new equipment celebration thread

[Frantasmic]

The (P)rogram mode selects only aperture and shutter speed; you select other parameters like White Balance, ISO, flash compensation, etc.

Auto is truly auto: the camera selects everything.



Regarding the basic snapshot setting, it depends. It will depend on whether you are doing indoor or outdoor shots, if it's cloudy, dark, dawn, dusk, brilliantly shining outside or wherever you are, what lens you have, are you going to use flash, etc.

The safest setting until you learn more is probably the auto or P you have been using. With your lenses, you may want to start with aperture mode and let the camera select the shutter speed or vice versa.

 

[annnewjerz]

Congrats on entering the world of the dSLR. It's a slippery (and expensive) slope from here---but really really fun too!

As far as what setting I find myself using for snapshots---I usually always have the camera in Aperture Priority mode, just because it has become sort of second nature to adjust as I go depending on what I am shooting. That being said, when I first got my camera a year ago, I kept it on Auto for the first month or so and found nothing wrong with the photos I took other than the fact that the ISO was usually cranked all the way up to 1600 no matter what lighting conditions I was in.

Good luck. Practice, practice, practice and post some pictures for us to look at in between!

Ann

 

[YesDear]

Ann is a great student and she has progressed by leaps and bounds since she wandered into this place. And in spite of US she has grown into being a photographer not just someone who takes pictures.

Congrats on your camera. If you are willing to learn it is a great hobby.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Just remember the camera gets lonely unless you use it!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Bamagirl, take a ton of photos, upload them into your computer and get a free Exif reader like Opanda IExif and look at the settings you used to figure out what you did right and what didn't work so well. The book Understanding Exposure is very popular and helps a lot of people. I also like The Digital Photography books by Scott Kelby. They kind of tell you , "If you want this kind of shot, this is what you have to do to get it." A no brainer and too basic for a lot of photogs but it helped me in the beginning when I was getting frustrated wondering why my DSLR photos were not as nice as my P&S pics.
You'll need a tripod for long exposure fireworks shots, and a remote shutter release cable, or you'll need to know how to program the timer to go off 2 seconds after your press the shutter to prevent camera shake.
If you can swing it, you may want to consider getting the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens. It's a faster lens than the 35mm f/1.8 and I believe it should be in stock somewhere. It's a 3rd party brand, but it's a popular lens and at one time was sold out everywhere too. I mean, if you need it for your trip and are afraid you won't get the 35mm in time, it's an option.
Shoot as much as you can before you go. I've been using DSLRs now since October 2007, and I still am learning and find myself making some pretty stupid mistakes sometimes. (Like forgetting to adjust the ISO when in bright light situations, or trying to adjust exposure on a dark ride and accidentally changing the size of the photos I'm taking because I can't see the controls on a dark ride <smacks self in the forehead>) Sme of the stupid mistakes I've made would be easy to overcome if I invested more time in reading the manual. But the manual is not a novel. It's overwhelming all at once and for me can only be taken in small increments.
If you are totally new to DSLR photography, you may want to consider taking another camera with you to WDW that you know you do know how to use and will get some 'good enough' type shots with. Sorry, I don't mean to discourage you, but I would be worried if I just got my camera and was planning on using it for a very expensive trip to the World in one month, and I didn't have a lot of experience using that format camera. I just think it's better to be prepared so you can make good memories and not be completely discouraged or frustrated trying to learn how to use your camera on an expensive Disney vacation. Good luck!

ETA: to get the quick, unposed snapshot type photos you're asking about, you'll need a fast lens like the 30mm, and a good understanding of Shutter speed (you'll need fast shutter speed) and how aperture and ISO (lots of light entering the lens) effects the exposure. In Understanding Exposure he calls that the Exposure Triangle -- you can't get one without the other. They all have to work together. Either that or you'll need a flash. (In the Dark rides you can't/shouldn't use a flash so you'll need a fast lens + high ISO to get a fast enough shutter speed to get anything on a moving vehicle.)

