PSX5Central
Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Evi on August 30, 2007, 09:28:41 PM
-
I saw that other thread and I was convinced. I wanted a good starting camera because I\'ve always wanted to do photography as a hobby. I will be taking some photography classes this upcoming semester. I played with the XTi today at the camera store and it\'s amazing.
Any starting advice for a n00bie photography hobbyist? Any advice would be helpful. I\'ll be getting the XTi in a couple weeks. I know nothing about anything when it comes to this stuff. Aperture, ISO, filters...all Greek to me.
-
Excellent choice Evi! It\'s a great cam, you\'ll have lots of fun with it.
One of your first lens purchases should be the 50mm f1.8. It\'s fast (f1.8) and cheap ($100-ish). If you feel like spending a bit more, the f.1.4 version should be even better, but it\'s also more expensive. For a beginner it\'s more than fine (I own one myself and I love it - I shot some party pics at night w/ ISO 1600 and didn\'t have to use the flash! The shallow DOF is kinda hard to control at that point though so you have to focus carefully).
Filters... When you get some good lenses you\'ll probably want to protect them by putting on a filter. It could be a UV filter or a pol filter.
Another word on lenses, since it\'ll be the biggest chunk of money. Get the fastest lens you can afford. You can always shoot a f1.8 lens at f4, but you can\'t go the other way. If the widest aperture is f4, then you can\'t stop further down. And as you might or might not know, it controls how much light you can capture. You\'ll want flexibility and having a fast lens will give you that.
Other than that, you can read lens reviews at sites like http://www.fredmiranda.com and others. Just use Google and make sure the lens you wanna buy is actually worth the money. :)
You also need to figure out what kind of range you want. If you want to be able to take wide angle shots, you\'ll need a 10-22mm for example. If you need telephoto a 70-300mm might be in order. You\'ll soon learn that some lenses have a certain reputation. The Canon 70-200mm is one of them, it\'s a great although expensive lens. And the faster the version, the more expensive it gets. Although I\'d be more than happy with a 70-200mm f4. :)
Anyway, good luck and have fun. :)
-
Thanks a lot, man. :) I\'m seriously illiterate when it comes to photography. I\'m going to try my best to learn as much as I can about all this. I\'ll even post photos on here when I get the chance. I\'m going to Paris, France with my girlfriend in about a year, so I\'ll definitely get to take some great pics with it then. :p I was originally going to pay for the whole trip, but her dad is going to help out and get us some first-class plane tickets. :) She\'s a great photographer herself, actually. She can take jaw-dropping pictures with just her Canon PowerShot. I don\'t know how she does it. She just has a knack for it.
But thanks again, man. I\'m really excited about getting this camera. Checking it out today had me convinced. It\'s a great camera. :D
-
It sure is. :D
Have fun in Paris btw, it\'s an amazingly beautiful city.
-
in my opinion, i don\'t like filter that much as i prefer more natural looks, filter might not give you that natural look on pictures...so, use is sparingly or not at all when possible. Unless it\'s neccessary...
-
in my opinion, i don\'t like filter that much as i prefer more natural looks, filter might not give you that natural look on pictures...so, use is sparingly or not at all when possible. Unless it\'s neccessary...
Well I wouldn\'t recommend like a star filter or something, but a pol or UV filter is a good thing, both for your pictures and protecting the lens. :)
-
I only use a polarizer for clear but hazy days.
My lenses for my XTi are 10-22mm wide angle zoom lens and the most impressive 85mm 1.8 lens. Both are canon brands. I will be getting that 50mm lens that Sammie mentioned. It\'s cheap yet takes high quality pictures. I\'m not a clutz so I don\'t expect to drop that chintzy lens ever.
-
Well I wouldn\'t recommend like a star filter or something, but a pol or UV filter is a good thing, both for your pictures and protecting the lens. :)
i tried neutral density filter before on my cam, and i didn\'t like it much as the dark gray len makes the color undersaturated and too drab for my taste. I find without using it, the color comes out more natural.
Maybe this UV or pol filter of your is different than my neutral density filter of mine. Of course, I own a much cheaper camera and lens.
-
Its a great camera. Its gonna take you a while until you will learn and get used to all the features, especially if you are starting out. I, personally, love point and shoot cameras. I will one day upgrade to an SLR but the photography projects I use my camera for, my Canon SD900 does the job and some (its an advanced camera. I don\'t recommend the SD900 for novices). I really want to post my latest project. I\'ll have to do that later. I only came on here for a quick minute before I have to pick up my friend at her dorm.
