CjBrickner Loc: Columbus, OH

My name is Cindy, and I just got the Canon Rebel t3 with a telephoto lens (Sigma 18-200mm) and 3 filters.

I've been an unhappy point and shoot novice, and dreamed of a DSLR. Hubby picked this one. I am very overwhelmed with learning everything about how to use it with and without the telephoto lens.

CONFUSED #1: Some say you can only use a CANON lens?? but this one fits the body. How do I make sure I am getting full use of the Zoom by Sigma?

Confused #2 - I am also confused on which photo editor to use. The one with the camera confusing. I need a very USER Friendly software. Any suggestions?

I can't afford and don't have the time to go to a photography class, What did the rests of you use?

This is just a hobby for now, just to take great pics.
THANKS, and HELLO TO ALL PHOTO BUGS!!

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

First, welcome to the 'HOG, and congrats on the new stuff.

1) Any lens with an Canon EOS mount will fit your cam - who ever told you you can only use Canon is 1/2 wrong. You can use Tamron, Sigma, Canon, et cetera but they must be the 'Canon mount' variety, which Tammy and Siggy both make, as they're third-party manufacturers who make lenses for all types of cameras.

2) There is NO user-friendly photo-editing software. :) 99% of it is needlessly complicated, horribly confusing, and irretrieveably obtuse. HOWEVER, for many simple tasks, such as cropping, straightening, adjusting color levels here and there, and so on, many people find PICASA, from Google, to be bearable. Another Viewer/Editor that is quite popular without being as irritating as a colonoscopy with barbed wire is IrfanView, and also the FastStone Image Viewer.

You can learn a lot just from this forum. Use the SEARCH feature up top, and also, if you click my user name, look at my profile, and click USER PAGES, you'll see two compendiums that many new users have found helpful.

Picasa:
http://picasa.google.com/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=picasa

IrfanView:
http://www.irfanview.com

FastStone Image Viewer:
http://www.faststone.org

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Congratulations! You'll have a world of fun with your new camera. I'm no expert, but here are a few ideas.

You can use any lens that is made to fit your camera, not just those made by Canon. Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, etc., make some fine lenses that are usually less expensive than Canon lenses. Before you buy another lens, read reviews about them. Look online for reviews of the lens you are considering, and you will find dpreview.com, kenrockwell.com, and others.

I have lenses by Nikon, Tokina, and Sigma, and I am happy with them. You can't go wrong buying Canon lenses. You can save money with other brands, but read the reviews so you know what you are getting. As the experts say, you should get the best lenses you can afford because they make the most difference in the quality of your photos.

As for learning your camera, read the manual. When I get a new camera, I read the manual and then look online for info about it. Ken Rockwell has lots of info and tips. Another thing I do is make up little tips cards which I carry with me to remind me how to make certain adjustments. Many photographers carry the manual with them.

Speaking of the manual, go the the Canon site and download a digital (pdf) copy, so you can easily reference it when you're on the computer.

There is so much instructional information on the web that you could spend all day, every day learning photography for free. Take lots of notes. The main thing is to enjoy the camera. Don't make it something you feel compelled to master. Just enjoy and learn as you go.

Now I'll let the real experts on this forum have their say.

CjBrickner Loc: Columbus, OH

Thanks so much for responding! At least I can rest easy on the purchase of the Sigma lens.

I have tried using various editors.. Uggh.. TOO complicated for a novice, so I Totally agree with you! I will check out your links. I know I can trust a fellow photo bug!

I want to be comfortable with it by Christmas; so I need to GET Crackin! YOU'RE RIGHT.. I just want to enjoy my new Eyes!! lol (the knowledge will come)

Thanks Again,
Cindy

CjBrickner Loc: Columbus, OH

THANKS FOR THE LINKS.. they look better than I have been reviewing.
And thanks for the WELCOME statement!
Cindy

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Welcome!!!!

You have an excellent all around, walk about lens.

Pat

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Welcome Cindy..... read the manual, ask questions here, and shoot, shoot, shoot.

emrob62 Loc: NEPA

Yes welcome, and by all means don't let the many featuires and abilities of DSLR's scrare you off. Take your time and start with the basics by reading the manual and experimenting. There have been post on UHH that direct users to other learning sites, some are youtube videos that give demonstrations. To get themost out of us, take some shots, post them and then folow the advice of the responders. AS for what editing tols to use you can google the subject and usually download a basic primer/demo of the product and again experiment. The key to all of it is don't rush the decisions, just like you don't want to rush a shot. Good luck and hope to see some of your work soon.

CjBrickner Loc: Columbus, OH

Thanks Emrob62,rocco,and Jay!

oldogfoto Loc: USA

try picasa from google....its free

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

Hello Cindy and welcome.
I'm an old 35mm guy that got out of the hobby when film processing became unbearable.
Since then I've aquired a computer that has blessed me with all sorts of information, and I love surfing the net.
Somehow I came across UHH and read the posts, which inspired me to buy a digital camera. It doesn't compare to the excellent Nikons and Canons that many posters own but I'm having a ball with it (a Panas. FZ50). Took me a month to figure out what I wanted and could afford.
Between the contributors of UHH and their links, and Wikipedia for definitions I'm in hog heaven. This is a great place for digital dummies like me.

LaurieB Loc: North Dakota

Hi Cindy, I am new to this site as well and have just really gotten into photography the last couple years. I use Photoshop Elements for my editing. Some find it a difficult program, but I thought it was pretty easy to learn. Also the one photography book I couldn't live without is Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure and also his Understanding Photography Field Guide. Have fun with that new camera.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Hi, and welcome. One word of advice...SLOW. just take your time and learn what you can about your camera. Don't try to read and absorb the manual in one day.
Regarding software, download all the free trials & try each out with the same pictures to see which you are comfortable with. Oh, and remember, as with the camera...go SLOW with the software, too. Try every menu and if you don't like the results there's a great button, usually found in the Edit menu...UNDO.
This is a great forum, and everyone is eager to help and learn as well.
My 2 cents.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Try Picasa. It is on the Internet and free.

Regards,
Larry Leach

anotherview Loc: California

This interesting Web site helps you learn the operational aspects of a DSLR without a camera:

The SLR Camera Simulator: http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html

This Web site will explain ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, and their relation to one another:

http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/