newbie desperate for help

[Leanne76]

Hi

I have always loved taking pictures but now I am at home with kids every day, I am trying to learn more via the internet and excellent sites such as these!

I have only ever had a point and shoot camera and want to invest in a DSLR but still researching on which one to buy. In the mean time, I've borrowed one (no idea how good it is or not but it is a Panasonic Lumix DCM-F27 with a 35mm lens I think!!!). As I say, I am still learning so have a few questions that I am hoping you may be able to help me with!

Firstly, how do I know what to buy. I dont want to go over the top and spend silly money but I do want it to be able to take the photos I really want to achieve. For example, I have two kids, and want to capture their childhood and of course they are always on the go so and so I need to be quick to keep up with them - my P&S camera is rubbish at this.

I also want to be able to take lovely pictures with blurred backgrounds....have been researching about aperture, ISO and shutter speed but still not achieved the desired effect with my borrowed camera so no idea where I am going wrong! I've put it in AP mode and changed the aperture but still not really blurring the background...any tips?

I've also downloaded a trial version of photoshop - is it the best application for editing even on a Mac? I find iPhoto so limiting.

Anyway, any help you can give me.....much appreciated

[Donal]

Hi Leanne76.
Just by chance, about 5 minutes ago I posted a thread asking how to use my Av setting too. (it's right under your thread).
Between the two treads we're bound to get some answers and I look forward to seeing some of your work in the future when we get this sorted.
I must say too that everyone here sems to be very positive and helpful so I'm confident this will be explained to us very soon.

Good Luck

[Leanne76]

Glad it's not just me!

Look forward to our replies soon - will keep my eye on your thread too!

[bbtom10]

Hi there, in terms of what camera to buy, then there are a massive range of options limited only by your budget, but most people will use either a Nikon or a Canon and will suggest once you have settled on one, you are in for life as you're equipment and accessories list grows.

In terms of the DSLR versus a Point & Shoot, you will get a near instant picture when you press the button, along with a very satisfying mechanical click (or clunk, depending if it's a Nikon or Canon) so that will resolve the issue with kids moving out of frame before the camera decides to actually take the photo!

As far as choice goes, the entry level DSLR from Nikon and Canon (and the Sony Alpha as well) are all perfectly capable of doing what you want to do, even with the basic kit lens that comes with them, so take the plunge!

Tom

[LeeR]

The camera you are looking at (Panasonic Lumix DCM-F27) is not a DSLR but rather an advanced point and shoot. It comes with a fixed lens that cannot be changed, though there are attachments that can be purchased that would extend its range a bit. So, if you want a lens with a huge aperture so make the background blurry on every shot you're going to have to look elsewhere. For about the same price you could get the Olympus PEN E-PL1 with a 14-42mm lens, or the Pentax K-X with an 18-55mm lens. Both come with short range zooms and either would allow you to add additional lenses in the future. The Olympus is a good deal smaller.
However, I would encourage you to master what you have now before you start spending money. You will find that you can do most of the things you want with your camera if you just learn how. Good point and shoot cameras are capable of remarkable images. I even assembled a flickr set I took with a point and shoot just to demonstrate some of the things that are possible. Want to take pictures with blurry backgrounds? Get the kids in close and the background as far away as possible. Better still, put them against a background that is beneficial. Blurry is OK, but a portrait in context is even better.
We have tricked ourselves into thinking that we will never get great images without a DSLR. Rubbish. Photography is about learning how to see, and we don't need interchangable leneses to do that.

[jdgonzalez]

I really don't think you would be disappointed with any DSLR on the market. They all produce fantastic images. What I look for in a camera are features that I would use and feel. One of the main reasons I went with a Nikon was because of the way it felt in my hand. The D90 I chose didn't have a plastic feel to it like the Canon. The grip on the Nikon was the right size for my hand. In my opinion, if you're comfortable holding it you'll be more likely to use it.

From a feature set point of view, most all DSLR's have the same features, from high end to entry level. The difference is in how you access them. One feature that was important to me was exposure compensation. On my Minolta, I had to go through some mens to adjust it. On the Nikon I have immediate access to the setting via a button on the command wheel.

Lastly, I would say to go to a store and physically hold them and use them. Don't get too caught up on the specs. They are important but don't let them drive your decision.

Good luck.

P.S. I also carry a P&S with me when the DSLR can be bulky. So just because you have a DSLR doesn't mean you have to abandon the P&S. I think they really compliment each other.

[CheaperKings]

I shoot Nikon exclusively so, I cannot tell you the in's and out's of Canon. A good entry camera from Nikon would be the D40 or the D40x. They're not too pricey and you'll learn a lot from them. You can pick a d40x up on eBay for around $250 - $350USD. They usually come with a 18-55mm kit lens which is a decent lens to start off with.

One thing you should take note of; camera bodies are just bodies. It's the lens that makes the photograph. I just saw a lens on eBay that was selling for $70,000.00. I'm not even real sure what that thing did but it must've been something pretty amazing.

As for photoshop, you'll learn that I am PRO photoshop but other people here like to use other programs such as GIMP. I'm not going to tell you what to use. Just pick one that you like and use it. Photoshop is expensive and GIMP is free. That's all I'm saying about it because it always starts some kinda heated debate (as I'm going to suggest PS everytime). Like I said, GIMP is free so, you may want to look at that.

I hope I was able to, at least, help you in some way come to a conclusion to your delema...

[tuxcomputers]

When buying a dSLR forget the bit at the back, photography is all about the optics. You will buy your lenses and keep them forever, you will change bodies every 3-5 years.

A super duper fancy dancy body with a crappy plastic kit lens on the front will take shitty photos. Pour your money into the lenses, you will never regret buying good optics.

[bbtom10]

Originally Posted by tuxcomputers

When buying a dSLR forget the bit at the back, photography is all about the optics. You will buy your lenses and keep them forever, you will change bodies every 3-5 years.

A super duper fancy dancy body with a crappy plastic kit lens on the front will take shitty photos. Pour your money into the lenses, you will never regret buying good optics.

It should be saidf though that even the 18-55 kit lens on the D40 (which I've got) is still better than most of the point and shoots out there - the size of the hole on the front determines how much light you can get in yuor camera, and photography is all about the art of catching light (photons, bouncing off your subjects) - so whilst LeeR has a good point about getting used to what you've got, don't worry about the extra lenses and stuff like that, take the plunge and you will see a world of opportunities in fornt of you (as well as a wealth of accessories, lenses, bags, cards, batteries, tripods, filters etc to expand your collection as your needs and desires develop!).

Come on in... the water's fine!

[bbtom10]

Actually, I do have an observation about Nikon vs Canon which I can share with you - it may just be me, but Canon seems to be what the cooler kids are wearing these days - their black bodies and seemingly ahead of the game video capabilities are winning some fans - Nikon seems to be the more traditionalist, functional photographers choice - they seem more practical somehow, less flashy.

Like I said before, either will give you everything you need, although JDGonzalez's point about ease of use and access to the functions you need is valid.

Finally, why not take your camera with you to a beginner's 1-day course and see what you think - there are some great ones here in the UK for £60 - £70 for a day and really help you learn about your camera and it's capabilities, whether a point and shoot, bridge camera (like yours) or a full blown DSLR.

Tom