So, I bought a new camera....

[Tequilasun]

I just got my new camera yesterday. A Canon 350D Digital Rebel XT w/ 18-55 lense in a kit.

And I am GEEKED about this thing.

I have never been a camera dude, but with two small kids growing up at the speed of light, I wanted to get quailty pics of them.

This thread is about how excited I am about this freaking cool camera, and most of all to thank Dogbert for recommending it.


Thanks Dog!

Now all I have to do is figure out how to use the dang thing!

[dogbert]

Re: So, I bought a new camera....

Originally posted by Tequilasun
I just got my new camera yesterday. A Canon 350D Digital Rebel XT w/ 18-55 lense in a kit.

And I am GEEKED about this thing.

I have never been a camera dude, but with two small kids growing up at the speed of light, I wanted to get quailty pics of them.

This thread is about how excited I am about this freaking cool camera, and most of all to thank Dogbert for recommending it.


Thanks Dog!

Now all I have to do is figure out how to use the dang thing!

The first thing you're gonna want to do is get the 75-300mm zoom.

I love helping others part with their money!

[Tequilasun]

Re: Re: So, I bought a new camera....

Originally posted by dogbert
The first thing you're gonna want to do is get the 75-300mm zoom.

I love helping others part with their money!

It's on the list of stuff.

As well as the remote control, battery pack, about 6 other lenses.

This stuff is addicting..and expensive!

[dogbert]

Re: Re: Re: So, I bought a new camera....

Originally posted by Tequilasun
It's on the list of stuff.

As well as the remote control, battery pack, about 6 other lenses.

This stuff is addicting..and expensive!

Forget the battery pack, your battery lasts a lot longer than a 1Gb memory stick. I have to recharge mine so infrequently, I forget to do it.

If you had to pick 2 lenses, the one that comes with it and the 75-300 mm zoom are critical. If you get the zoom, get a mono pod instead of the gyroscopic lens (saves you about $300-400). The other thing I'd do before you buy some of the other lenses is get some filters. Lenses are pretty heavy and bulky. You have too many of them and you won't use the camera because it requires luggage to carry around.

[NICKYPOO]

Sweet dude! One of these days I'm going to pick up a digtal SLR, but not today. Just got a new point n shoot this year as we didn't have a decent digital, the Pentax Optio.. 6meg and water proof. Great little boat camera. Anyways, thought this sight might get you going in the right direction. There are some really, I mean really good photographers that contribute a ton of info. Hell, if you were in Reno on 9-14 I could drag you along to the 1st annual GOP, Gathering of Photographers. Sure they are air race guys, but they know a lot about shooting action outside. Dig a lil' deeper and you'll find all kinds of good stuff. Hope this can help get you rollin'.


Air Race photog junkies.

[raythompson]

Digital Camera

Ok, I photographed a wedding a couple of weekends ago with my digital camera. Take a look Navigation controls at the top, click on a picture to enlarge.

Yeh, there are no boats, but it is my second hobby.

[Tequilasun]

Dog,

At this point I don't know what I want in an additional lense really. The 75-300 usm is definately on the must have list b/c of the price, and the results I have seen, like those pics of your boys playing soccer.

From what I gather, unless I'm gonna go pro, Image Stabilization isn't a big deal. I don't need to spend 1k on each lense either!

The battery pack is what sold me on the 350D vs a 20D or a Nikon D70. Because the 350 is so much smaller than those other two, it doesn't fit my hands quite as well. I tried one with the battery pack, and it really increased the ergonomics of it for me. ie, no more dangling pinky!

Especially when shooting in the vertical. The added benefit of the batteries is just a bonus. I have a feeling that the extra weight will help as I get larger lenses.




Nickypoo,

That's some good info. Most of my shots will be outdoors, so those guys can probably help me. I'll dig into that more. I can't imagine how they keep those planes in frame though, I'm struggling trying to keep my dog in frame!

Ray,

Those are some excellent photos, you should be proud of those. My Buddy shoots weddings as a side project, I'm thinking about following him around some.



Like I said, I've never been a picture guy, as evidenced by my profiles here and on WSR, but I am super excited by this camera. I've taken about 400 pics already!

[dogbert]

It is an awesome camera. I'd pick up the monopod (tripod with one leg) since they're like $25. As for the battery pack, I'm telling you you won't need it. I haven't yet. I do need to get an additional flash (the built in one is kinda wimpy), but that would have it's own battery.

BTW, I still have my old Canon Rebel SLR film camera. I had the exact same lenses on it for 10 years and took lots of pictures.

Have fun with the camera and try that continuous shooting for any aerials behind your boat. That way you can just hold the shutter button down and delete the pictures you don't like. At 3 pics per sec, you can't miss getting that perfect shot

[Matt Garcia]

Congrats on your purchase. I bought mine a few years ago and have absolutely loved it. Like Ray, this is another hobby of mine.

For lenses your are correct about the IS. I have a Sigma 70-300mm Macro f4-5.6 that I use for wakeboarding and paid about 180.00 for it. Although its not a very high end lense, when used properly it will deliver images like a high quality lense. So far I have been satisfied with it, especially the price I paid for it. I also have a Cannon 50mm f 1.8 that will take some tack sharp images.

I agree with dogbert, I have never had a need to use a battery pack.

This Canon Digital Learning site has some great tutorials and tips. I have learned a lot from it. http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html

Taken with my 70-300

[Matt Garcia]

Another from the 70-300

[Matt Garcia]

Here is my 50mm...

[rwdenis]

Stabilized Lenses

I have the original Rebel. We actually bought it for wakeboarding (the lake is calmest at night when the light goes dim, and SLR's are better at focussing and light throughput). I have been using the standard Canon 75 to 300 mm (the ultrasonic option is a waste of money), but my mother-in-law just bought an anti-shake 75-300. The images (especially in reduced light (and by that I mean anything other than high-noon)) are noticeably more sharp. Of course, I haven't yet tried a monopod. For fun I am attaching a picture of my wife and I wakeboarding together. It's not a great picture but it usually gets a smile...

[Tequilasun]

Man, you guys are humbling me!

Those are some great shots.

[Tequilasun]

Just a thought....

What do you guys do to protect your cameras on the boat? I'm a bit paranoid about getting mine wet.

[dogbert]

Originally posted by Tequilasun
Just a thought....

What do you guys do to protect your cameras on the boat? I'm a bit paranoid about getting mine wet.

Ok, to get good pictures, the one thing you have to get over if you've had an film SLR previously is that there's no such thing as wasting film. Just push the damn button! You can quickly review and delete. If you don't have one already, get at least a 1Gb memory stick (holds about 295 pictures in hi def mode).

To prevent mine from getting wet I just put it in the glove box when I'm not using it or near my feet if I'm driving. If you're paranoid about getting your camera case wet, go to Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas (or any other outdoors place and buy something like this. If that doesn't calm your fears, there's always the dry bag.

I have a decent camera case that I kept from my old SLR and it's fine for keeping the occasional splash off the camera. I have one of the extreme bags I use for fishing. I also use a dry bag when I do my fly-in trips in Canada, but I don't usually take the SLR on those trips because it's too much to carry.