Canon SLR question for all you experts!

[DizzyV6P]

I work for B&H and I can assure you, you CAN spend a day at the store. Like WOD and FAO Schwarz, it is a popular tourist attraction.

That store is the reason why all the pro photographers took out 2nd mortgages

 

[gometros]

That store is the reason why all the pro photographers took out 2nd mortgages

You can't imagine how expensive it is to work here. All the temptation and all the toys

 

[Jozymouse]

Hello, me again, I would need your help once again please. I finally got the Canon Rebel XT and it came with a EF-S 18 – 55 mm Lens. Most of you recommended that I buy the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for low light pictures.
Before doing so, I would like to confirm in which "Disneyland" situation I would need to use that lens EF 50mm/1.8 II lens over the default one (18-55mm).

50mm/1.8
Fantasmic
Parade of Dreams (evening)
Electrical Parade
Dark rides (no flash)
Evening pictures taken outside (castle etc)
Character pictures taken inside (Mickey's house)

18-55mm
Parade of Dreams & Pixar Parade during the day
Character pictures day/outside
Daylight castle pictures
shows taking place outside during the day etc

Am i getting any of this?

Thank you so much! Again!

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

The 50mm 1.8 definately helps in low light. However adding movement to low light makes it tough. I tried to play a little bit with my 50mm 1.8 on Pirates and Haunted Mansion, and still came up with mostly blurry photos. In dark rides, you're always moving. In night parades, the floats are always moving. I've seen nice examples and it can be done, but it's not easy. (I'll admit I'm no expert).

I don't mean to knock the lens at all, just make sure you don't set your expectations too high for it.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Test with moving people before the parades.
Shutter Priority - 1/60 and up.
Set ISO to 800 or above.
Keep playing with the settings until you get something you like.

chimp, chimp, chimp until it looks good

 

[mabas9395]

Putting the 50mm f/1.8 on and setting the camera in full auto mode won't give you that much better low light pictures than if you used the 18-55 (maybe sometimes if you are really, really lucky). If you really want to get the most out of that lens in those low light conditions, I suggest you learn how to use the camera out of the green box mode (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc).

(If the OP is already familiar with the more advance camera settings then just ignore this, but I still think its good advice for the average newbie)

 

[Jozymouse]

Putting the 50mm f/1.8 on and setting the camera in full auto mode won't give you that much better low light pictures than if you used the 18-55 (maybe sometimes if you are really, really lucky). If you really want to get the most out of that lens in those low light conditions, I suggest you learn how to use the camera out of the green box mode (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc).

(If the OP is already familiar with the more advance camera settings then just ignore this, but I still think its good advice for the average newbie)

Hi, thanks for your input. I AM a TOTAL newbie. I know nothing about SLR cameras. I DO want to learn how to use the manual funtions but since i'm going to NYC next week and the lens prices are MUCH cheaper there than here, I was just wondering if I should buy it, although I dont know how to use it just yet...... my DLR trip is at the beginning of Sept.

 

[gometros]

Hello, me again, I would need your help once again please. I finally got the Canon Rebel XT and it came with a EF-S 18 – 55 mm Lens. Most of you recommended that I buy the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for low light pictures.
Before doing so, I would like to confirm in which "Disneyland" situation I would need to use that lens EF 50mm/1.8 II lens over the default one (18-55mm).

50mm/1.8
Fantasmic
Parade of Dreams (evening)
Electrical Parade
Dark rides (no flash)
Evening pictures taken outside (castle etc)
Character pictures taken inside (Mickey's house)

18-55mm
Parade of Dreams & Pixar Parade during the day
Character pictures day/outside
Daylight castle pictures
shows taking place outside during the day etc

Am i getting any of this?

Thank you so much! Again!

Sorry, but I disagree. What is the 18-55mm rated at? I assume it's the f/3.5 18-55mm? To spend the money for a ,ens that is at best going to give you one or two more stops when you already have a lens that covers the normal range, is not the best way to spend your money. I know it's only about $90 new, but I would sooner get a telescopic zoom like a 70 - 200mm before I spend money on an overlapping ens.

(Whoops, didn't hit the shift key. That was supposed to be $90, not 490).

 

[Jozymouse]

Sorry, but I disagree. What is the 18-55mm rated at? I assume it's the f/3.5 18-55mm? To spend the money for a ,ens that is at best going to give you one or two more stops when you already have a lens that covers the normal range, is not the best way to spend your money. I know it's only about 490 new, but I would sooner get a telescopic zoom like a 70 - 200mm before I spend money on an overlapping ens.

Sandy, the lens is EF 50mm f/1.8 II and it goes for about $80 in the States (here is more like $140). I'm quite confused on what to do.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Hi, thanks for your input. I AM a TOTAL newbie. I know nothing about SLR cameras. I DO want to learn how to use the manual funtions but since i'm going to NYC next week and the lens prices are MUCH cheaper there than here, I was just wondering if I should buy it, although I dont know how to use it just yet...... my DLR trip is at the beginning of Sept.

Go outside around dusk and start practicing shooting moving cars. Read the manual carefully on AV and TV modes. Then play with the settings...especially the shutter settings to see what kind of shots you can get. Moving objects usually require 1/250 sec or higher. Up your ISO to the max 1600 and work your way down to 800, then 400 to see how it comes out.

You have a week until NYC and then a month until Disney. That's plenty of time to figure out exactly what you might need.

 

[gometros]

Sandy, the lens is EF 50mm f/1.8 II and it goes for about $80 in the States (here is more like $140). I'm quite confused on what to do.

See my correction. A little matter of a missed shift key

I missed the fact that you are in Canada, which makes it a little more expensive then.