350D Questions (Pre-Purchase)

[mattsiesco]

I'm getting ready to buy my 350D within the next month (:):):)) and I have a few questions before I do this.

I've never used a DSLR so I am curious as to how the lens works compared to a canon film SLR. Is it easy to manually focus like an SLR or is it alot of guess work like the digital cameras I've used in the past (Cybershot). And is the manual focusing done with the lens like SLRs or on camera/Or is that used to zoom?

What memory card (Size/Brand) would you need/recomend to hold about 80-100 shots at full quality? Any other neccesary accesories?

This question is much like the first, but is aperature controlled on the lens 100% or do you use the LCD/Camera body. Or is it integrated???

The kit lens. Is it a good first lens or should I save a little more and get a better lens.

Are there any things I must do once I get the camera new (IE updates or firmware,etc?)

Thanks alot for your patience as Im new to DSLRs and cant really find any basic info like this.

And finally, where can I find the patience to await the day I have enough to buy it?

Thanks!
matt

[felix21685]

hey matt..

the 350D is just like your canon film slr if its one of hte newer ones but instead of film it takes it on a image sensor..everything else is pretty much the same..
manual focus is achieved by setting the lens to MF and then rotating hte focusing ring.
i would get sandisk ultra II 1GB CF memory to start. i got one of mine from newegg.com

the kit lens i heard is ok. I wish i had one so i could get wider than 28mm.
i think for starters its just fine.
depending on what firmware your camera has when it gets shipped to you, you can update it yourself or leave it as it is.. but if your ordering in a month or even now i believe it includes the lastest firmware.

finally..you think you will spend alot on the camera. stick around here long enough and the money that you could win in the lottery would barely be enough ;)

lol patience..i dont know..go to a ritz and play with one everyday..
i bought mine when i had just enough to buy it..literally to the dollar..

[lostdoggy]

Have you even tried the cmare in your hand???
I tried the XT and it is much smaller then the DRebel that it surplanted.
Although there is significant improvement over the DRebel, the quality of built is way better as well, but not quite 20D.
You'll need Compact Flash and it should be at least 50X. The Sandisk Ultra II is 60X and its an excellent buy.
The focusing is very similar to SLR and manual IMO is rarely used, at least by me.
The first thing you'll notice with DSLR is the lack of shutter lag compare to P&S cameras.
Startup time is pretty immediate as well.
If money is limited the Kit lense is definitely recommended. You'll find that there won't be any other lens that will give you that wide angle of view at this price.

[Mitcon]

Hi Mattsiesco,

I was totally new to photography a few weeks ago myself, search the forums and the net. The people here have a wealth of information to share, I've learnt a great deal from them all.

The manual focus is done with the lens as felix said. The zoom is also done with the lens, not the camera. Basically everything is the same on a DSLR as a film SLR I'm lead to believe. The field of view I think they call it is different, there is a X1.6 cropfactor.

I find the kit lens quite good stopped down and it would at least be a good starting point. Better to wait for other lens purchases till you know what use you intend to put the camera into. Then read up on the appropriate lenses, again alot of information on this to be found here.:)

Aperature is controled automatically or by user settings depending on the mode you have the camera in. You are bound to the limitations of the lenses aperature capabilites though.

As for CF card I would say 1gig sandisk ultra II also, Lexar are also meant to be great but I hear that they have a compatability issue between the cards firmware and the 350D-XT. I doubt you will need to do an update but if needed it's simple and you need not worry. One other thing you should buy is a blower and a spare battery.

Blowers cost a couple of dollars and batteries can be found cheap on ebay and other web sites as well. There is some threads here on 3rd party batteries. I found it hard to wait also, I can't even stand the waiting for my P.O.T.N strap lol.

Again search the forums here and ask questions. Theres no such thing as a silly question, only a silly mistake:D

[bachscuttler]

Kit lens a little soft but nothing a little post sharpening with USM wouldn't sort out.

CF cards...the fastest you can afford...if you intend shooting RAW, about 100 on a 1gb card

Do try holding one first, the size puts a lot of people off but I personally don't find it a problem and consider the BG-E3 battery grip to add a little substance and weight.

