Just got my first DSLR and I am scared to death: I received my Canon T3i this afternoon and now I am scared to death. Two IS lenses (Canon 18-55 IS II and 55-250 IS, two add-on lenses...

PokerInsider Loc: Las Vegas, NV, USA

I received my Canon T3i this afternoon and now I am scared to death. Two IS lenses (Canon 18-55 IS II and 55-250 IS, two add-on lenses (Zeikos 2X and .45x). Even after a month of research I do not know where to start.

What settings should I start learning to use first, ISO, F Stop, DOF? I am going to read the manual first, seems comprehensive, but then where do I start?

Thanks in advance.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Start in this forum. The people here are extremely helpful.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

PokerInsider wrote:

I received my Canon T3i this afternoon and now I am scared to death. Two IS lenses (Canon 18-55 IS II and 55-250 IS, two add-on lenses (Zeikos 2X and .45x). Even after a month of research I do not know where to start.

What settings should I start learning to use first, ISO, F Stop, DOF? I am going to read the manual first, seems comprehensive, but then where do I start?

Thanks in advance.

You can't get much better than this link & it's free.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Read the manual....Get familiar with the controls and their placement.Load in a memory card & start shooting.Have the manual with U on the shoots so U can refer to it if U get stuck.......HAVE FUN!!!!!

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

photophly wrote:

Read the manual....Get familiar with the controls and their placement.Load in a memory card & start shooting.Have the manual with U on the shoots so U can refer to it if U get stuck.......HAVE FUN!!!!!

What does U mean?

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

bobmielke wrote:

photophly wrote:

Read the manual....Get familiar with the controls and their placement.Load in a memory card & start shooting.Have the manual with U on the shoots so U can refer to it if U get stuck.......HAVE FUN!!!!!

What does U mean?

U......means YOU.......Stop pulling My leg Bob

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

photophly wrote:

bobmielke wrote:

photophly wrote:

Read the manual....Get familiar with the controls and their placement.Load in a memory card & start shooting.Have the manual with U on the shoots so U can refer to it if U get stuck.......HAVE FUN!!!!!

What does U mean?

U......means YOU.......Stop pulling My leg Bob

This is a test, repeat, this is a test. LOL

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Step 1. take camera out of box.
Step 2. charge battery
Step 3. while battery is charging, read manual.
Step 4. put fully charged battery in camera.
Step 5. put SD card in camera.
Step 6. put lens on camera
Step 7. removed lens cap
Step 8. snap some pictures.
Step 9. Read manual.
Step 10. upload pics to forum
Step 11. read comments from fellow posters.
Step 12. read manual
Step 13. take new pictures
Step 14. repeat steps 10 and 11.
Step 15. pick up copy of "Understanding Expousure" by Bryan Peterson (link to book http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390#_

JudyL Loc: Indiana

Thanks, Bob.....appreciate the link....looks very helpful. :lol:

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Very good book......I have a copy

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

photophly wrote:

Very good book......I have a copy

I think it should be a must have for any new photographer. Easy to read and easy to understand. Mine looks like I've used and abused it. I don't think it ever really gets put back on the book shelf.

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Amen!

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

MWAC wrote:

photophly wrote:

Very good book......I have a copy

I think it should be a must have for any new photographer. Easy to read and easy to understand. Mine looks like I've used and abused it. I don't think it ever really gets put back on the book shelf.

I have been reading his Learning to See Creatively, and just ordered his books on Understanding exposure and Understanding shutter speed. I find him easy to understand and read. I love the pictures comparisons that he does and the exercises that he gives you to do.

jplofvt Loc: Vermont

Hi... I purchased a Nikon D90 about 18 months ago, very soon after getting it, I felt like I just jumped into the deep end of the pool with an anchor around my neck, way over my head. I don't know about Canon's manuals but Nikon spared all expense in theirs. I purchased a book called Mastering the D90, well pun intended it all came into focus. The book explained each and every function in large color photos as you would see them on your camera, plus gave me an education in photography and the interrelationship of iso, shutter speed, aperture and so on. David Busch has a book on the Canon 3ti as he does on many other cameras, you can find them on Amazon. I also have the book Understanding Exposure, excellent book. There is also so much information online for free regarding digital photography, read, read, read and shoot, shoot, shoot. I've learned so much just by my lousy pictures more than from my good ones. Digital film is free, waste all you want.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

jplofvt wrote:

Hi... I purchased a Nikon D90 about 18 months ago,... (show quote)

you sound about like me.... I also bought the book and learned so much. The book stays in my camera bag and travels with me all the time. I have pages dogeared, post it noted, underlined and highlighted. Its an extention of my D90. But I'm happy to say I have to refer to it less and less which is good.