Just bought an SX10 IS, what next?

[citron230]

Hi everyone. I am new to digital photography. I have been wanting to get a good camera for the past few months. I have been really hesitant to take the plunge into the DSLR and I have heard and read nothing but great things (for the most part) about the SX10 IS. I weighed the pros and cons of going SX10 over the XSi DSLR, and eventually thought I would stick with the SX10 for now. It just arrived today and I am wondering what I should do next.
I really would like to get some filters, Macro, UV and maybe infrared, but Lensmate says it will be some time.
I am a serious NOVICE to photography. I am trying to learn about ISO, Aperture, f stop and so forth. This is another reason I wanted to stick with the SX10 rather that getting really lost with the XSi.
I have been contemplating getting a tripod, what are your thoughts on that? Also what should I do next aside from taking pics? Any and all input is appreciated. Thank you!:D

[subnet_rx]

Tripod. Once you start reading a lot, you'll realize that you don't want to use flash, and that means using a tripod for tack-sharp photos unless your in broad daylight. Of course, you can get along without it, but if you want to know what I would buy next, it would be a tripod. I also tend to love my monopod. Much easier to setup and travel with. Only other thing I would suggest are some good photography books.

[citron230]

I have seen all sorts of different sizes of tripods. Tall and Short. Is one better than the other? I was thinking maybe tall because I am 6'3" and i think it might be more comfortable.
I will definitely be getting some photography books, any in particular? I have Photoshop CS3 on my Mac have yet to really use. Hopefully I will be able to learn some basics.

[subnet_rx]

Scott Kelby books are good. As far as tripods, do some searching on here, you'll find many opinions about that.

[JustShootin']

Tripod. Once you start reading a lot, you'll realize that you don't want to use flash

I can't imigine with all the great flash units and methods of defusing/ bouncing, to "never" use flash.

As far as what to do next, I wouldn't buy one single thing just yet. Learn to use your camera, and what you really want to do with it, then decide what else you need to go with it. Just my opinion of course.....

[c2thew]

a flash is a better investment than a tripod for the sx10. just keep in mind, a tripod is just a portable table to hold your camera.

[lensmen]

Hey citron230

Welcome to the SX10 family.

While you are still new to DP, it is wise not to think too much about all the accessories for the time being. Beyond the basics like rechargable batteries & chargers, a lens cleaning cloth & blower (for dust), a large memory card (I m using 16Gb) and a USB card reader.

Some of us, had the accessories that you mentioned, as a result of our DSLR/Film SLR days (and still current).

Once you get the hang of things, perhaps you will find that tripod is really not necessary 90% of the time, as your IS and improvised stable position can help to make that shot. Perhaps your build in flash is sufficient. And that you PP(post processing) software like Photoshop or Picasa 3, will do sufficient tricks that filters may not be really needed 90% of the time.

The SX10 has so many different settings and combinations to make that shot for you - creatively or PSS (Plain simple shot - the "say cheese" type).

Until then, park the $ aside for that shopping spree when you are finally more familiar with the SX10's capabilities (i am at the learning stage too)...

Hoped to see your photos shared here as well.

Cheers :-)

[citron230]

Thanks for the input guys. I did order the books from Scott Kelby off of Amazon. They were $20 for Vol. 1 and 2. I am in love with the camera so. It is raining here in San Diego so I have had a chance to take it outside yet. Here is my first picture with it. I love the clarity. I don't know what the settings were, I literally point and shot!

[CameraLens]

Here's what the camera settings were:

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Image Date: 2009:02:06 18:41:02
Flash Used: Yes (Auto, red eye reduction mode)
Focal Length: 36.5mm
CCD Width: 1.07mm
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.0
ISO equiv: 250
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix

There is a way you can see the camera settings (known as EXIF data) by installing a plugin on your web browser so that you can right-click on an image, choose properties, and see the settings.

I have a brief tutorial that I wrote on an unrelated forum that might interest you: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/pictures-your-shack-mobile-setup/99704-how-take-better-pictures-your-setup-photography-1101-a.html

[citron230]

WOW! That is cool. Thanks for the info. I am still learning about Aperture, ISO, and all of that. I want to take a photography class in the summer. In the mean time I am just going to snap away and play with the settings in the mean time. =)

[Jon]

Actually, most photo editing programs will let you see the EXIF settings for your photos too. If you've loaded Canon's ZoomBrowser software, this will too.

