Namaste
Feb 10, 2012 08:21:53 #
MsJ
Loc: Northern Indiana
I am very new to this because I have worked full time for 50 years. (I started work when I was 4! :roll: ) I raised 5 children and got my degree and helped run a business during that time, too. I have finally decided to take two months off and enjoy my life as a photographer...and mother...and grandmother...and great-grandmother...and sister. But I'm going to do all that with a camera in my hands.
Now...I bought a t2i (Canon) right before they came out with the t3i. I was so disappointed that I hadn't waited just a tad longer to buy it. But, that as it may be, does it really make a difference, other than that cool screen in the back that moves all over? (That's a question I'm asking all of you!)
Also, I have the typical lens that comes with it...55 to something (I don't have my camera here) and I do know I want to take some macros and wondered about a good lens for that...but...I wonder if I couldn't invest in a good lens that zooms so I have both a decent macro and a good lens for longer shots. I don't have a lot of money to spend but I'm going to start looking anyway.
My two months of sabbatical won't really start until June but I want to be prepared so I don't lose any good quality pictures.
I'm looking forward to learning from all of you! Thanks for any help you can give me.
Now...I bought a t2i (Canon) right before they came out with the t3i. I was so disappointed that I hadn't waited just a tad longer to buy it. But, that as it may be, does it really make a difference, other than that cool screen in the back that moves all over? (That's a question I'm asking all of you!)
Also, I have the typical lens that comes with it...55 to something (I don't have my camera here) and I do know I want to take some macros and wondered about a good lens for that...but...I wonder if I couldn't invest in a good lens that zooms so I have both a decent macro and a good lens for longer shots. I don't have a lot of money to spend but I'm going to start looking anyway.
My two months of sabbatical won't really start until June but I want to be prepared so I don't lose any good quality pictures.
I'm looking forward to learning from all of you! Thanks for any help you can give me.
Feb 10, 2012 08:30:08 #
Hello and welcome!
I have a T2i with an 18-55 kit lens and (had)the 55-250 also.
You are probably referring to the 55-135 kit lens.
What you have is good for shots with a lot of light; available light or flash.
What they won't do well is indoor shots where there isn't a good amount of light and you won't or can't use flash.
Otherwise, they'll probably serve you well for a while.
I don't think that the differences between the t2i and t3i are worth getting stressed over; there is ALWAYS another camera model coming out! :)
If you want to take "real" macro shots, you have to get a real 1:1 macro lens such as a Canon 100mm macro or similar. There is no way to fake it that will replicate the same results. There are things that come close but in my opinion, they aren't the same as having a good macro lens.
Get out there...take some pics and above all...learn to take pictures using manual mode...it's not as hard as you'd think, and it will free you... :)
A good book to have right now while you wait for your sabbatical is Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure." It's about 20.00 on Amazon and it's the most valuable beginner/intermediate book that I've seen.
When you are done with it....you WILL understand exposure...WHY you turn the dials on your camera a certain way...and WHEN to turn those dials to get your results!
Good luck and have fun,
bob
I have a T2i with an 18-55 kit lens and (had)the 55-250 also.
You are probably referring to the 55-135 kit lens.
What you have is good for shots with a lot of light; available light or flash.
What they won't do well is indoor shots where there isn't a good amount of light and you won't or can't use flash.
Otherwise, they'll probably serve you well for a while.
I don't think that the differences between the t2i and t3i are worth getting stressed over; there is ALWAYS another camera model coming out! :)
If you want to take "real" macro shots, you have to get a real 1:1 macro lens such as a Canon 100mm macro or similar. There is no way to fake it that will replicate the same results. There are things that come close but in my opinion, they aren't the same as having a good macro lens.
Get out there...take some pics and above all...learn to take pictures using manual mode...it's not as hard as you'd think, and it will free you... :)
A good book to have right now while you wait for your sabbatical is Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure." It's about 20.00 on Amazon and it's the most valuable beginner/intermediate book that I've seen.
When you are done with it....you WILL understand exposure...WHY you turn the dials on your camera a certain way...and WHEN to turn those dials to get your results!
Good luck and have fun,
bob
Feb 10, 2012 08:37:44 #
MsJ
Loc: Northern Indiana
Thank you, Bob. That is the kind of reassurance I really need to hear.
I will definitely get the book and I'll start checking out the lenses...since I'm not comfortable changing a lot of lenses, would I be better off getting a good zoom lens?
I will definitely get the book and I'll start checking out the lenses...since I'm not comfortable changing a lot of lenses, would I be better off getting a good zoom lens?
Feb 10, 2012 08:47:16 #
Well...there is ALWAYS a better zoom lens...lol.
When your current lenses won't let you do what you need to do..then think about purchasing one.
I can tell you from my own experience, (and I've bought and returned a lot of lenses) that you don't need one right now.
My first lens purchase after the kit was what they call a "nifty fifty 50mm f/1.8. It's called that because it's the sharpest Canon lens for the cash...it's only 100.00 new.
But it's a prime lens (no zooming).
I bought that just for the heck of it..
The other lenses I bought were because I wanted some prime close up lenses; no zooms.
In other words...I had a purpose in mind and then bought.
My next lens will be a Canon 10mm-22mm because I don't have a lens that is that wide and I like to take very wide landscapes and shots so that fills a niche.
You MIGHT eventually realize that your current kit lens won't fullfill all your photographic ambitions...then search for the lens that will.
But forget that for now....take some pictures! :)
When your current lenses won't let you do what you need to do..then think about purchasing one.
I can tell you from my own experience, (and I've bought and returned a lot of lenses) that you don't need one right now.
My first lens purchase after the kit was what they call a "nifty fifty 50mm f/1.8. It's called that because it's the sharpest Canon lens for the cash...it's only 100.00 new.
But it's a prime lens (no zooming).
I bought that just for the heck of it..
The other lenses I bought were because I wanted some prime close up lenses; no zooms.
In other words...I had a purpose in mind and then bought.
My next lens will be a Canon 10mm-22mm because I don't have a lens that is that wide and I like to take very wide landscapes and shots so that fills a niche.
You MIGHT eventually realize that your current kit lens won't fullfill all your photographic ambitions...then search for the lens that will.
But forget that for now....take some pictures! :)
Feb 11, 2012 06:59:53 #
Feb 11, 2012 19:31:23 #
Feb 12, 2012 03:38:50 #
Feb 12, 2012 14:27:41 #
Welcome!!!!! Start practicing with what you asap, time will go fast and you want to be ready!!!!
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