n00bie, guide me

[LilBlack]

Hey guys, first off I just wanna say how much talent is on here in the photography thread. I literally sat at my computer last night and just when through the photo thread and just went through all 413 pages, and I'm envious of what you guys do. I'm planning on buying a camera and getting into photography because it's something that really interests me and I think I'd fall in love with it. I'm going to leave this thread open to post my questions, your opinion, etc etc, and then up to when I buy my camera, take my first pictures, and progress. Here are my first few questions for you:

-I'm going to buy a camera, someone had recommended a refurbished Canon Rebel, so which Rebel would be best for me? or what other camera do you recommend?

-What should I do to further my knowledge (books, websites, forums etc etc)? or is it just practice makes perfect?

that's all I have for now but thank you in advance and keep snappin bros

[NickRSwrx]

Here is my suggestion:

Camera - buy new or used. For the price, you cant beat the new Rebel T1i. Nice little camera, I believe does video. So good little entry level camera. Tons of places online have package deals with cards, tripods, etc. A lot of what you need to get started.

Books - Scott Kelby. Get his 1st volume book. Hes a great read and explains things matter of factly and with some nice humor.

Then, spend time reading the manual and take a ton of pics and mess with the settings, etc. Its a ton of fun and takes a lot of time.

Thats my quick and short answer!

[twizhimself]

this helped me out a TON..

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-.../dp/0817463003

as well as http://strobist.blogspot.com/

best part...you dont NEED an slr to start taking awesome photos...just something that has manual control

as for me ive turned to nikons..you can get a nice Nikon D40 for pretty cheap as a good starter. i personally own a Nikon D90 and a D50.

[delphinE30]

I will soon be purchasing a nikon d40x with some extras

[grimm]

canon or nikon will do you fine for a camera body. I personally would get a used camera body and pair it up with a good lens. other than that you don't really need anything to take good photos. work on composition as that is what really separates a snapshot from a good photo.
def spend some time reading up on the technical side, but in the digital age i find it a lot easier to experiment with the camera and settings and see the results first hand. worst case you delete everything off your card and start over. i also find it really helpful to look at other peoples photos and understanding what they did to achieve the shot.

other than that just have at it and have fun.

[Khellen]

I started out with a canon rebel film camera and then switched over to the rebel XT to go digital. If you're thinking of just getting into the hobby to see if you like it for the least amount of money.....you can probably pick up a used rebel XT for like 200-300 bucks on ebay.

[djb5118]

Another way to decide about which entry level body to get would be to go to a shop and actually hold the cameras. With that level of camera the features will be very similar and for many it just comes down to which one feels better in their hands.

[JerseyKid]

Originally Posted by djb5118

Another way to decide about which entry level body to get would be to go to a shop and actually hold the cameras. With that level of camera the features will be very similar and for many it just comes down to which one feels better in their hands.

I agree, i held my D40 and my buddies Rebel XTi ( which is a better camera ) , and i liked the feel/menus of the D40, so i went with that.

All about preference! And what your comfortable with ...

[sisforsurfing]

Originally Posted by grimm

canon or nikon will do you fine for a camera body. I personally would get a used camera body and pair it up with a good lens. other than that you don't really need anything to take good photos.

Right on.
Learn the terms exposure, shutter speed, and aperture and how they affect your pictures.
Look at photos you like to see how to frame things.
Don't obsess over new things you learn like 'bokeh' and 'highlight recovery.' That stuff will come with time if you keep at it, and the longer you don't worry about it the better.

Just remember a properly exposed, in focus image is where it starts. Then it's all about content.

Most important; have fun.

[LilBlack]

i have off from work tomorrow, so i'm gonna go to the closest mall area and get some cameras in my hands and see what I can learn
thanks for all the help guys, keep it comin!

[sisforsurfing]

Yeah, see what you like in a store.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10
That's a pretty good classifieds. The last-gen prosumer cameras are already in the $600 range, gen or two before that are less than $300. Money spent on a lens is more important, and they don't depreciate.

[LilBlack]

just got back from target and best buy. I'm really likin the canon rebels.
I like the menu set up, where everything is on the camera, include the where the trigger is. think im gonna go with a rebel.

[LilBlack]

so where should I go for the best price and warranty for a new or used Canon Rebel, if i'm only looking to spend between 300-400?
my girlfriends friends boyfriend introduced me to bhphotovideo.com

[sisforsurfing]

Buy used. Rebel XTi or XSi bodies, or the older but better 20D or 30D, go for about $300. You can buy a kit lens (18-55mm) for <$100, or together for about $350.
Don't worry about a warranty.

[LilBlack]

just got my second job, should have the camera by the end of the month!

[LilBlack]

officially going to italy and switzerland for two weeks this summer.
gonna get some good pics there

[LilBlack]

about to buy a used nikon d50 with a Nikkor 55-200mm lens, 4 memory cards, an extra battery, all the books, original boxes, and charger for 280.
how do you feel on the price? and the camera?

[LilBlack]

buying a nikon D50 off of howielong, pictures to come sometime this weekend/next week!

[LilBlack]

got my camera today and got real snap happy on auto, still trying to learn
here are a few of my favorites (note: theyre not edited)




the girlfriend took this one:

stay thirsty my friends

[howielong]

Sorry about that Spanish manual again lol Here's the English version you download from Nikon.

http://support.nikontech.com/app/ans...lkL3VVUzR6QzFr



Photos look good, well lit and in focus. You'll get the hang of the camera in no time.