New to SLR cameras

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Hey all, I've been thinking about getting my first digital SLR soon for several reasons: grad trip to the Dominican Republic coming up, hockey equipment "shoots" and general scenic photography. I did a bit of research but couldn't find a good reliable site for newbs like myself when it comes to SLRs. Looking at getting a camera from the Sony Alpha (α) line. So not all SLR lenses are interchangeable is what I gathered, but all companies on the "4/3" system are? Anyone know where I can find the companies that do have interchangeable lenses with each other? What are the meaning of the lens names and what is each lens type good for?

Sorry for the interrogation but I appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.

[Too Old 1]

No, not all DSLR or SLR lenses are interchangable. I'd maybe surf for some photography sites on the 'net. Nikonians.org is a good Nikon site. I went from my ancient trusty old Pentax K1000 SLR to a Nikon D40x DSLR (fairly entry-level setup). The camera does all I need it to do, and as to lenses that's where the real cost is at. I have a 18-55 and a 55-200 lens. Also with digital UV isn't a factor but I still use UV filters just to protect the lenses. Nikon and Canon seem to be the most popular for DSLR's it appears. And once you have the photos taken the software out there is endless to tweak the images with.

[Ahriman 1]

Aye, you're two big camps are Nikon or Cannon. I'd stay away from Sony personally based on what I see as extreme low market share with photographers I know and my own experiences with Cannon. Neither's lens will work with each other but there are other companies that make lenses compatible with either of those systems.

If you look at the Rebel line from Cannon, which basically is the Cannon choice for anyone who's just taking pictures and not getting paid for it, they come bundled with an ok, rock bottom price lens. It's good multipurpose but doesn't let in nearly as much light as I'd like it to. Spending on a quality ~18 to ~65 zoom will cover anything you'll ever want to take a picture of basically.

Also consider the extremely low cost of a prime lens, back before film point and shoot cameras, zooming was basically unheard of and you can get amazingly good optics for the same price of a low quality zoom lens.

[fastmiele 59]

Please go through these 2 websites, they should answer most of your questions.

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Guides/dsl...ng_guide_01.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

And since you are in Alberta, this is a popular site for purchasing cameras/equipment.

http://www.thecamerastore.com/

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Thanks for the responses guys!

[Hockeyman11385 1]

Definitely go with either of the big two, Nikon or Canon. I personally am a Canon fan (40D with 24-105 f/4 L). The main reason being that they will have the largest number of available lenses and accessories. There aren't any lenses that are compatible with both Canon or Nikon. The mounting systems are different. There are adapters available but you lose functionality with them (no autofocus or lose a stop). Your best bet is to do some research and pick the system that suits your needs best. It's a great time to get into an SLR because even the entry level models have tons of great pictures. Plus they will allow you to take better pictures than ever before. It will make you wonder how you ever lived with a point and shoot. It take a little more effort to get a great shot, but when it works out it's very gratifying.

A couple samples:

You can see some more here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28662481@N04/

PM me if you have any other questions.

[Guitarmy 0]

Awesome pictures - That 430 Scuderia is really something. :D

[Eddie20 0]

In general, you can do more with a great lens on a low end body, then a crappy lens on a great body. The high end bodies offer lots of nice features and such, but the picture starts with the lens.

When I got my DSLR I went with Canon for the wide choices of lenses, and because it is so commonly used for sports (which is a large share of what I intended on shooting). When I tried them out, I prefered the way the Canon felt in my hands to the Nikons (this really is a point worthy of consideration). Though I didn't know half of what I needed to, I was able to operate the Canon much easier than the Nikon. With that in mind, I chose a Canon Rebel body. I then added a mid-grade lens, which takes care of most of my basic needs alright. Its a jack of all trades, master of none. But after using that for a while, it left me wanting more, so I bought an upgraded lens for shooting hockey. What a difference. The high end lenses are expensive...but they allow you so much freedom and flexibility. Pictures are cleaner, clearer, and having the extra stops of light available is always a welcome addition. And when you are done with the body you are using because the next great thing comes along, as long as you stick with the same brand, you should be able to make an easy upgrade and still have all the functionality of your old lenses.

In short, find a camera that feels best for you, and if you have the money in your budget, choose quality lenses.

[number21 3]

Good advice from Eddie.

I got a pentax DSLR because I grew up using a Pentax K1000, P30t. I didn't so much research and thought the lenses would transfer, which technically they do, but old fully manual lenses are just a pain to try and use on a modern DSLR. And budget lenses are pretty sucky, get the best lense you can afford.

Though I still like my pentax, if i did it again, I would go canon because they have such a wide variety of lenses to choose from.

