DSLR Camera

[Bert]

I suppose this goes here.

I've always liked photography but have never had a really good camera. I was thinking this year I would invest in a really good DSLR. I have done some research and decided I'll start with a Canon 40D and a Cannon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens.

Any photogs have any thoughts or advice on this? I have seen some of you up in Flag at training camp lugging some pretty serious equipment around so I thought this might be a good place to get some input before I make my final decision.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Paging Mike Olbinski.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I suppose this goes here.

I've always liked photography but have never had a really good camera. I was thinking this year I would invest in a really good DSLR. I have done some research and decided I'll start with a Canon 40D and a Cannon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens.

Any photogs have any thoughts or advice on this? I have seen some of you up in Flag at training camp lugging some pretty serious equipment around so I thought this might be a good place to get some input before I make my final decision.

Thanks in advance.

Yo.

I don't know much about the 40D, but I do see it's only 10.1mp. You can get 18.1mp in the T2i, plus HD video all for less money from what I see on Amazon.com.

The 50mm 1.8 is a solid lens...it will be great. Awesome for portraits of people and for getting a little bit closer to the action.

The kit lens with it (18-55mm) is okay...I used it for a long time, but only until I could afford an upgrade.

If you want something better than the 50 1.8 because you saved money getting the T2i...the 50mm 1.4 is stupendous.

PM me if you have any questions, would love to help.

Mike

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Paging Mike Olbinski.

 

[Bert]

Thanks Mike, PM incoming.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I bought a 30D a few years ago and really like it, fwiw.

 

[Pariah]

Do these DSLRs have an auto feature for snapshots, or are you constantly adjusting shutter speed and aperture for even everyday things like kids' birthdays and such?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Do these DSLRs have an auto feature for snapshots, or are you constantly adjusting shutter speed and aperture for even everyday things like kids' birthdays and such?

I just use the little green rectangle setting (auto settings for dummies) unless I am really confident in what I am doing. Someday I hope to be more of an expert at what I do, but there is a fully automatic option.

You must be registered for see images

BTW, Bert, dpreview.com is the site I used to get a lot of information when I was doing research. HTH: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/default.asp

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Do these DSLRs have an auto feature for snapshots, or are you constantly adjusting shutter speed and aperture for even everyday things like kids' birthdays and such?

You can shoot in P or the green rectangle mode which is fully automatic...although you'll have to zoom usually by turning the lens, not a button behind the camera

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I just use the little green rectangle setting (auto settings for dummies) unless I am really confident in what I am doing. Someday I hope to be more of an expert at what I do, but there is a fully automatic option.

You must be registered for see images

BTW, Bert, dpreview.com is the site I used to get a lot of information when I was doing research. HTH: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/default.asp

The easiest mode to learn next is Av (Aperture Mode). All it controls is the aperture, nothing else...it's all still automated.

If you have kids or are taking pictures at a part with a nice 50mm 1.8 lens, you want to control the aperture to open it real wide so you get that blur in the background.

Aperture Mode is what I shoot in most of the time for my portrait work.

 

[Pariah]

you'll have to zoom usually by turning the lens, not a button behind the camera

Well, then forget it! Sheesh. They expect you to do everything!

 

[Bert]

Thinking I will avoid craigslist. The first guy I called didn't speak english and didn't seem to know what I was talking about, the second was a text and it was broken english at best, even for a text msg and they just kept saying ok yes, to all my questions... Man that place is weird.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I bought a t1i a little over a year and a half ago and really like it .... haven't saved enough pennies yet to move beyond the kit lense, but it's easy enough to use in the various automated settings and to adjust some of the settings (like switching to B&W) is very easy to do as well.

tri-pod & timer have helped take some nice family photos

overall i'm very happy with it even as a novice and get some nice photos .... one day I'll have to upgrade my lenses and figure out how to use this thing more than the 10% of capability i do now (if that)

 

[Russ Smith]

FYI Lucy and I are just starting to do our homework on getting one and Consumer Reports says Nikon is the way to go in the entry level DSLR.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZYF3LO/ref=pe_62860_18957950_pe_vfe_t1

It's $569 now which is about 100 bucks less than say B&H Photo in New York would charge(about 130 actually).

We're not ready to buy yet but we're pretty likely to get Nikon and the D3100
looks like a good value at that price.

Don't know much about what's different between the 40D and the 3100 they retail for very similar prices.

Edit from googling , the D3100 is actually the replacement for the 40D, so it's odd that Amazon has the 3100 for 130 less. It's 14.2 megapixels so higher resolution and it has video capture.

I know nothing about DSLR cameras but it seems to me if you can get the D3100 for less than the 40D it's probably the better buy?

 

[Bert]

Thanks to all for the help and advice. Wound up finding a fantastic deal on a Canon 40D that I could not pass up so I went with that and the lens that Mike O suggested.

