Newbie, out for my first DSLR!

Hey there all, wasn't sure where to post this, but since I'm looking to buy my first DSLR camera, thought I'd post here.

As my username suggests, my name is Tom, and I'm 16. I recently was at my brother's wedding, and the cinematographer at the wedding had a 5D Mk II. Since the wedding was over, he let me take it for a little test drive and wow! What a camera! Every shot I took felt great to me... but since I only had it for about 5 minutes, I took only about 15 photos tops. He looked them over and looked a bit impressed. He told me that if I kept practicing my pictures would turn out really good...

So here I am, with a bit of a broken dream and little to no money. Since I'm an absolute beginner, I was looking at the Rebel XS kit, since it's the cheapest I can find. I might even be forced to go used... however, right now the inspiration in me is at its highest, and I really just want to get out and take pictures. That 5D Mk II however will probably remain my dream camera for quite some time.

Anyone have any tips for complete newbies? I think that as a starter the kit lens 18 - 55mm would be sufficient, since I've seen a lot of a great shots taken with this lens, but what other lenses should I invest in? I'm interested in wedding photography, but this may not be able to happen for a bit of time... other things I'm interested in are motorsports, action shots of BMXing/skateboarding, and even still shots of just about anything nature related. I also live fairly close to NYC, so cityscape is also something I'm interested in.

Thanks guys!
-Tom

Welcome to the forum. There are a ton of different threads here at POTN that can get you a whole lot of info. Best place to start is a bit of reading and then get out there shooting.

Start with these threads.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=414088
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=249006
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=86975
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=52418

gjl711 wrote in post #10461823
Welcome to the forum. There are a ton of different threads here at POTN that can get you a whole lot of info. Best place to start is a bit of reading and then get out there shooting.

Start with these threads.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=414088
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=249006
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=86975
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=52418

Sounds great, I'll take a look through those. I'll need to get a camera before I can actually get practicing though!

And to answer that first question, the Rebel XS and kit lens is probably a very good place to start. My sister-in-law recently bought exactly that and has been learning and having a lot of fun with that kit.

TheTomster wrote in post #10461834
Sounds great, I'll take a look through those. I'll need to get a camera before I can actually get practicing though!

Don't discount the used route though. There are a lot of great deals out there on 30Ds and 40Ds which body wise are close to the 5D and not that much more than a XT kit, and maybe less.

^^ + 1 on that

Yea, 40D's are amazing cropped body cameras. However, it's a step up from the xxxD's. I think you should get an Xsi, and build your way up. Build your glass collection. From there, you can upgrade to a better camera when you know how to set things like aperture, and ISO's.

Either way, you'll have fun with photography!

Buying a 33V has left me unable to use my 450D without becoming incredibly frustrated with how small it is (particularly the viewfinder). If you've tried a 5D you're going to be horrendously disappointed with a Rebel and might be better off with a second-hand XXD camera.

push your budget a little more and get yourself a used XXD series camera. that way you won't need a body upgrade for a while with just a little money extra on top if you did buy an XS.

Used XTi's go for less than 300$ nowadays, and it has a lot of what you'd need, especially if you're just starting out.

Instead of purchasing the kit lens, why not the 50mm f/1.8? it's less than $100 and it will definitely allow more creativity (DOF-wise) than a zooming kit lens.

i started out on a digital rebel 300D(which is FS btw), and its a great camera to learn on. It has the size of a xxD and all the features you need to learn on a dslr.

DazJW wrote in post #10462060
Buying a 33V has left me unable to use my 450D without becoming incredibly frustrated with how small it is (particularly the viewfinder). If you've tried a 5D you're going to be horrendously disappointed with a Rebel and might be better off with a second-hand XXD camera.

That's a decent enough point. I'll look around for a xxD style camera.

Thanks guys. The forum sure doesn't dissapoint! Most forums I've been on are either dead, or dying!

Get whatever you can afford. Whatever digital body you buy will be an "old" camera in 2 years.

Investing in good glass at 16 is IMO an big mistake. Learn the art of photography first. The equipment is something you have a whole lifetime to collect and to afford when you are a bit older.

Having one lens will force you to be more creative. When I was your age I never saw a zoom lens, so I learned with a 50mm lens just like everyone else. Having a kit zoom or a faster prime 50mm lens is IMO not much of a difference - both have limitations and both can be used to great effect as learning tools.

You'll hear that the f1.8 will give you better image quality than the kit zoom. And the zoom will give you more flexibility in focal lengths than the prime 50.

But the bottom line is you can learn with either.

Photography isn't about the equipment. It isn't about "image quality"... it's about developing a good "eye" and it's about composition and the effective use of light and shadows. You can do both with either lens.

IMHO - based on over 55 years of using a camera, working in the film and tv industries for 40 years, a degree in Mass Communications (Radio, TV and Film) and having had a dad who was a professional photographer, it's my firm belief that the less you have to work with the better photographer you will become.

Relying on equipment is like learning arithmetic with a calculator. You may get the right results, but you don't know why. And without being able to depend on the equipment, you'd be completely at a loss.

I'm always amazed when I go to a cashier and something costs $3.57....I give the cashier a $5 bill and two pennies and they look completely confused.

Sad..but that's what happens when you don't understand the basics. And the basics are the building blocks of everything....from photography to rocket science, sports, brain surgery and yes...making change at the super market.

Best of Luck,
D.

I am 64 and loved the reply by Delija, especially the change part. Local Sears store recently had XSi kit for closeout price of less than $500. Look around for such bargains. The XS kit would be a great basic DSLR and lens for $500. Good used XXD would be nice if camera and lens are in your budget. Get a decent body and lens now then start making a wish/gift list of accessories you would like to have.

Whatever you get, USE IT A LOT and enjoy the world that DSLR has to offer. Get away from full auto (green box) as soon as possible. Don't worry about mistakes and some really big screw ups. We have all been there. There are some great instructional threads on P.O.T.N., many are better than some books I have seen. Best of luck and enjoy.

Delija wrote in post #10462840
... Learn the art of photography first. The equipment is something you have a whole lifetime to collect and to afford when you are a bit older.

Totally agree. You do not need expensive fancy equipment to get started.

Delija wrote in post #10462840
Photography isn't about the equipment. It isn't about "image quality"... it's about developing a good "eye" and it's about composition and the effective use of light and shadows. You can do both with either lens.

And then I 1/2 disagree. Photography is about developing a good eye, and about image quality, and about equipment. They can't be separated. I too grew up at a time where a 50mm prime was all that I had available. I got good with that one lens, but totally clueless about shooting wide, or shooting long, or shooting with flash. Today I see photographers who have a wonderful eye but are completely clueless when it comes to using the tools.