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Tips for a first time DSLR user

T

tgray96

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 13, 2010
Messages
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Bought myself a Rebel T3i, it was discounted.... Any tips would be appreciated.. i do know a bit, as i have used a dslr before
 
I know it sounds like everyone says this, but practice practice practice...

Also I would shoot in M and not use any of the automatic dummy modes..... M and AV are the only modes that I use.

Reading the manual might help you understand your camera..

Also I am a regular on this website.. while it covers all photography, it does focus on Canon users.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

When you plan on buying lenses... I would either ask for recommendation and save for quality lens. When I first started I bought cheap lenses and off brands thinking that I would save money, but wanting more expensive lens... nothing can beat a "L" lens.. well maybe a Manual focus Zeiss :)
 
haha, thanks man, i do shoot in m or av, as i said, i've used a dslr camera before, so i do understand the different modes and what not, i have read the manual, and i am intending to buy a canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lens next month

 
I'd highly recommend avoiding the Canon 75-300 as it is the weakest link in Canon's current lens lineup. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS trounces it in sharpness, focusing speed, handling, bokeh, and almost every other way. They go on sale for < $200 regularly and are definitely worthwhile. After that, the 70-300 IS USM slightly edges it out, and then you get to the L lenses which are orders of magnitude more expensive

As far as DSLR tips go, it might help if you told us what kind of tips you were looking for. In the meantime, practice, practice, practice, share your favorite shots for critique (here, on http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ and http://fredmiranda.com/forum/) and maybe make sure you know this chart inside and out:

http://9gag.com/gag/159864/


Each of the settings above is inter-related, so if you tweak one to achieve a desired effect, you should know how to adjust the others, minimizing undesired side-effects.
 
tgray96 said:
...and i am intending to buy a canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lens next month
Click to expand...

SilverMK3 said:
I'd highly recommend avoiding the Canon 75-300 as it is the weakest link in Canon's current lens lineup. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS trounces it in sharpness, focusing speed, handling, bokeh, and almost every other way. They go on sale for < $200 regularly and are definitely worthwhile...
Click to expand...

Here you go, Amazon has the 55-250mm on sale for ~$180 new: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011NVMO8
 
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I'm also on my first DSLR, a t2i.

I did videos to learn...

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Canon-Rebel-T2i-550D/dp/B003EUEEJQ
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Canon-Rebel-T2i-550D/dp/B003X0BWSS/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_b
http://www.amazon.com/Through-Eyes-Pro-Techniques-Photographers/dp/B000XB2CSE/ref=pd_bxgy_mov_text_b

I also have some on post processing.

I'd like to learn more about lightning, post processing, and photoshop. I've been using lightroom for most of my post processing, but want to learn photoshop which is something I am just starting on. I like the videos as I learn better by seeing and trying.

I quickly dumped the kit lens and got the 15-85 ef-s, a sigma 70-300(mainly for macro) and then the 70-200 f2.8 L mkii.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
A good tip for anyone: go to the library, check out the photography books, read them, practice.
 
@SilverMK3: I picked it up a couple of months ago. Definitely one of the more practical and useful books out there.
 
botw said:
@SilverMK3: I picked it up a couple of months ago. Definitely one of the more practical and useful books out there.
Click to expand...

Good to hear! I was torn between that one and Neil Van Niekerk's off-camera flash book. In the end I went with Syl Arena's book because it was more specific to my gear while Neil is more of a Nikon guy.

Speaking of Neil, here's a free on-camera-flash video series everyone should watch: http://www.bhinsights.com/content/just-give-me-f-stop.html
 
The only downside to it is that it makes me want to update my flashes. I just bought a 60d to backup my 5D2, and still need to unload an extra 70-200, so exII flashes just aren't in the cards sadly.

[Sorry for thread hijack]
 
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