How to start out on DSLR ?

[sid]

I'm planning on getting the Canon Digital Rebel (upgrading from P&S camera) soon. I had a question about what the best approach is to learning how the camera works. Is it better to use the auto focus initially and take it from there ? Or, use the full manual control right from the get go ?

[dphotomania]

Sid, my best advance is. Save up..... I just got my DSLR 2 weeks ago. I got a kit that comes with a lense. I took a few shots, did a bit more research, and now I have 4 lenses. An external flash, and battery pack for the flash. and tons of accessory...

But really, you need to get a good lense with a big range if you dont want to have 3+ lense. I would go for something that covers 17mm - 200mm. I am not sure if there is any. Maybe you need 2. And also get the better lense. Like the canon L series. Picture will be alot better.

HTH

[sid]

Sid, my best advance is. Save up..... I just got my DSLR 2 weeks ago. I got a kit that comes with a lense. I took a few shots, did a bit more research, and now I have 4 lenses. An external flash, and battery pack for the flash. and tons of accessory...
Agree with you there. I havent ordered the camera yet, but I've already got a list of lenses and other accessories I want

[Imperitus]

I started my dSLR experience with the 18-55mm kit lens. It's a realy decent lens for the price. And it offeres you the chance to learn the ins and outs of your camera. I'd suggest getting the kit, and playing with that for a while. use all the modes of the camera, except auto. :)

Spend a lot of time in A, tv and fully manual... figure out the limits of each setting. And when you get comeftorble, then start looking at adding extra lenses.

A good cheap lens to get is the 50mm f/1.8, it allows you to play with faster f-stops than the kit lens.

That's pretty much where I'm at right now, and saving for a 70-200mm L lens.

Enjoy the world of slr... it's night and day from p&s. :)

[DocFrankenstein]

If you don't have enough $$:
You can go with the kit lens and then 50/1.8 and then you'll see

Or for 300 more you can go with:
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Russian 16mm
Then 50 f/1.4


Or get a 17-40 L as your kit lense. Should be nice, and you'll know it's best of the best out there.

Regarding 17-200 (or 28-300) zooms. No quality, only convenience in use. More than enough for printing 4*6 though. ;)

Getting a good lens collection a difficult question and you'll probably make some mistakes/experimenting along the way. I know I did.

Cheers

[DocFrankenstein]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25789

[Volatile]

Shoot pictures of everything and see how they turn out. Read this forum every day and you will see things here that correlate to the experiences you're having with your camera, and learn the science behind them. Then you will get your learn on.

Everyone always forgets to consider the price of Photoshop (et al) when starting out, but post-processing is an essential step. I think you can find PS 7 pretty cheap on ebay.

BTW, I started with the little green square, then tried P, then Tv & Av, now I'm all over the camera like a cheap suit. And I do mean cheap.

[sid]

I dont think I'll be buying PS anytime soon.... I use the Gimp right now and it can do most of the things that PS can, and it's free. (Yeah, I'm a Linux guy :D )
But, I do plan on taking pictures of everything ! This forum has already helped me out a great deal with all the info and experience here.

[DocFrankenstein]

Everyone always forgets to consider the price of Photoshop (et al) when starting out
You mean you can buy software? My impression is that kazaa just gives it out :confused:

[CyberDyneSystems]

The 20D actually comes with a very respectable and serviceable Software bundle,. including Photoshop Elements and Canon Digital Photo Pro for working with RAW files.

Sure many people have other preferences.. but the truth is these two apps can pretty much do everything you need.

[roanjohn]

Experiement experiement experiment!!! Shoot shoot shoot!!! Avoid using the "scene" modes..........stick to P, AV and TV..........And if you are lost, post your question here.........you're bound to find an answer 99.9% of the time.

Good Luck!!!

Ro1

[markubig]

Are you familiar with the basics of photography? If not, I would say to start out by getting a book that teaches you the basics of Digital Photography: shutter speed, DOF, WB, ISO, Flash, shooting modes, etc.

This book got me into this new hobby:

"Blue Pixel Personal Photocoach - Digital Photography Tips from the Trenches" by David Schloss

Have fun spending your $$$! You'll always think you're done, then you'll see something to make want to buy more!

" . . .just when I thought I was out . . . they pull me back in . . . " - Michael Corleone

[Jesper]

I'm planning on getting the Canon Digital Rebel (upgrading from P&S camera) soon. I had a question about what the best approach is to learning how the camera works. Is it better to use the auto focus initially and take it from there ? Or, use the full manual control right from the get go ?I think the best way is to do it one step at a time, i.e., don't go "full manual" immediately and try to do everything at once. If you try to do it all at once, there are so many things you have to think about and you might get frustrated because you don't get good results.

