Rebel without a clue - DPChallenge Forums

07/28/2004 02:04:54 PM · #1

I've finally gotten myself a Rebel!!!

I was wondering if any of my Rebel Brothers had any tips or tricks or hints or whatever, that you think I may find useful in the intial setup and first couple of weeks as I get used to it?

Thanks.

toddnicholsphotography

Canon EOS-20D

07/28/2004 02:07:38 PM · #2

I am up to 2000 pictures since May! Just take alot of picture! Try to learn just one thing a day and master it! Don't eat the elephant in one day! Ask alot of questions on the forum! I am still learning!

pitsaman

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/28/2004 02:07:43 PM · #3

Originally posted by UNCLEBRO:

Watch out for center weighted metering ,you will get too dark or too light photos until you get used to it !

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

07/28/2004 02:12:50 PM · #4

don't drop it off a 6 foot shelf onto the hot shoe connection ... while the camera will take the impact, the metal connectors will have to be bent straight with needle nose plyers ... it sucks, trust me

:)

Also, if this is your first dslr, I'll remind you not to panic if your shots don't "pop" right out of the camera. They require tweaking in photoshop (usually).

I don't use the preset settings either, just remember you can change them (color, saturation, sharpening).

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/28/2004 02:13:41 PM · #5

Originally posted by UNCLEBRO:

What about Rebel Sisters? LOL
Ask Rooster, she's been practicing her little heart out!

Nelzie

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/28/2004 02:51:58 PM · #6

Take it out and shoot with it on the 'Automagic' settings to get a feel for how fast it focuses and such. Do this for a good week.

Once you have that figured out. Start reading though the manual about the creative modes and what they are capable of doing. I wouldn't rush through all of the 'Creative' Modes. Pick one and learn it, then move to the next one.

I would start with Apeture or Shutter Priority First. Experiment with those, using as many different settings as you can come up with. Don't forget to play with the White Balance and the ISO Settings.

In time, you will find things coming more natural with the camera. Take a look at my portfolio. The first day I had the camera, I took the "North & South Lines" challenge entry. The Honeymoon images were taken the next week all were done with Automatic settings.

The rest were taken after I had learned how to mess about with some of the Creative Settings. I still have a ton of features to figure out as well as a mess of equipment that I need to pick up to increae my possiblities.

It's a great camera and if you spend some time with it, you will get some great images.

UNCLEBRO

07/28/2004 03:55:27 PM · #7

thanks very much for all the advice.

boomer

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/28/2004 04:04:01 PM · #8

And don't forget to change the camera name under your name.

mariomel

Canon EOS-5D

07/28/2004 04:43:25 PM · #9

Make sure you set the date correctly before you start submitting shots to DPC.

UNCLEBRO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/28/2004 04:48:58 PM · #10

Originally posted by mariomel:

Make sure you set the date correctly before you start submitting shots to DPC.

that was the first thing I done!!!!

can anyone give me any information on the "quality" setting?
there's 2 large, 2 medium, and 2 small.
On my G2 I always had the setting on "M2", I was happy with the digital quality and the print quality.
Is there an equivalent to that?

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

07/28/2004 05:02:38 PM · #11

Each size has two levels of compression:

- Smooth arc icon - higher quality
- Jagged arc icon - lower quality

I always use Smooth, Large shots, which run to about 3-4 MB each.

Dyslexic

Canon EOS-40D

07/28/2004 05:05:20 PM · #12

I suspect most people shoot with the JPEG/L/Fine setting. A few people shoot RAW, but I wouldn't worry about raw images for now. If you have a small memory card, or if your computer is older and chokes on big images, you'll want to shoot smaller images. Other than the number of pixels in the image, there's no difference in image quality between Small/Medium/Large. Medium/Fine will produce great 4x6 prints.

If you're using the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens, keep in mind that the lens is at it's best in the middle of the zoom range, between f/8 and f/11. That's not to say that the lens is horrible at other settings, it's just not optimal.

I'll expand on pitsaman's tip about watching out for center-weighted metering and suggest that once you get comfortable with the camera to learn to use the AE-L function, and how to set exposure compensation. I find I use those much more with DSLRs than with prosumer point-and-shoots.

And one more suggestion: update your profile!

dr rick

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/28/2004 07:33:21 PM · #13

Go to the second menu, second item from the bottom, "Review", and set it to "On (Info)". This makes the camera display the photo and a histogram after each picture you take. Get in the habit of checking the histogram each time, and look at the photo for flashing areas, indicating they are burned out. Small specular highlights (reflections off of metallic or wet surfaces) are OK, but if there are large areas you will probably want to adjust your exposure and shoot again.

