Understaning SLR cameras and lenses

Hey, everyone! I have a cousin that is looking to get an entry level slr and some lenses, but she doesn't understand anything about them, yet! I tried to explain some of it to her, but we communicate via e-mail mostly. Does anyone know of a good website that explains (in simple terms) aperture, focal lengths, shutter speed, etc? Sorry, I've never even had to look for something like this as I learned most of what I know from a professional photographer friend.


I recommended some books to her, but I want to give her something quick to look at as she wants to buy a camera and a lens or two soon. I want her to know what she is buying - especially when it comes to the lenses!


Thanks!

Hmmm this site? [:P]


Well I'm not really sure that this site explains the basics so... maybe (not sure at all) this: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm

She can read this link from Ken Rockewell, make sure she doen't read other writing, or she'll confuse the heck out of herself


http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/shutteraperture.htm

I am not so sure that she needs to understand them yet. I have recommended entry-level dSLRs to many people and usually I just listen to what they want to do and what their budget is and then recommend a set-up. They don't have to know what they are getting into (although warning that photography is addictive and can be expensive might be a good idea) just that they trust your recommendation.

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Originally Posted by kwilter100

a good website that explains (in simple terms) aperture, focal lengths, shutter speed, etc?

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Instead of explaining aperture and focal length, you can say: "since you want to do child portraits, you might want this lens which will be able to capture their quick movements and create a pleasing blurred background," or "this lens will let you capture your kids, but since it is a cheaper lens, you may not be able to take good indoor pictures after dark."


The fun thing about photography is you don't know a lot to start out and then you learn. Most people start in the "green square" and then branch out from there. So, I wouldn't worry, just tell them they will learn in time the technicalities and for now just ask what they want to shoot and make a recommendation.

I have found this site to be very helpful in understanding all the shooting modes in a DSLR.





http://web.canon.jp/imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

Thanks for the links and thanks for the advice Stephen! I think that is a great idea. She is going to come over to my house next week so I can show her a couple things I have. And I can help her determine what will be good for her within her budget! She has a much bigger budget than I had when I was starting out, so this should be fun! Thanks!

I am not too sure about what others might think, but if you don't really have a strong snob factor, you might look in to a used xxD. That way you would have a nice camera and still have plenty left over for lenses. I know a friend of mine recently bought a 30D that was practically brand new on Ebay for about $350. That would then give plenty of room for the cool lenses that you would not be able to buy if you were to buy a $600+ body. Better glass is almost always better than a good body. Besides once she gets into a set of lenses and understands more photography she will be able to upgrade to an even better new body.


Just a thought,


Samuel

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Originally Posted by Flaming

you might look in to a used xxD

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I agree with Samuel. I got a used 20D off of ebay two Christmas's ago. Doing that has allowed me to branch into high quality lenses and good quality lighting gear.


But it's up to her. Some people like the new deal.


I do think however, that you should teach her or at least show her the links to understanding exposure. I wish I would have understood a bit more about photography before I jumped on the 20D. Just my 2 cents.


-Rodger

I believe that the 450D or 500D are better cameras for beginners. Firstly, they are smaller and lighter, and easier to carry around. This is important for many who are used to pocket-sized cameras. Also, there is less risk of getting lost in all the options of a more advanced camera. And there are a lot of used 450D around for a reasonable price. And I would recommend a better lens than the kit-lens, e.g. the tamron 18-50, cheap but good. And an external flash. Personally, I have a Metz-flash for my 400D, works very nice, for a reasonable price. As for reading, there are a lot of books that are informative, but still small enough to carry with you when you are out shooting. Then you can look up in the book for the best shooting settings for a given scene.


But these are just my experiences, I guess every photographer, pro or hobbyist have their own opinions.

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Originally Posted by kwilter100

I have a cousin that is looking to get an entry level slr and some lenses

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First of all I would recommend just to buy a dslr and a kitlens. Then experiment a lot and see what you really want.


I started with buying a book called: Digital photography with the canon 450D(only 40 bucks), but I'm not sure if it's available in USA. After a month of reading I bought the camera and got into expirimenting. I also did a entry level course but at that point I read everything already and pretty much knew anything they said. Still it was a good experience.


