Help from the "pros" on here please!

[GrowingUpDisney]

Hey guys! Well, since I got a new job, my dh decided to get me the new camera I as vying for! He bought me a Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. Now...I need to know how to work it!!!!! I am reading the manual and all...but I am definately going to need some "expertise" advice! Anyone got any??

 

[DVC Jen]

Get yourself the book Understanding Digital Photography - or Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. You can order both from Amazon. They helped me a lot.

Sit down with your XTi - your manual one of those two books. Read - reference - play - repeat. I spent about 2 days doing that and the lightbulb slowly started coming on for me.

And ask questions if you have them.

Good luck.

 

[webshark3]

A great place to start is right here:

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

Canon has some really good online classes customized for their equipment.

Once you get a basic understanding, you can ask more specific questions over at www.dpreview.com. It's an entire world of knowledge at your fingertips. Just make sure you've read your User Manual or they'll eat you alive.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Having a problem...maybe someone can help me. I cannot figure out if I can take pictures using the LCD instead of having to look through the viewfinder. Can this be done with this camera or must I use the viewfinder?

 

[DVC Jen]

Forgot to say - but wanted to add - congrats on your new job and your new camera.

 

[Anewman]

Having a problem...maybe someone can help me. I cannot figure out if I can take pictures using the LCD instead of having to look through the viewfinder. Can this be done with this camera or must I use the viewfinder?

Viewfinder only.

 

[Lizziejane]

Having a problem...maybe someone can help me. I cannot figure out if I can take pictures using the LCD instead of having to look through the viewfinder. Can this be done with this camera or must I use the viewfinder?

Nope, you can't use the LCD, you must use the viewfinder. Congrats on the new camera and welcome to the XTi club!!

 

[Cheeky in TN]

You will have to use the viewfinder, the lcd will display the picture after you take it. i have got so used to using the viewfinder that using the LCD now seems strange

 

[JR6ooo4]

Don't expect to know it all in 30 days
don't expect to own it all in any way
don't expect to push a button and be done
don't expect to not have fun

Mikeeee

 

[boBQuincy]

Don't expect to know it all in 30 days
don't expect to own it all in any way
don't expect to push a button and be done
don't expect to not have fun

Mikeeee

Very well put!

Read a section of the manual, try what you just learned.
Repeat, for the rest of your life.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Thanks so much guys/gals! I am really excited about getting started taking pics this weekend. Be prepared for some massive posting...lol

 

[DizneyNutz]

I got mine last Dec. and really started taking pics around New Years. I just played with the camera with what little knowledge I had. The reading the suggested articles/ books made more sense once I was familiar with where the adjustments were located. Kind of the cart before the horse method, but now it all makes more sense to me when I am more familiar with my camera.

 

[handicap18]

Thanks so much guys/gals! I am really excited about getting started taking pics this weekend. Be prepared for some massive posting...lol

There'd better be pictures with those massive postings....

Take things slowly. I highly recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

Read it. Take some pictures. Post here. Check your manual. Take some pictures. Post here. Read it again. Take some pictures. Post here. Take more pictures. Read it again. Post here. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat to infinity.

This board is a GREAT resource. I can't say it enough. I've learned alot and releaned alot too. Use us to our full advantage. I know I do.

 

[webshark3]

Good luck. And just so you know, using the viewfinder only; this wasn't Canon being cheap. There are serious technical difficulting with trying to use the LCD for live images on an SLR camera. This is one of the advantages (or disadvantages) of a P&S camera, depending on how you look at it.

 

[dburg30]

Good luck. And just so you know, using the viewfinder only; this wasn't Canon being cheap. There are serious technical difficulting with trying to use the LCD for live images on an SLR camera. This is one of the advantages (or disadvantages) of a P&S camera, depending on how you look at it.

Good point, good thing to point out to folks that are new to the whole SLR world. We've got a point and shoot somewhere laying around that we got free with some purchase. I just cant get used to using the screen. I've only ever used an SLR so it seems wierd to use the screen .


edit; Oh yea, dpreview is a GREAT site, but as stated, they do at least expect you to know the basics about the camera. ie: dont go and ask them how to change a lens or how to put the battery in . But if you have questions you will get an answer about 99.9999% of the time. One other thing. IF you post any images over there and ask for comments or suggestions, dont expect all 'that's a wonderful shot' responses (of course if it IS a very nice shot, you will get compliments). People there wont be mean, but if you ask for comments or suggestions, sometimes what you hear isnt what you want to hear .. But it will be what you NEED to hear to be a better photographer . Not wanting to scare you off at ALL, it's a wonderful site. But I've seen some new folks pop over there with 'ok' pictures, and had them get picked apart (again, in a good but firm way) and seem to never hear from them again.

 

[dburg30]

Hey guys! Well, since I got a new job, my dh decided to get me the new camera I as vying for! He bought me a Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. Now...I need to know how to work it!!!!! I am reading the manual and all...but I am definately going to need some "expertise" advice! Anyone got any??

The GREAT thing about digital is pretty much instant results. You can go and take 200 shots of the same thing, with different settings to see what happens and be able to see it NOW! PLUS, of course, when done, just delete them and start over. No wasting film, waiting for processing.

The 2nd thing you'll want to get as you progress is some sort of image processing program. Others can suggest programs to you. I personally finally bit the bullet and bought a copy of photoshop a year or so ago.

With digital you can 'save bad shots' and make great shots stellar!! All from the comfort of your computer, and again, pretty much instantly.

 

[webshark3]

Not wanting to scare you off at ALL, it's a wonderful site. But I've seen some new folks pop over there with 'ok' pictures, and had them get picked apart (again, in a good but firm way) and seem to never hear from them again.

Yep, I started there years ago is a very uneducated way. I got ripped down, built up, ripped down again.... What a lot of people here (in this forum) call rude, is really just brutal honesty on dpreview.

But because of dpreview I went from a 5-10% keeper rate for my photos on day 1 with my DSLR to 80-95% today.

 

[dburg30]

Yep, I started there years ago is a very uneducated way. I got ripped down, built up, ripped down again.... What a lot of people here (in this forum) call rude, is really just brutal honesty on dpreview.

But because of dpreview I went from a 5-10% keeper rate for my photos on day 1 with my DSLR to 80-95% today.

I hear ya. Yep, pretty much check your ego at the door But like you said, gosh I picked up so many tips / ideas over there. And I still learn new stuff everyday. And while I think my pics are nice, I can always find something that isnt 'right' with them. There are some folks over there that no matter how hard I look, I just cant find any flaws