NEW to DSLR's

lexluthor1 wrote:

Yes, I think you did, lol.

I found a webpage that teaches some camera lessons and have been reading that. I guess I need to just try the settings and see how the pics turn out. Kinda like a lab environment setting.

My 'Japan" version of the 300d came in today, and after work I am going to try it out. Although from what I heard other than the color it's the same.

What is the last Canon model to come out that JUST takes pics? JW

I think the 50D and that era of DSLR had no video, but even the original  EOS film cameras had a wide variety of settings and metering options.

Each option allows you a different dimension of control over the final camera settings.  The one skill you can't turn completely over to the camera is focus.  You have to point the focus point you are using exactly where you want the camera to focus.  Automating everything else will get the shot right most of the time.  A high contrast scene may require you to adjust the exposure to properly expose the part of the scene that is most important to you.  Action scenes may require you to force a faster shutter speed and use continuos focus.  Very dark or very light colors also may require you to adjust exposure, since the light meter assumes 18% gray when reading the light.

Most of the world is pretty close to 18% gray and most "normal" pictures are of things not moving too fast or in too high a contrast light, so the automatic settings will get you a good pic the vast majority of the time.

Of course, you bought the cool camera to get the extraordinary pics, so you will have to learn the different settings, but can use the P mode for basic stuff.   P allows adjustment of almost anything while the green box does not.  P also requires you to manually pop up the flash, while green will decide that for you.