Got a new XSi

[joutlaw]

I have to say I'm in love. I got it last night at Best Buy with a 12% coupon. I couldn't find it anywhere cheaper.

Any advice for a DSLR noob? I've been doing a lot of research on dpreview and its been pretty informative.

I'm already looking at lenses since the kit lens is probably holding this thing back.

Any opinions on the Canon EF-S 55-250mm? I figured it would compliment the kit 18-55mm well... and its relatively cheap for an EF-S lens. I've read its not the fastest or the highest quality due to its plastic mounting.

 

[ElFenix]

take pictures of it and post in the camera porn thread!


i honestly do not understand the obsession some people have with plastic mounts. unless you're hanging 10 lbs off the front of the camera it isn't going to matter. it's almost as silly as canon's claim that their old FD breech-lock mount was more reliable than the bayonet mounts everyone else had because wear on the parts that moved against each other didn't affect anything photographic.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: joutlaw
I have to say I'm in love. I got it last night at Best Buy with a 12% coupon. I couldn't find it anywhere cheaper.

Any advice for a DSLR noob? I've been doing a lot of research on dpreview and its been pretty informative.

I'm already looking at lenses since the kit lens is probably holding this thing back.

Any opinions on the Canon EF-S 55-250mm? I figured it would compliment the kit 18-55mm well... and its relatively cheap for an EF-S lens. I've read its not the fastest or the highest quality due to its plastic mounting.

Its not a heavy lens, it doesn't need metal mounts. I have seen some incredible shots on POTN.

 

[andylawcc]

speaking of mounts: the two kits lenses I got for the olympus has plastic mount, which are perfectly fine so far. The latest 25mm fixed len is metal mount, but it can makes some heart-wreching grinding noise when I put it on the camera body.

 

[Deadtrees]

When I dropped 24-70mm f/2.8 lens on the ground, the impact was absorbed by the metal mount ring.
Had it been a plastic one, there's no doubt that the impact would've dislocated/broken internal lenses.
Also, I was lucky that it didn't fall facing the opposite side of the lens. As I didn't have UV filter that could've absorbed the impact, the front end of the lens would've been shattered.

Though there're other reasons why metal mount is better than the plastic one, I'd say it's all worth it just for the sake of protection when shit happens. Same logic goes for UV filters.

 

[soydios]

plastic mounts are lightweight and cheap. that's perfectly fine in a kit lens.

 

[Kelvrick]

Take some pictures for a while before deciding how much money you want to spend on your next lens.

 

[Aharami]

take some pics and post them here

 

[joutlaw]

I've learned a good bit by just reading the manual. Who would have though, but it still is a bit overwhelming.

I'll post some pics tonight.

 

[Lalakai]

i'll echo the other inputs: take alot of pics.

notice which type of pics you take more, which ones you enjoy the most, and remember who you would want to improve those pics.

if you're a "people" person, the wide angles will do well for you, or limited zoom. If wildlife appeals to you more, then you will likely be opting for the zoom a bit more. When i was shooting film for work or myself, i basically had 2 lenses that covered 90% of my shooting. That was switched a bit when i did weddings or portraits. as you take more pics you will start finding the direction you lean most often, and that will help you decide where you really want to put the money for the better lenses.

ps................congrats on the xsi. i'll be picking mine up shortly.

 

[The Stigenator]

The lens on your XSi is teh 18-55 IS lens, its a really good lens compared to the old 18-55 non IS lens.

 

[alfa147x]

Join the photo contest

 

[joutlaw]

These shots were taken with the kit lens... EF-S 18-55mm in Av mode without a tripod

My wife took these shots and they are all our dog Stella. They are shrunk down a bit, but can get the originals at home if anyone is interested.

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I'll try to get some more variety tonight. We are going to a outdoor event that will have fireworks ... should be a good opportunity to learn some more.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: joutlaw
These shots were taken with the kit lens... EF-S 18-55mm in Av mode without a tripod

My wife took these shots and they are all our dog Stella. They are shrunk down a bit, but can get the originals at home if anyone is interested.

Text

Text

Text

Text

Text



I'll try to get some more variety tonight. We are going to a outdoor event that will have fireworks ... should be a good opportunity to learn some more.

You should read the manual first, and tell your wife to stop using the auto modes and to stop using the onboard flash!

 

[joutlaw]

Like I said... we're noobs to D-SLRs... and we're learning.

I read the entire manual at work yesterday and picked up a few things. I could tell from the pictures that they got washed out from the flash.