It's a great introduction to DSLR...enjoy!

[EddieA]

This s my first DSLR too :)
Is it easy to manually focus like an SLR or is it alot of guess work like the digital cameras I've used in the past

On lens - as any SLR - just switch to MF - but ring is a bit small/flimsy on the kit lens - and autofocus lenses feel 'looser' but screen is brighter.

And is the manual focusing done with the lens like SLRs or on camera/Or is that used to zoom?

Both (manual) focus and zoom are on lens.

What memory card (Size/Brand) would you need/recomend to hold about 80-100 shots at full quality?

IGb Sandisk II - excellent = 100 RAW or approx 290 Large Jpegs

Any other neccesary accesories?

Remote release and tripod

is aperature controlled on the lens 100% or do you use the LCD/Camera body. Or is it integrated???

In camera - either fully selectable (Av Mode) and Manual or automatic (many modes) - can also choose to set Speed (Tv Mode and in Manual) or auto. Both come in 1/3 stop increments. There are othr modes too.

The kit lens. Is it a good first lens or should I save a little more and get a better lens.

An OK lens- can be soft but many good photos taken with it and you can't beat the price!

Are there any things I must do once I get the camera new (IE updates or firmware,etc?)

Not necessary.

Hope this helps

[dave_bass5]

One other thing to remember is that once you put a flash and/or bigger lens on the 350d it becomes even more unbalanced.
i love the size of it with the kit lens but once i put my 420ex and 28-105 on its very difficult (for me) to hold it level

Dave.

[jimsolt]

Have you even tried the cmare in your hand???
I tried the XT and it is much smaller then the DRebel that it surplanted.
Although there is significant improvement over the DRebel, the quality of built is way better as well, but not quite 20D.
You'll need Compact Flash and it should be at least 50X. The Sandisk Ultra II is 60X and its an excellent buy.
The focusing is very similar to SLR and manual IMO is rarely used, at least by me.
The first thing you'll notice with DSLR is the lack of shutter lag compare to P&S cameras.
Startup time is pretty immediate as well.
If money is limited the Kit lense is definitely recommended. You'll find that there won't be any other lens that will give you that wide angle of view at this price.

It is in fact less than 1 inch smaller in overall dimensions . . . just for the record.

Jim

[zacker]

i use the 350d with a 420ex with no problems and also i use a 75-300mm lens with out a problem... im 5'11" and have baseball mits for hands... I really dont see what the fuss is over the camera being too small... unless your used to dragging around a big old 35MM or one of the other "big" sized cams. I will admit it though, the hi Impact plastic body had me alittle concerened when i bought it but... I like it now, I can hang it around my neck and not get annoyed!! Hey, just dont drop it... dont drop any camera for that matter... metal or plastic..
-zacker-

[Perfect_10]

It is in fact less than 1 inch smaller in overall dimensions . . . just for the record.

Jim

Yes .. but an inch can make all the difference .. :)

I made that mistake when I bought a Canon S20 instead of an S200 .. it was only a little bigger (and heavier) .. but it felt wrong and didn't quite fit in my pocket.

[jimsolt]

Yes .. but an inch can make all the difference .. :)



Yes, it can . . . in many ways. Women have always told me, "Size doesn't matter." Are they telling me the truth? Is it a compliment . . . or a complaint?

I think this is on the minds of many who complain about the 350D's dimensions. :lol:

Jim

[mattsiesco]

Thanks again for the great feedback. I already have a tripod and everything, sounds like I just need a memory card, and I didnt know the 1gb can hold more than 200 large jpegs:O

Also, the lack of shutter lag and start up time is going to be heaven for me. My current P&S has about a 10 second start up time and very long shutter lag.

Thanks again:)

[miklav]

Sometimes CF card can crash... just like HDD crashes - using several smaller cards like 512MB could be more reliable.

[Andy_T]

Sometimes CF card can crash... just like HDD crashes - using several smaller cards like 512MB could be more reliable.

Sorry, but that's just no longer adequate.

Use several smaller like 1 GB - get 1 now, and the others later:lol:

A 512 MB card will give you 40 RAW+small JPG images, if you decide to use RAW.

Best regards,
Andy