Canon DSLR Learning Curve!!!!!!

[mrclark321]

Lately I have been getting a little frustrated with this photagraphy hobby, almost to the point of getting a point and shoot and selling all my stuff. There is so much to learn and I am a very picky person. I want all shots to be tack sharp and this is a problem. I was so close to selling all my gear and getting a Nikon 8800 it was scarry.
My understanding is that Canaon cameras usually need post processing and Nikon do not....But what about quality!!! >2 seconds start up time for the XT and what about AF time!!!
Today I took the kids for a trip to the park and some of the picks turned out pretty good in my eyes. And I sure would not feel right posting pics from a Nikon on this site!!
Well today I feel a little better, I prited off some pics and a big smile came to my face when they were done!!!
I'm sticking with Canon and I am going to make this XT ROCK!!!!
Thanks everyone!!!!

Dan

[Michaelmjc]

Not sure what your problem is? sounds like you sorted it out though, haha.

[arpi]

hi mrclark321,

in my experience, a steeper learning curve usually means more flexibility, more power, more control, but at the expense of learning how to. once mastered, you won't go back to let the machine do more for you.

[mrclark321]

I take a few shots now and then for comparisin with the camera doing the work!

Dan

[blue_max]

Many cameras will give you good pictures. The current Canon digital slr range, combined with a quality lens and in the right hands, has the potential to give you incredible pictures.

That is most likely true of other manufacturers too. However, all these things need to come together at the same time. I have the body and the lenses and the real joy for me, is trying to get the best out of that combination. I have made some pictures that have been truly awful. And some that are a suprise! And some that I love.

Lately, and at long last, I seem to be able to get more of the latter and less of the former! Keep at it and master the equipment.

Graham

[grego]

The more experience you get, the better you'll be. It's all about time. The more photos you take everyday, the better you'll get as long as you improve upon the mistakes you make.

And then since you visit the forum, it's always good to look at other photos. Looking at photos gives good ideas and techniques into making your own photos.

[copter105]

"Point and Shoot"??? That sounds like crazy talk to me. Photography takes a lot of patience. You sound like a person who wants instant gratification. I believe we all do in sometimes. But there is no art in that. Stick with it my friend. Rock out that XT!!! Throw some pictures on this board and we will rock with you.

[kjonnnn]

Just like anything else, don't try to learn EVERYthing at one time. Especially with technical stuff.

Make out a plan. ... This week, I'm going to learn as much as I can about shooting in Av Mode.

Then learn something else next week.

Remember, you're learning and testing and understanding your equipment. So expect bad pictures. That's a good thing. Analyze what's wrong on the bad pictures.

[schmoelzel]

When I first moved into the DSLR world a year ago with the DRebel, I too was initally disappointed with what I was getting out of the camera. I had come from a G1 and knew that camera well.......thus I also knew that I would have to learn with the DSLR and be patient for my shots to improve. That along with a lot of reading and taking MANY pictures eventually resulted in my first L lens purchases. I am a sharpness nut; I love shots that are sharp. I have quickly learned that while the camera is important, the glass is even more so..........but ultimately it is the eye of the photographer that sees the shot, takes the shot, and produces the shot ready for prints. One thing that I try and do is to use a different lens everyday..........that way I learn what my various lenses can do and I get used to the FoV that each represents.

ps......get the Canon 35f1.4 L. Every shot you take will be terrific!!! :D

[condyk]

ps......get the Canon 35f1.4 L. Every shot you take will be terrific!!! :D

Yeh ... even the ones with the lens cap still on :lol: :lol:

Seriously, there is a learning curve and you are either interested enough or not. If P&S is for you then that's great and if DSLR is for you then that's great too!

Distinguish between the shots that are learning shots, where you expect to dump 100% and where the focus is on discovering what works for each lens in each context, and the shots you take to keep. Hedge your bets with 3-4 of each shot until you feel you're cracking it ... and then take 2-3 :lol: :lol: Enjoy it ... you go love that Canon baby :p

[mrclark321]

Thanks everyone patience is something I have to work at....

That 35mm L looks nice but at almost $1200 US it's not in my budget

Dan

[schmoelzel]

Thanks everyone patience is something I have to work at....

That 35mm L looks nice but at almost $1200 US it's not in my budget

Dan

It wasn't in my budget either!!! But I got it anyway!! By the way, what does budget mean???:D

[mdm]

Budget is a term invented and brought into play by ones spouse.

[mrclark321]

How much did it end up costing you in Can. funds?

