Another digital SLR thread.....
shawn474
Posts: 3,047
Well, my wife got me a DSLR camera for an early birthday present. I have been wanting to get into photography for awhile now and she found an offer that she jumped on. I had been looking at the Nikon and Canon and they have long been out of my price range so I gave up. She found a Pentax *ist DL entry level camera with 18-55mm lens brand new in box for $270. I have read the reviews and despite its low 6.1 mp it seems to be highly reviewed (even though it has been discontinued).
I work at a university and am able to take free classes. This summer I am going to enroll in the intro to digital photography course and see where it takes me. I am pretty excited and have been futzing around with it over the weekend.
Are there any "tricks to the trade" that I should know about? I am so new to this that reading the owners manual is pretty intimidating. Also, I have read that I can use older pentax lenses on this body. I would like something in the range of 80-200mm to go with the lens that came with it. Any suggestions?
I work at a university and am able to take free classes. This summer I am going to enroll in the intro to digital photography course and see where it takes me. I am pretty excited and have been futzing around with it over the weekend.
Are there any "tricks to the trade" that I should know about? I am so new to this that reading the owners manual is pretty intimidating. Also, I have read that I can use older pentax lenses on this body. I would like something in the range of 80-200mm to go with the lens that came with it. Any suggestions?
Shawn
AVR: Marantz SR-5011
Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
Front: Polk LsiM703
Rear: LSI fx
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4
AVR: Marantz SR-5011
Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
Front: Polk LsiM703
Rear: LSI fx
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4
Post edited by shawn474 on
Comments
-
If you're a beginner, check out this book:
The Digital Photography Book
with Scott Kelby
This isn't a book of theory—it isn't full of jargon and confusing concepts. This is a book that tells you exactly which button to push, which setting to use, and over 100 of the most closely guarded "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better looking, sharper, more colorful, professional looking photos with your digital camera every time you push the shutter.
Here's another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it; if you're tired of taking shots that just look "OK," and if you're tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.
This one, and volume 2 have tips and tricks that are good for the beginner to the seasoned photographer. Like: Get tack sharp focus with the mirror lockup. Adjusting fill flash against natural backlight to avoid that deer-in-the-headlight look. Lots and lots of good tips.
Scott Kelby is a trainer for Adobe and owner of Kelby Training along with being a kick-**** photographer.Slowly emerging from the 90's
Fronts: Polk LSi15's
Center: Polk CS350ls
Pre: Sony STRDA555ES
Amp: Rotel RMB-1075
Sub: Velodyne SPL-1000
TV: 46" Sharp Aquos LCD
Dust magnet: Sony PS3 -
IF I can locate it, I've got a copy of vol. 2 of that book by Scott Kelby that I'll give you. Sort of an "instant, you-win Karma" type thing. Book two deals a lot with lighting and flash and off-camera lighting, but there's still a lot of good information there for a beginner. PM me an address.
-
PM sent. Thanks so much; I am very appreciative.
Take Care,
ShawnShawn
AVR: Marantz SR-5011
Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
Front: Polk LsiM703
Rear: LSI fx
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4 -
Yes, that Scott Kelby book is full of good stuff. It gives you good tips, and in doing so, it indirectly teaches you how the camera works. I feel that is a symptom of good writing.
FYI, you can get into the Nikon, and likely Canon, stuff used for that budget.
My one tip for making better pictures easily, buy an external add on flash. Being able to change the flash angle helps tremendously at times. -
"Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
shack, thanks for that link. I have already joined and got some great advice. I remember you being pretty big into photography and posting a bunch of pictures. Any advice you want to give is certainly appreciated. I seem to remember one of the airshow with the blue angels; that one in particular made me want to follow trough with this hobby. I am content with my stereo (for now), so I guess I will get this hobby going in the meantime.Shawn
AVR: Marantz SR-5011
Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
Front: Polk LsiM703
Rear: LSI fx
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4 -
shawn474 wrote:Any advice you want to give is certainly appreciated.
First and foremost. LEARN YOUR CAMERA.
Next learn to take photos WITHOUT using the Green Auto setting. Otherwise just go get a point and shoot.
This is a good primer about how to manipulate the settings on your camera and what that will allow you to acomplish (beware...it is from a Canon fourm)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=414088
And here is a detailed review and good info about your camera...
