New and confused, but having a ball

[Noni]

Hello, all. First time posting, tons of questions, and loving these forums!!!

Finally I've managed to find the time to develop my photography skills (well, perhaps I should rephrase that...I intend to discover if I have any skills, or if previous wonderful shots are simply flukes...LOL!).

I've had a great time with my Canon EOS Rebel S (film), but as I'm intending to start really using my camera, I am considering purchasing a DRebel. After a cost comparison with commerical developing, I realized it's far less expensive in the long run to acquire a digital.

Now for the newbie part/stupid questions.

~I have heard that the Canon EOS film's lenses are interchangeable with the Digital...is that true? If so, I'm a very happy lady. I've got the 70-300 telephoto, as well as the kit lens for the film camera (35-80), so that will make the purchase a tad less painful (or allow me to get several additional lenses... http://www.photoworkshop.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif ).

~I was recently given a Sunpak auto2000 DZ Thyristor in very good shape...does this fit on the digital model?

~What sort of battery pack should I get? I am planning to go on a trip out of the country, and don't trust that US products will translate well in terms of charging. So....?

~How long will it take for me to get comfortable with the new camera? I am going to Australia (with 5 days in the outback) in September, so I'd like to learn as much as I can between now and then...and practice, practice, practice in the meantime.

~Should I get the remote release set-up? If so, is the stock one adequate, or should I purchase something else?

~I also want to start shooting skydiving photography. Not in the sky (I'm a skydiver, but I'm not good enough to handle a camera on my head just yet...), but as the pro's are setting up for landing and landing. What sort of lens should I use for those, assuming clear, warm days, between 50 feet and 500 feet distance between myself and the subject?

Last question....

~What sort of filters should one have for good, overall general photography? Are there any particular brands I should purchase?

Look, I know this is really long, and these are not the most elegant of questions. If you only want to answer one, that's still helpful to this brand new kid on the block...but if you have the time, I'd appreciate all the advice I can get!

Best-
Noni

[PacAce]

~I have heard that the Canon EOS film's lenses are interchangeable with the Digital...is that true? If so, I'm a very happy lady. I've got the 70-300 telephoto, as well as the kit lens for the film camera (35-80), so that will make the purchase a tad less painful (or allow me to get several additional lenses... http://www.photoworkshop.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif ).

Yes, it's true, although you'll soon come to the realization that the images you see in your viewfinder looks a tad bigger or closer than what you'd be used to with the film Rebel SRL.

~I was recently given a Sunpak auto2000 DZ Thyristor in very good shape...does this fit on the digital model?

As long as the sync voltage of the flash is 6V or less, it should work fine with the DRebel in manual mode. This flash isn't a dedicated TTL flash, is it? Because if it is, it won't work in TTL mode on the DRebel.

~What sort of battery pack should I get? I am planning to go on a trip out of the country, and don't trust that US products will translate well in terms of charging. So....?

Not sure what you mean by a battery pack. The DRebel takes a BP-511/512 type battery. You'll probably want another one or two as spares.

~How long will it take for me to get comfortable with the new camera? I am going to Australia (with 5 days in the outback) in September, so I'd like to learn as much as I can between now and then...and practice, practice, practice in the meantime.

It all depends on you. A week or two should be enough to learn the essential functions but, as they say, the more you practice the better you get at it.

~Should I get the remote release set-up? If so, is the stock one adequate, or should I purchase something else?

Not sure how to answer this question. It would depend on what your needs are.

~I also want to start shooting skydiving photography. Not in the sky (I'm a skydiver, but I'm not good enough to handle a camera on my head just yet...), but as the pro's are setting up for landing and landing. What sort of lens should I use for those, assuming clear, warm days, between 50 feet and 500 feet distance between myself and the subject?

If you get the DRebel with the kit lens, then that plus the ones you already have should cover most of your needs.

Last question....
~What sort of filters should one have for good, overall general photography? Are there any particular brands I should purchase?

UV or Skylight to protect your lens if you want one. There are a couple of good brands but Hoya comes to mind for me. If you are going to use a filter, just make sure that it's the multi-coated kind.

