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10/15/2004 04:22:10 PM · #1 |
Just wondering how people find the transition from prosumer cam to dslr ?
First time out this afternoon with my 10D and I'll admit, it is a whole new ballgame, 90% of my shots were Cr*p. out of focus,dark,etc. It was a poor day for testing, overcast and dull.
Guess I'll have to really study that manual, any tips would be welcome, especially on the focussing.
Paul.
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10/15/2004 04:23:40 PM · #2 |
Ahhh PeeCee, don't get too down on yerself!
Over cast IS tricky, but muck around with the manual settings and you can get some awesome results. Personally, I like overcast days for photos, the colors can be really vivid.
Best of luck :-) |
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10/15/2004 04:27:34 PM · #3 |
I took a tip from someone at DPC once that told me to take advantage of the macro shots you can do during overcast days! I have and have been very very happy!
Are you new to SLR as well as DSLR? Let us all know if you have questions. Go ahead and read the manual and test every single thing the manual touches on. You will get a good feel for what you can do! As for learning about SLR photography, there are tons of great books to help you understand lighting, speed, fstops, etc.
:) Have fun with your 10D!
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10/15/2004 04:30:52 PM · #4 |
Peecee! You don't need that 10D!
It is dragging you down, you feel depressed and want to pack it all up.
I have the solution, give it to me...I will remove it from your life entirely! Then, you can get back to your normal life and I will bear this terrible burden for you!
Message edited by author 2004-10-15 16:31:32. |
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10/15/2004 04:32:10 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by peecee:
90% of my shots were Cr*p. |
Only 90%?! I've had my 10D well over a year now and over 90% of my shots still suck!
Seriously though, I found the transition from point and shoot to DSLR fairly easy, it's just a case of finding which settings suit you and the situation best. So take solace in the 10%, keep shooting and enjoy the learning curve!
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10/15/2004 04:32:38 PM · #6 |
I had an slr 20 odd years ago so I understand the basics of exposure etc.
my main problem today was mastering the focus, am I better doing it manually or rely on the metering in camera ? I used to love the old split screen but afraid this hasn't got it :)
I may be able to sneak an hour or so tomorrow so I'll have another go.
Cheers.
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10/15/2004 04:34:42 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Formerlee:
Peecee! You don't need that 10D!
It is dragging you down, you feel depressed and want to pack it all up.
I have the solution, give it to me...I will remove it from your life entirely! Then, you can get back to your normal life and I will bear this terrible burden for you! |
:) If I did that my wife would kill me! after all the persuading I did to get it.
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10/15/2004 04:34:49 PM · #8 |
| Overcast = +EV as I live in San Francisco and I automatically go into my menu and adjust. |
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10/15/2004 04:56:38 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by peecee:
Just wondering how people find the transition from prosumer cam to dslr ?
First time out this afternoon with my 10D and I'll admit, it is a whole new ballgame, 90% of my shots were Cr*p. out of focus,dark,etc. It was a poor day for testing, overcast and dull.
Guess I'll have to really study that manual, any tips would be welcome, especially on the focussing.
Paul. |
Yes, I have my D70 for a week now, went to the ice-skating of my kids today, not one good shot because I choose the wrong focus method. Then did a static shot of two kids and it focussed on the background even though I pre-focussed on one of the kids first and then recomposed (guess what, it was set at dynamic focussing with fixed focal point so it refocussed on the background).
My Sony F707 had only one focus point and method, so very predictable. You learn to live with it and anticipate movement. Or pre-focus at a point. Or focus and recompose. It should get easier with the D70, once you know which setting to choose.
Read the manual twice now, all I need is practice......
I am keeping track om my experiences and will share them here at DPC.
Message edited by author 2004-10-15 17:01:38. |
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10/15/2004 04:59:55 PM · #10 |
If you mess around with the settings, is there an option to reset them to the factory defaults?
I've got the same camera and have NO clue... |
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10/15/2004 05:12:18 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
If you mess around with the settings, is there an option to reset them to the factory defaults?
I've got the same camera and have NO clue... |
There is a clear settings option in the menu (manual mode)
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10/15/2004 05:23:15 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by peecee:
Just wondering how people find the transition from prosumer cam to dslr ?
First time out this afternoon with my 10D and I'll admit, it is a whole new ballgame, 90% of my shots were Cr*p. out of focus,dark,etc. It was a poor day for testing, overcast and dull.
Guess I'll have to really study that manual, any tips would be welcome, especially on the focussing.
