Moving up to SLR

Hello! (New member.)

I have finally decided to move away from my old Kodak DC265 for all of its problems.(It worked fine before I dropped it several times, I swear.)

I am looking at getting the Digital Rebel and the Speedlite 420EX. I usually end up needing more light.

From what I have gathered, the lense included with the 300D isn't that great? Considering selling the included lense and getting a Tamron.

If you can't tell, I'm completely new to SLR0 and still haven't learned some key basics to cameras. I know how to setup a good shot, but my sloppy camera work usually shows up in the end.

Most of my photos are indoor and within twenty feet of the camera. I do a lot of coverage for Japanese animation conventions taking photos of costumers. Some of the other things I do are shots of figurines. It always shows I definitely need more lighting or at least change how I'm lighting. I can never seem to get enough of it.

Gallery of some of my photos. Mostly just better ones, there are plenty of bad ones I didn't upload. Only have taken 2,478 pictures on the Kodak.
http://www.experimenta​linsanity.com/upload/g​allery/photography

Youll find the Canon to be much better than the Kodak!

I have the 420ex for a flash and for a lens I found a Tokina 287 Pro SV.

Nice lens, well built, and 2.8 for the whole range.

A couple of adjustments after some test pics and you'll have what you want.

-Pete

okay, first of all, Welcome!

neither the 300D nor the 420 EX have flash exposure compensation (unless you get the hack), so I'd suggest you get either a 10D (they're cheap now, especially used) w/ a 420EX, or a 300D w/ a 550EX.
The 18-55 is not the best lens out there, but it's useable.

Hi Alexia,

welcome to the forum!

There is one thing you have to observe ... the 1.6 crop factor of prosumer DSLR's.

This means that your Tamron 28-75 lens (which is a great lens!) will actually give the same picture as a 44.8-120 mm lens on a film camera.

Your Kodak DC 265 is a 38-115 mm (equivalent) camera.

That means that you will lose a bit at the wide angle, and gain a bit more tele reach.

So ... if you want to have a wider picture than on your Kodak camera, then it might be worthwile to get the kit lens nevertheless. It's the cheapest way to get wide angle on the Digital Rebel.

Best regards,
Andy

WOW! I really do have a lot to learn.

Now I feel embarassed... anyone know a good resource for learning more about lenses?

cmM: I considered the 10D. Kind of reconsidering... I like the extra features, but its around a $400 difference I don't have. The Rebel/550EX seems like a better idea for my financial.

I think I would be fine sticking with the lens kit with the Rebel. I'm not planning on selling prints to anyone.

I waited an extra 6 months to get the 20D over the rebel. I think it was worth it.

As far as the lens goes, but sure to get a good macro if you're into photographing figurines.

For 20 feet max and indoors, I'd be thinking hard about the 50 f1.8 (or f1.4 if the budget isn't tight.)

Or maybe even the f1

Also 85 f1.8 or f1.2.

This is what I'm planning on getting to start:

300D with lens kit
50mm f/1.4 USM
85mm f/1.8 USM

From what I gather, it would be a great way to start.

With the rebates going on right now, it brings the total to about $1,040. Well within my budget of $1,000.

In the future I'll sell the lens kit and get a Tamron. Eventually will get a Speedlite as well.

Great choices. And that is a hell of a deal.

**Edit: Did you say 1.4? Those 2 lenses alone are more like $600. Is that price correct?

50mm - $310
85mm - $340
300D - $800
$1,450

Rebates are tripled, so $300, $45, and $45 off.
$1,450 - $390
$1,060

The kit lens isn't as bad as everyone says it is, it really needs to be stopped down to f8 or so. That said, most lens are at there best in that range, the problem is getting a fast enough shutter speed with that tiny aperture.

I would consider keeping the kit lens, it is cheap so you won't get much for it. It also gives you something to sell the body with when you upgrade down the road. Even if you do buy the tamron your widest lens is 28*1.6. I would keep the 18-55 around to wider shots.

Thanks vfilby. Not a bad idea on keeping it around. Though, I don't plan on upgrading for a long time.

Could someone explain the 1.6x crop factor? I can't find any information on it.

Alexia wrote:
Thanks vfilby. Not a bad idea on keeping it around. Though, I don't plan on upgrading for a long time.

Could someone explain the 1.6x crop factor? I can't find any information on it.

The digital sensor on the rebel is about 1.6 times smaller than film. So your final image is like cutting out the center of a negative. That sad you lose a lot of width on wide angle lenses. So 18mm becomes 29mm and 25mm becomes 40mm. I.e. a 25mm on the rebel is about the same as a 40mm on a 35 film body.

If you want to read up on this.. click on the "EOS" sticky at the top of this foum and find the link.. "10,000 threads on the X-Factor"

Youll find there is plenty on this subject

You mean the link that takes you to your public profile?