Finally got a new camera!

[Z0_o6]

Finally after waiting around for what seems like forever, I went and bought a starter DSLR kit. I picked up a new Canon Rebel XSi with the Canon f3.5-5.6 18-55 lens. I'm pretty excited, this camera certainly has a lot of functions to learn about though! Just thought I would share

[james]

good. canon crew.

[Tarzanman]

Finally after waiting around for what seems like forever, I went and bought a starter DSLR kit. I picked up a new Canon Rebel XSi with the Canon f3.5-5.6 18-55 lens. I'm pretty excited, this camera certainly has a lot of functions to learn about though! Just thought I would share

Same camera that I have. Cool beans. It has its ups and downs. The lens you have is the 18-55mm IS f/3.5–5.6, rather than the older 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, which is a crappy lens (the lens you have is pretty decent).

If you have the bucks, get a 50mm f/1.8 prime (~$55 used, ~$90 new) to go with your 18-55 and use them both to learn what the camera is good and bad at.

[uproot]

no pics to share?

[Z0_o6]

not yet, i will have some pictures up soon though, don't worry!

Tarzanman- yes, i meant to say the IS model, oops lol. what does the 50mm f/1.8 lens accomplish? macro? long distance? excuse the stupid questions, but i'm still learning about these things, I'm used to the P&S stuff.

[xbn83]

It is a fast prime lens, usually good for portrait or something else where you can isolate the subject from the bg, or shoot at low light. The magnification is not enough to do macro.

[Z0_o6]

thanks for the info. i'm doing as much reading around as i can to learn how to take full advantage of my new equipment.

[james]

The magnification is not enough to do macro.

maybe not forwards.....

http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_reverse_macro_ring


http://www.flickr.com/groups/diyphot...7611404353225/

[Z0_o6]

i did forget to post a pic i took while playing with the camera last night of my fiance's engagement ring. criticism welcome, i'm here to learn.

[Nittanys1]

^its a little out of focus...however the rings nice

[Z0_o6]

thanks

still learning about how to utilize the aperture, ISO and f-stop. i'm sure my composition will improve with time.

[james]

thanks

still learning about how to utilize the aperture, ISO and f-stop. i'm sure my composition will improve with time.

don't shoot on auto.

[Z0_o6]

agreed. the auto function churns out very bland pictures.

[Tarzanman]

Getting an SLR has completely ruined my sense of composition. I am slowly working my way back, but its just a LOT easier to compose with a ~3" LCD screen showing you almost exactly what you're going to get.

Also, the Xsi's viewfinder isn't the greatest in the world.

I would get the 50mm f/1.8 to get a feel for what the camera can do in low light with no flash, with a (relatively) 'fast' lens.... but it depends on what you take photos of mostly.

You might get a lot more use out buying a 55-250mm IS f/4-5.6 zoom lens instead ($250 new, ~$200 used). Its a good budget telephoto lens (Canon started making it to compete with Nikon's 50-200 VR lens). It is light, compact and takes pretty decent photos.... just don't try to shoot action with it unless its a very, very sunny day :-) (not very fast at all!).

[james]

^ nice contradiction tarzan....

anyways, OP - get the most out of what you've got before you start buying new stuff for it. learn everything you can with the camera and 18-55.

[Tarzanman]

I don't think that $50 for a used lens is much money at all to spend immediately on a camera he just got.

I'll dig up the older thread later, but I think that other guy was looking at buying $300+ lenses before figuring out what his current set-up was capable of.

Hmm, I guess Nemesis isn't the only one poring over my post history all the time.

[james]

Hmm, I guess Nemesis isn't the only one poring over my post history all the time.

what do you mean?

also, yeah i think he should save his 50 dollars and maybe buy a book instead.

[Tarzanman]

I wouldn't bother with a book with so many good forums (no, I don't mean this one) and sites with tutorials, explanations, and examples of how to get good results from your camera.

If you must, borrow a photography book from the library and save your money for use on gear.

[james]

you are one of a kind tarzan

[Z0_o6]

lol no need to argue guys, not on my account anyways. i'm going to continue to feel out what the lens i have already will do so that i can make an educated decision on what to buy next. there is a thread in the car pics section where i took some pictures of my bike if you guys want to critique.