Need some help...

[steve1324]

Hello, I have some questions I was hoping someone can help. I am going to be going on an Alaskan Cruise in a few months, and really want to get some great shots. I have an old digital slr (Canon Rebel XT, (from 2004 or 2005) with two lens the one the kit came with (18-55 and a 75-300), that I have really never learned to use. It was more my dad's camera than mine, but he has never really used it and offered to let me take it with. How hard would this camera be learn to use in a short time (2 months)? Should I get anything else for it as far as lens? Or would it be wise to look in to something new? I have only really used point and shoot cameras before and if the point and shoot I have is old and beaten up and in need of an upgrade. I just don't want to spend all this money on this trip and not have some good shots to take home with me. I was looking at Best Buy and the Sony Nex-3 (it looks kind of dummy proof). Thank you for your help in this matter.


Steve

[Thunder_o_b]

What ever you end up using, be sure to get good circular polarizers for the lenses. If you are going to be out on the water you will really need them.

[RichardTaylor]

Welcome to the forum, Steve.

You may find this old tutorial of mine handy.
I was using a Canon 350D (Rebel XT) at the time

Exposure


It's a good camera. Although the 75-300 lens isn't all that great it may meet your needs.

Do you have the instruction book that came with it?

It works ok in auto and the scene modes (much better than a point & shoot camera), however for best results you will need to get into what Canon call the creative zone where you start to take control of the camera.

The only thing I would buy would be a spare battery, enough memory cards, lens hoods and a polarising filter for the 18-55 lens.

The main thing is to get out and start shooting with it and having a play with the settings taking note of what they do..