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thanks, everyone, for your input and advice. I have the Understanding Exposure book and have read and re-read it. I will continue re-reading it with camera in hand until I "get it." I also ordered the Nikon D40/40X Field Guide by David Busch. I think I saw it recommended on a thread here, and it got good reviews on another site.

This morning I found the 35mm f1.8 lens in stock on Amazon (actually ships from Camulet), so I should have it within a week. My son's birthday party is in a couple of weeks at a local bowling alley/ arcade. That will be a great time to practice my indoor shots!

I definitely plan to still take my Canon P&S to Disney. It gets good outside shots, especially of still objects. It is tiny & fits right into my purse. This trip will be a big test for me, as I've never lugged around a big camera before.

I appreciate all of your advice as I begin this new photographic journey. I hope I can do you proud!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks, everyone, for your input and advice. I have the Understanding Exposure book and have read and re-read it. I will continue re-reading it with camera in hand until I "get it." I also ordered the Nikon D40/40X Field Guide by David Busch. I think I saw it recommended on a thread here, and it got good reviews on another site.

This morning I found the 35mm f1.8 lens in stock on Amazon (actually ships from Camulet), so I should have it within a week. My son's birthday party is in a couple of weeks at a local bowling alley/ arcade. That will be a great time to practice my indoor shots!

I definitely plan to still take my Canon P&S to Disney. It gets good outside shots, especially of still objects. It is tiny & fits right into my purse. This trip will be a big test for me, as I've never lugged around a big camera before.

I appreciate all of your advice as I begin this new photographic journey. I hope I can do you proud!

Girlfriend, I can totally relate to the reading of Understanding Exposure! I've read it about 6 times now and it still all hasn't completely sunk in! I even took it with me on my last vacation so I would be forced to read it when I had nothing else to do (like sitting in the plane or hanging at the pool) I think in P mode, you can override the shutter selection and make it faster or slower and the camera will adjust the Aperture for you. So it's kind of like being in Shutter priority, but it only allows you to change it a few stops in either direction and that's it. The best part about P mode is that the flash doesn't automatically pop up like in auto mode. One last tip, use your lens hood during bright daylit shots. I've been forcing myself to do it and I think it helps alot as far as having blown out skies. Also, try to avoid shooting into the sun.
about the lens being in stock! That'll come in handy! Good luck!

 

[MOmousefan]

My birthday present arrived on Friday and I am learning how to use it.
It is a Panasonic Lumix FZ35.

I had taken my wife's Lumix DMC-LX3 with me on my Sept trip to WDW because of it's small size. It shoots HD video and I was amazed at the quality it produced. Three things I didn't like about it was the 2x zoom, poor audio, and I couldn't zoom while videoing.
I started looking for a replacement camera and decided on this one.
The reviews were favorable and it has everything I need in a camera. It has 18x zoom, stereo mics, manual control in movie mode, RAW, and many more features.
I shot several images this morning in Program mode. The contrast is high as it is early morning, and I need to learn how to overcome this.

The zoom is impressive (to me) and reaches out a good distance.
27mm equivalent

486mm equivalent

Being able to zoom while videoing was a major consideration..


I know that it is a P&S, but it meets my requirements and I like it's size. BTW, I purchased it through Beach Camera.
Doe antone else have this camera?

 

[IndyShutterbug]

Congrats! Looks like a great camera.

 

[saturndb]

Now comes the fun part.... using how to use it

Dave

 

[MOmousefan]

The fun part is always in the details. I drool over the great pictures I see on this forum, but I don't have the patience to create my own.

 

[SrisonS]

Congrats!!!!!! You're gonna love that 18x optical zoom. I had a 12x on my old camera; and it definitely came in handy. It's pretty disappointing when a shot is "out of reach".

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Very nice! I'm sure you're going to enjoy it to no end

b/t/w How did you insert the video like that? I've been trying to figure that out for a while!

 

[MOmousefan]

Thank you for the nice replies.
In response to NateNLogansDad's question I uploaded the video to my Photobucket album. I then copy and paste the IMG code to this thread.
BTW, this camera records HD video in two formats: Motion JPEG and AVCHD Lite. My five-year-old PC is not powerful enough to work with the AVCHD without dropped frames, so this video is Motion JPEG. My understanding is both formats are the same quality, but AVCHD has better compression.