BTW, welcome to the forum! :D

[KevC]

PacAce covered it all... :)

I'd like to add one little thing... the charger that comes with the digital rebel kit is 100-240V so don't worry about charging it in other countries. You just need the $1 adaptor to plug the thing in :)

You're gonna love digital!

[am_pitbull_terrier]

I guess all of your questions are answered so..... WELCOME to the forum :D (not that I could have answered all of them either;) )

[Noni]

I guess all of your questions are answered so..... WELCOME to the forum :D (not that I could have answered all of them either;) )

Thanks, everyone! Of course, good answers lead to more questions, right? Um, Leo? ;)

Filters:
I have a Tiffen 58mm haze 1 already (came with the 75-300 gift). Is that "multicoated," and what about something for the sunset shots I love so much (I can't remember what they're called - negatization? Naw, wrong, but something like that)? And would a polarization filter allow me to find the depth in the colors that I see with my polarized sunglasses?

Flash
I have absolutely no idea if it's a 6v or not...how does one tell (again, it was gifted to me, and I haven't got a clue as to age; there was no box).

Remote Release:
I figure I'm going to be in the outback during storm season, with long nights...so I was thinking if I encountered a storm, how exceptional an opportunity to photograph it...and with the long nights, sky photography (long exposure) would need a set-up. Is there something I can get which will satisfy both of those?

Practice:
I will be clicking that button, flipping things around and exploring the camera, without question. Hopefully during May I will be able to jump again (currently injured), and then I'll be able to play at the dropzone with my new "toy." I get a tad obsessive about learning things like this, so I figure I'll be having a ball really quickly...

Yes, it's true, although you'll soon come to the realization that the images you see in your viewfinder looks a tad bigger or closer than what you'd be used to with the film Rebel SRL.
O.K., but will it affect the image captured? I know I've got a whole lot of learning to do, but is the difference between the film and digital, or in the lenss?

Thanks for stoking this newbie's fire...I can't wait until I can get my hands on my new camera (for my 40th, 2 weeks away...).

And everyone, thanks for the welcome. I think this is a most excellent adventure!

Best-
Noni

[PacAce]

Filters:
I have a Tiffen 58mm haze 1 already (came with the 75-300 gift). Is that "multicoated," and what about something for the sunset shots I love so much (I can't remember what they're called - negatization? Naw, wrong, but something like that)? And would a polarization filter allow me to find the depth in the colors that I see with my polarized sunglasses?

Sorry, but I can't tell you if the filter you have is multi-coated or not. I did a search on it but I couldn't find anywhere where it states that it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not. Some, but not all multi-coated filters, will have a marking like "MC" on the side to indicate that it's multi-coated.


Flash
I have absolutely no idea if it's a 6v or not...how does one tell (again, it was gifted to me, and I haven't got a clue as to age; there was no box).

It looks like your flash has a sync voltage of 3V according to this site (http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html) so you might be able to use it on the DRebel. From what I can gather, you could probably work it in auto thyristor mode but it won't work in ETTL mode for you so you'll need to set the camera to Manual to use it.


Remote Release:
I figure I'm going to be in the outback during storm season, with long nights...so I was thinking if I encountered a storm, how exceptional an opportunity to photograph it...and with the long nights, sky photography (long exposure) would need a set-up. Is there something I can get which will satisfy both of those?

You can go with a wired remote (RS-60E3) for bulb and tripod expsures at night. Thre is a wireless remote (RC-5) but that's more for self portraits as the IR receiver is on the front of the camera.


O.K., but will it affect the image captured? I know I've got a whole lot of learning to do, but is the difference between the film and digital, or in the lenss?

No it won't affect the image any except, as I said earlier, the image from the DRebel will look closer or bigger than what you would expect to see from the film Rebel. This is because the size of the DRebel frame is a tad smaller than the size of the film Rebel frame.

[Noni]

It looks like your flash has a sync voltage of 3V according to this site (http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html) so you might be able to use it on the DRebel. From what I can gather, you could probably work it in auto thyristor mode but it won't work in ETTL mode for you so you'll need to set the camera to Manual to use it.
Know what? I think I'll just pack everything up, run to my local camera store (a great store that's been really good to me in the past), and check it out with them. I think that's the best answer, you know?