[Hockeyman11385 1]

Awesome pictures - That 430 Scuderia is really something. :D

Thanks. The Scuderia is the best car I have ever driven (have a pretty good list), absolutely nuts.

Definitely go with a cheaper body if it allows you to get a better lens. The glass makes the difference for sure.

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Thanks for the inpute guys. Looking for some feedback on these packages.

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storeloca...=53&tabId=1

http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storeloca...=53&tabId=1

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...amp;catid=20222 body with http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...amp;catid=26562 lens

[maxamillion 3]

all those cars yours?

[gelowitz 0]

FWIW, I'd go with Nikon. (I have the D100)

But the best way to buy a camera is to go out to a store and hold it in your hands. It could take astonishing pictures, but if it doesn't feel right, then it's not a good camera for you.

EDIT: What was the reasoning behind choosing a Sony camera, then a Canon? Just curious.

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Yea I'm going tomorrow to McBain to take a look. It just started as me having a $100 SonyStyle gift card and I started looking at their cameras. I then talked to my grandpa who has a Canon and he said he really likes his and then lent it to me over the past few days to play around with and I really like the way it functions and feels.

[Fletch 219]

Dont forget the Canon T1i, which was just released. It can shoot 1080p video clips as well.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...amp;catid=20222

I personally went with Canon a couple years ago when I got my first DSLR (30D, have since purchased the 5D Mark II for my primary body) because I knew more people who owned Canon's and would let me borrow lenses...haha. You really can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon.

And I agree with Eddie20 - the quality of lenses are far more important than the camera body, especially for someone who is new to all of this. A good lens will let you get away with a lot. The Rebel series is a great jumping off point - I would get one (body only) and try to go for a good mid-range zoom like the EF-S 17-85mm IS to get your feet wet. After that, you can start upgrading to L lenses, where they fun really begins.

Good luck!

[Hockeyman11385 1]

all those cars yours?

I wish. I worked for these guys http://www.worldclassdriving.com

If you do go Canon (which I highly suggest), make sure that you don't use a Canon L lens until you're ready to spend another $1000 because once you use one you will never go back. It's also a slippery slope from there. One is just never enough.

[Fletch 219]

all those cars yours?

If you do go Canon (which I highly suggest), make sure that you don't use a Canon L lens until you're ready to spend another $1000 because once you use one you will never go back. It's also a slippery slope from there. One is just never enough.

NO.JOKE.

I love the old joke -

"Why are they called 'L" lenses?"

"Because they're expensive as 'L'."

:)

[Hockeyman11385 1]

Haha, +1.

How do you like the new 5D?

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Just got my Canon EOS Rebel XSi with a 18-55mm image stabalizing lens. Took a few pics and I love everything about it so far. The one thing I love doing is taking picutes of something and having the lens blur the background so the focus is solely on the subject. However, I'm not to sure exactly how to perfect this or how to make it happen on command haha, I kind of just lucked out.

Care to explain to a newbie how to take cool pictues where the background is blurred? Any chance it has to do with Aperture-Value setting?

[Ahriman 1]

Care to explain to a newbie how to take cool pictues where the background is blurred? Any chance it has to do with Aperture-Value setting?

It's a depth of field thing, and yes that does mean you'll be messing with the aperture. Since it's a cannon, you use the "Av" mode and manually adjust to either extreme, play with it and you'll see a difference. Every lens is going to have a different limit in both directions so just play with the one you have, make notes what you used (or read the meta data on the file) and you'll figure it out.

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

Not to nitpick, but isn't it Canon? ;)

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Pickin' nits. :P

[Ahriman 1]

Pickin' typos more accurately :P

[JR Boucicaut 3802]

Nah, not a typo when it's done multiple times in different posts :P

[Fletch 219]

Haha, +1.

How do you like the new 5D?

LOVE IT. The color saturation is light years ahead of my 30D straight out of the camera....and being able to shoot full frame is a thing of beauty!

Care to explain to a newbie how to take cool pictues where the background is blurred? Any chance it has to do with Aperture-Value setting?

It's a depth of field thing, and yes that does mean you'll be messing with the aperture. Since it's a cannon, you use the "Av" mode and manually adjust to either extreme, play with it and you'll see a difference. Every lens is going to have a different limit in both directions so just play with the one you have, make notes what you used (or read the meta data on the file) and you'll figure it out.

Something else you may want to do (I personally do this and I know a lot of pros do too) is to set your autofocus point to be in the center, instead of having all of the autofocus points enabled. That way you know exactly what your focus will lock onto and you can blur out the background at will. Also, remember - the lower the aperture, the more shallow depth of field. Check out this link for a good visual explanation - just move the slider around :)

http://www.stephenoachs.com/how-to-aperture.php