Two more...

 

[Jayely1]

Nice camera!

 

[left210]

How does this camera do in low light indoors and with fast moving action like kids and sports? I would probably just be using it in auto mode.

 

[FINFAN]

SWEET! I would LOVE that camera! DD has a Panasonic Lumix, but it is 8 mp/12 optical zoom...we love the charger aspect instead of loose batteries. Does this model do the same? I am all over the 18 zoom. I have been tempted to get the compact Lumix that is out that is 10 mp/12 opt zoom, but REALLY would like a stronger zoom. We are P/S here...love the convenience. Your photos are awesome..thansk so much for posting. How heavy is the camera? DH says to stay with the compact one, but DD's is the body style like yours and to be honest , has held up to some serious abuse while she is at college. HOly cow, you are making me jump from the DIS site to the Beach camera site! Enjoy your new gift, it is awesome!

 

[MOmousefan]

Sorry for the delay in answering your requests. I may be retired, but I still substitute teach on occasions and that is what I have been doing.
Anyway, here is some pictures taken in a dim room with the only light coming in the window behind me..

This shot is taken in program mode with Exposure Compensation at 0.

Here with EC set at +1..

And again with EC set at +2..

The EC is easy to set on this camera using the buttons located around the Menu. I really prefer a pocket-sized camera, but this camera does everything I want and the learning curve will take me awhile to accomplish. I am still figuring out how to take fast moving objects, so please be patient.
Camera Labs has been a great reference site to compare cameras. The owner has posted a great video on the FZ35.

 

[d'Isigny]

I’m very excited as I’ve loved photography since I can remember. It was very difficult to put my A1 away and start with a P&S digital. For me...it’s just not the same. Maybe it’s the feel, size, lag of a point n shoot. Now ‘n then...will still shoot ‘old-school’.

Through a friend of a friend...I bought my first digital SLR. It’s a used Canon 10D with a 35-80mm EF lens. Knowing it’s at least 7 years old; it’s in wonderful shape – not a scratch ---- anywhere. This was very well taken care of.

Will need to download the manual and spend some time reading, experimenting and learning the ins-outs of this new toy (er...tool).

I would be grateful for your suggestions, books – tips or links/web sites (other than this great one) that you feel would be helpful.

Have SEVEN months to get comfortable using this. As my bride and I will be taking a Disney cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Hope you can share your experience and tips so we can come back with some great images.

Finally...wanted to pass a shot that’s one of my favorites. I took this from a helicopter over Sedona, Arizona. Sorry it’s not Disney – hope you’ll forgive me.

[/IMG]

 

[photo_chick]

I still use my A-1 from time to time. I really wish there was a useful FD to EOS converter because I've got some really nice glass that my dad passed down to me.

It took me about six months to really get comfortable with my DSLR where I was confidant shooting in any situation. A lot of that was learning exactly how the camera would react in a given situation.

My best advice... have patience and go back to the basics if you need to. and don't fear the auto focus. LOL. When I went from the A-1 to an EOS SLR I was terrified of AF and thought it was "cheating"... I know better now.

 

[d'Isigny]

I still use my A-1 from time to time. I really wish there was a useful FD to EOS converter because I've got some really nice glass that my dad passed down to me..

Don't think I'll ever give up my A-1 and all my dedicated lenses.

EOS EF to FD converter - I did see a 3rd party converter on ebay for ~$40...was going to post to see if any have had success with this --- thought it might be worth a shot.

It took me about six months to really get comfortable with my DSLR where I was confidant shooting in any situation. A lot of that was learning exactly how the camera would react in a given situation.

My best advice... have patience and go back to the basics if you need to. and don't fear the auto focus. LOL. When I went from the A-1 to an EOS SLR I was terrified of AF and thought it was "cheating"... I know better now.

Thank you for the encouragement and advice. I'd be happy if I get comfortable in six...cuz...in just over seven months...we sail to the Caribbean. Am planning on taking some time this weekend - most of next week to 'play'.

Here's a picture of my new toy (er...tool)...you should see the smile on my face.