HELP! Buying SLR within the next 2-3 days!

[Pea-n-Me]

Of course that's a great choice.

The only thing I'd mention is did you know that next month Canon releases the XSi? It's got a few features the XTi doesn't have and may be worth waiting for. Personal choice.

 

[ukcatfan]

So I'm assuming I would be better to try the photos with the 50mm cannon I got rather than the 70-300mm or the kit lens, correct? Even though there is no zoom I'm assuming from what I've read the telephoto lens isn't good for low light situations where flash is not allowed.

Also the external flash is on hold for me but I haven't purchased it, how much of a difference will this make in my photos?

Unless you are in the first few rows, no flash is going to help at a show like that. That is why you need the fast lens. I would personally set the focus point to center b/c even being a little off on your focus point will ruin a shot when you are using a wide aperture like f/1.8. For the show, you pretty much need the body and the 50mm. I would check around online to make sure you got a good deal on the other things b/c you do not need them right away.

Kevin

 

[YEKCIM]

Spot metering might be helpful, too, unless the stage area is uniformly lit.

~Y

 

[ukcatfan]

Spot metering might be helpful, too, unless the stage area is uniformly lit.

~Y

As far as I know, the XT and XTi do not have it, but the XSi will.

Kevin

 

[Master Mason]

As far as I know, the XT and XTi do not have it, but the XSi will.

Kevin

Your correct on the xt and xti don't know the specs on the xsi yet. It was one of the reasons I moved to the 40D

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I took the new camera to Hollywood Studios today and took a few photos, just sharing a few here. What do you think?

These were taken with the 70-300mm lens...

Beauty and The Beast

Fantasmic

These with the 50mm 1.8 lens...

I'm thinking the 70-300mm did much better than I expected in the low light at Fantasmic so would this be a good option for the concert tomorrow? We have floor seats but not close enough to get a good close shot with the 50mm lens.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Awesome!

(I always liked your Kodak shots, too.)

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Pea-N-Me, thank you! I'm very happy with the first set of photos. Especially since this is my first DSLR, I thought I was going to pop yesterday when I put the 70-300mm on and actually took a shot of Mickey during Fantasmic that was not blurred or too dark, like a kid in the candy store...lol. It can only get better from here. =o)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Pea-N-Me, thank you! I'm very happy with the first set of photos. Especially since this is my first DSLR, I thought I was going to pop yesterday when I put the 70-300mm on and actually took a shot of Mickey during Fantasmic that was not blurred or too dark, like a kid in the candy store...lol. It can only get better from here. =o)

I know what you mean - I also got my first dSLR last week. I haven't been to Disney yet but even just around town I'm having fun with it! We'll be newbies together!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I'm thinking the 70-300mm did much better than I expected in the low light at Fantasmic so would this be a good option for the concert tomorrow? We have floor seats but not close enough to get a good close shot with the 50mm lens.

Nice photos! Does your 70-300 have IS? I would bring the 50mm just in case. If the 70-300 doesn't work as well under extreme low light conditions, then you can pop in the 50mm. It may not get you as close up, but may enable you to get shots you may otherwise not be able to get. Good luck!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Well the venue told me the 70-300mm was too big so I had to use the 50mm which means being 27 rows back from the stage I had to zoom and crop most of the photos but here is one I've uploaded so far.

My point and shot just took black photos with blurs of light so I'm happy I brought the Canon in.

 

[AndrewWG]

Well the venue told me the 70-300mm was too big so I had to use the 50mm which means being 27 rows back from the stage I had to zoom and crop most of the photos but here is one I've uploaded so far.

My point and shot just took black photos with blurs of light so I'm happy I brought the Canon in.

Now, does this make any sense? I think that some venue people just simply don't know what they are talking about. Your 70-300 lens is less zoom than most of the super zoom point and shoot cameras out there and it isn't exactly a monster sized lens. So what is the big deal? Did they let you bring it in with you? I would have put it on the camera anyways.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Well I put the 70-300 on it but when I got to the door the guy turned me around saying it was too big. So I called the security office of the venue and was told it had to be less than four inches, which it's right about that range. So I made another try at another door and was met with the same reply, too long. =o(

So I asked for a ruler because I knew it was atmost JUST 4 inches long. He came back with a security flashlight and measured from the body forward and said it was more than four inches and if it was detachable it wouldn't be allowed with or without that lens. So we went back to the car, change the lens to the 50 and came back, he looked and said "ok, you had a smaller camera it's a go"....of course thinking I was going to be patted down I left the other lens in the car when I should have just put it in my sweatshirt but oh well. Would you know the guy next to us had a much much larger lens than my 300. Oh well, next time...=o)

I'm pretty happy with them anyhow, would have loved to have used the longer lens but eh alas my P&S wasn't even able to take anything so I guess overall it was ok. It sure learned how to use the manual feature on the Canon though, auto, sports, etc failed hard core (nothing but blurs) but the manual got some decent ones now if I could figure out how to remove the noise.

ETA: I tried Neat Image and got this result but is there a free version of a similar software?

 

[cmwade77]

I would like to know more about the Nikon D40 (I am pretty sure that is the camera that I saw at the store by my parents house), the guy that owns that particular store knows the area rep and ocassionally gets the camera wiht the 70-300 lens and the 50 long with the extended 4 year warranty and case for around $250.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I would like to know more about the Nikon D40 (I am pretty sure that is the camera that I saw at the store by my parents house), the guy that owns that particular store knows the area rep and ocassionally gets the camera wiht the 70-300 lens and the 50 long with the extended 4 year warranty and case for around $250.

There are a ton of threads about the D40 in recent days. Just look around at all the posts asking for help deciding which DSLR they should get, etc. Good luck!
Personally, I'd get the D80, especially if you are interested in the 50mm prime lens for low light. They work w/ the D40 but only in manual, no AF. The primes work in AF or Manual on the other Nikon DSLRs like the D80.