Ok, laugh and point *grin*

[mwells74]

I was reading a post last night that some new DSLR user had posted about how he was so disappointed with his camera and the 60mm lens that he had tried out. After wading through half the post of folks telling him not to buy new equipment but to learn to use what he had already and about f stops and what not I had to take a serious look at myself and think about the lenses and equipment that I "need".

I really love my camera and have gotten a LOT of pictures with it. I am of the opinion that you make sure and take lots of shots so that you get some you like! But, I am still learning, and thus the reason for the post....

Last night after I was done reading, I decided I was going to try to figure out manual mode even better (I have been using it for a while, and I think I figured out now why sometimes it was just not getting what I wanted). First thing I figured out was on my 20D there are 2 "ON" positions .....(yes, duh I should have known this I am sure, but I just bought it after having an XT for about 4 years and I bought it used). If you only turn it on to the first "ON" position your wheel will not scroll through your f/ stops when in manual mode. It took me about an hour of searching on the different forums to figure that one out, but now that I have ...wow my little nifty-fifty has taken on a whole new life.

Second neat thing had to do with pre focus flash....someone had posted about working with Flash and they made the comment that if you held the * button as you were focusing that it would not strobe the flash to try to help the focus. While this might not always be the best thing since that flash can help you focus, sometimes if does help when working with subjects that squint when the pre flash goes off....(damn basset hound.....).

I am sure there are a thousand more tips like this that I don't know off hand ....but I thought I would share. Please feel free to add more "tips" to this or to just point and laugh at the new guy!