Noob here! Need help..

[jeromecramos]

Hi guys!

I was using a simple P&S camera before when I saw my friend's sample photos. I got clinged into learning photography that I asked her what camera should I buy for a starter like me.

So she told me not to step up into dslr that easily. I should learn first how to use the settings for different exposures. So she suggested that I step up a little on the camera and bought myself a Canon S5 IS, for a cheap price of course, which she highly recommended for me to start with.

But I want that pro picture quality and feeling that I want to acquire some accessories. Can you guys help me on choosing the right accessories for this camera?! Thanks a lot...:oops:

[Jon]

First off, what do you photograph? Accessories won't help you get a firm grasp of the basics; they only help you once you need to extend yourself. Post some samples of what you like to photograph, of shots you like, and of those you feel are wanting. With that we'll be better able to suggest things (either gear or technique) that will help you improve.

[amba]

One of the problems (these days...) learning photography with "non DSLR" cameras, is that "non DSLR" also means "miniature sensor and lens".

"SLR look alike" digicams are no better than compact P&S in that regard - they too have a sensor which is ~1/10 of the area of a DSLR sensor.

Apart form loosing low light shooting capabilities, small sensor cameras also have quite different depth of field (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field) characteristics than large sensor cameras.
Please read on only if you know what DOF (depth of field) means, if you don't know - first read about DOF.

In some types of photography larger DOF is desired, this is easier to achieve with small sensors, however, in other types shallow DOF is desired, and this is where small sensor cameras fail.

If you only plan to shoot landscapes, small sensor should not be such a problem, for closer subjects, and portraits, small sensor camera really aren't that great.

In the old days, where rangefinders and SLRs used the same 35mm film, they only differed in ease of operation and user interface, but held the same optical behavior. This isn't true today, "high end" P&S cameras such as the Canon G10 have completely different optical properties than a Canon XSi (http://www.dprguru.com/index.php?model=xsi) or Nikon D40 (http://www.dprguru.com/?model=468085244&mfg=0) SLRs.

[M5Man]

Jerome,

Welcome to POTN.....

Go to this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33) and check out the stickies...

[jeromecramos]

Hmm.. I have samples here but I used my camera phone for these pictures. Actually, the S5 will be given to me at a cheaper price so I guess it's a start for me.

I'm kinda into portrait, macro and landscape shot. Not much of an action fan, but still would consider if I would shift to DSLR.

Thanks for welcoming me here. I do hope I would learn a lot from you guys! :)

[watt100]

I'm kinda into portrait, macro and landscape shot. Not much of an action fan, but still would consider if I would shift to DSLR.
:)

You will find the S5 can do all that and more, check out

www.s5users.com/forum
www.flickr.com/groups/canonpowershots5is
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_in_Brief