Never touched a camera. Maybe im in over my head...

[Natefox]

Hi there, im new to these forums, as a registered member at least. I have been browsing around for QUITE sometime now and decided I should just get the humiliation over with and make this post. I am a graphics design major living in NYC. Anyways, I am really wanting to go back to school to get a major in Photography sometime in the next 2 years. Having that major would give me a major edge in the GD world.
But...I have a problem, other than my sidekick, i have never really used a camera before. Maybe a cheap one every now and then when a friend asks me to take their photo but essentially, havent owned one.

I was looking in the next month or so to make a small investment. Hopefully less than $1,000 and buy myself a camera. Ive been trying to follow all this lingo used on these forums but really, its all German to me.

Would anyone be willing to help me out here? And give me suggestions on a reasonable priced camera/lenses/lighting i might need. I know one thing, and this is different lenses are used for different things. I mainly just need a lenses that would be used for "fashion" shots or people shots. (not portraits)

I know i left this post very vague but it wasn't intentional. I just do not know what else I'm supposed to say or ask for when really, i do not know what i am talking about. Ha =/

Maybe I'm in over my head but hopefully with a little help from this forum I will be learning alot, fast.

PS. looking for lenses/camera with close to this quality. Post by Bad Karma:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=582417

[bsaber]

Welcome to POTN! Glad you finally decided to join.

Anyway, for about $1000 you can get either a XSi or an used 40D with 28-135 IS and still have a little left over for a flash. I'm sure others chime in with suggestions very soon.

[Natefox]

English please?
ha. Im sorry...but honestly...everything is german to me.

[bsaber]

Haha don't worry about it.

Since you've never handled an "advanced" camera before I would recommend going to your local camera store and take a look at the Canon Rebel XSi. Next thing to do is to read: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0817463003/qid=1105627594/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-6412478-2865734?v=glance&s=books

If possible, borrow someone's camera and play around with it while reading the above book. I'm not very good at giving advice so I'll just end it here for now. This forum is full of knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful people. Don't be afraid to ask questions, no matter how stupid you think it is. And of course, search the forum and read the FAQs for a ton of information that you can literally spend days reading and understanding :D

[bsaber]

Oh, forgot to mention the most important thing. Have fun while experimenting!

[Natefox]

just to make sure, this is the camera you were talking about?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8793987&type=product&id=1205537712004&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=30&loc=KW-1262#tabbed-customerreviews

Another question, what is Speedlite flash exactly?

[S-S]

its a separate battery powered unit that mounts either to a separate stand and is triggered remotely, or the top of the camera through a 'hot shoe' connection; and is able to be user-controlled to output different amounts of light and pointed in various directions independent of where the lens is facing

there are many different types/grades of speedlite

[HuskyKMA]

I don't think you'll be at too much of a disadvantage not having used any kind of camera very much. Using an SLR is very different from using a point & shoot camera anyways.

I would say you can pick up a Canon Rebel XSi with an 18-55mm lens for about $650. A 4GB compact flash memory card will run you about $30-40. I'd probably then drop about $250 on a Canon 430EX II Speedlite flash. Use you're remaining few bucks to pick up Bryan Peterson's Understand Exposure and read it cover-to-cover (read your camera's manual cover-to-cover as well).

You could also look for used items as well, and that'd save you some money that you could put towards additional gear.

[HuskyKMA]

just to make sure, this is the camera you were talking about?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8793987&type=product&id=1205537712004&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=30&loc=KW-1262#tabbed-customerreviews

Another question, what is Speedlite flash exactly?

Yes, that is the camera he was referring to.

Word of advice: stay away from Best Buy. They're overpriced.

B&H Photo is the photographer's friend (www.bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com)). They have really good prices. That XSi that Best Buy sells for $700 without a lens sells for $650 with a lens at B&H.

[gooble]

Welcome. For starters you can read the stickies at the top of the 'General Photography Talk' forum. There's also a thread full of acronyms and terminology if you do a search.

[hollis_f]

English please?
ha. Im sorry...but honestly...everything is german to me.
Do you have a local college that runs photography couses for beginners? Here in the UK there are lots of courses that give a very good introduction to the basics.

[Natefox]

Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens that the XSi comes with a good lens for shooting "fashion models?" I need to start making a portfolio of the next year before applying to the photography school im looking in to.

If not what would be a good choice of lens?