And yes the wife does set the budget....LOL :o

What did you think of the pics I sent you?
It wasn't in my budget either!!! But I got it anyway!! By the way, what does budget mean???:D

[etaf]

like most hobbies you do not get fantastic results day1
i'm sure the XT will give you want you need
maybe post some pictures - then people can advise on how to improve..
otherwise you may want to look at some tutorials on photography online for free

http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1543
http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1533

you may want to look at peoples photographs and make a constructive comment on how they may improve - this often helps you to start to see photographically
OR
is it just technical aspects of the camera thats making you frustrated

[CanonAndy]

Sometimes it amazes me how frustrating people let their hobbies become. I've met several people that has been in photography for years, and every year they become more frustrated.

It might be that the better you understand and appreciate your hobby, the more you see lacking in your skills or equipment. Golf can be a very frustrating recreational activity. So can photography. I just wish more people would throw their cameras in the bushes for me to find! :)

For some, learning to use all of the functions on the camera is a hobby within itself. For others, post processing can be the most rewarding aspect of this activity. Equipment CAN be a barrier for some people. If it is, I think its important to remove barriers from your hobby. Continuing to beat your head against a wall won't yield different results.

I've found myself wandering between the P&S and SLR depending on mood, activities, and environment. To me its all art.

The key is to remind yourself why you picked up a camera. Why do you CONTINUE to pick up the camera? Don't let frustrations kill your enjoyment of photography.

Just a little philosophical waxing..

CanonAndy

[schmoelzel]

How much did it end up costing you in Can. funds?

And yes the wife does set the budget....LOL :o

What did you think of the pics I sent you?

After all the customs stuff it wound up costing exactly $1374.40 CAD!! Here in Canada they retail for $1650, and they are back-ordered so it is hard to find one in stock.

The picture you sent was great! Still cannot see the shot in the thread though, which is strange since everyone else can see it but not me!! Oh well.........show your wife some shots with the lens you dearly want to have and tell her that they will all turn out that way! Then she will let you go and buy it!!

[mrclark321]

I really want the Tamron 28-75, I have seen some great results with it and it's about $600 Can taxes and shipping in.

Dan

After all the customs stuff it wound up costing exactly $1374.40 CAD!! Here in Canada they retail for $1650, and they are back-ordered so it is hard to find one in stock.

The picture you sent was great! Still cannot see the shot in the thread though, which is strange since everyone else can see it but not me!! Oh well.........show your wife some shots with the lens you dearly want to have and tell her that they will all turn out that way! Then she will let you go and buy it!!

[lordjim]

Dan -

I have felt the same frustration recently. I have taken pictures for years but I got very interested in digital SLR photography three months ago. There is so much to learn: from using the camera, getting the right lenses, choosing the right gear, understanding the basics of optics (hyperfocal distance, circle of confusion, etc, etc...), optimizing the display on a monitor, understanding the pros and cons of each recording format to using Photoshop or optmizing printing. It is overwhelming. This is also what makes it so interesting. There are a lot of different aspects too it from technical to artistic.

I have found that some well chosen books can help a lot when practising becomes frustrating. It also depends on what you expect.

You can find a good list here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53846

I really liked the advices from the pros of National Geographic in the National Geographic Field Guide. You will see that they also had their periods of frustrations.

I have seen on several forums a lot of people posting crap pictures and being very happy with them. That's fine too. I have also seen what real amateurs who devoted years to this art could do. To me, it is worth the investment in time. If you are more demanding as I am, then you need to learn to be patient (as I do). It takes years to master the different technical aspects of photography.

It seems that a lot of photographic skills are based on experience so enjoy your XT and be patient.

[shiato storm]

as a film user - primarily - I am keeping my eyes on the dSLR world as it develops as inevitably I will buy into it too. its a medium which i feel I could harness as much as I have film, and I have no problem with the fact that its going to be a learning curve, there always is when using something new it would be the same if I chose to buy a medium format...so its just a trick of having patience and learning the ins/outs of the technology, the good news is I have the lenses already so its a simple body swap.
As I'm aware the 1d pro bodies produce images that require a bit of post-processing to get the best of them, the 20/10/350/300D's all produce better out of camera results but the camera functions are not as extensive as their 1 series cousins. This therefore implies that the element of skill still remains with the photographer as much as it always has with film, KNOWING you've got a good shot not trying your luck (especially with the 1 series shots). of course there's an element of luck in everything, you just learn how to turn that luck into consistent quality results.
patience and remembering your mistakes only build up your experience so you get great shots every time. for example, I was taking some pics of some horses this past week, had a really nice shot lined up 'click' ... oh b*llocks, left the IS off, result was blurry as hell. so I won't be doing that again. you live and learn!the dSLR learning curve is cheap - memory cards can be reformatted over and over again. saddly slide can't...thats the pay off I guess. oh well. I am a stickler for quality of the highest order, no matter what I want pin sharp everytime (getting a few Lenses that are up to the job help, and there'll be more on the way!), I'm prepared to learn to get there, everyday I'm learning. I'm hoping I've still got a few years left in me to get near where I aspire...given the talent out there I can only be the best I can...