Canon 350D, Tips for a beginner

ioptics

ioptics

ioptics

Associate
Joined
14 Jun 2003
Posts
42
Location
UK
Hello All,

I am new to this section of the forum and new to DSLR Photography. I have just invested in a Canon 350D with the standard 18-55 Lens.

I want to get the most out of this lens... I am off to Paris at the end of the week and would like to take some great pictures.

Any advice for a beginner?

Camera Settings,
What should the next lense I buy be?
Memory, OCUK have 1Gb Crucial CFI for 30 quid, is it any good?

Thanks in advance!
ioptics
 
Wow, where to start.

As for settings, until you have read what affects the outcome of each shot, and learnt what effect Aperture and shutter values have on photo's, leave the camera in automatic mode.

There are plenty of good guides on the internet, here is one of my favourites:

http://www.shortcourses.com/


As for the memory cards, they are all much of a muchness really. Get the fastest one you can is generally the way forward, regardless of whether your camera will write to it that fast.

What should your next lens be?

Only you can ever know that by getting out there with your camera and seeing what sort of shots you are missing out on by either A)not having a wide angle lens or, b) not having a zoom lens.

Given that you have the 18-55 i reckon your next lens will end up being a Sigma 70-300....
 
Many thanks to both of you for the replies. Much Appreciated!

I will be sure to read through the links you both provided.

Regarding lenses, I have been lent a 75-300mm Canon IS Ultrasonic and wow - I really don't know how to describe it and I have barely used it! So I think you are right a 70/75-300mm lens is at the top of my wishlist. But I am also very interested in Macro photography, so does anyone have any suggestions?
 
New 350d owner here also, my first lens purschase was a Sigma 100-300 f4, havn't had the time or the weather to use it more than a few mins yet though :( Gets Excellent reviews though.
 
For some reason I find this post ironic...

Can anyone offer a DSLR newbie advice on how to practice decision-making for camera settings. Perhaps even a website, a book, or a DVD. I have a lot of trouble going from one geographical setting to another and trying to quickly figure out which camera settings work best. I want to learn to think and react faster. I don't want to shoot in auto mode. I want to practice a lot so that when the shots need to count, I'm not fumbling around trying to determine ISO, WB, AF, metering, Av/Tv settings.
__________________
Canon 20D / BG-E2 / 430EX
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS
Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Bogen 3021BPRO w/ 322RC2
Adidt R3 Wireless Remot
 
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