Start with learning, reading about the basics of photography: aperture, shutter speed, exposure, ISO setting, etc. Learn what each of these do and experiment. Go to a book store and buy one of the many books about the basics of (digital) photography. Have fun! :)

You don't absolutely need a DSLR to really learn photography - many compact digital cameras also allow you to set aperture, shutter speed etc. manually.

[tim]

To me, the only use for the kit lens is as a cheap wide angle - I never use it otherwise. Get it because it's cheap, but get a faster lens too - 50mm 1.8's perfect.

Also, i'd hold off buying for a couple of weeks, the replacement for the 300D will be released in February. It will have 8MP and will be a baby 20D, less crippled than the 300D compared with the 20D.

[Jesper]

I dont think I'll be buying PS anytime soon.... I use the Gimp right now and it can do most of the things that PS can, and it's free. (Yeah, I'm a Linux guy :D )
But, I do plan on taking pictures of everything ! This forum has already helped me out a great deal with all the info and experience here.I don't know if you have Windows on your machine at all, but you'll get a whole bunch of software with the Digital Rebel, including Photoshop Elements - the "light" version of Photoshop, which has almost all the functionality you'll need to work with your photos.

[sid]

Also, i'd hold off buying for a couple of weeks, the replacement for the 300D will be released in February. It will have 8MP and will be a baby 20D, less crippled than the 300D compared with the 20D.
But the price will probably break me :cry:
Right now I can get the Digital Rebel with the kit lens for $850 and there's a $100 rebate... a big part of why I want buy before the end of the month.

[tim]

The 300D's a great camera, it's what I have, I just like to tell people so they don't see the new camera come out straight after they buy and have buyers remorse. For the money, esp with rebates, the 300D is hard to beat.

[Mogwyth]

If apertures, shutter speeds etc ie exposure is bit of a mystery a good book to get is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, easy to read and lots to learn.

[theflyingkiwi]

The 10D that I use is the 2nd camera that I have ever used. The first camera I ever used I only had 6months before I got the 10D.

Everything that I have learned, I have picked up in 2 steps

1. reading out of the manual for the camera, or reading it on a web page (this place is great) and then re-reading it again so it seems to make sence.
2. pick up the camera and trying it out. Change a setting and then try again. If you don't get the result that I expect then I go back to step 1. (sometimes with the camera in hand)

I have also found that if I go someone where to take photos, lets say a car show. I would take my 50mm 1.8 only. What that does is it makes me get more creative with the shots, it lets me see things differently.

At the end of the day I see this as a hobby that I am going to do for the rest of my life, so take your time, and because it is digital take as many photos as you want.

[Eric DeCastro]

i took photography in Highshool. though that was bout 11 years ago since I have had the classes, I never stop taking pictures.

[rg-tom]

To the guy who said that consumer cams will teach you photography as well as a dSLR i beg to differ, although i do agree that u DONT need a dSLR to teach you.

I learnt on a basic manual film SLR camera, and thats how you learn ;) Then pick up a dSLR and you'll feel at home with the basic settings, as well as be able to adjust to the new digi settings, prosumer cameras are so cumbersome they make using anything except full manual a chore!

[eosster]

You mean you can buy software? My impression is that kazaa just gives it out :confused:
I think using illegal copy of PSCS or any software for that matter is wrong, don't belong here at the forum......

[bballboy30]

But the price will probably break me :cry:
Right now I can get the Digital Rebel with the kit lens for $850 and there's a $100 rebate... a big part of why I want buy before the end of the month.

I just bought the rebel (body only) from beachcamera.com for $634 after rebate. I ordered 7-10 day shipping and it came 2 or 3 days after I ordered it!! I would strongly recommend beachcamera.com!!

Alex

[Kinger]

When I first got my DRebel, I had no idea about photography except that I wanted to learn. I first started out with the easy modes, just not the green box. When I picture came out a way I liked I looked at the settings the camera used, and tried to duplicate the effect in manual mode. Then I would slightly change the settings to see what it would do. This is one of the benefits of digital, no waste of film, and ability to see the results immediately. Now I am still learning and experimenting a little over a year later, and enjoying every minute of it. So my suggestion is to just go out and shoot and review the exif data. And don't forget to have fun.

[tim]

I started out on Av mode, just knowing lower number = more background blur. The EXIF data's a fantastic learning tool. I still use it 95% of the time, I only switch to manual for flash work.

[Jetpilot]

If anyone's interested, I got my 20D kit from Circuit City. $1439... 0% APR till June '06 if you sign up for their credit card.

[tacos3]

I second the recommendation on reading up. I'd also recommend taking a class at a JC or something to learn the basics. I know a lot of folks that have DSLRs and they don't know the basics of exposure, metering or composition. Read up and shoot, shoot, shoot. Then shoot some more.

