DSLR Beginner Looking For Advice

[RandaNYK]

Hello members of the DPS forums,

I'm new to DSLR and I came here to find out which camera I should invest in. The truth of the matter is I've never used a DSLR camera before in my life. Usually, I just take shots with my Olympus Stylus (a digital camera), but because I work as a journalist who's required to take his own photos, I need a "better" camera.

So, with no knowledge of photography, or DSLR, I ask a huge favor of you: take a second out and inform me, a beginner, about a tip or fact about the aforementioned subjects. I need to know everything from ISO to getting a DSLR camera. You were once here too, you know.

Thanks,
Dan

[MrJones]

we all can just give you a DSLR model to buy, but expecting to give you the knowledge and basics of professional photography in one post is a bit ridiculous.
I suggest you start by reading blogs and other materials here in the forums, when you get a better idea on how a camera works and the basics concepts such as ISO, aperture, shutter, composition and etc. - I will be more than happy to help you.

[Henry Wilt]

Welcome Dan,

Start here for the technical stuff, particularly the exposure triangle.

For advise on which DSLR you are going to have to give us more information if you want good advise, i.e. What will you be shooting, fast action, sports, portraits etc.? Will you be shooting with available light or will you be able to use flash? What's your budget? etc. etc.

[inkista]

One more piece of info: why isn't the P&S a good tool for what you want to do? It doesn't sound like you're particularly comfortable or eager with the idea of going with a dSLR, and there are a few other alternatives (high-end P&S cameras, bridge cams, or large-sensor compact cameras) that might be able to get you what you want without hitting dSLR land. So knowing why the P&S isn't viable is a good start.

[RandaNYK]

Originally Posted by MrJones

we all can just give you a DSLR model to buy, but expecting to give you the knowledge and basics of professional photography in one post is a bit ridiculous.
I suggest you start by reading blogs and other materials here in the forums, when you get a better idea on how a camera works and the basics concepts such as ISO, aperture, shutter, composition and etc. - I will be more than happy to help you.

Yep, I've been skimming through DPS daily to check what beginner tips I can find. If you have any other sites to recommend for beginners, I'd love to hear.

Originally Posted by Henry Wilt

Welcome Dan,

Start here for the technical stuff, particularly the exposure triangle.

For advise on which DSLR you are going to have to give us more information if you want good advise, i.e. What will you be shooting, fast action, sports, portraits etc.? Will you be shooting with available light or will you be able to use flash? What's your budget? etc. etc.

Thanks for the link. Will be shooting sports with available light (arenas have available light, right?) and will be able to use flash. Budget is anywhere below $1250 for body and lens.

Originally Posted by inkista

One more piece of info: why isn't the P&S a good tool for what you want to do? It doesn't sound like you're particularly comfortable or eager with the idea of going with a dSLR, and there are a few other alternatives (high-end P&S cameras, bridge cams, or large-sensor compact cameras) that might be able to get you what you want without hitting dSLR land. So knowing why the P&S isn't viable is a good start.

Ah, of course. I work as a freelance sports journalist and I'm usually required to take my own pictures. I've found that the image quality isn't high with P&S cameras, although usable, I need more vivid pictures.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by RandaNYK

Ah, of course. I work as a freelance sports journalist and I'm usually required to take my own pictures. I've found that the image quality isn't high with P&S cameras, although usable, I need more vivid pictures.

Actually, high end P&S cameras take excellent photos these days IF they are set and being used properly. Their big limitation is in low light situations and no wide angles. Many pro photographers carry these all the time.

Have you read the manual? Because your budget will not get you a high end SLR or even a “pro-sumer” one. That said, there are lots of very good cameras in your budget range.

slr photography guide sitemap

[RandaNYK]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Actually, high end P&S cameras take excellent photos these days IF they are set and being used properly. Their big limitation is in low light situations and no wide angles. Many pro photographers carry these all the time.

Have you read the manual? Because your budget will not get you a high end SLR or even a “pro-sumer” one. That said, there are lots of very good cameras in your budget range.

slr photography guide sitemap

Not sure I would go for a high end SLR in the first place because I'm a beginner who is just learning the ropes.

Don't mean to sound nieve, but what exactly will my manuel tell me?

Thanks for the link, by the way. Checked that site out and looks like a ton of useful content.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by RandaNYK

Don't mean to sound nieve, but what exactly will my manuel tell me?

No offense, but you sound terribly naive. No one can tell you in a few simple lessons how to become a great photographer. You have to read, practice and learn.

Thanks for the link, by the way. Checked that site out and looks like a ton of useful content.

The manual will tell you how to use your camera, as will books and articles.

Try googling “beginner photography tips” or variations thereof.

You will also have to learn to do post shoot photo processing, unless that is forbidden by your employers, in which case you had better learn to use our camera superbly.

[Aleix]

If you're going to shoot sports and you still are a beginner, I recommend you to read the basic tutorials in DPS, plus those regarding sports, movement, low light, etc. There are plenty of them and are very detailed, they'll be far more useful to you than reading small bits here scattered in dozens of posts. Really do learn the basics before buying DSRL gear!!

Digital Photography Tips and Tutorials

While I see your budget is limited, and sports photography can be really expensive, my humble opinion is that you should either go for (both if possible!):

• Camera which allows usable high ISO pics (the higher the better)
• "Fast" lens (very wide maximum aperture)

But as I said, those things can be expensive... can't tell you prices anyway, there are lots of different models available, and various systems as well (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc.)

Digital Cameras and Equipment

Greetings and good luck,

[inkista]

Originally Posted by RandaNYK

... I work as a freelance sports journalist and I'm usually required to take my own pictures. I've found that the image quality isn't high with P&S cameras, although usable, I need more vivid pictures.

Crap. Sports. It had to be sports. Yeah, you need a dSLR. And you're probably going to need gear that's more than your budget allows. I'd say add at least another $200 or $300 to the budget. Remember, this is work gear. You can (hopefully) write it off on your taxes.

I'd say look for a good used mid-range camera body, so that you'll have the pro handling and hardiness--while dRebels are good cameras with great feature sets, they don't do so well at taking the hard knocks or heavy use. I'd recommend looking for a used or refurbished 40D, 50D, or 60D. You might be able to find something in the $700-$800 range. (What you really want is a 7D, but that's more than your entire budget for just the body). Then, depending on the sport you want to cover, maybe getting a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. Sadly, you cannot afford the Canon lens, which will give you the best image quality, and 200mm may not be enough reach for you, but a $700 or $800 is about all you can afford. Either that, or see about renting the Canon Ls until you can afford it.

Sports typically requires long fast glass. Long or fast is expensive. In combination it's a killer. Most pros will be shooting a football game from the sidelines with 300mm or longer lenses that are f/4 or faster. While high iso can help, the only thing that's going to get you the higher shutter speeds you need to "freeze the action" is going to be more maximum aperture. While you may be able to get by with a slow f/5.6 70-300 consumer telephoto zoom, it's not going to grab you the keeper rate you really want--particularly if you're not shooting outdoors in sunshine.