newbie help

I have been reading as much as I can lately so that I'm not asking stupid (or really stupid) questions. This is a great site with a lot of resources, but I was hoping someone can direct me to where I need to go for the information that I'm trying to find. Otherwise I'm just jumping around forums and reading what I can and looking at all the pretty pictures. Is there a good link to all the photography terminology and definitions?

I just bought a Canon digital rebel XT, I was going to wait until I learned more about photography before purchasing, but Dell had this really nice deal so I just had to jump on it. It comes with the 18-55mm lens. My wedding photographer recommended this camera and also recommended that I eventually get a 17-85mm IS (which is better than the lens that it comes with, what does IS mean?), a EF-s 10-22mm (for landscapes) and 50mm 1.4 (which I'm not sure what it's for, a better version of 18-55?). Obviously not all at the same time.

I did find a listing of all the lenses available, but besides reading reviews, product description, does anyone have a good resource to read about lenses? I'm currently reading that National Geographic field guide book. I am primarily interested in taking landscape and wildlife photography. Would these be a good set of lenses to play with?

Also I've been out of the photoshop loop lately, last one I got was 7.0. Is Photoshop CS and CS2 the next ones available? Can anyone recommend a good digital photography photoshop book? I saw one on amazon, the Photoshop CS for digital photography but I just wanted some additional input

Sorry for all the questions, thanks in advance!

Sorry I cannot help you out with the book recommendations. The 17-85mm IS lens is a better lens then the 18-55. If you could get that lens INSTEAD of the 18-55, that would be a good start. You also do not have to limit yourself to ef-s lenses, but there is nothing wrong in using them with your camera. (If you upgrade cameras at a later date, ef-s might/might not be compatible). IS = Image Stabilization. That allows you to take a picture at a slower shutter speed handled than you could without it. Some people swear by IS. I probably would too if I owned one. He also recommended he 50mm f/1.4 as a great low light lens! That is what it is for! Has a very larger aperture (low f/#). As far as future lens purchases though... only YOU will be able to know what you need. I myself have the 18-55 and an 85mm f/1.8. I have NO need currently for a 10-22mm for landscapes. My 18mm suits me just fine. I need more focal length and large apertures. Your needs can/will be different.

Photoshop 7 was proceeded by CS & CS2.

Sorry I can't offer more help.

For lenses, think about what you want to shoot (landscapes, macro, wildlife, action, etc) and what kind of price you're willing to spend. Then pop over to our "Canon EF and EF-S lenses" forum and ask away.

The lenses that he recommended are very good lenses, and quite possibly overkill for a self-admitted newbie. You can do A LOT with the lens you have, and along the way learn it's weak points, it's strong points, what it does well for you and what it doesn't. You'll be well armed with that info and some recommendations from the folks here, and your next lens will be much easier to choose.

Oh, and start saving now.


As for CS2 books, there's currently a discussion here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=92055
In a very quick nutshell, Martin Evening's books on CS2 for photographers (can't remember the exact title) would be my recommendation unless you know PS fairly well, and then I'd get Scott Kelby's book for digital photographers.

tucked: No thank you for your response! It answered quite a few of my questions. I really appreciate it The 18-55mm came in a bundle which was an extra $90 vs just getting the body. I thought I'd just get a decent lens to start out with and then see what I need. Thanks for the input!

Scottes: Thanks! Those lens that she recommended are a little more heavy duty than what I can handle now (considering I don't know what the difference between EF and EF-S). I don't plan to buy them in the near future, I want to be able to use my camera first. Not so much into macro, but just landscapes and animals (my dog hehe). Thanks for the link

soapy wrote:
tucked: No thank you for your response! It answered quite a few of my questions. I really appreciate it The 18-55mm came in a bundle which was an extra $90 vs just getting the body. I thought I'd just get a decent lens to start out with and then see what I need. Thanks for the input!

Scottes: Thanks! Those lens that she recommended are a little more heavy duty than what I can handle now (considering I don't know what the difference between EF and EF-S). I don't plan to buy them in the near future, I want to be able to use my camera first. Not so much into macro, but just landscapes and animals (my dog hehe). Thanks for the link

The 18-55mm lens gets slammed around this forum quite abit... but I challenge anybody to find a better zoom lens for the price. That is why I own one. It will probably be my widest lens that I own for a long long time. It may not be the best.. but it certainly suits my needs.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Thanks! Was there an intro forum I missed? I didn't see one.

It's hard to keep up with technology and still be able to afford it. As long as it makes you happy, who cares if other people don't like the lens?