(it has several sections - go through all of them)
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/istdl.htmlshawn474 wrote:I seem to remember one of the airshow with the blue angels
Unfortunately not mine...."Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
Thanks again shack. I saw that review and read it before I bought the camera. It seems like the camera is well reviewed (especially as an entry level). Some of the pictures that I have seen from beginners with the same set-up are pretty astonishing. I am really excited to get started and learn this hobby.
I went through the threads and saw that it was someone else with the blue angels pics (jcaut, I think). But, the pics you have posted have impressed as well. Hopefully one day I can get to that level.
Thanks foe everyone's advice and help. hopefully i can share some pictures worthy of sharing soon.Shawn
AVR: Marantz SR-5011
Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
Front: Polk LsiM703
Rear: LSI fx
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4 -
Congrats on the new Camera! You should get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Post up some pictures once you get comfortable!
The Blue Angel thread might have been mine? but my pictures aren't good enough to inspire people lol so probably not.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70765&highlight=blue+angelsMy Home Theater (WIP):
Panasonic AE900 Projector - 126" screen, XBOX 360, Pioneer BDP-320 Bluray
Receiver: Denon AVR-1905
Fronts: RTi6's, Center: CSi5, Surrounds: RTi4, Rears: Denon
Dual Subs: PSW202, and behind the couch Denon 8"
My showcase link:
Media Room pics -
New owner of a Nikon D60, so I'll be investing in that book! I also found a local camera store in Rockford IL that has a lot of digital camera courses that they give for free. I'll be attending many of those.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
dkg brings up a good point. Find your best local camera shop. They are a gold mine of information and great service. The one I like has great staff, very friendly, super knowledgeable compared to me and they had great prices.
Chevy, do you ever go to Kenmore Camera? -
chevy, the one of the plane flying over the bridge is the one that I have been talking about. That picture is awesome; what ISO setting were you shooting at and what type of lens?Shawn
AVR: Marantz SR-5011
Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
Front: Polk LsiM703
Rear: LSI fx
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4 -
Well, my wife got me a DSLR camera for an early birthday present. I have been wanting to get into photography for awhile now and she found an offer that she jumped on. I had been looking at the Nikon and Canon and they have long been out of my price range so I gave up. She found a Pentax *ist DL entry level camera with 18-55mm lens brand new in box for $270. I have read the reviews and despite its low 6.1 mp it seems to be highly reviewed (even though it has been discontinued).
I work at a university and am able to take free classes. This summer I am going to enroll in the intro to digital photography course and see where it takes me. I am pretty excited and have been futzing around with it over the weekend.
Are there any "tricks to the trade" that I should know about? I am so new to this that reading the owners manual is pretty intimidating. Also, I have read that I can use older pentax lenses on this body. I would like something in the range of 80-200mm to go with the lens that came with it. Any suggestions?
Taking class is your best route. Don't rush buying lens until taking class.. Until then, you know what you want.. Good lens are expensive.. many regret from buying cheap lens..
You might want to research on a good tripod before taking class... -
First and foremost. LEARN YOUR CAMERA.
Next learn to take photos WITHOUT using the Green Auto setting. Otherwise just go get a point and shoot.
..
Great advice, shack... -
Chevy, do you ever go to Kenmore Camera?
Nope never been there. I will have to check them out now though. Didn't know about them.chevy, the one of the plane flying over the bridge is the one that I have been talking about. That picture is awesome; what ISO setting were you shooting at and what type of lens?
Shot in AV mode using a pretty big, and insanely exspensive lens (I was able to borrow this thanksfully, I don't own it).
You can pull the exif on all my pictures since I don't strip them personally, but for that particular one:
Camera: Canon Rebel XTi
Mode: AV
Lens: Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/1250
Aperture: F/3.5My Home Theater (WIP):
Panasonic AE900 Projector - 126" screen, XBOX 360, Pioneer BDP-320 Bluray
Receiver: Denon AVR-1905
Fronts: RTi6's, Center: CSi5, Surrounds: RTi4, Rears: Denon
Dual Subs: PSW202, and behind the couch Denon 8"
My showcase link:
Media Room pics -
Add another site to the thread: www.photozone.de has great reviews on SLR lens.
-
First and foremost. LEARN YOUR CAMERA.
Next learn to take photos WITHOUT using the Green Auto setting. Otherwise just go get a point and shoot.
Just use A for automatic, or M for magnificant! That's all you need!
Wait... why do I only get all whit or all black pics...There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin -
also get a uv hase and a polorier filters.
i love my digital rebbel i got a telefoto with IS and itrocks 3 frains a seccond in burst mode.