Hello from Hull. UK

[Steve Smith]

Hi all,

New here - just joined today. Managed to stumble across this great looking site today whilst searching for other information and thought I would join.

OK Technically Im not a fully fledged Canon owner although there is a 400D in the house - I just cant have it until Christmas lol so only half owner at the moment, hope I still qualify lol

Anyway, my name is Steve, just turned 32, married with 2 kids. Ive enjoyed photography for years but only recent I decided to get more serious about it all.

Well I suppose my first question is as follows.

I am curious about getting a light meter but I would like to know if they are suitable for outdoor use. I would hope to buy a cheapish one to help me work out what settings to use, F-Stops, shutter etc etc. Ive only ever seen them used in a studio situation and would like to know if they are worth using outside?

I will appreciate any advice given but please, try to keep it simple, Im not up to date with my new camera, and not really good with technical terms an jargon.

Many thanks and thanks for accepting me here.

Steve

[Mike McCusker]

The light meter system in your 400D will serve you find at first. Should you find you are not happy with the results you are obtaining, then by all means purchase a light meter.
Yes they are used outside

[madferrit]

Hi Steve & Welcome to POTN

This is a great photographic community here, and also a large UK presence which is great when you're looking for buying advice to this specific country.

I can't answer your specific question, but I would suggest the search function as there is an abundance of information ready to answer almost everything.

If you still find yourself confused, we have some great experts here ready to help.

First bit of advice.. hide your wallet. This can be an expensive hobby!

[Steve Smith]

Thanks Mike,

Appreciate your advice!

Steve

[Steve Smith]

Hi Steve & Welcome to POTN

First bit of advice.. hide your wallet. This can be an expensive hobby!

Yeah, I noticed - alrfeady cost me £600 lol - probably plenty more to go for yet too lol

Thanks for the welcome!

Steve

[Mark_Cohran]

Welcome. Don't hesitate to ask questions. There are lots of helpful folks here willing to advise you on how to spend loads of money. :)

[red hot sheep]

Welcome Steve!

The 400d is a fantastic camera and will serve you well. I wouldn't bother with a light meter, the built in one is very good.

[Woolburr]

Slip your manual out of the box...you can gather a wealth of information from that while you wait for Christmas to arrive!....If you find any questions...just pop in and I am sure you will have more answers than you will know what to do with. No real need for you to run out and buy a light meter at this point...the one on board the camera should address most any situation you will initially encounter. At some point down the road, you may find that you have advanced to a level that makes having an extra meter handy. Until then....save your money.

Welcome to POTN...and again...don't hesitate to ask questions.

[Bushplane Ken]

Hi Steve, great to have you on board. There is lots to learn here; don't be shy.

[sm1rf]

You will manage fine without a light meter as others have pointed out your 400D is very capable. I only bought one when i started using strobes and to be honest i could trial and error settings to avoid using it although that may over heat my strobes in the process.
This place is great but lock your cheque book/credit card away!!!

[DVS_WiNdz]

Hi, :) welcome to POTN

[PhotosGuy]

After you get to take it out of the box, try this: Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

And welcome to POTN!

[Anke]

Welcome to the Forums, Steve. Don't forget to share as much as you can after Christmas Day :D

[Steve Smith]

Thanks for the welcomes and advice everyone.

Im sure things will become more clear when I actually get my 400D. I asked for my instruction book early but my wife wont give me it yet lol - she says it will spoil things, I suppose I can see her point. For a 32 year old guy Im really impatient with this lol - its going to be like a confetti factory in my house on Christmas morning! I wish I could be sedated for the next 11 days, just to help the time pass.

Just out of interest, is anyone on this forum local to me? (Hull)

Steve

[EOSAddict]

Steve,

Welcome to POTN!

I think you can probably find a pdf version of the manual online if you feel like cheating ;)

[Linda2810@yahoo.co.uk]

I'm local to you Steve, although not in Hull, I'm about 11 miles outside of it.
welcome to the forum and I can imagine how excited you are for Christmas to arrive and there will be 3 kids in the house that morning :D

Linda


Thanks for the welcomes and advice everyone.

Im sure things will become more clear when I actually get my 400D. I asked for my instruction book early but my wife wont give me it yet lol - she says it will spoil things, I suppose I can see her point. For a 32 year old guy Im really impatient with this lol - its going to be like a confetti factory in my house on Christmas morning! I wish I could be sedated for the next 11 days, just to help the time pass.

Just out of interest, is anyone on this forum local to me? (Hull)

Steve

[Steve Smith]

Yeah 3 kids, only one of them will have stubble lol

Excited isnt the word! the waiting is killing me lol Usually Im quite a patient fella too but this is different, its a 400D - who could be patient for that? lol

If you ever fancy a chat, Linda, just let me know!

Steve