[PhotoFranz]

citron230, do what most people do not do. Read the manual. LOL, it will answer a lot of questions about the camera.

[citron230]

citron230, do what most people do not do. Read the manual. LOL, it will answer a lot of questions about the camera.

Actually that is what I have been doing this morning. At the same time googling things I don't understand when I come across them. Histogram, and ISO and Aperture. ISO and Aperture confuse me because they seem like the same thing, but I am sure they are not.

[Jon]

Aperture is the physical diameter of the lens opening (actually, it's the ratio of the lens focal length to the diameter of the opening; f/4 means the lens opening is 1/4 the focal length). ISO is how sensitive the sensor is to light (actually, how high the "volume" is set on the sensor when you take the picture; in digital cameras you amplify the signal when you turn up the ISO).

So, yes, they both control the exposure, but they do it in different ways. The shutter speed also controls your exposure - the slower the shutter speed, the longer the exposure and so the brighter the picture. All three of these work together. If you use a large aperture (also called "fast aperture") you can use a faster shutter speed because the large lens opening lets more light through, so you don't have to let it through as long. If you increase the ISO, you don't need to catch as much light on the sensor, since you'll multiply all the signals you do catch by 2, say. The drawback to that is you also amplify noise that's in the sensor, so you may get grainy-looking pictures.

[ZeissFan]

CONGRATULATIONS!
There are great suggestions here - photographically speaking.
Unfortunately, the best suggestion is to Take Pictures! before Buying Stuff!
Fortunately, the BEST suggestion is to Take Pictures!
You need to find what your camera -or you- don't do well photographically, find out why a particular image didn't turn out and how to fix that particular situation.
Remember though! Don't lose sight of the things your camera does well as you discover what it doesn't do well. Trust me! There are some things your camera -any camera!- doesn't do well. There are no perfect cameras.
Sight Unseen I can make an unquestionably accurate list of what your camera doesn't and will never do well!
Doesn't mean I wouldn't own one! Just mean's I'd ask it to to what it does well and accept it's output when I'm asking things of the camera it's not so good at.
My Big Tips:
a) Image Stabilized Lenses make Tripods neccessary -only- for very specific reasons. The wonderful image quality goodness a sturdy and well operated tripod most definitely allows a camera to produce will be almost totally offset by the fact the chip sensing the output of your lens is so small. Consistency of framing, ability to work more deliberatively, and more watchable longer video clips, are about the top 3 reasons for a small camera owner to have a tripod. I highly reccomend trying a couple of 'ball heads' for tripods in a shop or display somewhere before going for the 'standard' multi knob/lever/seperate adjustment heads. There is a much different user experience between the two designs.
FYI! If your subjects are blurry but the backgrounds aren't in your pictures, a tripod is almost never gonna change that. If the stationary items in your shot aren't blurry it means the Image Stabilizer worked and all a tripod is -in REALITE- is an Image Stabilizing Technology.
b) It's to easy to lose perspective on a Camera that does A-B-C quite well, but you've discovered it does X-Y-Z poorly or not at all. Photography is about what the Images bring to you, your friends, your family, or to your community. If a camera brings you A,B, or C image to you quite well, the fact X,Y, or Z image can't be brought well, doesn't subtract AB&C images you've made from existence or importance. Photography is not mathematics and it's not a zero sum equation.
c) While I personally wouldn't have an 'sx10 is' as my first or my second camera, I happen to know the photographs and the photography I really really like and the lenses and technology I need to do those things. I also know there are photographs I like making that an SX10 likely would do quite well and quite conveniently, too. It also has video features I can't afford yet in a dSLR.

Play a bit with your camera, assign yourself some types of images to try, see how your camera and YOU do in those situations.

Also visit KenRockwell.com for some good how to photography information re: composition and such to make images YOU and OTHERS enjoy seeing. There is much beyond 'howto' there as well. His site is very well written, has direct and emphatic thoughts and advice and even when I disagree with the occassional bits here and there, I definitely respect where the man's coming from.