I think she could have gotten same lighting effect without the flash if a higher ISO was used. Also to blur the background I need a smaller aperature? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: joutlaw
Like I said... we're noobs to D-SLRs... and we're learning.

I read the entire manual at work yesterday and picked up a few things. I could tell from the pictures that they got washed out from the flash.

I think she could have gotten same lighting effect without the flash if a higher ISO was used. Also to blur the background I need a smaller aperature? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You have to start to become great. I wasn't sneering, just remarking. It's good you read the manual, because most don't!

For outdoor shots, you will generally get the best results using Av mode. You choose the aperture, which directly controls the depth of field (DOF). Then the camera calculates the shutter speed needed to achieve a correct exposure, based on the ISO you've chosen, and uses that shutter speed. Hence the camera lets any excess light "spill over" into a faster shutter speed, which is usually a good thing unless you are going for a special slowing effect, e.g. a waterfall shot where the watter is blurred on purpose.

Using Av mode, you still need to keep an eye on your results every so often in changing light conditions, especially in the late afternoon as light falls. If the shutter speed falls too low, up the ISO to the next level.

I would not use the built-in flash at all until you are more advanced. You need to know what you are doing, including ratios of foreground to background exposure and how to use Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) to dial it down. In the meantime, much more valuable learning, and better shots, will result from just watching the light and the background. Especially at first, don't shoot subjects in murky light against a bright-lit background; these are not good conditions.

Going back to DOF: to blur the background, you need more distance between the subject and the background (relative to the distance between subject and camera), and/or a WIDER aperture, i.e. lower f/number. This stuff is in the manual in limited degree.

You need to get a feel for what f/number in a particular situation will give the correct amount of DOF, so you must experiment. I would pick up a 50mm f/1.8 prime ($75 new) to speed this part of your development; you can get some nice portraits with it as well.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: joutlaw
I think she could have gotten same lighting effect without the flash if a higher ISO was used. Also to blur the background I need a smaller aperature? Correct me if I'm wrong.

you need a larger aperture, which is a smaller f number.

Originally posted by: punchkin
You should read the manual first, and tell your wife to stop using the auto modes and to stop using the onboard flash!

I love Av mode =P

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: joutlaw
I think she could have gotten same lighting effect without the flash if a higher ISO was used. Also to blur the background I need a smaller aperature? Correct me if I'm wrong.

you need a larger aperture, which is a smaller f number.

Originally posted by: punchkin
You should read the manual first, and tell your wife to stop using the auto modes and to stop using the onboard flash!

I love Av mode =P

Aperture mode is my bread-and-butter. I rarely use anything else.

 

[joutlaw]

Originally posted by: punchkin

Originally posted by: joutlaw
Like I said... we're noobs to D-SLRs... and we're learning.

I read the entire manual at work yesterday and picked up a few things. I could tell from the pictures that they got washed out from the flash.

I think she could have gotten same lighting effect without the flash if a higher ISO was used. Also to blur the background I need a smaller aperature? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You have to start to become great. I wasn't sneering, just remarking. It's good you read the manual, because most don't!

For outdoor shots, you will generally get the best results using Av mode. You choose the aperture, which directly controls the depth of field (DOF). Then the camera calculates the shutter speed needed to achieve a correct exposure, based on the ISO you've chosen, and uses that shutter speed. Hence the camera lets any excess light "spill over" into a faster shutter speed, which is usually a good thing unless you are going for a special slowing effect, e.g. a waterfall shot where the watter is blurred on purpose.

Using Av mode, you still need to keep an eye on your results every so often in changing light conditions, especially in the late afternoon as light falls. If the shutter speed falls too low, up the ISO to the next level.

I would not use the built-in flash at all until you are more advanced. You need to know what you are doing, including ratios of foreground to background exposure and how to use Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) to dial it down. In the meantime, much more valuable learning, and better shots, will result from just watching the light and the background. Especially at first, don't shoot subjects in murky light against a bright-lit background; these are not good conditions.

Going back to DOF: to blur the background, you need more distance between the subject and the background (relative to the distance between subject and camera), and/or a WIDER aperture, i.e. lower f/number. This stuff is in the manual in limited degree.

You need to get a feel for what f/number in a particular situation will give the correct amount of DOF, so you must experiment. I would pick up a 50mm f/1.8 prime ($75 new) to speed this part of your development; you can get some nice portraits with it as well.

Thanks for your input... We're learning and it gets a little frustrating considering I've shot around 500 shots with this camera just trying to figure it out. We're getting better though.