DSLR's-Finally

[Richard in Smithville]

Thanks to all who responded to my questions on DSLR's. Today I picked up a canon. Now comes the learning curve.

[BobSch]

The only way to learn is to shoot, shoot, shoot. That's one of the big advantage in digital — you can shoot all day and all it'll cost you is a battery charge.

Seriously, try the same scene from different angles, and don't only shoot eye-level — get down on one knee, or lay down and get another perspective. Experiment, have fun.

And be sure to post some of your work here.

[Tom Slick]

just remember, there is no film to waste! shoot alot, then shoot some more. the camera will record EXIF data so you will know your settings later on when you want to recreate the shot again.

If you have any questions I shoot a canon and will gladly help where I can.

[Alex Franke]

Hooray! Canon rocks. You'll love it! Remember to try the bracketing modes, and like everyone else is saying, don't be afraid to hold down the trigger!

[poolhound]

COngratulations. As you know I am a Canon shooter, you wont be dissapointed. What did you get and what lens or lenses? Now you have another hobby that will sink cash like tools do

If you want to shoot portraits and/or need a good basic lens for low light you should look into the "nifty fifty" I mentioned in an earlier post. 50mm fixed but its an f1.8!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8.../dp/B00007E7JU

its now $89 on amazon but you can often get it for around $70.


A few simple tips - no particular order

1. Do read the manual and learn which buttons do what
2. experiment
3. Compose with the rule of thirds and then BREAK THE RULE
4. The P mode will get great results but learn how to shoot in Aperture priority mode. This way you can control depth of field more easily
5. get a decent RAW processing package - Adobe Lightroom is great
6. Get a polarizer
7. When you get a bag get one thats bigger than you think you will need, you will fill it soon enough
8. When shooting people/animals, focus on the eyes
9. Shoot lots and lots
10. Remember to have fun


If you have any questions just holler

[Alex Franke]

I'll add another tip to Jon's list... After a few months of playing around with it, read the manual again. It'll start making a lot more sense the second time through, especially after you've had some real experience with the camera.

I got the EFS-60/2.8 macro as my primary prime. It was expensive but it's a fantastic lens. But I'm probalby going to end up getting the 50/1.8 too -- so I second that advice.

[poolhound]

I got the EFS-60/2.8 macro as my primary prime. It was expensive but it's a fantastic lens. But I'm probalby going to end up getting the 50/1.8 too -- so I second that advice.

I looked at the 60 2.8 but was leary about putting any more money into EFS lenses as one day I would like to go to full frame. my main macro/prime is the Sigma 70mm/2.8. I did consider the cannon 100mm which is a great lens but with a crop factor of 1.6 turning it into 160mm its a bit long for portraits and the studio work I do.

[Alex Franke]

I looked at the 60 2.8 but was leary about putting any more money into EFS lenses as one day I would like to go to full frame. my main macro/prime is the Sigma 70mm/2.8. I did consider the cannon 100mm which is a great lens but with a crop factor of 1.6 turning it into 160mm its a bit long for portraits and the studio work I do.

Yes - that actually made me pretty nervous about pulling the trigger on it. But in the end I figured I'd get the value out of it even if I only used it for a couple of years. Or even a year for that matter (no more expensive film developing )...

poolhound brings up a good point about SOME of the Canon lenses -- specifically those marked "EFS" or "EF-S" as opposed to just "EF". These lenses will ONLY fit on EFS compatible cameras. EFS compatible cameras have smaller mirror boxes because they use image sensors that are smaller than 35mm film. This allows the lens to have a shorter backfocus distance (the back of the lens is closer to the image sensor) because the smaller mirror doesn't get in the way as much.

So it's not a full frame camera. And as it gets cheaper to make full frame sensors and full frame cameras, the EFS lenses may slowly become obsolete. They may, on the other hand, continue to make smaller frame cameras... Who knows...

[jziegler]

Yes - that actually made me pretty nervous about pulling the trigger on it. But in the end I figured I'd get the value out of it even if I only used it for a couple of years. Or even a year for that matter (no more expensive film developing )...

poolhound brings up a good point about SOME of the Canon lenses -- specifically those marked "EFS" or "EF-S" as opposed to just "EF". These lenses will ONLY fit on EFS compatible cameras. EFS compatible cameras have smaller mirror boxes because they use image sensors that are smaller than 35mm film. This allows the lens to have a shorter backfocus distance (the back of the lens is closer to the image sensor) because the smaller mirror doesn't get in the way as much.

So it's not a full frame camera. And as it gets cheaper to make full frame sensors and full frame cameras, the EFS lenses may slowly become obsolete. They may, on the other hand, continue to make smaller frame cameras... Who knows...

Larger sensors will likely never be a mass market product like the smaller sensor DSLRs are becoming. The physics of semiconductor manufacturing do not work well for getting a high yield from a large chip like is required for a full frame sensor. As the size goes up, the probability of defects goes up, so yield goes down fast. This is not likely to change anytime soon. That, and the smaller sensor is an advantage for many photographers (effectively increases the focal length of lenses, good for telephoto applications, greater depth of field is good for many applications, lenses can be smaller and lighter since they don't need to cover as large of an imager). So basically, unless you have a specific need for a full frame sensor, most people will never get one, and the price is not likely to drop anytime soon.

Jim

[sscherin]

I shoot with a Pentax K100D

What I like best is it'll use any Pentax lens.
All my AF lenses from my ZX-50 woke just fine.
Even my old SMC-A lenses from my ME Super work in auto mode.

Older all manual lenses have to be run in manual mode.

If I didn't already own a bunch of Pentax glass I might have gone with Cannon.

[poolhound]

......as it gets cheaper to make full frame sensors and full frame cameras, the EFS lenses may slowly become obsolete. They may, on the other hand, continue to make smaller frame cameras... Who knows...

I agree with Jim, while there will be more choice and a slight reduction in prices over time for FF bodies I doubt they will ever make the mainstream. The whole crop factor issue is of course a double edged sword. Its nice sometimes to get the extra focal length but its a PITA when you want to shoot wide angle. They now need to make even wider glass to get you back to "normal" wide angle range.

I thought you might like to see some proofs from a shoot I did this very morning. I am working on a Dog Book and took these at a local dog park. Most are direct from the camera, no post yet. A few have been cropped.

http://jrdrmarketing.com/photos/dogs51508/

There may be 5 or 6 keepers from this batch of 90 but I shot over 300 to get these. Thats the beauty of digital setup the motor drive and shoot away......