Well, you can assume whatever you wish about the capabilities of people you have never met. Personally, I figure that anyone who has the common sense and interest necessary to join a photograpy forum and ask questions has the ability to figure out a DSLR. Even a 1Dx. An afternoon spent reading the manual and understanding a few basic concepts is all it takes to get started. How good they become at using it is a matter of how much they want to practice and educate themselves. And no, it's not rocket science. It's only a damn camera and any information needed on how to operate it is readily available. Operating a camera, any camera, is the easy part. Being a good photographer is what's hard, no matter what the camera is.

There is no such thing as too big a learning curve with a camera like the 70D, or most any other DSLR. You can shoot on full automatic, like any point-and-shoot, or on full manual, like the most advanced professional cameras. Or anyplace in between. How deep you dive in and how quickly is totally up to you. Don't be intimidated. It's just a camera. It will do whatever you tell it to. You just have to learn what to tell it. That comes from practice, educating yourself, and more practice. Have fun! You have an excellent camera.

Jim Bob, you need to get a grip on things - this is what we DO here. And many professional photographers ARE capable of giving useful information without "having a law" degree - if you are a "professional" ANYTHING, you get a bit familiar with how things work over fifty or sixty YEARS. Thanks, BTW, for comparing us with "bums" - there are some great people, just "down on their luck" that are"bums."

There are also people on UHH that are members of the US Military, disabled veterans, college professors, lawyers, MD's, professional photographers and very talented, award-winning, amateur photographers and a lot of variously employed people from around the world. We REALLY appreciate your kind words and GREAT WISDOM.

Now, why don't you crawl back under your rock and let us "do our thing" in total ignorance of whatever the hell you think you know.

Here's a quote for you, "If you can't talk about the weather, sex, politics, religion and the law, what's left?" That was from an address that I gave to students at Oxford University some years ago - and it's been quoted on TV (by Jay Leno) and in books and magazines ever since.

Thanks again for your input.

Jim Bob, you need to get a grip on things - this is what we DO here. And many professional photographers ARE capable of giving useful information without "having a law" degree - if you are a "professional" ANYTHING, you get a bit familiar with how things work over fifty or sixty YEARS. Thanks, BTW, for comparing us with "bums" - there are some great people, just "down on their luck" that are"bums."

There are also people on UHH that are members of the US Military, disabled veterans, college professors, lawyers, MD's, professional photographers and very talented, award-winning, amateur photographers and a lot of variously employed people from around the world. We REALLY appreciate your kind words and GREAT WISDOM.

Now, why don't you crawl back under your rock and let us "do our thing" in total ignorance of whatever the hell you think you know.

Here's a quote for you, "If you can't talk about the weather, sex, politics, religion and the law, what's left?" That was from an address that I gave to students at Oxford University some years ago - and it's been quoted on TV (by Jay Leno) and in books and magazines ever since.

Thanks again for your input.

Hello, my daughter is a freshman in HS and she is going to a HS that specializes in what they want to be when they grow up. She wants to be the next Dr. Dre but with pics and video. She is a freshman and taking a class where she is excelling amazingly to be asked to do what the Seniors are doing. With this being said, she is needing her own camera that does video. Can any of you tell me what is a good camera with video to get for her? I have a budget of $1,000.00. If it is a Cannon that would be great because i have all the lenses and would only need to buy the body and can save some money.
Thanks,
Steph aka Maddie's Mom! :lol: