just joking, i wish my wife were more into photography than she is, this way she'd let me buy her a camera instead of taking mine away from me and not giving it back!

[zacker]

Understanding Exposure is a great book. I learned about it from this forum just by reading the threads, went out and got it, and have been devouring it ever since. If you don't have it, go get it!

I got it at my camera clubs christmas party...good book indeed!

[kuebaldy]

Ok, I think I have been here long enough to say welcome aboard but I am in no position to offer advice. However, I do reccomend the books and learn how to use your gear first before you buy buy buy. Believe me, you will see/think you need this, that and everything else you read about here. It's all very tempting.

[Miyagi-san]

Welcom to POTN Gene! Your biggest advantage is a wife who is as much interested in photography as you are. You don't have to hear things like:

"Are you done yet?"
"How long is this going to take?",
"Come on, just take it already!",
"Now what did you buy this time?",
"...and how much did you spend on that?!".


LMAO, those are spot on quotes :D I love the first 3 especially...come on, just take it already....hahahaha

[kuebaldy]

LMAO, those are spot on quotes :D I love the first 3 especially...come on, just take it already....hahahaha


Ha ha. yeah the last two are the ones I'm getting. How much did that cost? Did you really need it? All I say is not much and yes or I wouldn't have bought it. ;)

[Gene Bach]

Yep Mike...same one from the forum. :) Two of everything...I'm betting we'll get to that. I can see it all now, "Well Gene, you know we need another camera and we should upgrade to the 30D. I'll tell you what, let's buy one and I can use that, and you can use the old one since you're so familiar with it." :lol: :lol:

[gjl711]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a good start. Enjoy. :)

[BBrat]

Welcome to POTN.....great site and great people!

you will learn so much, and probably spend so much more.....:lol:

[zacker]

"Well Gene, you know we need another camera and we should upgrade to the 30D. I'll tell you what, let's buy one and I can use that, and you can use the old one since you're so familiar with it." :lol: :lol:

Oh isnt that the truth!!