Paul. |
I found a bit of a step up too, between a prosumer and SLR. Took a few weeks to get used to things. In general, the SLR is less forgiving than a smaller camera. Things like aperture and DoF suddenly actually matter - you can be more creative with them, but you now actually have to be aware of them. My first lens was a 50mm f1.8 which had almost no DoF wide open - everything was coming out blurry.
Upshot is the SLR provides a lot more creative control - but you do actually need to take control. It'll also show up bad technique a lot more. Lot more fun though.
Message edited by author 2004-10-15 17:23:30.
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10/15/2004 05:44:26 PM · #13 |
My experience with the 20D a couple of weeks ago was similar to yours Paul, I had a couple of hours in the afternoon to try it out..so whacked it onto auto and took around 20 shots on a dull day...many of which came out very dark.
Got it sussed a bit better now though...and usually vary between aperture priority and full manual with far better results.
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10/15/2004 06:39:42 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by peecee:
I had an slr 20 odd years ago so I understand the basics of exposure etc.
my main problem today was mastering the focus, am I better doing it manually or rely on the metering in camera ? I used to love the old split screen but afraid this hasn't got it :)
I may be able to sneak an hour or so tomorrow so I'll have another go.
Cheers. |
You are better at what you feel comfortable with. I usually use auto-focus, and use the af points to help. But I am trying to get better at manual focusing. I use manual focus when I am doing macro and close ups, because I can see the detail better. My eyes are fine (or so said my optician last year), but i still notice some blurriness in my photos when I do it on my own. So, I am working on that skill. In the meantime, i mostly use auto-focus.
What are your favorite subjects to photograph peecee? You should learn how to best capture them with the equipment you have and ask us detailed questions as you go. Make sure you try out a tripod and some natural lighting on the bulb setting too! It's great!!!
:) Arie
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10/15/2004 07:22:53 PM · #15 |
What do the DSLRs use to assist manual focus?
Like the 10D, Rebel, D70 etc?
I know my S7000 has a 100% zoom or something in the centre but I don't find that all that good. I loved the split screen in the SLR I had years ago.
Message edited by author 2004-10-15 19:23:33.
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10/16/2004 10:15:01 AM · #16 |
Had a couple of hours before the rain came this morning, Much better results, even thought the light is my enemy with the lense I have 28-105 f3.5
I upped the iso to 800 and it was still too dull for anything spectacular.
I'll keep plodding, may buy the 1.8 50mm just to give more speed, though I really want the 2.5 macro version.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement,
One I took today.
Message edited by author 2004-10-16 10:42:52.
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10/17/2004 08:08:37 AM · #17 |
Yes its me again, I have noticed the images that come out of the 10D are fairly soft,much softer than my 602z, which could explain my original "cr*p" comment but when sharpened up in ps they really improve.Just one question, what do you all recommend, in camera sharpening,i.e. alter the parameters or ps sharpening ? what works best for you?
The dark ones are as Gordon says, just a matter of playing with the settings and practice,practice practice.
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10/17/2004 08:33:23 AM · #18 |
With you on that one too Paul, one of the most noticeable differences between the Fuji and the 20d was how much softer the image appears straight from the camera...of course I believe the fuji applies a degree of sharpening to the image before you postprocess it.. even at normal setting..(which mine`s was on.)
However, once you do apply the sharpening on the 20d images they really "pop".
I haven`t experimented enough yet with the 20d..but I`m just about to go out and rectify that. I want to get some shots with the 70-200mmL while the sun is shining..which will allow me to try a few different apertures and find out what the lens is capable of.
Better hurry as it will probably disappear shortly..(the sun that is) :)
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10/17/2004 08:45:47 AM · #19 |
Thanks Gordon,
Assuming the 20D is similar, there is a parameter setting for doing it in camera too, contrast, sharpening etc.etc. awesome.
Hope you get some good weather today, if you don't like the results with the 70-200 just pass it on to me :)
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10/17/2004 09:15:52 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by peecee:
Just wondering how people find the transition from prosumer cam to dslr ?
First time out this afternoon with my 10D and I'll admit, it is a whole new ballgame, 90% of my shots were Cr*p. out of focus,dark,etc. It was a poor day for testing, overcast and dull.
Guess I'll have to really study that manual, any tips would be welcome, especially on the focussing.
