Inexperied Photographer buying DSLR

[PrincessBelle39]

I've always wanted to work on my photography skills but have never had the knowledge or the camera to do this with. I am now needing to replace my previous camera which has just died and thought maybe this is the time to expand my knowledge and equipment.
I have absolutely no idea of what I am looking for. As someone with basically no idea about photography, am I wasting my time and money buying something more elaborate? Should I do a course to learn or just buy the decent camera and teach myself? I am someone that will always give something a go. I have always been disapointed with the quality of the pictures I have taken particularly at night or of subjects on the move.

 

[DizneyNutz]

I had little to no photography experience whatsoever. I bout the Canon Rebel xti. I have read much information on here and there is tons of free photography information available on the web. If you are not one who either learns it quickly or puts it down, then I would say go for it and self teach. If you will walk away from it if you don't pick up on it quickly, then by all means go for the formal lessons. With the Rebel xti you can shoot in Raw format which will allow you to re-adjust some of your photos on the computer that you may not have captured just right when you took the shot. I also like the book by Bryan Peterson "Understanding Exposure" this really helped me to know what the camera was telling me in the viewfinder and helped me to adjust the exposure accordingly.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I was looking at the Canon EOS 400D. From the research I have done, it seems to me that it is the same camera as the Canon Rebel XTI. Is this correct? It seems like quite a reasonable price. I'm just concerned about getting the right one for a beginner but is going to last as I learn. Its not something I will be replacing for a while.

The one thing that puts me off is not being able to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder. I know I will take better shots without it but I would like to have the option.

 

[Master Mason]

yes the 400D is the same as the XTi, the XT designation is used in the US the rest of the world uses the number.

As for learning, as previously stated there is lots of information out there via books and the web. If it is something your interested in then you should give it a go.

Just a word of caution though, having a nice camera, does not automaticly mean your pictures are going to turn out better. You'll need to learn to use the camera to get the most out of it. Another thing to keep in mind is moving to a dSLR is not a single purchase, the reason people can get stellar low light shots is they have special lenses designed to be able to capture those shots, it is all part of a system, as your needs increase, so will your needs in your system.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I'm having a blast with my D80. I'm still very much learning. I've been playing with limited aperture a couple years but its fun figuring out the exposure with all the different settings. I'm getting the hang of it.

I spend about $1200 on the camera and 2 lenses and filter and other needed things. Maybe a bit, to some, for a beginner but I've been wanting to learn for years.

Its really nice that both Canon and Nikon have the lower end DSLR's that can help when just starting out and then you can buy good lenses and upgrade the body later.

I've heard many many times, and do believe it, that its not the camera that takes the photo so nothing fancy(expensive) is really needed. Read everything and it starts to come together, or it is for me. I've only had my DSLR for a week but I'm growing already.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I was looking at the Canon EOS 400D. From the research I have done, it seems to me that it is the same camera as the Canon Rebel XTI. Is this correct? It seems like quite a reasonable price. I'm just concerned about getting the right one for a beginner but is going to last as I learn. Its not something I will be replacing for a while.

The one thing that puts me off is not being able to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder. I know I will take better shots without it but I would like to have the option.

I think, but don't quote me, that Sony has one that you can use the LCD.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I was looking at the Canon EOS 400D. From the research I have done, it seems to me that it is the same camera as the Canon Rebel XTI. Is this correct? It seems like quite a reasonable price. I'm just concerned about getting the right one for a beginner but is going to last as I learn. Its not something I will be replacing for a while.

The one thing that puts me off is not being able to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder. I know I will take better shots without it but I would like to have the option.

The Canon XSi is coming out next month and has Live View. There are a few others that have it, too. It can help with certain shots.

 

[barrie]

Just a word of caution though, having a nice camera, does not automaticly mean your pictures are going to turn out better.

I don't know... I tried 3 different point and shoot models before making the jump to a Nikon D50 for the same reason as you PrincessBelle39 - I was never happy with the photos I was getting from the P&Ss. I knew absolutely nothing about using a dslr when I got it and the very first photo I took was a million times better than any I took on a P&S.

Recently I had to send in my D50 for repair and I used my old Fuji while it was gone. I lasted 3 days before I borrowed my friends D80 because I was so frustrated with the shots I was getting. I know I've heard over and over again that a good photographer can make good photos with any camera - but if that were always true none of us would be spending all this money on good cameras.

You can absolutely teach yourself how to use a dslr. And even if all you ever do is use it like a P&S, my guess is that you'll be way happier with the photos you get.

 

[TinksDH]

I don't know... I tried 3 different point and shoot models before making the jump to a Nikon D50 for the same reason as you PrincessBelle39 - I was never happy with the photos I was getting from the P&Ss. I knew absolutely nothing about using a dslr when I got it and the very first photo I took was a million times better than any I took on a P&S.

Recently I had to send in my D50 for repair and I used my old Fuji while it was gone. I lasted 3 days before I borrowed my friends D80 because I was so frustrated with the shots I was getting. I know I've heard over and over again that a good photographer can make good photos with any camera - but if that were always true none of us would be spending all this money on good cameras.

You can absolutely teach yourself how to use a dslr. And even if all you ever do is use it like a P&S, my guess is that you'll be way happier with the photos you get.

I did EXACTLY like barrie - I was using a Canon A70 p&s, then an A80 p&s, for about 3 years before upgrading to a Nikon D50. It was like night and day! Even with the complexity of the DLSR, my photos improved almost overnight. I look back 2-1/2 years ago to what I was capturing with the A80 and can't BELIEVE how bad they look now, but it was a combination of both inexperience and equipment limitations. The biggest difference from an IQ perspective is the lack of noise in my images now, as well as much better color/contrast as I shoot RAW and process versus take jpeg straight from the camera like the A80 does.