-
I only came on here for a quick minute before I have to pick up my friend at her dorm.
What other stories about your life would you like to share?
-
*waits for the weak comeback*
-
(As Titan) "I\'d like to share a story about NAILING YOUR MOM!!!"
;)
-
Evi do a random search on google for rebel xti. A lot less money then a store. Plus they offer incredible packages not sure what your wanting to spend. One thing i do is read the reviews. Normally my wife gets her camera equipment from pc mall However the last two camera\'s i purchased were say from best camera. Maria normally used sony cybershots but two weeks ago she folded and bought the rebel xti and she loves it.
-
What other stories about your life would you like to share?
I grew up on a farm. That was great especially during my adolescent years when I would "ride" the horses.
-
My parents raised poodles - don\'t care for them personally.
Horses are okay tho\'!!!11!!
-
Eeew poodles. The most vile creatures on Earth.
-
Evi do a random search on google for rebel xti. A lot less money then a store. Plus they offer incredible packages not sure what your wanting to spend. One thing i do is read the reviews. Normally my wife gets her camera equipment from pc mall However the last two camera\'s i purchased were say from best camera. Maria normally used sony cybershots but two weeks ago she folded and bought the rebel xti and she loves it.
I already did do a Google search and I found it for 400 dollars less than what the store was charging. ;) I found it in the 600-700 range online. It was over grand after tax at the camera store.
http://www.froogle.com :)
-
Cool evi, i never shop any other way. I price and compare t least a half dozen times before i make my move. I don\'t buy unless im getting the best bang for the buck. Make sure you get the extended warranty.
-
Make sure you get the extended warranty.
Will do. :)
-
Neutral density filters are great though if you want a longer exposure.
-
Hey evi did you ever buy that camera
-
when you do take a picture of this post and post it
would be mad awesome
-
Probably still won\'t have the camera for a couple of weeks. I\'ll definitely post up some pics when I get it. They will be n00bish though until I get the hang of it.
-
Didn\'t want to create a new thread. Is the Canon XTi still the way to go? Or is there something better for close to the same price? I already have 3 EF lenses, so I\'d really like to stick with Canon. I got the green light to buy it, so I probably will in the next month or so.
What did you end up buying Evi?
-
Nikon has similar cameras in the same price range, but the XTi is on Amazon for less than 600: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-10-1MP-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B000I1ZWRC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&s9r=8afea4c1124c4ff80112a19b4b000d01&itemPosition=1&qid=1206392387&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-10-1MP-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B000I1ZWRC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&s9r=8afea4c1124c4ff80112a19b4b000d01&itemPosition=1&qid=1206392387&sr=8-1)
I ended up getting the XTi. I\'m really liking it. Very easy and fun to use. I\'m gonna start looking into some lenses next. This thing kicks all kinds of ass though. Bought an 8GB super speed memory card for this thing. I have yet to take a blurry pic. The anti-blur function is great. :)
I\'ll get around to posting some pics on here. I forgot all about this thread. :p
-
It\'s the lenses. I think Canon has the best and fastest AF lenses in the market. But I\'m no expert. It\'s my personal opinion. Plus I\'m biased. So I hope I influenced you. :p
-
Rebels are kinda cheap compared to their D series. The number series of cameras (like 20D, 30D, etc) are their prosumer/professional models. I have an Elan IIe (its a film camera though and their prosumer/professional model) and I love it. It takes fantastic photos and I bought it for 80 bucks and is a 10 year old model and still works flawlessly. If you do photography as a serious hobby, its worth it to look to their prosumer models. Otherwise if you are a hobbyist or casual picture taker, the Rebel series is more than enough. They use a lot of the same stuff as in their D series but the D series just has a bit more to do, but you more than likely won\'t use the features. I bought the Elan because 1) it was just as much used for the pro cameras as the consumer cameras for film and 2) they\'re more durable. But Canon and Pentax are the best in the business. If I didn\'t buy a Canon, I would have bought a Pentax. I bought a Canon because I was more than satisfied with their digital cameras and customer service and I\'ve used older model SLRs and they are typically ahead in the industry.
