Canon EOS 300D Are they easy to use?

[Ransom]

I currently own a Kodak EasyShare CX7330 point and shoot. But im sick of always having every 3rd or so shot thats fuzzy an out of focus an especialy now ive become a father it seems im losing lots of photos.

so ive bought a Canon EOS 300D with a 18-55mm EFS Lens

so my question is will it be ok to learn with an will the quality be good enough

Idealy i want to take some shots of insets / butterflys etc up close nice piccys an maybe some landscape shots this is my first time using one of these camera as its always been a disposable or a cheap digital point and shoot

any advice is welcome and greatfull for

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

The 300 is pretty easy to use. 2-3 years ago it had class leading quality and whilst it might be outperformed by the latest DSLRs, it will still wipe the floor with most compacts without a problem.
The kit lens is no great shakes, so you may wish to replace that. There's plenty of threads on this forum about good lens options, so I won't bother discussing them here.
The only other thing worth considering is the WASIA firmware hack. The electronics in the 300D are the same as the D30 (IIRC). Some of the functionality was disabled on the 300D to prevent it from stealing sales from the D30. Examples include mirror lock up. It's worth getting and installing (very easy).

 

[xolotl]

The only other thing worth considering is the WASIA firmware hack. The electronics in the 300D are the same as the D30 (IIRC). Some of the functionality was disabled on the 300D to prevent it from stealing sales from the D30. Examples include mirror lock up. It's worth getting and installing (very easy).

Close. But the 300D has the same insides as the 10D. There are however a number of things that cant be changed. The larger buffer and a magnesium body for a start. As well as the WASIA firmware there is also the undutchables.

the 300d is as hard to use as you want it to be. As with most DSLRs you can put it in green box (full auto) and snap away like a P&S. However if you want more control you can.

 

[Ransom]

initialy im will start with the auto setting

but ive seen someones pic of a sun rise with the sea all fuzzy which tbh looks amazing an i would love to be able to create someone like that myself i know i wont be able to do this straight away i need to learn stuff but where is best to start

Basicly im starting at the bottom of the ladder gotta learn all the abbriviations firstly the camera should arrive tomorrow an im quite looking forward to it. just hope the zoom is good enough

 

[AdWright]

initialy im will start with the auto setting

but ive seen someones pic of a sun rise with the sea all fuzzy which tbh looks amazing an i would love to be able to greate someone like that myself i know i wont be able to do this straight away i need to learn stuff but where is best to start

For this kind of shot, use Tv (shutter priority) mode. This will allow you to set the desired shutter speed - a few seconds for a blurry-sea effect - and the camera will set the correct aperture to achieve a proper exposure.

You'll need a tripod as the exposure is long.

To learn how to do stuff, I'd suggest:

1. Just play around with your camera and work out what things do.
2. Read the manual. (I know, yawn! But its worth it) Read it again. I keep learning stuff from mine!
3. Subscribe to a magazine, such as Practical Photography. They have some really good tutorials on different techniques.
4. Post lots of pictures here - critique and advice on this forum (and photograpy-on-the.net) have helped me greatly

 

[Ransom]

ta m8

yeah im really looking forward to reading the manual

i got so many question but i wont bore you guys just yet ill wait till i get my hands on the camera first

 

[Mohain]

but ive seen someones pic of a sun rise with the sea all fuzzy which tbh looks amazing an i would love to be able to create someone like that myself i know i wont be able to do this straight away i need to learn stuff but where is best to start

This link is in the sticky and will be a great starting point for you.

 

[philio16]

Close. But the 300D has the same insides as the 10D. There are however a number of things that cant be changed. The larger buffer and a magnesium body for a start. As well as the WASIA firmware there is also the undutchables.

the 300d is as hard to use as you want it to be. As with most DSLRs you can put it in green box (full auto) and snap away like a P&S. However if you want more control you can.

I've just downloaded the WASIA firmware....is there any way of putting it onto the CF card via the camera? Got it linked up via USB but can't figure out a way to do it not got a seperate card reader!

 

[AdWright]

I've just downloaded the WASIA firmware....is there any way of putting it onto the CF card via the camera? Got it linked up via USB but can't figure out a way to do it not got a seperate card reader!

Nope, you need a card reader to do this. Got a friend who has one?

 

[philio16]

Nope, you need a card reader to do this. Got a friend who has one?

Hopefully my house mate upstairs does....he is out and his room is a mess so I'm not even gonna bother looking right now

edit - just stumbled across a useful tool! If you go on the canon site and download the official firmware update, it comes with a USB updater tool. Just replace the official firmware with the hacked one and away you go