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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> which way should I go
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
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02/02/2005 10:31:16 PM · #1
Hi Guys
first time forum user and wanna be am photog
very confused on where to start
have read way too much -
dont know whether to spend the $$$ for a "D SLR" or go with a super zoom
I am interested in either a D Rebel or DMC FZ20
again i am very much an amature - but "no time like the present"
any suggestions????
02/02/2005 10:34:51 PM · #2
eos body and a nice lens! I wish I would have started that way, but you learn as you grow!
02/02/2005 10:34:56 PM · #3
Depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. The FZ20 is a capable camera, but a DSLR gives you much more flexibility and performance.
02/02/2005 10:38:24 PM · #4
Originally posted by moe c:

Hi Guys
first time forum user and wanna be am photog
very confused on where to start
have read way too much -
dont know whether to spend the $$$ for a "D SLR" or go with a super zoom
I am interested in either a D Rebel or DMC FZ20
again i am very much an amature - but "no time like the present"
any suggestions????


You will learn faster on a Rebel. It has a simple mode and as you get the feel of the camera you can experiment with the more basic or more advanced features.

Don't let all the naysayers tell you you have to work your way up just because that was how they went about it. If you can afford it get the DSLR.
02/02/2005 10:41:18 PM · #5
The Rebel wont be too much camera for a beginner ??
What is the frustration factor involved
I did read you can start shooting right out of the box
and learn as you go is this true
02/02/2005 10:54:41 PM · #6
I was frustrated enough with the Rebel to return it a month after I bought it, but a lot of that was the result of being so used to my Powershot G2. I bought another Rebel shortly thereafter and haven't looked back. Yes, you can just set it to Auto and snap away, but you'll get more from any camera as you learn the controls.
02/02/2005 11:03:35 PM · #7
Originally posted by scalvert:

I was frustrated enough with the Rebel to return it a month after I bought it...


When I was shopping for a DSLR everyone, even the guys at the camera shop, tried to convince me not to get one. They said it was complicated and I would get frustrated. They told me many people returned their Rebels shortly after buying them. I'm glad I didn't listen to all of those people who had doubts! I would be incredible disappointed if I had spent $1,000 on a ZSLR instead of buying my 10D. I was lucky, I didn't find it frustrating or intimidating at all. It's been a wonderful learning experience and I haven't looked back either.

DSLR's are great cameras and if you have the money and willingness to learn how to use it, I would say get one...especially if you plan to get serious with photography. If you only want a nice camera for taking snapshots of the kids and pets that will rarely get printed, I would consider another camera.

Good luck with your decision.

02/02/2005 11:10:58 PM · #8
Originally posted by moe c:

I did read you can start shooting right out of the box
and learn as you go is this true


Not right out of the box. It's not a toaster. Reading the instuctions with the camera in front of you all the way through at least once will save you untold aggravation and probably save you from missing some key shots.

Message edited by author 2005-02-02 23:11:34.
02/02/2005 11:11:58 PM · #9
just one anwser to that... DSLR all the way.
02/02/2005 11:32:04 PM · #10
My first camera (way back when ) was a Kidak Instamatic. No nothin, adjustment wise. My next camera was a Rollie SLR, fully manual. No battery needed even. I managed to take pictures successfully with both.
In the digital realm, i have had a fully auto p&s, a pro-sumer with auto and all the modes, and now a Rebel. I wanted a rebel a year ago, but had the S602 as a budgetary stepping stone.

i'd say get the rebel. On any of the cameras these days, there is an auto mode - makes even the Rebel a simple point and shoot affair. When you begine to understand shutter speed, F-stop and DOF, then you can 'play'.
Lenses are available in 3 grades: cheap (consumer grade, generally under $150), amatuer level and the pro grade (aka L glass). Get a Canon 50mm 1.8 ($70) and either the kit lens or something 28-80 or 28-135. Ask here for recomendations. i got a tamron 28-80 for $70 and skipped the kit lens. You can add a long telephoto later, but those 2 lenses will get you started and give you some flexibility. If macor is what you want to do, then add a 90 or 100 telephoto/macro lens.

Read the whole manual, take osme pics. read about something in more detail, take more pics, etc.

And remember, we are here if you need help.

Message edited by author 2005-02-02 23:33:28.
02/02/2005 11:35:50 PM · #11
In all honesty, get the rebel and kit lens. You can just shoot in FULL AUTO mode and just check back every day or two and re-read the parts of the manual you have questions on.

Then try Program mode for a few modifications here and there and before you know it, aperture, shutter priority, and manual modes will just come to you and you'll know when to use which one.

Personally, I seem to use program mode pretty often because I like to just set the ISO to let the camera give me what it says the shutterspeed should be, then adjust if need be -- and aperture mode when I want a shallow depth of field.

--

I don't think it will overwhealm you though, because like I said you can always click it in full auto and go to town.
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