Is the new Canon XSi good for a beginner?

[F35-Joint Strike Fighter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12501568#post12501568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenhut
Thanks - I am now using a 40D and the Canon 100mm Macro. However, these pictures were taken with the Rebel XSi and the same lens.

Could you please tell me exactly your set-up? I have the same camera and lense but I have never got that great picture.

Thank you.

 

[greenhut]

The first picture (of the zoas). Was simply the XSi, Canon 100mm macro, and a tripod. You can get the shot details from the EXIF data.

I used Live View for both shots (and probably manual focus). By nature, live view causes the same effect as mirror lock which removes the impact of mirror slap.

The second shot used the same equipment, but is a made up of 70 photos. I used a trial of DSLR Remote Pro to script taking the 70 pictures, and Helicon to assemble them into one photo. It worked, but could have been WAY better as I have tons to learn about photography and the focus stacking tools.

See the following link for some examples and explanation of focus stacking:

http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/focus_stacking.htm

jeff

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12507990#post12507990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by F35-Joint Strike Fighter
Could you please tell me exactly your set-up? I have the same camera and lense but I have never got that great picture.

Thank you.

Trying to copy someone's settings will never help you take better pictures. Invest some time to understand how exposure, depth of field and focus works. Then take the picture using the appropriate settings for the scene.

 

[F35-Joint Strike Fighter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12508170#post12508170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
Trying to copy someone's settings will never help you take better pictures. Invest some time to understand how exposure, depth of field and focus works. Then take the picture using the appropriate settings for the scene.

I am still learning from this website:

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

I was trying a different set up but I have never got what I want.

Man, I think to buy a camera is way easier than taking good pics.

 

[BlueCorn]

Some good books are John Shaw's "Closeups in Nature" and Peterson's Understanding Exposure. Both were really written for film camera's but it's the same concept.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12508170#post12508170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
Trying to copy someone's settings will never help you take better pictures. Invest some time to understand how exposure, depth of field and focus works. Then take the picture using the appropriate settings for the scene.

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is like trying to copy someone's algebra homework and expect to pass your test. The problems on the test are figured out the same way...but its a different question with a different answer.
DLSR photography is a whole hobby in itself. You need to throughly understand your equipments capabilities and limits like you understand your tank in order to consistently score quality shots. Read your manual. Good...now read it again. Good...now join POTN and study some more.

 

[djc1026]

Trying to copy camera settings is like trying to copy tank setups, invariably you won't get the same results as the original owner.

And how come no one mentions Olympus? I use a Canon XTi at work and it just feels awkward. I was leaning towards Nikon for my first DSLR, but when I went to a local camera shop, I picked up the Oly 510 and it just felt right. Of course, I had to postpone my purchase because then I had to go research the Oly. I'm an amateur, but I love the Oly, that the kit glass is fantastic. Sure, it doesn't have the biggest selection of glass, but it will cover what I need. Just some more to chew on there

Dave