Moving from Point n Shoot to DSLR...

02/22/2006 08:15:20 PM · #1

Hey guys,

I have been stuck using a fairly cheap digital camera to take most of my pictures, and i do love it, but the more photos i take, the more I wish i had a digital SLR. I am quite the amateur when it comes to photography, but i have a pretty good understanding of how a 35mm slr works. While checking out DSLRs the other day though, I found that most of them do not have a similar setup to the 35mm cameras. By this i mean that i have no clue where to make the adjustments such as fstop, as it is not attached to the lens. I am sure it is not too difficult to find out how to work the camera, but I have never really used a DSLR and am scared that it is quite a step up from my current cam. What kind of stuff should i be looking for, and are there any dslrs where the adjustments such as shutter speed, fstop etc are actually done 'old school' as opose to in display menus?
Sorry to be asking so many questions, but I want to make sure i get the camera that is best for me, since this is a huge investment for me. Is making the switch difficult? Does anybody know of any good books that explain the process of using a DSLR, because as i said, i am affraid that this is a big step up, and i feel pretty overwhelmed by many of the terms, and dont really know where to start. So long story short, I dont want to be discouraged by taking pictures that dont come out well, becaues of my lack of understanding of the camera, and what kinds of things i should be focusing on as a beginner. Thanks in advance! :D I am so eager to get started with this.

Phil Ammon

cfischl

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/22/2006 08:16:33 PM · #2

Well my first question for you is how much are you willing to spend?

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/22/2006 08:17:41 PM · #3

Don't be afraid of it hehe...you can shoot it in auto if you have to...

but to answer your question, there is a dial on the top right rear and front of most DSLRS that you use to set aperture, shutter speed, white balance, ISO, and so on...some have 3 dials, some have 1, I think most do have 2 though.

02/22/2006 08:22:12 PM · #4

Oh really, I didnt have much time when I was looking, but i am planning on going back to the store soon, to check stuff out when im not under time pressure. By the way, I am looking into spending about 1300 USD (max). I have seen some good "kits" from retail sellers on ebay. Does it make sense to invest in something like that, or should i just go for a camera first?

02/22/2006 08:25:59 PM · #5

How good a kit is will depend on the lens. Evaluating your current shooting habits may help determine what lens you initially want to get.

02/22/2006 08:32:25 PM · #6

Well, for general shooting, im gonna go with something around 55 mm. If i have the cash I might go for a macro lens too, or is that something I shouldnt invest in until later. Im guessing a lot of the DSLRs have a macro function built in?

02/22/2006 08:37:55 PM · #7

If you like to shoot closeups you don't necessarily need a macro lens. However, most macro lenses can be used as a regular lens as well, not restricted to close focusing.

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/22/2006 08:53:26 PM · #8

= Enjoy! Digital SLR Camera = Canon Japan (in english and not canon specific) Very Simple Cartoonish easy to remember beginner/Intermediate dSLR site. I go back here all the time.

You want a tight (wicked sharp) Portrait/Macro lens try one of these Tamron SP 90mm 2.8

02/22/2006 08:59:37 PM · #9

Oh wow, thanks a bunch. That site seems pretty helpful! And i like the looks of that lens too. Seems like it could be good for portraits too. Thanks so much for all the help everybodys offering!

02/22/2006 09:03:49 PM · #10

One other thing I wanted to ask... Ive never used a DSLR...How does the light meter work? Is there one inside the viewfinder?

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 21:04:26.

02/22/2006 09:07:35 PM · #11

Originally posted by tapeworm_jimmy:

One other thing I wanted to ask... Ive never used a DSLR...How does the light meter work? Is there one inside the viewfinder?

It's part of the camera if that's what you're asking. It works through the lens. The viewfinder will show whether the exposure is good or not usually on a scale of -2 to +2. Similar to what you see on the LCD of a P & S when shooting in manual mode.

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 21:08:09.

02/22/2006 09:13:52 PM · #12

Oh ok, well i guess thats a bit different than in the 35mm, where you have an actual bar that tells you what aperture to use with the current lighting and shutter speed. I was the sure the DSLR would tell you if the exposure is good, which is all that matters. Just wondered how, but that makes sense. Thanks

cfischl

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/22/2006 09:14:18 PM · #13

if you are willing to spend 1300 you could get the Canon 20D kit with the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lense from JR.com. I bought mine from them back in December and I have been very happy with it

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

02/22/2006 09:18:41 PM · #14

Originally posted by tapeworm_jimmy:

Actually, my 35mm camera works the same way. Older film slrs may have the setup you describe.

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

02/22/2006 09:23:05 PM · #15

One thing I hate about DSLR's vs a P&S is that you can't use the LCD screen to shoot images..you have to use the teeny little viewfinder..UGH!

02/22/2006 09:25:01 PM · #16

Hahaha, yeah, mine is pretty old... early '80's. My parents gave it to me when they got a new one. I still plan on using it, but I am getting really interested in the idea of digital photography. In the long run, its going to be cheaper, and i like being able to view my pictures right away.

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

02/22/2006 09:32:28 PM · #17

Originally posted by fotoshootme:

One thing I hate about DSLR's vs a P&S is that you can't use the LCD screen to shoot images..you have to use the teeny little viewfinder..UGH!

Olympus E330 dSLR can do that :) a first for a dSLR!
2.5" LCD with live preview, sweet!
Still no video capture on dSLR tho.

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 21:34:30.

02/22/2006 09:33:40 PM · #18

If it's Nikon or Pentax, you may be able to use the lenses from the old film slr with a Nikon/Pentax digital slr (Nikon w Nikon, Pentax w Pentax of course). You'd have to check that for yourself.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

02/22/2006 09:43:16 PM · #19

Oh really?? That would be pretty kick ass.... Well its a nikormat, but it uses the nikon lenses. From the ones i saw in the store, however, i liked the Canon cameras the best. Im gonna have to look into some of the nikons more carefully.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

02/22/2006 09:50:56 PM · #20

Phil - read through Jodie Coston's online photog class to give you an idea of what you will need to learn. Then after you get a DSLR go through the class on your own and it will bring you up to speed pretty quick. Jodie is a member here.

Jodie Coston's Online Photography Class

Oh yeah, as for a DSLR choice. Don't listen to any of us on which one to buy. After reading more (like the classes listed above) go out and play with the different models in shops. Pick a price range you can afford counting at least one decent lens then pick the camera body that fits you hands and seems intuitive to you.

Good luck and have fun with the process.

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 21:51:49.

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/22/2006 09:51:33 PM · #21

Can't wait for the day to see someone holding their dSLR at arms length trying to keep the cam steady with a bigma on the other end and composing the shot while peeking at their LCD on a sunny day. :)

Hope some one gets a picture of that...

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 21:53:17.

02/22/2006 10:01:40 PM · #22

And just as they have it, the display drains the battery. Time to go home

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

02/22/2006 10:04:36 PM · #23

come on guys, quit making fun of progress :)
you can choose to use either the viewfinder or the LCD.
It's a matter of choice.

awpollard