Great forum for a great new hobby

DamienK · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

Hi all, yet another newbie here!

Just making it known to the world that I am very pleased with my purchase of the Canon 350D, my first DSLR (actually my first SLR)! I picked it up last Saturday with a 18-55 Lens and an Inca Tripod and a 55-200 Sigma Lens.

My question to the forum, is what is the best (daylight) method of capturing moving animals in a live show? I will be travelling to Queensland this Saturday for the Xmas period, I intend on getting many shots of extreme weather (my other hobby) and the tigers of Tigers Island @ Dreamworld and the Tiger and Crododile show @ Australia Zoo by Steven "im a mad bastard" Irwin....

I am not looking for "AUto" modes and such I want to play with the camera and get the most out of it, and just for fun here is my first shot with my forst ever SLR/DSLR!

Under it are a few shots from my old recently retired 1.2mp Canon A30

And from the A30, this first one nearly killed me, lightning @ 10mtrs you can actually see the static in the air, I guess it pays to have REALLY good reflexes!

Music to my eyes · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

Hi Damien,and welcome to the forum.

I was at Dream world earlier this year, and had a great time with the camera.
I think you will find the 55-200mm lens to be the most used on the trip for wildlife shots.

To maximize your chance of getting things sharp and clear, I suggest using the centre AF point only rather than letting the camera choose which one to use. As long as you also keep your shutterspeed up you should be fine. I'm not sure if the 350D will alow you to do the custom function where you can use the * button to autofocus (Custom function 4-1, or 4-3 - at least it is on the 20D) A lot of people feels this helps them achieve better focussed shots. AI servo mode is the best to use for moving targets, combined with burst shooting.

I only had the 28-135 IS when I went to Dreamworld - the 70-200IS was just arriving in Melbourne as I left for the holiday

I really missed that little extra bit of focal length for the wildlife shots. But still, it was a good alrounder. Fast enough for a bit of dolphin surfing.....

Have fun with your new cam. You'll love the extra versatility and control of the SLR.

Regards,

Eugene

PhotosGuy · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

Take a look at Virtual Camera for some instant feedback:
Cameras Interactive aims to help novice photographers grasp the main concepts of SLR photography.
http://www.camerasinteractive.com/index.php#
Exposure explained: Three gateways for light.
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/p_2_005.html
Exposure - Low Tech Tips
http://www.photonhead.com/exposure/
SimCam
http://www.photonhead.com/exposure/simcam.php
Making Photographs
http://www.photo.net/photo/tutorial/
The Three P's of Photography; Planning...
http://luminous-landscape.com/essays/ps-ls.shtml
Don't forget to look at the "Sticky"s at the top of the various sections of the forum for a lot of good information.
And...

timnosenzo · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

nice 1st pic!

How did you ever get pictures of lightening with a digital point & shoot?!

EoSD30fReAk · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

nice first shot and welcome to the forum.

DamienK · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by timnosenzo

nice 1st pic!

How did you ever get pictures of lightening with a digital point & shoot?!

With a lot of practice! I intend on getting much better results with this DSLR

DamienK · 14th of December 2005 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EoSD30fReAk

nice first shot and welcome to the forum.

Thank you, I am sure there is a lot to learn from the "guru's" here *bow*

14th of December 2005 (Wed)	#1
DamienK Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gisborne, Australia Posts: 3	Great forum for a great new hobby Hi all, yet another newbie here! Just making it known to the world that I am very pleased with my purchase of the Canon 350D, my first DSLR (actually my first SLR)! I picked it up last Saturday with a 18-55 Lens and an Inca Tripod and a 55-200 Sigma Lens. My question to the forum, is what is the best (daylight) method of capturing moving animals in a live show? I will be travelling to Queensland this Saturday for the Xmas period, I intend on getting many shots of extreme weather (my other hobby) and the tigers of Tigers Island @ Dreamworld and the Tiger and Crododile show @ Australia Zoo by Steven "im a mad bastard" Irwin.... I am not looking for "AUto" modes and such I want to play with the camera and get the most out of it, and just for fun here is my first shot with my forst ever SLR/DSLR! Under it are a few shots from my old recently retired 1.2mp Canon A30 And from the A30, this first one nearly killed me, lightning @ 10mtrs you can actually see the static in the air, I guess it pays to have REALLY good reflexes! Last edited by DamienK : 14th of December 2005 (Wed) at 02:53.

14th of December 2005 (Wed)	#2
Music to my eyes Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia. Posts: 254 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Great forum for a great new hobby Hi Damien,and welcome to the forum. I was at Dream world earlier this year, and had a great time with the camera. I think you will find the 55-200mm lens to be the most used on the trip for wildlife shots. To maximize your chance of getting things sharp and clear, I suggest using the centre AF point only rather than letting the camera choose which one to use. As long as you also keep your shutterspeed up you should be fine. I'm not sure if the 350D will alow you to do the custom function where you can use the * button to autofocus (Custom function 4-1, or 4-3 - at least it is on the 20D) A lot of people feels this helps them achieve better focussed shots. AI servo mode is the best to use for moving targets, combined with burst shooting. I only had the 28-135 IS when I went to Dreamworld - the 70-200IS was just arriving in Melbourne as I left for the holiday I really missed that little extra bit of focal length for the wildlife shots. But still, it was a good alrounder. Fast enough for a bit of dolphin surfing..... Have fun with your new cam. You'll love the extra versatility and control of the SLR. Regards, Eugene __________________ 20D + BG-E2 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f2.8L IS, 580 EX, B+W filters Lowepro bags, + Street and Field, Crumpler 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS (Make me an offer!) 380EX (Make me another offer!) Manfrotto 'pods

14th of December 2005 (Wed)	#4
timnosenzo Cream of the Crop Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 8,809	Re: Great forum for a great new hobby nice 1st pic! How did you ever get pictures of lightening with a digital point & shoot?!

14th of December 2005 (Wed)	#5
EoSD30fReAk Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,198	Re: Great forum for a great new hobby nice first shot and welcome to the forum. __________________ Photography is my way to relax

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