NEW to DSLR's

Hello, as the title say's I am new to the world of DSLR cameras.  I had been using a Nikon 5000 camera for years but it is getting slow and the lens is 'creaking' as it goes in and out. So I decided to replace it and found a Canon EOS 300d kit, used on CL at a pretty good price. So far I love it. I can't say the picture quality is any better than the Nikon, but It is likely I am not 'doing it right.' Lol.

Ok, my question(s) include, I bought another camera, mainly because I thought the price was right and because it was black instead of gold. It's a Canon Kiss, basically the same as the 300d.  Is it the same ?  As I haven't received it yet.  I can't find much about it online.

My next question is: Can I do time lapse pics with this cam?  Or does it require external means.

And last has anyone every hooked theirs into a telescope, and that is my plan for the Kiss.

Please excuse me if I am posting this in the wrong area, or my questions are dumb, as I am very green to DSLR's and photography in general.

As a general rule you can connect an intervalometer to the remote control terminal of a DSLR, and set it up to fire the shutter periodically. I can't vouch for that with your particular camera, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't work.

lexluthor1 wrote:

Hello, as the title say's I am new to the world of DSLR cameras. So far I love it. I can't say the picture quality is any better than the Nikon, but It is likely I am not 'doing it right.' Lol.

I had the same problem when I got my first DSLR (which I still have).  Focus is much more critical on a DSLR than a P&S, because the sensor is larger.  That shallow depth of field thing works against you if you're used to a small sensor camera where almost everything is in focus.

Post processing will also do a lot more for you with a better camera, especially if you shoot RAW, which you should definitely do.  The DPP software that comes with the camera will give you a good start.  I think others are easier to use, but there are some real DPP fanatics out there that swear by it.

Read the manual.  Play with all the buttons and menu items.  Read the manual.  Maybe get a book on the camera and/or a book or two on photograph in general.  Read the manual.  Check out some online instruction videos, or take a class.  Read the manual.

Have fun.

Did I mention that you should read the manual?

lexluthor1 wrote:

Hello, as the title say's I am new to the world of DSLR cameras. So far I love it. I can't say the picture quality is any better than the Nikon, but It is likely I am not 'doing it right.' Lol.

I had the same problem when I got my first DSLR (which I still have).  Focus is much more critical on a DSLR than a P&S, because the sensor is larger.  That shallow depth of field thing works against you if you're used to a small sensor camera where almost everything is in focus.

Post processing will also do a lot more for you with a better camera, especially if you shoot RAW, which you should definitely do.  The DPP software that comes with the camera will give you a good start.  I think others are easier to use, but there are some real DPP fanatics out there that swear by it.

Read the manual.  Play with all the buttons and menu items.  Read the manual.  Maybe get a book on the camera and/or a book or two on photograph in general.  Read the manual.  Check out some online instruction videos, or take a class.  Read the manual.

Have fun.

Did I mention that you should read the manual?

Also the advantage of the DSLR will show up in low light and other difficult shootingsituations. In perfectconditions, the difference is not that dramatic.
--
Ed Rizk

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.

Ed Rizk wrote:

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.

Sorry all for the repeated double posts.  I keep thinking of things I forgot to say.

The big advantages of digital over film are 1, it costs nothing to take as many pics as you want and 2, you can look at the screen after taking a pic and make adjustments right there while the light and the scene are still the same.  That is the best way to learn how to apply the theoretical knowledge you get from reading and watching video.

WilbaW wrote:

As a general rule you can connect an intervalometer to the remote control terminal of a DSLR, and set it up to fire the shutter periodically. I can't vouch for that with your particular camera, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't work.

yes, you should be able to get cheap ones from ebay.

lexluthor1 wrote:

But the features and specs are the same? IE 300d and the Kiss equivalent. Thanks

mostly, just different stickers, though the selectable menu languages might be different as well

lexluthor1 wrote:

I managed to upload some pics, I you look at them please remember I am NOT by any means a photographer, Lol.

Thanks

One thing I notice from your pics that you would need to be a photographer, Sun.  Certain pictures do well in overcast skies.  I can't describe what they are, but I have seen them.  some wildlife pictures do well in the low contrast light.  Also, a scene that is beautiful to be in does not make for a beautiful photo without certain compositional element such as a focal point, lines converging on the focal point, contrast (color or luminance), etc.

lexluthor1 wrote:

I did notice the 'tree' pics didn't seem too vivid, the detail also seemed low to me. It's hard to work through the little 'eyepiece' but again I a not a photographer.

I really like pine trees so I thought I would start here, the snake was a fluke thing I actually saw near an old cemetary, but as usual I didn't have my camera with me. So I got in my car and drove home(about a mile away) and luckily it was still there when I got back.

I have noticed that some scenes in front of me while I am out hiking seem really nice and after taking pics and get home just don't seem as nice. As if the pics, or the way I am taking them just don't do the scenes justice.

I will keep practicing and upload the best pics here, any advice would be appreciated.

Here is a pretty good site for some basic composition and technical theories. The shots in the gallery are amazing too.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com