You can go with a wired remote (RS-60E3) for bulb and tripod expsures at night. Thre is a wireless remote (RC-5) but that's more for self portraits as the IR receiver is on the front of the camera.
No, I don't like my face too much, so I'll be staying back. Thanks for the guidance - nothing beats having a clue when you go shopping, you know? It's too easy to get distracted in one of those places.


The filter I was talking about is the Graduated Neutral Density. Very similar to the negitization one I was talking about, no? LOLOL!!!:oops: I'm just going to have to poke around and see what I can discover...I'm not sure how one of those would work without some contraption that I mount on the lens, and I'm not sure I want to do that.

I **really** appreciate the help and the guidance - it's scary and there's so much to know, learn, understand, and then have it become second nature. Sigh...but still, it's a ton of fun!

Best-
Noni

[johnnybfan]

I've had a great time with my Canon EOS Rebel S (film), but as I'm intending to start really using my camera, I am considering purchasing a DRebel. After a cost comparison with commerical developing, I realized it's far less expensive in the long run to acquire a digital.



I thought the same thing until I started coming to the forums. Since then my wallet has been on a starvation diet! :lol: One you start reading about all of the available lens & accessories you'll see just what I mean. Anyway, welcome and have a great time with your newfound digital skills. Australia sounds like a great time.

[PhotosGuy]

Welcome to the forum. Be sure to read all of the "Stickys" & have fun! ;-)

[Noni]

I thought the same thing until I started coming to the forums. Since then my wallet has been on a starvation diet! :lol: One you start reading about all of the available lens & accessories you'll see just what I mean. Anyway, welcome and have a great time with your newfound digital skills. Australia sounds like a great time.

LOL, I know what you mean...however, I'm also somewhat used to austerity...so I can put off getting lots and lots of stuff for a while. I figure if I can cover the basics, then I'm good to go until I learn them inside out, and only after I've developed some skill. Which may, in fact, be never. LOL!!! Like my piano playing...

And yes, Australia does sound like it will be a fun time. I'm going to get a few skydives in, and run around like a tourist for 10 days. It will be a blast!!

Photoguy, I am devouring whatever this site has to offer, and following all the links I can. It is so much to take in all at once, but even since yesterday, I've learned tons...and that's a good thing!

Thanks again for the welcomes - it makes a girl feel good!

Best-
Noni

[Noni]

So I went to my local store today, and for what I want, it will be just about $1550 (including tax). Not bad, considering...

New Canon 300D
Kit lens (15-80, iirc)
2 cards
1 remote shutter release
420 Flash
Polarizing filter (Hoya)
Graduating Neutral Density filter (Hoya)
UV Filter multicoated (don't remember the brand)


Add the 75-300 lens, a haze filter, and the 35-80 lens I already have...

Not too bad for a starting set up, right? They're also going to throw in a Tamrac bag to hold it all.

Does that sound about right?

Now, just to get an escrow closed, and I'll be buying this stuff. And then on to learning all about histograms, S-curves, portraits and lighting.

Leo, you were correct; the Sunpak would work, but only in very limited situations, so I'm opting to go with the above because it seems to be the more prudent (and less frustrating) choice. Thanks for the advice; if it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have checked it out as thoroughly as I did.

:D

Best-
Noni

[Theorist]

Hi Noni,
Most of your questions answered above. Just one thing. If I were going to Oz I would definately take some kind of warm up filter say an 81c to chop the blues a bit - warm things up - always better to get the shot in camera rather than fiddle in processing which always introduces noise.

[Noni]

Just one thing. If I were going to Oz I would definately take some kind of warm up filter say an 81c to chop the blues a bit - warm things up - always better to get the shot in camera rather than fiddle in processing which always introduces noise.
Brilliant. Except, I don't understand. LOL!!!

I will be in Oz at the end of their winter - lots of darkness, and I expect the cold light of winter rather than the warm of summer. Is that why I want to "warm" things up? And if so, would I be right in assuming (you know what that means...) that if I want to tone down the actual color I'm shooting, then place the filter of the same color (i.e. blue:blue) on the lens, and that will balance things out a bit?

If the above is correct, then what filter would I want to use at the dropzone, shooting all day and in very warm summer conditions? Bright sun, few clouds, extreme contrasting colors (in parachutes and landscape)?

Just wondering, and trying to learn.

Thanks!

Best-
Noni