Let the picture taking begin-New Canon

[Phyxius]

After having a few Kodak cameras and an EasyShare model that was a 3.1mp I wanted something better. The kids had better digital cameras than I did and I was kind of envious. After dropping hints at the wife for the 4-5mths she finally told me to find the camera I wanted. Needed something below 1000.00 to start and I really liked the Canon line and the Rebel XTi . Was able to get the kit for about the same price as the body only along with a bag, CF card and 60g USB drive to store all the pictures too.
Looking for some good books, guides or the like to get the most out of this camera. I know there are some good books and some bad books so looking for input from the photo people here.
Will probably start with auto mode but play with the manual settings more and more as I explore all the modes and etc. May change lenses down the road to something a little more versatile but for now this seems to be a good general one. Took a few shots out of the box and it makes the pictures 5x better than the old camera (took the photo below with old one)

Thanks guys

 

[BlueCorn]

You should have gotten the black one, it takes better pictures.





































Congrats!

 

[edwing206]

:lol: Now start taking some pictures!

 

[Phyxius]

beerguy,
I really liked the all black but to get the better pricing on it all it had to be the silver version for some reason. All black was 30.00 more but silver will work fine

250 pictures so far just playing with it but boy are the picture sizes HUGE compared to my old cameras. 3 meg+ pics will take up some space quick so I`m glad I got a 2g CF card.

 

[BlueCorn]

Just wait until you start shooting RAW.

 

[ahuxman58]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10676788#post10676788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
You should have gotten the black one, it takes better pictures.



I was gonna say the same thing

































Congrats!

 

[Dino]

:lol: The reason the silver one is cheaper is because the black ones are a higher demand! I'm sure you've seen plenty of my pictures, they're all taken with the XTi, now start saving up for all those accessories! More cards, batteries, good flash, different lenses, better neck strap .

Oh, and here is an excellent book for a beginner Understanding Exposure, really goes through a lot of good stuff. I both have it and have seen it recommended a LOT.

 

[Phyxius]

You guys are starting to give me a silver complex LOL


dinoman,
Thanks for the info on the book and I`ll check into it. I already ordered another battery and another card The others will wait for awhile as my daughters college costs are killing my budget right now. I swear she has 2x the needs more now than when she was at home.

I`m sure I`ll be asking about lens upgrades in the future though

 

[Phyxius]

Alright guys a question on a lens already

I have been playing with the camera and already wish the lens could zoom in a little closer for pics and then zoom out just a hair more. I did some reading and found out more about the kit lens and its a general good starter lens. Its been great around the house with most of the shots I have played with but outside I can see some room for just a little more.
What would be a good everyday lens that would allow me to do some nice close up shots and then get some good landscape shots also. I`m just looking for another lens that would just give me a little more versatility. The wife has decided she really likes the feel of the camera also so the addition of IS would be a plus.

I would encounter some lower light situations when wife is at horse shows but probably something a flash would take care of. Of course cost is a factor so we need something in the 400 range or so.

 

[Dino]

Its going to be a little tough finding a lens to both go wider and longer but is also FAST, but this is just the reason you can buy a selection of lenses to fit the different situations and shots you find yourself in!

What kind of horse shows does your wife do? The 85mm f/1.8 would probably be a good match for that. Its not IS but if your wife does any of the action type horse events you're going to need shutter speed. Enough shutter speed that you're not going to need IS (although IS can always help of course). The 85mm isn't terribly long (which might be the holdback depending on how close you can get) but it is longer than your kit lens, its also fast at f/1.8, and the AF from what I've read is lightning quick, and its sharp. Its also a prime though so it doesn't "zoom".

Of course there is also the 100mm f/2.8 macro, it'll be a little over your budget (usually around $450-ish or so). Lot of the pictures you see in this forum have been taken my the 100mm f/2.8, you could also use it for the horse shows as its even a little longer than the 85mm but also slower at f/2.8. Depending on what the lighting is going to be like that may or may not make a difference. It too though is also a prime so it doesn't "zoom" either. Its a very nice lens though .

Me, I'm always kinda leery of using a flash around horses that may or may not be used to it. I always take the side of caution but I'm usually shooting fairs and rodeos and stuff where there is a lot of horses crowded together. And as I'm sure you know, all it takes is one horse spooking to set off a big wreck .

I'll let somebody else suggest things on the wide end as I don't shoot wide very often. Although I am looking to pick up a 10-22mm Canon its much out of your budget at ~$600

 

[Phyxius]

dinoman,
Thanks for the great info and I will look into some of those suggestions. Flash would only be in the stands and not in with the horses. My Daughter is the rider/jumper/ and trainer so it would be ring side shots for the wife and not up in their face. They spook more over flags flapping or things out of place than a flash going off in the ring. Up front a personal can be another story
I was just thinking IS due to she is not the most stable when it comes to taking pics. I think she likes to move at the same time she is releasing the shutter. I have some range over the 400 mark if needed.

SO SO much to learn on these SLR`s over what I`m used to but look forward to it .

Really want some close up shots of my corals at night when their tentacles/feeders all come out.

 

[Dino]

Perhaps a monopod might be something for the future? It'd certainly help with that moving while pushing the shutter button as well as adding some support, because let me tell you - even "light" lenses start making your arms tired after you've been holding them for a few hours!

Problem with a flash also is depending just how far away you are might not help any anyway. Of course a good flash is something to have on the list as 1.) The onboard flash is next to useless 2.) The onboard flash is next to useless , but for what you're describing it just might have limited results because just doesn't reach that far. Of course I'm thinking of our fairgrounds and stuff here - where if you're in the stands you're going to be a good distance from the side of the ring no matter where you sit.

The 100mm f/2.8 macro is a great coral lens - there are a lot of RCers here that have it! Its certainly one I'm hoping to add to my bag eventually!

And most importantly just get out and take lots of pictures! We've all been at the same point where didn't have a clue what all these numbers and settings and dials and buttons did - you'll learn though!

EDIT: And I certainly know about the horses and all the strange stuff! Just this past county fair here I was out taking pictures of all the events and got to talking with girl that was competing while we were waiting for them to get everything set up for the next event. And she was talking about how her horse had been terrified of the fence all weekend - that is until he saw my camera bag and then he came trotting right up to it :lol:.

 

[Phyxius]

My 13yr old who has the picture taking eye in the family wanted to borrow the camera to take some shots around the yard yesterday. He got me a little nervous when he took a spray bottle of water out with him in the process.....
5 minutes later he came back with a bunch of pics taken with the "kit" lens and said he liked the camera a lot

I think with pics like these and the standard lens he did a really good job for first time. I think he took 200 plus pictures of all the wildlife here and at the lake yesterday.

 

[Dino]

Those are pretty darn good for a 13 year old! What grade is he in? In a few years he'll be able to take some photo classes if its something he's still interested in at the time .

 

[Phyxius]

dinoman,
Yep 13 yrs old and the 8th grade. I think he has taken most of the best shots of my tank, family get togethers and the like. He has taken some killer shots with a
Nikon 7.1mp we got him at Christmas so I wanted to see what he could do with this. Really impressed me about the water spray/mist idea.
He was tickled to death to get accepted on to the yearbook staff this year at school a grade early so he is really interested in it on a higher level so who knows down the road.

 

[Dino]

That's great! I missed out on all the school photography stuff because the bug didn't hit me deep until after HS, and now I think it would have been fun to take those classes!

He's definitely got a good start, if he continues to really work at it he could do some great stuff!

Edit: I just have to say to be careful - it won't be long until you're buying yourself another camera because you don't get to use this one anymore!