What’s Your Preference?

Essy · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 08:53 PM

and I really hope that my questions aren't too dumb...but I suppose you'll let me know if they are...lol.

Let me start by introducing myself...I'm a 46 year old stay at home (homeschooling) mom of two young children (7 and 6 years old). I've just recently caught the photography bug and now I drive my husband and kids crazy...lol. This past weekend I got the opportunity to shoot my nephew's wedding in Canada and I was in heaven. He had a photographer for the ceremony and reception but it rained on the wedding day, so all pictures were taken inside. The following day I suggested to them that we go to a local park and just goof off and see what we could get and they turned out not too badly...even though they were taken with my point and shoot...lol.

So now I just want to take pictures and learn as much as I can. I own one digital point and shoot (Kodak with manual functions that I haven't used yet) and one very old Minolta Maxxum 5000 that I have a couple of lenses to go with...one is 35- 70 mm and the other is 75 - 200 mm zoom lense. I have used the old camera quite a bit but only in the automatic setting. The set back ofcourse is that it uses film, so I can't go crazy like I do with the digital.

So my question is...since I don't have alot of money to invest in this hobby right now...do you think these two cameras are sufficient for me to learn what I need to learn? I'm not sure if I can still by any more aparatus for the old camera...but if I could...what would you suggest? Right now I like taking pictures of my kids, family events, scenic landscapes etc.(you can check my flickr page for a better idea).

Also...this might be a really dumb question but if I were to invest in a DSLR...anyone know if I'd be able to use the lenses from my old camera with it...provided I get a Minolta?

Ok...so after reading the camera manuals and all the books from the library that I can get my hands on...and sites like this one. What's next? A local school offers an introductory course on digital photography...do you think that's worthwhile?

Thanks in advance,

Essy

lputman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 09:03 PM

You can learn everything you need to learn about photography with the film camera. Of course the caveat is the cost of developing film. Exactly what Kodak digital camera do you have? If you are able to control aperture, shutter speed and ISO, then you can effectively learn photography with that camera too. Of course, learning things like composition are independent of any type of camera.

Nicole · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essy

Also...this might be a really dumb question but if I were to invest in a DSLR...anyone know if I'd be able to use the lenses from my old camera with it...provided I get a Minolta?

The Sony DSLRs fit most AF Minolta (A Mount) lenses.
Minolta AF/Sony Alpha F.A.Q.
Minolta Sony alpha lens database - Dyxum.com
It might save you some money if you can use your old lenses and you only need to buy a new body (especially if they fit one of the slightly older Sony bodies since those would probably be cheaper if they've been surpassed by newer models).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essy

Ok...so after reading the camera manuals and all the books from the library that I can get my hands on...and sites like this one. What's next? A local school offers an introductory course on digital photography...do you think that's worthwhile?

It depends on your learning style. If you're happy learning while reading, then the next step is really just practice, practice, practice, and then practice a little more. Look at pictures you like, read about how to take those kind of shots, and then try it out. But, if you like the human interaction and you learn better by having someone show you how to do something you might benefit from classes (or even videos on YouTube). It also depends how the class is run. Do they give you feedback? What do they expect of you (e.g. must you have a DSLR)? Is it just a lecture where you go out and do an assignment after class and had it in the next week? And when you have those answers you might know whether the class is worth it or not for you.

Oh, and last, but not least... Welcome!