Another habit worth cultivating is to verify the settings whenever you turn the camera on. I'm always leaving it at high ISO after shooting in dark locations or forgetting to put the exposure compensation back to normal after taking a shot that needs it.

wwwavenger

07/28/2004 07:52:25 PM · #14

Apply the hacked firmware! It's great.

dcano

Nikon D100

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D

07/28/2004 08:09:44 PM · #15

Sorry I am a nikon boy but you have one hell of a camera. Congrats!!

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM Lens

07/28/2004 08:38:31 PM · #16

Originally posted by UNCLEBRO:

Put it back in the box, ship it to me.

Dyslexic

Canon EOS-40D

07/28/2004 08:39:42 PM · #17

Originally posted by wwwavenger:

Apply the hacked firmware! It's great.

I agree, the hacked firmware is great. I'd even call it a "must have" for anyone who also owns a 420EX Speedlite. I wouldn't recommend it to someone with a new Rebel though. Once you're sure that the camera has no problems, and if you decide you need flash exposure compensation or mirror lockup, then apply the firmware hack. Also be sure you understand the implications of installing the firmware. I'm loving the hacked firmware, but I'd hate to be responsible for someone else having problems because of it.

MusicAngel

07/28/2004 09:37:10 PM · #18

dont ask me...ive had my rebel since christmas and still havent figured out anything other than the auto mode :( between being too busy to mess around with it and downright not understanding it im kinda stupid when it comes to my camera...haha

Nelzie

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/28/2004 10:48:18 PM · #19

I love shooting RAW. Since I discovered the power of RAW shots... I don't think I will ever turn the dial back to the Automatic Settings...

I just need to learn all the creative settings down pat and I will be set...

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

07/28/2004 11:07:22 PM · #20

Originally posted by Dyslexic:

Originally posted by wwwavenger:
Apply the hacked firmware! It's great.

I agree, the hacked firmware is great. I'd even call it a "must have" for anyone who also owns a 420EX Speedlite. I wouldn't recommend it to someone with a new Rebel though. Once you're sure that the camera has no problems, and if you decide you need flash exposure compensation or mirror lockup, then apply the firmware hack. Also be sure you understand the implications of installing the firmware. I'm loving the hacked firmware, but I'd hate to be responsible for someone else having problems because of it.

Ditto that! Get a good feel for your Rebel before you 'hack it'. Doing it now will only confuse matters and it might freak you out if you had to flash back because of problem (not with the hack but with the camera) that required a return or Canon service. And be sure to read, read, read everything you can prior to installing the hack so that you know exactly what you're getting.

Otherwise, enjoy your new dRebel ;-)

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

07/28/2004 11:27:47 PM · #21

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Originally posted by UNCLEBRO:
I've finally gotten myself a Rebel!!!

I was wondering if any of my Rebel Brothers had any tips or tricks or hints or whatever, that you think I may find useful in the intial setup and first couple of weeks as I get used to it?

Thanks.

What about Rebel Sisters? LOL
Ask Rooster, she's been practicing her little heart out!

Word up! I was gonna say whats up with the sistas as well & yes I have been shooting my brains out!
I would dive into to it & try a little of every setting out. The sports mode is particuarly cool for moving objects!
Teh bulb setting is really cool too for SUPER long exposure shots as well as night shots. Since its been raining so much, its also ideal for lightning shots!
Give it a whirl & be sure to post some for all to see!
Peace!

wyoduckhunter

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/02/2004 04:37:14 AM · #22

Originally posted by toddnicholsphotography:

I have had mine 12 days and am at 950.

skylen

Nikon D200

08/02/2004 05:01:10 AM · #23

Wow! I want a mirror lockup hack for my D70? Is there such a thing for the Nikon D70 firmware? That is my number one complaint/missing feature on my camera. oh please please please let there be a hack

Pixelstate

Fujifilm X-T3

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/02/2004 05:45:03 AM · #24

You made a great choice...

One of the tips that I picked up that relieved some considerable frustrations was using the 'cheat' of pressing the DOF preview button to stop the damn camera from automatically tracking and refocusing a scene. This works perfectly and will save you frustration when taking shots of non-static objects (especially things like fields of corn!)

Most importantly have fun... take 100's of shots and play around with the features... it's a great piece of kit...

Buy a 50mm F1.8 This lens is great value for money and produces images so sharp that you won't believe it... amaze all you friends and family etc...

Regards

Chris

Selection of my own 300d Shots at //www.pixelstate.com

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