Paul. |
Its quite a shift from the 602z to a DSLR. I was in a similar situation as yourself Paul. Like you I have had a lot of experience with 35mm SLR cameras. It does take time adjusting from prosumer models. It is only in the last 2 months that I have been happy with some of my work (I purchased the 300D last November). It's just a matter of shooting off loads of photos with the various settings. I find I tend to us the AV setting for the majoritiy of my shots and the manual setting more and more now. So just keep at it and it will all work out ok. Its interesting that since I have been shooting with my 300D it has made me get my 35mm SLR (Mamiya DSX1000B) out of mothballs and I have started using it again, needless to say the Mamiya knocks spots off my 300D but then it does have a f1.4 55mm prime lens.
Mike
Message edited by author 2004-10-17 09:16:26.
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10/17/2004 09:56:55 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by chinstrap:
Originally posted by peecee:
Just wondering how people find the transition from prosumer cam to dslr ?
First time out this afternoon with my 10D and I'll admit, it is a whole new ballgame, 90% of my shots were Cr*p. out of focus,dark,etc. It was a poor day for testing, overcast and dull.
Guess I'll have to really study that manual, any tips would be welcome, especially on the focussing.
Paul. |
Its quite a shift from the 602z to a DSLR. I was in a similar situation as yourself Paul. Like you I have had a lot of experience with 35mm SLR cameras. It does take time adjusting from prosumer models. It is only in the last 2 months that I have been happy with some of my work (I purchased the 300D last November). It's just a matter of shooting off loads of photos with the various settings. I find I tend to us the AV setting for the majoritiy of my shots and the manual setting more and more now. So just keep at it and it will all work out ok. Its interesting that since I have been shooting with my 300D it has made me get my 35mm SLR (Mamiya DSX1000B) out of mothballs and I have started using it again, needless to say the Mamiya knocks spots off my 300D but then it does have a f1.4 55mm prime lens.
Mike |
And of course it costs nothing to learn with digital, only time.
I was going to try another hour or so today but the weather has worsened even more, thanks Mike,
Paul.
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10/17/2004 01:11:46 PM · #22 |
I found the transition from prosumer (lovely word, this) to DSLR so frustrating, I actually returned to using my F717 and left the 10D at home! I suggest you use a tripod, shoot the same object/scene/light at all available apertures, then study both the shots and the EXIF when you're done, to get a sense.
After you have a sense, go out and and take some shots, applying what you have learnt (more or less repeating the good shots and avoiding the lemons). This should give you some confidence.
Finally, take some real photos. Stop experimenting for now and bring everything you have learnt so far to bear on a very small number of captures. Plan your shots a little and approach them with deliberation. I think you need to see something come out of that sensitive clunker now, that will excite you a little.
All work and no play takes its toll. You just gotta get at least one good shot out of that sensitive black clunker you got there before doubts of your abilities as a photographer will reduce you to a perspiring robot burning out its circuits.
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10/17/2004 03:29:18 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by zeuszen:
before doubts of your abilities as a photographer will reduce you to a perspiring robot burning out its circuits. |
You called? Actually this was the way I was beginning to feel because of poor scores here (I know not a good measuring tape...) but have started coming into my own with the camera. This seems to have started when I got the 50mm f1.8. True it's limited by lack of zoom, but the sharpness out of camera is incredible. Also it is affording me the task of learning again how to take photos. The lack of zoom is forcing me to 'think' the composition through befor snapping!
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10/17/2004 04:04:33 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by TooCool:
Originally posted by zeuszen:
before doubts of your abilities as a photographer will reduce you to a perspiring robot burning out its circuits. |
You called? Actually this was the way I was beginning to feel because of poor scores here (I know not a good measuring tape...) but have started coming into my own with the camera. This seems to have started when I got the 50mm f1.8. True it's limited by lack of zoom, but the sharpness out of camera is incredible. Also it is affording me the task of learning again how to take photos. The lack of zoom is forcing me to 'think' the composition through befor snapping! |
Aye. I couldn't agree more. This lens has been a great teacher for me too. I'd prefer a fixed 35mmm, considering the 1.6 crop factor on the 10D, but, still, not framing with a zoom feels like it takes you into the picture, doesn't it?
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10/17/2004 05:18:57 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by zeuszen:
You just gotta get at least one good shot out of that sensitive black clunker you got there before doubts of your abilities as a photographer will reduce you to a perspiring robot burning out its circuits. |
You are so right. I have been practising on a still life shot today. Shooting in RAW, postprocessing etc and have some great results, at least 3 fantastic shots (well, at least in my own opinion...) Really made me feel good about the camera. I will master it, given time.
I find the optical viewfinder so much better to judge the potential of an image. The optical viewfinder image usually looks better than the recorded image, but postprocessing really can bring it back to how you saw it. With the electronic viewfinder it was harder to see the potential in the first place.
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