Relearning with a new camera
Mar 21, 2014 22:44:06 #
My name is Greg. Been reading the posts lately, and thought I'd finally join in. Purchased a used Canon AE-1 back in the mid-90s, and added a couple of lenses and flash unit along the way. 50-250mm f/4 Tokina, and a Canon 35mm 1:2. Did a lot of coastal shots when I lived in California.
A friend gave me a used a point and shoot Samsung WB100. Used that for about a year. Not a bad camera for $200. Lots of features, and does a reasonable job for such a tiny sensor. Made some good enlargements with it.
Finally took the plunge and picked up a new Canon T3 with 18-55mm kit lens and 70-300mm thrown in for free. I'm thinking the kit lenses aren't going to give the quality of better lenses, but it's a good starter camera to get my feet wet in the DSLR world.
Also, been dabbling with a trial copy of Lightroom 5 since that's so popular. Loving it so far.
Will be reading and absorbing whatever I can find in here to help me get back up to speed. Been a while since I've had a camera with so much control over the images. Lots to learn, and I feel like I'm still on the back side of the learning curve when it comes to a DSLR. Any pointers are surely welcome.
A friend gave me a used a point and shoot Samsung WB100. Used that for about a year. Not a bad camera for $200. Lots of features, and does a reasonable job for such a tiny sensor. Made some good enlargements with it.
Finally took the plunge and picked up a new Canon T3 with 18-55mm kit lens and 70-300mm thrown in for free. I'm thinking the kit lenses aren't going to give the quality of better lenses, but it's a good starter camera to get my feet wet in the DSLR world.
Also, been dabbling with a trial copy of Lightroom 5 since that's so popular. Loving it so far.
Will be reading and absorbing whatever I can find in here to help me get back up to speed. Been a while since I've had a camera with so much control over the images. Lots to learn, and I feel like I'm still on the back side of the learning curve when it comes to a DSLR. Any pointers are surely welcome.
Recent sunset
Not too bad?
Ugly duck isn't camera shy
Mar 21, 2014 23:35:53 #
Those are nice pictures you posted, you can't beat a DSLR for picture quality. To learn more about the Canon T3, why not buy a book about that particular camera? A book will tell you a lot more than the owners manual.
Mar 22, 2014 00:40:34 #
I think I'm still on the wrong side of the learning curve yet. Sometimes I swear my Samsung P&S does a better job. Biggest problem is getting the autofocus to work consistently on the T3. Guess it's more of a newbie issue from what I've found researching it. Unlikely to be anything wrong with the camera.
I did just get a copy of Tony Northrup's Stunning Digital Photography book yesterday. Haven't sat down and looked through it much lately.
The local camera shop has a DVD on how to use the T3i, so I guess that might be something to check into although there are some differences between that model and the T3. Maybe I should hunt down a proper book for the T3, eh? Good idea.
I did just get a copy of Tony Northrup's Stunning Digital Photography book yesterday. Haven't sat down and looked through it much lately.
The local camera shop has a DVD on how to use the T3i, so I guess that might be something to check into although there are some differences between that model and the T3. Maybe I should hunt down a proper book for the T3, eh? Good idea.
Mar 22, 2014 06:19:18 #
Greetings Greg, and welcome to the UHH!
That's a nice set of photos to lead off with, I love that sunset photo!
Btw, I was in the same boat as you, last May, when I got back into photography after a 30 year hiatus. I'm slowly getting getting the hang of it, again, and so will you.
Enjoy!
That's a nice set of photos to lead off with, I love that sunset photo!
Btw, I was in the same boat as you, last May, when I got back into photography after a 30 year hiatus. I'm slowly getting getting the hang of it, again, and so will you.
Enjoy!
Mar 22, 2014 06:20:16 #
Mar 22, 2014 09:21:25 #
Mar 22, 2014 09:47:56 #
Welcome - Your kit lenses are fine for IQ. You may want to get other lenses to get closer, shoot with little light, use selective depth of field. etc. When you lenses will not do what you want go for the new ones. - Dave
Mar 22, 2014 11:25:55 #
I agree with silsound to a point, learn what you have got first, I mean really learn it and then by all means go out and add a nice lens or two, but wait untile you fully understand how all that works, you'll enjoy it, take better photos and have fun all at once.........good luck and keep shooting.........
Mar 22, 2014 15:48:44 #
Shoeless_Photographer wrote:
My name is Greg. Been reading the posts lately, a... (show quote)
Greg, first, welcome to the hog. Now .stop being "equipment happy." Your kit lenses are excellent. Yes, you can purchase lenses for hundreds or thousands of dollars, they may be better but your lenses won't let you down. Use them!!!!! they will give you excellent quality. Learn what your T3i will do more than what the lenses are about. I use "kit" lenses for my Canon 60D and my work still sells.
Rich
Mar 22, 2014 16:22:47 #
Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.
Good to know, Rich. Didn't know how good or bad the kit lenses are. Not in the market for super-expensive lenses, but I may look into more lenses for other uses eventually. These lenses seem to do a pretty good job so far. Got to learn to use this camera to its best. I've got a ways to go yet.
Good to know, Rich. Didn't know how good or bad the kit lenses are. Not in the market for super-expensive lenses, but I may look into more lenses for other uses eventually. These lenses seem to do a pretty good job so far. Got to learn to use this camera to its best. I've got a ways to go yet.
Mar 22, 2014 18:44:36 #
Mar 22, 2014 22:30:09 #
Just for the record, none of those pics are retouched in any way. That's about how the sunset looked that evening. Funny thing about that evening was that I was looking out the window and thinking it wasn't going to be much of a sunset, but grabbed the camera and headed out anyway. Glad I did. ;-
Mar 22, 2014 22:30:19 #
Just for the record, none of those pics are retouched in any way. That's about how the sunset looked that evening. Funny thing about that evening was that I was looking out the window and thinking it wasn't going to be much of a sunset, but grabbed the camera and headed out anyway. Glad I did. ;-)
Mar 22, 2014 22:48:54 #
Mar 23, 2014 06:37:48 #
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