Took it out to the Riparian Preserve out in Gilbert for my first shoot today. Here's my best shot. This lil guy let me get up nice and close.

You must be registered for see images

It would be cool to keep this thread going or start another thread for us photographers (be us novice or pro's) to share tips and pics.... Just a thought.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

FYI Lucy and I are just starting to do our homework on getting one and Consumer Reports says Nikon is the way to go in the entry level DSLR.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZYF3LO/ref=pe_62860_18957950_pe_vfe_t1

It's $569 now which is about 100 bucks less than say B&H Photo in New York would charge(about 130 actually).

We're not ready to buy yet but we're pretty likely to get Nikon and the D3100
looks like a good value at that price.

Don't know much about what's different between the 40D and the 3100 they retail for very similar prices.

Edit from googling , the D3100 is actually the replacement for the 40D, so it's odd that Amazon has the 3100 for 130 less. It's 14.2 megapixels so higher resolution and it has video capture.

I know nothing about DSLR cameras but it seems to me if you can get the D3100 for less than the 40D it's probably the better buy?

I've been a Nikon shooter for several years now (d300). If you have questions on Nikon, feel free to hit me up.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Thanks to all for the help and advice. Wound up finding a fantastic deal on a Canon 40D that I could not pass up so I went with that and the lens that Mike O suggested.

Took it out to the Riparian Preserve out in Gilbert for my first shoot today. Here's my best shot. This lil guy let me get up nice and close.

You must be registered for see images

It would be cool to keep this thread going or start another thread for us photographers (be us novice or pro's) to share tips and pics.... Just a thought.

I agree...It would be cool if we could have a Photography/Arts section to post topics.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Russ and Bert...Just curious to see how it's going with your cameras.

 

[Bert]

Russ and Bert...Just curious to see how it's going with your cameras.

It's going great thanks for asking! I absolutely love this camera and I still have no idea what I'm doing! lol jk I'm not entirely clueless. I've learned a lot already and am going to a workshop down at Tempe Camera in a couple of weeks.

Today I picked up a new lens that I'm pretty stoked about. (EF28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS) So now I've got a great prime lens and a great zoom lens so I'm set for a while.

Going to Vegas next week for a convention so I hope to get some good shots while I'm there. My goal is to have an excellent grasp of what I'm doing in time for Cards camp so I can get some great shots up there. I mean ofcourse, if we have camp

 

[RON_IN_OC]

It's going great thanks for asking! I absolutely love this camera and I still have no idea what I'm doing! lol jk I'm not entirely clueless. I've learned a lot already and am going to a workshop down at Tempe Camera in a couple of weeks.

Today I picked up a new lens that I'm pretty stoked about. (EF28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS) So now I've got a great prime lens and a great zoom lens so I'm set for a while.

Going to Vegas next week for a convention so I hope to get some good shots while I'm there. My goal is to have an excellent grasp of what I'm doing in time for Cards camp so I can get some great shots up there. I mean ofcourse, if we have camp

That's great! Good for you. Taking classes/workshops will really help. While you're in Vegas, take a run out to Red Rock Canyon. It's only about 20-30 minutes from the strip. It's a beautiful park with many spots for picture taking.

http://www.redrock.org/

 

[Russ Smith]

Russ and Bert...Just curious to see how it's going with your cameras.

Actually still haven't bought one I'm budgeting for it but thanks for asking.

My dad is telling me to go Nikon he's a big photography guy too. The reason I asked here is I wanted more opinion, my dad is a very bright guy and he's an optics guy so he knows lenses and that sort of stuff inside and out. So something that may seem simple to him might be seen as not user friendly by most people. That's why I wanted more input and I got good input here.

That said I'll still probably get the Nikon over Canon it's not really for me it's for my girlfriend and probably still a month or two out.

 

[Dback Jon]

Thanks to all for the help and advice. Wound up finding a fantastic deal on a Canon 40D that I could not pass up so I went with that and the lens that Mike O suggested.

Took it out to the Riparian Preserve out in Gilbert for my first shoot today. Here's my best shot. This lil guy let me get up nice and close.

You must be registered for see images

It would be cool to keep this thread going or start another thread for us photographers (be us novice or pro's) to share tips and pics.... Just a thought.

Nice Northern Mockingbird!!
Riparian Preserve is a great place to photograph birds.

How much did you pay for the camera?

 

[Bert]

Nice Northern Mockingbird!!
Riparian Preserve is a great place to photograph birds.

How much did you pay for the camera?

Got a great deal on a Refurbished model straight from Canon for $480. Got a year warranty and everything Looks and shoots like its brand new.

 

[Dback Jon]

very cool - sounds like a great deal

 

[Bert]

Going out to the Sand drags/Mudbogs at ET Motopark tonight, will be my first night (under the lights) shoot. Hopefully I get some good ones worth sharing.