EDIT: I should mention too that the D series of cameras is double that of the Rebel. So unless you have the capital to afford it, the Rebels are fine :)
EDIT2: Before you buy the Rebel XTi, there is a new Rebel camera that is coming out in a couple weeks, the Rebel XSi. Its got the new Digic III processor and a higher megapixel count. I\'ve used Canon Powershots with both the old Digic II and Digic III processor. The Digic III is good but I personally really liked the quality of the pictures that the Digic II shot. I liked it so much, I\'m actually going to buy the same model camera (S400) that broke last year on eBay soon enough. I have the SD900 too and it takes fantastic photos as well. You won\'t notice a difference. I notice a slight difference in some shooting situations but if I gave you the same picture from the two different chips, I doubt you\'ll notice.
-
oh my, what has the world gone to?
-
I\'ve been reading around the web and a lot of people prefer the 8 MP Rebel XT over the 10 MP XTi in overall picture quality. But I\'m still leaning towards the XTi, the XSi is nice.. comes out April 27th, but I think that might be slightly out of my price range.
With 4 kids we take a LOT of pictures and are getting fed up with going to local photographers or places like JCPenny or Picture People just to have unmotivated high schoolers who don\'t like what they are doing try to take pictures of our kids.. we can do a better job ourselves in the comfort of our own home, yard, park.. whatever.
I take it my old lenses won\'t auto focus or any of that jazz right? So I need an AF lens for the auto focus? What is the best general purpose lens to get? (for shooting children and family.. mostly natural light)
-
I take it my old lenses won\'t auto focus or any of that jazz right? So I need an AF lens for the auto focus? What is the best general purpose lens to get? (for shooting children and family.. mostly natural light)
The important question before I try and answer you is - how much are you willing to spend?
-
I\'ve been reading around the web and a lot of people prefer the 8 MP Rebel XT over the 10 MP XTi in overall picture quality. But I\'m still leaning towards the XTi, the XSi is nice.. comes out April 27th, but I think that might be slightly out of my price range.
With 4 kids we take a LOT of pictures and are getting fed up with going to local photographers or places like JCPenny or Picture People just to have unmotivated high schoolers who don\'t like what they are doing try to take pictures of our kids.. we can do a better job ourselves in the comfort of our own home, yard, park.. whatever.
I take it my old lenses won\'t auto focus or any of that jazz right? So I need an AF lens for the auto focus? What is the best general purpose lens to get? (for shooting children and family.. mostly natural light)
What was your old camera?
-
my old camera is a Canon A-1... which I just read uses FD lenses which don\'t work with any of the canon digital camera bodies without an adaptor... damn. I guess this throws the D80 back into the mix.
-
my old camera is a Canon A-1... which I just read uses FD lenses which don\'t work with any of the canon digital camera bodies without an adaptor... damn. I guess this throws the D80 back into the mix.
They make the an adapter that works with the EF lenses but since the EOS line has circuits that run into the lense, there are a lot of problems with using it. I wouldn\'t recommend it.
-
Didn\'t want to create a new thread. Is the Canon XTi still the way to go? Or is there something better for close to the same price? I already have 3 EF lenses, so I\'d really like to stick with Canon. I got the green light to buy it, so I probably will in the next month or so.
The XTi is great value for money. The XSi is out in April I think, but it\'s not that much better. It\'s just slightly better, but the price is a lot more. Get the XTi. :)
-
my old camera is a Canon A-1... which I just read uses FD lenses which don\'t work with any of the canon digital camera bodies without an adaptor... damn. I guess this throws the D80 back into the mix.
Sell it. Time to upgrade.
Cherry blossoms are going to be nice in Washington DC this year. Now....about those damn tourists.
-
I\'d rather see the cherry blossoms in Japan.
-
I\'d rather see the cherry blossoms in Japan.
I\'d rather see your cherry blossom.
-
:gfight:
-
Well... I just bought the XTi this morning. But unlike that liar Evi, I will post my first attempt at pictures with the new beast.
-
Well... I just bought the XTi this morning. But unlike that liar Evi, I will post my first attempt at pictures with the new beast.
:laughing: He did forget to post his pics.
-
:laughing: He did forget to post his pics.
I\'m just trying to motivate ;)
-
Evi never bought the camera, that\'s why. He could have atleast been like fifaseriesfan and just posted pics from another site.
-
What the hell are you talking about? I\'ll take a pic of a sign that says TITan is a douche.
-
What the hell are you talking about? I\'ll take a pic of a sign that says TITan is a douche.
Do it
-
guy called me today to confirm that my order is shipping tomorrow and I shouldn\'t get it any later than Wednesday (from Manhattan, NY).
Love getting shit in the mail
-
Taken during my road trip to LA. Canon Rebel XT. Shot in raw, combination of 11 images. Original is 10,000 x 3000.
