Advice for a Beginner

Hey thanks! I've altered my profile to allow editing of pics.

Thanks for highlighting the depth of field issue with the bigger apertures. I really haven't even grasped the basics yet so that was a very useful tip! Point taken about the IS lens too. I'm very happy to use a tripod where necessary, but I really wouldn't want to be shackled to it. I'll have to think carefully whether the Tamron really would be the best option or whether I should just grit my teeth and go for the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8. That really does appeal, but the trouble is my eventual goal (if I can develop enough skill to justify it) is a 400mm lens for bird photography - a pricey investment! But that's a looonnnng way off! Anyway it's clear enough now that I don't need to rush into anything.

With the exposure issue in the RAW file, would spot metering have helped here?

Jack Dawe wrote in post #5882106
With the exposure issue in the RAW file, would spot metering have helped here?

Metering mode is of little importance (especially for a scene like that), knowing where to get your meter reading from is key.

I highly recommend the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It will help you to understand how to properly meter.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1215651​381&sr=8-1

Jack Dawe wrote in post #5882106
I'll have to think carefully whether the Tamron really would be the best option or whether I should just grit my teeth and go for the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8. That really does appeal, but the trouble is my eventual goal (if I can develop enough skill to justify it) is a 400mm lens for bird photography - a pricey investment! But that's a looonnnng way off! Anyway it's clear enough now that I don't need to rush into anything.

If you are planning to really get into it, I think it would definitely be a good idea to save up for the 17-55. But that lens costs some serious $$$. It all goes back to how much money you are willing to put into your photography at this point.