Thanks for the bestbuy tip =]
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html
found the same camera+lens for only $650 as opposed to bestbuys same camera with just the body for $700. =]

[Headshotzx]

18-55IS kit is kinda like a jack of all trades, master of none lens for most of the subjects that a newbie is going to shoot. ie family, landscapes, some closeup.

Buy the Xsi kit 1 (18-55mm IS) plus the 50mm f/1.8II (canon's cheapest prime lens-- it's cheaper than a hundred dollars) for portraits. The 50mm f/1.8II is a great lens to get you started in thinking about how you would shoot because it's not a zoom. It's a wide aperture lens, so for a newbie, it just means that you can shoot in low-light pretty easily, and you can blur the background very very easily.

Cheers,
Zexun

[HarrisonClicks]

Natefox,

Your best bet is that Xsi mentioned above. Since you live in NYC, take a taxi or bike ride over to BH Photo on the west side. It's near Penn Station. Be forewarned: This store is the photographer's "wet dream" and you can easily be overwhelmed. But stay focused. Go upstairs and get in the line for SLR camera bodies. Ask the salesperson to get your hands on the Xsi body and take a look at different lenses. Look through the viewfinder and compare. The salespeople at BH, while trying to move people quickly, will take all the time you need as a beginner to help you.

O yeah... Welcome to the Forum. You will quickly find out how addicting this can be - - both shooting the Xsi and posting here.

Adam

[DStanic]

i agree the XSi is likely your best choice, unless you decide to buy used- but since you are a total beginner that might just make things more confusing and difficult. I started off with the XTI (the previous model to the XSi) and it's been a good journey for me so far. :)

Along with the camera make sure you get an flash (the pop-up ones on the camera suck), especially since you want to shoot people a good flash is a must. The 430EX is a great start.

The 18-55 IS lens that comes with the camera is good, but I might also suggest the Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 instead, which works nicely indoors. It's only $220 off amazon.com

[neumanns]

The images in the post you linked by bad Karma were shot with an Xti & kit lens. The rest of what he used is pretty well lined out in the post. (according to exif and statment in his post)

So yes, you can get a simular kit for less than grand.

But I must tell you it has more to do with skill than gear.

Hope that helps answer your question.

[PhotosGuy]

Welcome to POTN!
Look for something like this package deal FS: All My Canon Gear (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=592387) and get the 20D w/ the 17-40 f/4L. I suspect the 20D/40D versions, especially with the grip, will fit your hand better.

Start here. Canon Rebel XT Newbie needs help! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=513743)

[DC Fan]

Start with a Canon A-series point-and-shoot such as the A590, which costs under US $200. (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=183&modelid=16336) Use that and learn the basics. Then look at a DSLR.

[jrm27]

IF you do get an XSi, don't buy a compact flash card. They use SD memory cards.

[Grimes]

Start with a Canon A-series point-and-shoot such as the A590, which costs under US $200. (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=183&modelid=16336) Use that and learn the basics. Then look at a DSLR.


While this might be an option, he can always set the XSi on the "Green Box"/full auto, and use it as a point and shoot essentially, plus have an amazing amount of camera to grow into later.

[bsaber]

While this might be an option, he can always set the XSi on the "Green Box"/full auto, and use it as a point and shoot essentially, plus have an amazing amount of camera to grow into later.

+1

I also recommend getting the 430ex.

[bsaber]

Here's a good starting point while you wait for the book to arrive: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=414088

[golfecho]

I believe you are a great candidate to find a mentor. There are so many very tallented photographers out there. You might want to see if there is a photography club at school or in the local area. A good mentor can fix you up with some great learning opportunities, such as an afternoon shooting downtown, or perhaps even a shadowing opportunity on a flexible shoot. A few hours with a knowledgeable/experienced DSLR person will answer many if not most of your questions . . .

[nphsbuckeye]

English please?
ha. Im sorry...but honestly...everything is german to me.
Wirtlich?

[jrm27]

I think thhe cool thing about the XSi as a learnign camera is that you can use it in stages. Enable "live view" and select the "green box" and you've got a fully automatic point-n-shoot. Then you can work your way up through the modes and only deal with one element of exposure at a time (aperture, shuuter speed, etc..) until you feel comfortable enough to go manual and chose all your own settings on the fly and/or compose using the viewfinder. That is what I'm seeing as a big strength of the camera. I'm refreshing my manual skills, but my wife can snag it and use it as a point-n-shoot if the mood fits!

[S-S]

does it autofocus in live view? i know the 40D doesnt...

[bsaber]

I think the XSi has contrast based focus in live view. Kind of slow but what do you expect.