New to digital photograpgy (Canon A85)

[yorktonite]

Hello,

I just purchased myself a Canon A85 and I have been reading the manual non-stop, it has been a great help. Although, I was hoping someone would be kind enough to take their time and help me out with a few questions.

- Besides the manual, is there an online website that gives tips for new digital photographers. What I mean by that, is what exactly is an ISO, Whitebalance, F/S, etc. and when to use these settings for specific shots.

- Is the Canon A85 a sensitive camera? I have been taking a few random shots, and they are comming out blurry. Am I doing something wrong here, or am I just shaking and not realizing it?

- Is it okay to purchase Ni-MH batteries with a charger from a local store, if so, would brand would you recommend?

Like I said, I'm new to digital photography, and would love to get into, but I just new a lot of practice.

Moderators, if this isn't in the right section (not sure if this would be the "equipment seciotn" or "showing knowhow section") feel free to move it.

[JohnnyE]

- Besides the manual, is there an online website that gives tips for new digital photographers. What I mean by that, is what exactly is an ISO, Whitebalance, F/S, etc. and when to use these settings for specific shots.

- Is the Canon A85 a sensitive camera? I have been taking a few random shots, and they are comming out blurry. Am I doing something wrong here, or am I just shaking and not realizing it?

- Is it okay to purchase Ni-MH batteries with a charger from a local store, if so, would brand would you recommend?

Like I said, I'm new to digital photography, and would love to get into, but I just new a lot of practice.

Moderators, if this isn't in the right section (not sure if this would be the "equipment seciotn" or "showing knowhow section") feel free to move it.

- To answer your first question, there are a lot. A free, easy to understand one you may want to check out is: http://www.shortcourses.com

- Your next question is tough to answer without knowing what your shooting conditions are (ambient light, subject matter, shooting mode, settings, etc.)

- Yes, go ahead and buy your NiMH batteries at a local store. Make sure you buy NiMH AA batteries that are 1800 mAH or higher. The higher the mAH level, the longer the batteries should last between charging. I've used Energizer and Digital brand batteries, and they all worked fine.

Good luck with your new camera. I think you picked a good one.

[spelchek]

hiya York.. Im a newbie memebr too woth same camera.. and I can highly recommend the www.shortcourses.com course. Explained a lot to me.

[Jon]

You should generally be using a shutter speed of 1/60 or 1/125 second or faster. Slower than that and most people won't be able to hold the camera steadily. If youo don't know what shutter speed you're using, press the "DISP" button until you get shooting information showing on the LCD. When you press the shutter down half-way, you'll see the shutter speed and aperture the camera will use. The other settings are picture only and off.

Also, using the LCD display means you have to hold the camera out away from you, and this makes it harder for you to keep still enough. Try shooting two pictures, one looking through the optical viewfinder so the camera's braced against your forehead and the other using the LCD and you'll see the difference.

[yorktonite]

Thanks for all the useful information everyone. JohnnyE & spelchek, www.shortcourses.com (http://www.shortcourses.com/) has worked wonders for me already. Jon, thanks for the tips as well.

In case anyone is wondering, I went out and purchased a set of NiMH batteries with a charger. Also, I decided to buy myself a mini-tripod. I didn't realize how much wonders this thing really does.