-
^^ Verah nice. Can you post a slightly higher rez version of that?
-
really good. very pretty nature too.
-
^^ Verah nice. Can you post a slightly higher rez version of that?
sure, just let me know what resolution you want.
-
I gots it a day early... had it shipped to work and I already have the 18-55 kit lens at home that a friend gave me.. so I can\'t play with it until I get home tonight :( Got the camera, a nice bag, Free 2GB CF Card & extra battery.
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg101.imageshack.us%2Fimg101%2F9594%2Fdsc00063mv3mi4.jpg&hash=12c93e07f7d538ade8cf46aea767e552c204dd60)
-
Noice. My XTi box was black. Hmmm....two batteries?
BTW, get a prime lens. the 1.8mm lens. It\'s around $400. Do a search here for XTi. There\'s a link to some sample shots.
-
maybe your box was black because it included a lens?
a new lens will be my part of stimulating the economy
-
Nope. But it was last year\'s.
-
first pic taken with new camera.. we just shot around in auto mode tonight... I ended up taking a nice shot of our dog without a flash using the P mode. Love the camera so far, gonna take some time experimenting with settings and learning terminology, but so far the camera is great. Pics below are resized (naturally)
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg301.imageshack.us%2Fimg301%2F7372%2Fimg0006ro3.jpg&hash=d5568e17440a07c731404ad0ea076a08a092a7e6)
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg210.imageshack.us%2Fimg210%2F732%2Fimg0106qb2.jpg&hash=378a5a07205cc81e053d21f0893cfcee23a83062)
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg301.imageshack.us%2Fimg301%2F7835%2Fimg0015ck0.jpg&hash=3bb0202799674cd1e6066c7859149f92dc38a68e)
-
Looking good. Those your kids?
-
yeah, 3 out of the 4 (one adopted)
I\'m 27 and my wife is 25 and yes, we do it like rabbits
Maybe I missed it... did Evi post some pics yet?
-
yeah, 3 out of the 4 (one adopted)
I\'m 27 and my wife is 25 and yes, we do it like rabbits
Maybe I missed it... did Evi post some pics yet?
Nope. He hasn\'t risen to my challenge ;)
-
Gonna say the four legged kid is adopted, huh? :p
-
well, newegg is having a 15% off all DSLRs today and today only. So I bought at T1i (500D) digital camera body today on newegg (almost $90 off already on-sale price). Got the body for about $423.
Mainly been lusting after a DSLR that can shoot HD video. Also a bump from 10.1 MP to 15.1 isn\'t a bad upgrade either. So I\'m going to sell my trusty XTi body on ebay next week, along with our crappy SD Flip Camera.
Didn\'t feel like posting a new thread. Anyone else get a new camera recently?
-
Still using my XT, no real reason to upgrade the body as I have no real need for any higher of a resolution. Probably not the best camera to be using professionally, but that\'s what photoshop is for.
-
well, newegg is having a 15% off all DSLRs today and today only. So I bought at T1i (500D) digital camera body today on newegg (almost $90 off already on-sale price). Got the body for about $423.
Mainly been lusting after a DSLR that can shoot HD video. Also a bump from 10.1 MP to 15.1 isn\'t a bad upgrade either. So I\'m going to sell my trusty XTi body on ebay next week, along with our crappy SD Flip Camera.
Didn\'t feel like posting a new thread. Anyone else get a new camera recently?
Differences in megapixels is really nill. Megapixels only mean how big you can make a picture. Where in DSLRs it comes to play is if you edit images in RAW. You have a lot more data to work with and crop with. I have the Canon 7D and its 18 megapixels. I always shoot at full resolution cause I like to play with cropping sometimes and you can still make a high quality picture even when cropping in so much. But when I shoot professionally freelance for photography companies, they usually ask me to shoot at low megapixels cause they say that 18 megapixels is way overkill for their commercial application.
-
By no means was this an upgrade because of the megapixels, it was mainly for the HD video. There are also many other things about it that are decent improvements over my xti.. plus I just like buying new shit.
There... I said it. lol
-
By no means was this an upgrade because of the megapixels, it was mainly for the HD video. There are also many other things about it that are decent improvements over my xti.. plus I just like buying new shit.
There... I said it. lol
Nothing wrong with buying new shit. The T1i is a fantastic camera. Sold a lot of them. The HD video is nice. I never use it on my camera, since I do just still photography, though it is nice to have. Plus I can shoot in 24fps which is awesome if I ever get back into film making :)