I'd been shooting for 20 yrs and I took my first photography class last year. I learned a lot and I also learned that I knew a lot already. You can always learn from someone who knows more than you.

Have fun.

Darren

[boomer1959]

Sid, If there is any local photography courses for SLR digital cameras, take them. Between the courses and this forum you will learn a ton. Read, read, read, and then read some more. I think a good lens also is the EFS 17-85 mm IS, If you can afford it.

[tim]

I think getting a fast lens (low F number) is good for people new to SLRs, as I know blurring the background was one thing that pushed me towards SLRs in the first place.

[sid]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys ! I just ordered the Digital Rebel from Dell. They've got a wonderful deal going right now. (PM me for coupon codes if anyone's interested).
I've read a couple books on photography so far and I'm thinking of taking a photography course at Ohio State next quarter. That and this forum should keep me plenty busy learning I think !

[ScottE]

First step would be to just play with your camera and get comfortable with it so that it does not intimidate you.

Second step. Practice

Third step would be to enrole in an elementary photography course. If none are available get a good book or two or three. I have several books by people like Freeman Patterson and John Shaw that give good technical advice as well a the basics of composition.

Fourth step. More practice.

Fifth step is get a tripod and cable release and force your self to use them. Shooting from a tripod not only improves sharpness of your image, but forces you to take more time to think about and improve composition.

Fifth step. More practice.

Sixth step is to find photographs that you really like and compare them to your own. Spot the differences and think about what you have to do to improve.

Seventh step. Much more practice.

Eigth step is to develop your own style. Your photos should be your way of interpreting a subject, not simply copies of what someone else has already done.

Eight step. Practice, evaluate and practice some more.

Most important, don't get hung up on equipment. The good photographer can take better photos with a Rebel and a kit lens than a poor photographer with several suitcases full of 1DS Mk II cameras and L lenses. Often it is is the shabby looking guy with the beat up old camera who brings home the best pictures. As you develop your technique and style you will know when your camera or lens is limiting what you can accomplish and will acquire what you need to succeed.

[Planet-Ed]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys ! I just ordered the Digital Rebel from Dell. They've got a wonderful deal going right now. (PM me for coupon codes if anyone's interested).


I just ordered from Dell also .. Not to bad of a package to start off with .. I think it came out to be around $944 ..
Canon Digital Rebel Body
Canon EF-S 18-55 mm Lens
Canon EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III Lens
Canon BG-E1 Battery Grip
canon 200DG Gadget Bag

[tim]

I've read a couple books on photography so far and I'm thinking of taking a photography course at Ohio State next quarter. That and this forum should keep me plenty busy learning I think !

In my limited experience, a course will teach you the basics, and the rest you can learn yourself. There's no need for a huge expensive course, IMHO. Learn the basics and take loads of pics, remembering to look closely at your worst failures and best sucesses.

[Akreager]

If you are going digital SLR on a limited budget go with the Nikon D70, the 18-70 kit lens, the 70-300ED, one SB800 flash, an SC-29 off camera cord for your flash, and a simple L shaped flash bracket. You will have a system that blows away the digital rebel with a 35mm equivilent range of 28-450 and much better i-ttl capability/flexibility all for under $2000.

If you can afford more, go with the Canon 20D, a 17-40F4.0L, a 50F1.8, a 70-200F4.0L with a 1.4TC, a 580 flash with an ST-E2 controler - All for the mere price of about $3750. 35mm equivilent will be 28 - 448. It is better than the D70 for sure!

Beware that you will get hooked and want PS creative suite (PS Elements III is also pretty good), Noise Ninja, and multiple other programs designed to help with/work with PS and you will need memory cards etc etc. You may spend 500 - 2000 in addition to the camera.

I have no brand allience sinced I have a Nikon 17-55F2.8DX coupled full time to a D70 used with 3 SB800 flash units for multiple flash and a Canon 1D Mark II with 15mm Fisheye, 35MM F1.4L, 70-200F2.8L IS with a 1.4TC for all my available light pics. AND a zilion other things like light stands, backgrounds......for what seems like a zillion $$$$$$$$.

I started with the D70 system I reccomended to you and got good trade in value for the first two lenses when I moved up. The fact that I still use it when I also have a Mark II tells you something about the D70. There is a diminishing rate of return for sure. For the 3-4X factor my current system costs over my first I do not get 3-4X better quality. I get more keepers. I have two bodies each with a lens mounted so I get to take some pics you would not since I do not have to change lenses as often. I get faster and more reliable focus and exposure especially in low light and therefore more keepers.....you get the point.

Hope this helps.

Andy Kreager - akreager@equistar.com