Educate a novice about DSLRs please

Katchit

Katchit

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Gaz
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Hi all.

I seem to have been bitten by the 'photography bug'.

I want to learn more, and i probably have a very basic, and novice question, but thought i would post it anyway, so that i can understand more.

Obviously, it seems anyway (i could be wrong :lol:) that DSLRs are excellent and are what you need to produce excellent pictures, so how exactly does it work.

I had a quick look out of interest and curiosity, at some of the Canon and Nikon cameras, and it seems that you get a lot of 'body only' kits, so does this mean that you cannot take a photo like that, and you need an additional lens?

I guess there are certain lenses which you want for certain things, or is there a lens, for a Canon, for example, which just about covers everything that you could possibly ever need to do with a camera?

Also, i am guessing again here, but do the higher spec DSLRs and lenses require the user to have a very 'in depth' knowledge of cameras, settings, etc... i.e. they are not novice friendly? Is it kind of 'expected' that you have 'x' level of knowledge, so the pre-set settings, decline with the higher end spec cameras?

The only reason i ask these, is because i am going to try and learn as much as possible with my camera i have just bought (FZ38), and increase my knowledge along the way, but also have an eye on what i want to buy next, as i have a feeling, that my interest in photography will grow and grow, and i imagine my next purchase, will be quite a good DSLR, so i want to learn now, so i can research my needs for the future.

Thanks again.
 
Pretty much all DSLR's now have a 'green box' mode where the camera does everything for you. But to get full advantage of a DSLR, it's worth learning the basics of exposure (ISO, aperture and shutter speed). Google something like 'basics of photography' and read articles like that. You can pick up the basics quickly and easily.

Body only cameras need a lens, yes. They sell them body only for people purchasing lenses separately or people who already have a collection of lenses.

Your panasonic probably has the complement of manual modes, (Manual, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Program auto).

There are 'do everything' lenses. They do 'do everything', just none of it particularly well, you get better image quality from having a dedicated lens. It's worth spending more money on lenses, these are what produce sharp, contrasty images, having better lenses will (most of the time) be much more of an advantage than having an expensive body.

I would say you should wait till you've reached the limits of your bridge camera before upgrading. Make sure it's the camera limiting you, not the other way around before you spend large amounts of money, then you are less likely to be disappointed when you do upgrade.

One last thing:
Consider all the brands, not just canon and nikon. There is fantastic equipment to be had from Olympus, Sony and Pentax as well as canon and nikon. Some people will tell you that there are just two brands worth considering (or just one brand!), ignore them. If you try out some cameras and find that it's a pentax (for example) that you like, buy that. Don't get caught up with 'It's canon or nikon'.

Hope that helps :thumbs:
 
All modern DSLR's are good but it is the person holding the camera that makes an image great.

There are several schools of thought over what level of camera to buy as a first.

Some say get a lower end model and concentrate onlenses, others with more money may buy a high end pro model.

With both you have to learn how to use them, but the curve may be steeper on the pro models.

It really is down to budget.
Lenses are a worthwhile investment as you will change the body more than the lenses.

Reading something like "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson in conjunction with going out shooting with your camera will help you learn loads, as will posting examples here for "crit" where members will help you learn from the mistakes we have all made and still make.

You never stop learning and your wallet never stops emtying.
 
squishy said:
One last thing:
Consider all the brands, not just canon and nikon. There is fantastic equipment to be had from Olympus, Sony and Pentax as well as canon and nikon. Some people will tell you that there are just two brands worth considering (or just one brand!), ignore them. If you try out some cameras and find that it's a pentax (for example) that you like, buy that. Don't get caught up with 'It's canon or nikon'.
Click to expand...

Whilst agreeing generally with that advice, I would add one point in favour of Nikon/Canon: These two brands have a much larger range of lenses made by independent manufacturers (Sigma/Tamron) available - at a much lower price. I always used Pentax for many years; my daughter has just bought one as she has no great desire (at the moment !) to buy loads of other lenses.

The independent lenses may not be quite as good as the "big" boy's, but the price differential is a huge factor to consider.
Is it better to have a Sigma XYZ123 lens for £500 or NOT to have the Canon XYZ123 at £2000 ? You pays your money ......................;)
 
Thanks a lot for your replies.

I appreciate them.

I am going to have a read of the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

Hopefully this will also give me some more tips and advice and also more understanding in what is behind taking a very good photo.
 
Moonrakerz said:
Whilst agreeing generally with that advice, I would add one point in favour of Nikon/Canon: These two brands have a much larger range of lenses made by independent manufacturers (Sigma/Tamron) available - at a much lower price. I always used Pentax for many years; my daughter has just bought one as she has no great desire (at the moment !) to buy loads of other lenses.
Click to expand...

I don't know about Olympus and Pentax but in the case of Sony, both Sigma and Tamron supply a very large proportion of their lens range to fit the Minolta / Sony mount.
 
onomatopoeia said:
I don't know about Olympus and Pentax but in the case of Sony, both Sigma and Tamron supply a very large proportion of their lens range to fit the Minolta / Sony mount.
Click to expand...

And you also have in body stabilisation.
The 'other' brands definitely have some advantages.
 
Thanks all.

Another novice question coming up...

Do any of the Canon lenses, fit with any Canon body?

Thanks again.
 
No. Canon produce two ranges of lenses - EF and EF-s. The EF range will fit on all cameras. The EF-s range is designed for use on cameras with a APS-C sensor (crop cameras like the xxxD, xxD, and 7D) The exception is the 10D, which is quite an old camera now, and probably not one on anybody's shopping list who is looking to buy their first DSLR.
 
Just as a matter of interest have you taken any pictures with your new Panasonic yet.
 
Scarecrow said:
No. Canon produce two ranges of lenses - EF and EF-s. The EF range will fit on all cameras. The EF-s range is designed for use on cameras with a APS-C sensor (crop cameras like the xxxD, xxD, and 7D) The exception is the 10D, which is quite an old camera now, and probably not one on anybody's shopping list who is looking to buy their first DSLR.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation, that does help!
 
Also, if you are looking at used, old canon lenses, 'FD' lenses don't fit digital bodies. FD is an old canon mount from film cameras.
 
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