The suggestion on getting "Understanding Exposure" is an excellent one. Great book to cut your teeth on. And shooting often is also highly suggested. I've averaged about 1000 images a month since getting my D50, and my keeper rate has improved significantly since then.

 

[Master Mason]

I did EXACTLY like barrie - I was using a Canon A70 p&s, then an A80 p&s, for about 3 years before upgrading to a Nikon D50. It was like night and day! Even with the complexity of the DLSR, my photos improved almost overnight. I look back 2-1/2 years ago to what I was capturing with the A80 and can't BELIEVE how bad they look now, but it was a combination of both inexperience and equipment limitations. The biggest difference from an IQ perspective is the lack of noise in my images now, as well as much better color/contrast as I shoot RAW and process versus take jpeg straight from the camera like the A80 does.

The suggestion on getting "Understanding Exposure" is an excellent one. Great book to cut your teeth on. And shooting often is also highly suggested. I've averaged about 1000 images a month since getting my D50, and my keeper rate has improved significantly since then.

Yes but I think that this also proves my point, your pictures are better by your own admission because you spend time post processing them, you have also spent time and energy learning.

Just the purchase of the DSLR did not do that, it took some effort on your part.

I have read many folks stories that they went out and bought a dSLR, and were happier with the pics they were taking with their old p&s at the beginning. Some gave up and went back, some stuck with it and their pictures improved.

The camera is simply a tool. Yes a dSLR is a better tool than a p&s. But if I went out and bought a hundred dollar painters brush, it is a better tool, but it wouldn't make me a better painter. For that to happen I would have to study, learn, and practice.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Thanks for all your responses guys. I'm going to have a look today to see what I can find. I'm desperate to get one but I want to take my time and get what suits me best. I might get a p&S in the meantime to keep me going. I'm lost without a camera at all. I'm still leaning towards the canon EOS 400d but am concerned about it not having the liveview. I suppose I can wait to look at the Canon xSI mentioned by Pea-n-Me or have a look at the others out there that do. I was hoping to get one in the next couple of weeks at the latest.

 

[ukcatfan]

You should also know that a DSLR with live view is not going to be the same as a p&s. They often do not AF automatically when in that mode, meaning the response time is much worse than a p&s. Just do not get one with that feature expecting it to work as well as on a p&s. Also, holding a camera in front of you is one of the worst shooting styles. You can get used to a viewfinder quicker than you realize.

Kevin

 

[CM-James]

Another thing you may want to consider is what kind of memory you want to use. The XTi uses compact flash which is what the higher end Canon cameras use right now, however the XSi uses sd cards. In terms of the live view it is a nice feature to have, but I wouldn't recommend using it much because when you are holding the camera out away from your face it makes it much more prone to camera shake and you will end up with more blurry images. If you are investing in a dslr it is worth the extra effort to use the view finder because you are actually looking at what the camera is seeing not at the slight delay on the live view screen and are able to keep the camera more stable by holding it with both hands and pressing it against your face giving you less blur. I personally have an XTi and absolutely love it is is a great investment. The 18-55mm lens that comes with it is great for shooting in the parks and if you pick up a 50mm 1.8 lens you will be able to shoot inside rides and such alot easier and not use that flash. I know that was alot, but I hope it helps.

 

[Groucho]

The Nikon D40/D40x/D60 are specifically designed for first-time DSLR shooters and will probably be more user-friendly than most others out there. No Live View, though.

The Canon XSi will have it but will be fairly expensive for a little while as it's not even out yet.

Olympus has some decent cameras with it, and Sony has no less than two entry-level cameras coming out with it. The Sonys can focus and all with live view but from what I've heard, this comes at the cost of a much dimmer viewfinder when not using live view. Olympus used to have the same issue but they've apparently got it better, but it's still smaller than others due to their smaller sensor.

I would say though, it's probably not worthwhile to pick a camera based on that feature - as someone else said, looking at the LCD while framing a shot is absolutely the worst way to hold a camera, both aesthetically and technically (your eye isn't used to seeing that way, and your hands will shake a lot more.)

My usual favorite DSLR pick is Pentax but they're between models and their last entry-level sold out quickly and their new one has just started showing up and since it's new, is commanding bigger bucks. It's also slightly higher-line than other entry-level cameras of the moment. Rumor has it that they'll be introducing a new lower-tier entry-level camera (and a top-tier one too) later this year. But if you could find a K100D or K100D Super, they're top-notch entry-level cameras.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

My usual favorite DSLR pick is Pentax but they're between models and their last entry-level sold out quickly and their new one has just started showing up and since it's new, is commanding bigger bucks. It's also slightly higher-line than other entry-level cameras of the moment. Rumor has it that they'll be introducing a new lower-tier entry-level camera (and a top-tier one too) later this year. But if you could find a K100D or K100D Super, they're top-notch entry-level cameras.

OK, I couldn't help myself. I decided I wanted one and I wanted it now. I went into the shop looking at the Canon ESO 400 and came out with a Pentax K100D Super. I was really happy with the price and I have had a lot of fun so far today.

 

[ukcatfan]

OK, I couldn't help myself. I decided I wanted one and I wanted it now. I went into the shop looking at the Canon ESO 400 and came out with a Pentax K100D Super. I was really happy with the price and I have had a lot of fun so far today.

Congratulations and welcome to the DSLR and Pentax clubs! I have a K100D. You were lucky to find one. The supply has been very short over the past few months. Let us know if you have any questions.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Hey, congratulations! The K100Ds are getting pretty hard to find and are a great deal.