Overly Hackled Loc: Still in Siagon

Hello to one and all,
My name is Overly,or at least it is on this site.
Well I got rid of my last disposable camera and having retired from what passed for work I'm ready to take the "Digital Dive" and start the trail on the long and winding learning curve of DSLR photography.
I know darn near zero so the climb will be a steep one.
Would mucho appreciate suggestions on just where to start. My interests are landscape and wildlife. My budget for initial gear purchase is $2000 plus or minus a few good bottles of bourbon. At this point I don't know an ISO from an SOS or a F stop from a stop sign.
I've been taking pictures like most folks for a long time but never have invested in much of a camera. I think about as technical I got was those old insta-matic s that I shot pix with when in Vietnam. Don't laugh I still have em!(the pix not the camera! )
At any rate after surfing around this site I feel very fortunate to have found it as there sure seems to be a lot of great info and folks willing to share their knowledge about a wide range of questions.
So where do some of you suggest I start?It frankly is a bit overwhelming ,but since I'm starting with a darn near zero intel quota I'd appreciate some guidance on where too begin.
Ignorant but eager to learn,
Overly

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

too bad you don't have the camera they are colectors items and sell like hotcakes on ebay. First thing you want to do is gain some basic knowledge. The photgraphers of national geographic have a series of books out on the basics of photography. It isnt hard its just unfamiliar. basicaly apeture is the hole at the end of a lens that lets in light. f stop is a number scale that relates to aperture. The bigger the number f8, f11 etc the Smaller the whole the less light the lens lets in the slower the shutter speed has to be to let enough light in. also big number big depth of field or area that stays in focus. smaller number f4, f2.8 etc Larger hole smaller depth of field. usefull in low light or if taking a picture of a flower and you want the backgtound to be blurry. I would next after reading up on the basics, go to a real camera store not wally world best buy office despot where the minimum wage drones dont know anything. go to a real camera store where the guy behind the counter is a photographer. try out different makes and models and make your choice. remebr once you buy into a system(Nikon,cannon, pentax,olympus etc) you are locked in. nikon lenses only work on nikons etc. since you want to do wildlife, a good tripod is a must. good luck By the way I know your brother underly
- :roll:

Dennis

Since you claim to know nothing I would like to add to the previous statement regarding the hole that lets in the light. This hole only exist when and while the shutter button is pressed. I didn't want you going out looking for a camera with a hole in it.

Overly Hackled Loc: Still in Siagon

Thanks. I took a look at the national Geographic book "The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography" and have ordered it.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

I have that book its quite good. only other advice I have is to shoot shoot shoot post your photos for critique, apply what youm earned shoot shoot repeat. :thumbup:

Overly Hackled Loc: Still in Siagon

Going to read the book and surf this site to continue my "Photography 101" journey.
.The camera purchase is the next move and I'm certain there are more choices than the human brain can sort out.But I will ask questions and fondle as many as I can before I make a reach for the cash.

I don't want to under buy in terms of a cameras capabilities so that as my skills improve I will have the tools to apply them. On the other hand I'm not likely to be headed out to Alaska to do Grizzly shots from a ground blind or jetting off to shoot a solar eclipse in some far off land.

Way early in the game but I have been reading and comparing the Nikon 7000 to some of its comparable counter parts like the Cannon D60. Other suggestions very much welcomed
I'm more interested in photo quality and a cameras versatility in that arena than I am in the video aspects of a camera.

Some one told me that at the level I'm entering they may be to much camera for too little skills set ,but that either one is a magnificent piece of gear and I would not likely learn to use either one to their full capacity for quite some time.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

It is better to grow into your camera then outgrow it and buy another. Several pieces of advice. The most important tool a photographer has is between the ears. Have a hunger to learn. subscribe to popphoto magazines, not just for the articles but study the photos. Which ones do you like? dislike? why? join a local camera club in your area. Its a great way to meet people and get ideas. Be humble. there are people out there whose photos are better than yours and your photos are better than others. shoot alot post here for critique aply what you have learned, shoot some more repeat. If you go to popphoto.com they have a buyers guide on their website with reviews of cameras lenses bodies etc. Go to a camera store. not wallyworld or ritz or office depot. but a real store with real photographers behind the counters. Try out different makes and models what ever feels best buy it from the local store. Yes you can save a few bucks on the internet,but a local store will be there to answer your questions about yoour camera and photography in general.Besides like a local barber shop or cigar store it is a great place to soicialize :thumbup: supporting your local camera store insures it being around for a long time and keeps local citizens employed.