Richard

[subnet_rx]

I'll have to say, I'm kind of surprised by all the talk of tripods not being necessary with this camera. I've seen xxD cameras with fast IS lenses and they do not need a tripod in most situations, but I've had an SX10 and if you try to take pictures indoors or in low-light, the shutter speed is going to be so low that a tripod or monopod is necessary. I found myself using my tripod time and time again over Christmas at family events. Our yearly family portraits that I'm usually in charge of taking looked 10 times better this year with the use of a tripod and no flash. When I was out taking landscape shots at sunset, I found a monopod to be easy to setup with enough stabilization to get a good shot. The IS on an SX10 is good, but the lens is small.

[PhotoFranz]

I'll have to say, I'm kind of surprised by all the talk of tripods not being necessary with this camera. I've seen xxD cameras with fast IS lenses and they do not need a tripod in most situations, but I've had an SX10 and if you try to take pictures indoors or in low-light, the shutter speed is going to be so low that a tripod or monopod is necessary. I found myself using my tripod time and time again over Christmas at family events. Our yearly family portraits that I'm usually in charge of taking looked 10 times better this year with the use of a tripod and no flash. When I was out taking landscape shots at sunset, I found a monopod to be easy to setup with enough stabilization to get a good shot. The IS on an SX10 is good, but the lens is small.

I may have lower standards of what is an acceptable photo, but please look at these. This is a set on Flickr that I took this Christmas. I did not have my tripod along and ALL are handheld and , of course with a flash.

Don't get me wrong, these are not "action" shots, but many of us are not really action shooters. Not many newspapers will buy SX10 IS's for the sports crew.

Since I bought the SX10, I have had it on a tripod maybe 3 times, all for group shots so I could run in.

Here is the set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photofranz/sets/72157611619572693/

[lensmen]

You are most welcomed to use any tools or not to use anytools to make your photos. I would rather do away with this extra item, if I can help it.

A tripod, however lightweight or robust, will feel like 1 ton, after sometime over the shoulder.

[tonyboy9]

Hi Richard,

I too am a fan of Ken Rockwell.

I especially like his section on how it doesn't take an expensive camera with bells and whistles to take good pictures. Said another way, it isn't the equipment which creates good photography.

What I did learn from Ken is that low light times of the day, sunrise, sunset, are ideal, and that he gets up before sunrise, locates the scene he wants, then basically camps out until the light is right. As you might guess, this would not be what novices like myself would be doing before the sun comes up.

Can you say something about the P, program mode, on the Canon? I usually just shoot on Auto, but one night, indoors in low light, I tried shooting with the P setting on my S2, raising the built in flash, and was pleasantly surprised with the result. Even on the S2 there are too many setting choices. I forgot to compare shooting at P, with say shooting using Night scene.

[RCrosby]

Checked out the tutorial by CameraLens.
Great stuff. Thank you much!bw!

[JustShootin']

And here's another fan of Ken Rockwell. He sure does put equipment snobs in their place, does he not? ;)

[lensmen]

Ken is a really interesting chap.

But just too many Nik*n on this site that I just wouldn't like too much off.

[Muskydave22]

The SX10 is a great camera to learn on. I started with that and now I have a 40d and I am working on getting the same reach that the SX10 had for my 40d but it's costing me a pretty penny.

Dave

[2Shiny]

If you don't want a big tripod to carry around, you could always get a small tripod like the Ultrapod II. I just bought one myself, even though I have a full-size metal tripod too. I will surely use both of them, just for different applications.

[JustShootin']

The SX10 is a great camera to learn on. I started with that and now I have a 40d and I am working on getting the same reach that the SX10 had for my 40d but it's costing me a pretty penny.

Dave

Sure the SX10 is a great camera to learn on, but for those of us who learned many years ago and choose not to lug an SLR and lenses around, it's just a great camera period.

[PhotoFranz]

Sure the SX10 is a great camera to learn on, but for those of us who learned many years ago and choose not to lug an SLR and lenses around, it's just a great camera period.

DITTO! I actually learned on an XTi and a few lenses. Now, I have moved up (way up, I think) to the SX10 IS!