Hello
I'm a 57 year old male that's finally realizing one of many childhood dreams who lives in Wilsonville, Oregon. That's to own a quality camera with interchangeable lenses. A standard lens and a telephoto lens. I just now need the telephoto lens. I just picked up a Canon Rebel XTI with an 18-55mm lens based on a recommendation from a car salesman who is heavy into photography with his dad.
I say I'm not what I'd call a photographer simply because I'm not interested in f-stop, special affects, creating shoots, go looking for that great shot, so on, and so forth. I just like to drag my camera around with me and take a picture of something I think is cool and/or interesting, if I happen to remember I have a camera with me. In other words, I'm not a photographer, I just like to take pictures.
I figure my life on this site will mostly be a lurker with an occasional post and some research into what would be the best telephoto lens for me. Any and all suggestions will be gladly accepted and entertained. I'll also be happy to answer any questions about anything. Even if the answer is I don't know.
The very first camera I ever owned was a box shape with 2 lenses on the front. The bottom lens was for the picture and the top lens was the view finder. There was a pop up trap on top to look down into for the view finder. The shutter release was a mechanical release at the lens and the film advance was a knob on the side. It was given to me by a grandparent when I was still early in grade school. Sadly no, I don't still have it.
Chaostrain wrote:
Hello
I'm a 57 year old male that's finally realizing one of many childhood dreams who lives in Wilsonville, Oregon. That's to own a quality camera with interchangeable lenses. A standard lens and a telephoto lens. I just now need the telephoto lens. I just picked up a Canon Rebel XTI with an 18-55mm lens based on a recommendation from a car salesman who is heavy into photography with his dad.
I say I'm not what I'd call a photographer simply because I'm not interested in f-stop, special affects, creating shoots, go looking for that great shot, so on, and so forth. I just like to drag my camera around with me and take a picture of something I think is cool and/or interesting, if I happen to remember I have a camera with me. In other words, I'm not a photographer, I just like to take pictures.
I figure my life on this site will mostly be a lurker with an occasional post and some research into what would be the best telephoto lens for me. Any and all suggestions will be gladly accepted and entertained. I'll also be happy to answer any questions about anything. Even if the answer is I don't know.
The very first camera I ever owned was a box shape with 2 lenses on the front. The bottom lens was for the picture and the top lens was the view finder. There was a pop up trap on top to look down into for the view finder. The shutter release was a mechanical release at the lens and the film advance was a knob on the side. It was given to me by a grandparent when I was still early in grade school. Sadly no, I don't still have it.
Hello br br I'm a 57 year old male that's finally... (
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Welcome. You can learn a lot here. My very first camera, back in 1960, was a little Brownie that I won in a school contest.
Can't advise you on a lens, since I don't shoot Canon, but there are plenty of people here that do, so you won't be lacking for info.
Bear123
Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia
Welcome to UHH. Sounds like you are in the early stages of getting GAS. (Gear acquisition syndrome) Most of us here suffer from that. You'll learn a lot just lurking around here. Also, be sure to use the search link at the top of the page. Enjoy! :lol:
Welcome to the Hog! There are a lot of very intelligent people here to help. You may not be interested in some features concerning a camera now but as you see different photos here, you may want to learn more. Have a good time!
Donna
Welcome to the forum. :thumbup: :thumbup:
I'm a Nikon shooter. The only cannon I shot was in the Army. Sorry, bad joke. But maybe in spite of different brands we will be able to get along.
Just stick around a bit, there are plenty of Canon shooters around. So put your seat belt on and get ready for a barrage
Welcome to UHH. The members here are very knowledgeable and always willing to help. My suggestion to you before you purchase any more lenses would be to just take the pictures and post them on UHH. By looking at your photos you and you alone can decide on whether or not you're happy with your photo. By posting on UHH, you will get help on how your photo could be better, if you need a different type lens to get the effect you want and you will receive all kinds of encouragement. Don't be afraid to post. You'd be surprised at how nice and how helpful these folks are. Again, welcome to UHH.
Chaostrain - I used an XTi for nearly 6-years. A very capable camera even at this point in 2014. Keeping with Canon lenses and looking for a telephoto, look for a used copy of any of the following based on the length you think you'll need:
longest zoom: EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
higher quality, but not as long: EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
an upgrade from your current lens: EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Your 18-55 is a versatile lens, it just doesn't provide an focal length to zoom closer to distance subjects or really zoom in on something close. I shop from KEH.com for used lenses and have never been unhappy with a lens rated EX. Depending on the age and popularity of a lens, their prices can be 2/3rd or just over half the cost of a new copy of the same lens and I've found EX to be as good as new in their rating system.
Of course, these all might fall outside your intended price range for that zoom (all in the $300 - 600 range used). I have a feeling what you envision for a longer lens is the 70-300 length. I sold my copy a while back and there's a link below for some examples when used with an XTi. KEH shows a few copies available this evening around $300. Welcome to the site.
Link:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-133782-1.html
Greetings Chaostrain, and welcome to the UHH!
[quote=Chaostrain]Hello
Welcome to the HOG. I do think this site is best for "photographers" that want to learn. Shutterbug and flicker and other sites are best for snapshots. Learning f stop and post processing is the "fun" of photography for most of us. David
Thank you for the welcome. That's okay about the advice, the guy that recommended my camera uses Nikon. I remember hiding in my closet to change the film. Memories I will cherish forever.
Thank you for the welcome. Yes, sir! That I am. I have my wish list I'm working off of. Although I'm finding it keeps growing almost as fast as I'm checking things off.
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