I feel like giving up...

[buckit]

I recently purchased a Canon 30D because I wanted to get into photography as a hobby. I got the body and 3 lenses and have been shooting away as I have the time.

My problem is I'm not sure I have time to really put into learning the art of photography... I have been able to get some amazing shots.. but I habe also gone out without a single thing worth keeping (shooting xmas lights is not easy).

I dont want to give up photography completely... but I am thinking that maybe having this camera and needing to swap lenses is just too much for me.

think I would be better off selling what I have and getting a G10?

I'm just looking for advice.

[TheHoff]

Swapping lenses takes, what, 20 seconds? I think what you're asking is might you be happier with a less complicated system -- where having only one lens means one less variable to think about.

Maybe, maybe not. For one, you've already got this gear so you might as well make use of it. If you put it on "P" or Green Box, it will work quite like a point and shoot... but that doesn't mean the P&S will make it easier to get good photos. Shooting bright lights in the dark is always a tough photo to make interesting.

Consider that it isn't the gear getting in the way of making good images but rather your time spent with it. Practice is the only way to get better.. if having a smaller camera means you take it with you more and shoot more, than yes, maybe that would be a good idea. Since the G10 has full manual modes you can continue to learn about aperture/shutter/ISO etc.

[momalley]

Leave your 18-55mm lens on the camera, put it to the "green box" as Hoff has said and you'll have an excellent P&S camera.

Don't worry about changing lenses at this point. Just worry about getting good photographs more consistently

[elysium]

Looking back on it now, if I gave up on it now as you are mentioning, I would be sooo lost.

My camera gear is like my other half. It does what I want it to but I had to make time for it and pay attention to what I was doing. Its hard but its all down to dicipline to be frank.

[seaside]

I recently purchased a Canon 30D because I wanted to get into photography as a hobby.

Hey, the key word here is "recently". Not many folks hit the ground running. Fact is it takes some time. More for some and less for others. Stick with it and ask for help and guidance when needed. Lots of books and magazines to read when you aren't able to get out shooting.

If after a few months you feel the need to change cameras then maybe you should do so. Give it some time though.

[Tom O]

Shoot when you can, learn when you can...as long as you find it enjoyable. There is no time schedule to follow. You may be feeling a little overwhelmed right now. I would imagine 'everyone' at some point in time has felt the same.

[Haru]

I had a similar problem when i first started. A 30D is big step up from a P&S, and taking aditional lenses, batteries, filters, flashes, ect. around with you all the time is a pain. If you don't think it is worth it, buy a g9 or g10 and a 430ex flash and you are set. It looks a little odd, but it takes great pictures and can be tossed into your backpack or your car without anything thinking there is 2k in gear being left unattended.

[speedster00]

I've only been at it a year and my head still explodes trying to learn all this stuff. There are some excelent books out there to help get you started. But it isnt about gear. Its about knowing what your camera is doing and capturing that moment. I have seen some incredible pictures out of a G- series. you'll feel mutch better when you learn about the camera and what its actually doing.

[LarryD]

Your choice of lenses is interesting.........but not very flexible...

A 100 macro is nice, great portraits, great close-ups, and good glass, but you have to re-size in post processing a lot.

The 50 is a classic, fast, good in a pinch on vacations and nice all around...it doesn't bring in anything close, and it's not particularly wide either.

The 18-55 should be on most of the time.....

.....However, a better alternative would be a 28-135 IS lens... you would hardly ever have to take it on or off and unless you have poor light, you can leave the others at home.........that, and plan out what you expect to see and shoot when you go out..

As they say, "keep it simple......", that way you will have the best experience and be rewarded by great photos..

[snyderman]

Look at my member info and note where I live. If this isn't the most DISMAL, DRAB, DISGUSTING place on earth to live during the months of November - May, I don't know where WOULD be! <end of I hate living in Ohio rant>

<rant continues> There is literally NOTHING worth photographing outside. It's too cold. Too cloudy. Too gray.

<end of Ohio rant>

I've been doing boys HS Basketball to show the camera something with color. Also bought a flash for my 30D and worked with it a couple of hours. Shot some indoor stuff that really comes to life. Mostly just testing out the flash, but seeing nice, accurate colors and getting better with focus and hand-held snaps.

The great thing about DSLR is there is so much to learn, (I'm pretty new at this) so much to try and test out that it really keeps my interest. Now, if I could just get out a guitar and relearn about a hundred songs before the spring festival season hits, I'd REALLY accomplish something!

Keep finding something fun to shoot ... summer is only SIX MONTHS AWAY!!!

dave

[Karl Johnston]

If you can afford to keep it all, keep it. If you can't, sell it for something like a powershot sx100 which is about 100 bucks nowadays and a very capable cam capable of pro work

[vision35]

I shot 35mm for 20 yrs. Watching the news & people being mugged takes the fun out of photography to some extent.
To take some of the pressure off photography get a camera holster & a comfy neck strap.
Velcro or clip a can of mace to your forearm or waist, strangers back off when they see it.
Hualing around a great bogen tripod & a heavy hard shell pelican case can be tough work & a drag. Watching out for theives & muggers at parks is distracting. Plan your trip with a specific subject ideas & lens.

[neilwood32]

Photography is a technical hobby to get into - it takes a bit of time to get better.

My way of getting better - read as much as you can find about the technical side and then get out and try it. For example learning how varying the aperture can dramatically alter the look of a photo (and its relationship with shutterspeed).

Once you understand the technical side (ISO, Aperture, SS) you can more easily produce the quality of work you aspire to.

A DSLR will give the best IQ but if its not what you want to carry about, buy a P&S with manual controls. Just be aware that there are certain things you cant do with them( shallow DOF, low light etc)