Help a noob!

welshdragon · 16 Feb 2011 at 22:20

Right chums, I have decided this year to get into photography and would ask two things of my learned forumites!

What is a good starter DSLR from Canon?

And working shifts I cannot commit to a course to learn so could someone recommend some good quality learning materials ie book/site?

DB_SamX · 16 Feb 2011 at 22:36

If you do a seach on this forum, you will come across books previously recommeded. I have taught myself and still am, so easily done if you are committed.

Schizophonic · 16 Feb 2011 at 23:07

welshdragon said:
Right chums, I have decided this year to get into photography and would ask two things of my learned forumites!

What is a good starter DSLR from Canon?

And working shifts I cannot commit to a course to learn so could someone recommend some good quality learning materials ie book/site?

What have you learnt yourself so far? Do you go straight to the forum and ask for directions or try to get see how far you get before asking?

PermaBanned · 16 Feb 2011 at 23:35

Budget? Intended use?

Andy90 · 16 Feb 2011 at 23:39

The book that everyone will point you towards is called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Patterson. It is now in it's third edition and really is a great book for someone taking up Photography as a hobby.

As for recommending a starter Camera from Canon - what sort of budget have you set yourself? - given that price point I'm sure a few people will recommend a camera.

I also have to ask (don't shoot me fellow Canon users, I've got a Canon too!) - why have you settled on Canon?

One last thing, the Stickied FAQ at the top of this subforum has a lot of information that will help a beginner - it has links to some good tutorial websites too.

K.C. Leblanc · 17 Feb 2011 at 00:45

Andy90 said:
As for recommending a starter Camera from Canon - what sort of budget have you set yourself? - given that price point I'm sure a few people will recommend a camera.

and let us know if you're prepared to go second hand or not.

Why only Canon?

As for learning, I'll be a little lazy;

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/gener...dding-hobbyist-photographer-5.html#post625854

EDIT: And if you read that thread, think long and hard before buying a Samsung. The cameras are good, but the lens range isn't.

welshdragon · 17 Feb 2011 at 09:50

Superewza said:
Budget? Intended use?

About £500. Just about everything. My kids when they come along, scenery/holidays and curiously product shots really interest me!

Andy90 said:
The book that everyone will point you towards is called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Patterson. It is now in it's third edition and really is a great book for someone taking up Photography as a hobby.

As for recommending a starter Camera from Canon - what sort of budget have you set yourself? - given that price point I'm sure a few people will recommend a camera.

I also have to ask (don't shoot me fellow Canon users, I've got a Canon too!) - why have you settled on Canon?

One last thing, the Stickied FAQ at the top of this subforum has a lot of information that will help a beginner - it has links to some good tutorial websites too.

I shall check the sticky out. Thank you very much for the book recommendation. I want a Canon cause they are stuck in my mind as very high quality with a good range. Edging towards a Canon Eos 500D

K.C. Leblanc said:
and let us know if you're prepared to go second hand or not.

Why only Canon?

As for learning, I'll be a little lazy;

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/gener...dding-hobbyist-photographer-5.html#post625854

EDIT: And if you read that thread, think long and hard before buying a Samsung. The cameras are good, but the lens range isn't.

As above interested ina Canon and yes I'm happy with second hand starting out. Would a 500D be something to look for. ANd what should I be wary of buying second hand?

Aero · 17 Feb 2011 at 12:34

welshdragon said:
I shall check the sticky out. Thank you very much for the book recommendation. I want a Canon cause they are stuck in my mind as very high quality with a good range. Edging towards a Canon Eos 500D

I was of this same opinion but when I tried out the canon's they just didn't feel right to me. Thus I ended up with a nikon d3000 but I honestly don't think I would change now. Get out to the shops and try them out in your hands you may well be surprised!

PistolPete · 17 Feb 2011 at 13:36

+1 for understanding exposure. I can now even use my compact in 'manual' mode and get pretty good results once you understand the basics in this book.

I was looking at a new 50D or 550D last year, but I ended up getting a used 450D.
Glad I did as it saved me a whole bunch of cash and you'll probably find to start with the cheaper camera is more than enough. I think that after I've bought a few decent lenses that I'll start to outgrow the 450D, and I'm hoping the 5D MKIII is a little while off as that means that when I want to upgrade there will be a flood of used MKIIs available

theheyes · 17 Feb 2011 at 19:31

I know this sounds a bit contrived, but before I read Understanding Exposure I was someone who'd just shot in full auto all the time. Now the camera is hardly ever off Av or Manual mode. Well worth the money. In fact, it's one of the best books of its type I've ever read and not only is it informative, it's actually a pretty good read in itself.

cochoc · 18 Feb 2011 at 10:46

Whether you go for Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Olympus/Sony, make sure you handle the cameras before buying. I have a 550d, and find it's great for my hands, but others might prefer the handling of other cameras. I also love the video I can produce with this camera.

Also make sure you get a feel for the individual cameras accessory/lens 'ecosystem' as there may be certain things that you like with each system, and there may be things that are out of your price range between systems.

I specifically wanted the Canon 10-22 wide angle, and love the Canon 55-250 zoom as they are superb lenses that fit in my budget, so Canon fits my purposes nicely.