After that I became more used to my camera and needs/lacks of the camera. Therefor I started to look at other lenses and stuff to make more out of my collection.


Point is: start easy, the rebel series are great cameras to start with and even to hold on to, if you don't need shutterspeeds, high-isoperformance etc etc. Buy it with a kitlens like the 18-55 IS. And start shooting and trying! Also try to read a bit like sites and books, but in the end, the basics are better learned in real-life I think.


Jan

Oh the thing is: if you buy 2-3 lenses at the start, you might be getting yourself selling them after a month or two, when you see the possibilities of lenses.


I've seen a lot of people buying a kit with 18-55 and 55-250 without a single clue how to use them properly and wanting to sell them because they want thing that other people have.


Looking at good photographers and seeing what they use and buy the same gear with the idea that your pictures will be as good as theirs. And they won't be! They probably will not be even close so ending up with expensive gear without knowing what to do with it.


In other words: you don't buy a minivan if your single, just because your neighbours bought it and think it's great [;)]

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Originally Posted by kwilter100

And I can help her determine what will be good for her within her budget!

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That's really a key point, as well as assessing her shooting needs and allowing for future growth, as well as her technical skills. Dollar for dollar, money spent on lenses will provide greater improvements to image quality than money spent on a body. For example, for ~$1900 one could get 7D with the 28-135mm kit lens, or a T2i with the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 lens. The latter combination would provide better image quality (within that shorter focal length range).


One recommendation I'd consider if she'll be shooting indoors is an external Speedlite flash - a 430EX II or 580EX II will make a huge difference in the quality of flash photos!

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Originally Posted by Hadwick

have found this site to be very helpful in understanding all the shooting modes in a DSLR.


http://web.canon.jp/imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

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Welcome to the forum Hadwick. I skimmed the first two sections, and that does seem like a good link to explain the basics. A verythorough tour of a DSLR.

I pretty much agree with everyone's points. Especially if you go with Canon, you can't really go wrong. So just purchasing something based on a budget won't be a bad decision. I am brand new to the DSLR world (just bought mine in the end of November) and made my purchased based on online reviews and my budget. I knew NOTHING about photography outside of point-and-shoot before purchasing and receiving my 50D. I read the manual a couple times, and got a good book specific to the 50D that also has great info about the basics and have self-taught myself.


I don't think it is necessary to learn the basics or fundamentals of photography before purchasing a DSLR. It is just important to know your budget and find the best camera option that works for your budget.


Braden

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Originally Posted by TucsonTRD

I don't think it is necessary to learn the basics or fundamentals of photography before purchasing a DSLR.

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That's something many of us debate. [:P] But, there's definitely reason that all Canon dSLRs except the 1-series bodies have the green square mode. With that, you can take advantage of many of the camera's features without knowing the underlying concepts (admittedly, you're sacrificing control of those features). That's also the rationale behind the CA mode on newer bodies (including the higher-end 5D2 and 7D) - for example, regarding the Background: Blurred <--> Sharp slider, Canon's own press release states, "This is depth-of-field control, but without requiring an understanding of apertures."

Having read all the entries here I think they might have something with the xxxD camera idea, but then again the simplicity of the camera to me was not that big a deal when I jumped into DSLR's. (I like challenges and will play with things till I understand them.) So that might not be a problem for you either. Besides the xxD does have that auto mode for the first time users who might be lost. It will work fine at first I am sure.


Also I was reading the entries and I remembered something that might be really good for someone that is jumping into the DSLR area; if you get a prime (50mm f/1.8 or the like) you will learn to compose shots in a very different way than you do when you have large ranges of zoom to play with (that is any zoom at all really). I don't know how much photography she has done before, but getting a prime makes you think about every composition since you cannot change the zoom. I have not used primes as much as I would like (I own none right now), but when I have used them they have been a huge amount of fun and a great experience. Deffinently check that out. Just a thought especially if you want quality lenses to start building off of for the future set (although when my brother got his first prime it was hard to peal him away from it even though it was a 150mm because it just has so much better IQ than his zoom. :P)


Samuel