Photography Lesson – dSLR's
So I have been wanting to write one of these posts for a long time. But really, who am I to try and teach someone else about photography? So if you know more than me, please share some tips for me 🙂
So let’s start with the camera history, shall we? I know I’ve already shared the history of all the camera’s I have owned however, why did I buy a dSLR? That’s a REALLY good question!
In early 2009 a couple friends and I started shooting photos. As the year progressed the other two decided to start up a photography business; I didn’t know about any of this at the time. One evening I overheard them talking about taking a photography class together. I like pictures, I like photography, I wanted to take better photos, so I wanted to join in. So Evelyn asked me if I would be willing to buy a dSLR for the class. Ok, I must confess, at the time I had no clue what a dSLR was; that’s when google became my friend. So just what does dSLR stand for? Digital Single Lens Reflex. What the heck does that mean?
A single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence “reflex”, from the mirror’s reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and hence see exactly what will be captured, contrary to viewfinder cameras where the image could be significantly different from what will be captured. (Found here in more detail)
WOW! She wanted me to buy a “big girl” camera? When I got to looking at the class, I saw I could use my point & shoot I had which had “big girl camera” settings on it, plus you actually could buy changeable lenses for it, even though it wasn’t a true dSLR.
I decided to start with my P&S before spending that much money on something I might not even like. After the first night of class I wanted a dSLR so bad I couldn’t stand myself, so I started researching camera’s in my price range and asking friends who had them what they had, what they liked, what they didn’t, etc. The Professional photographer at work recommended I get the Canon Rebel XS. I figured if that’s what he recommended, that’s what I’d get. That camera and I became really good friends until a year later when hubby convinced me to switch to a Nikon D5000; I haven’t looked back, yet :).
Both camera’s came with an 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 kit lens. The 3.5-5.6 are your F-stops but we’ll discuss that in another post. It’s a good little lens and it has taken some wonderful pictures for me, but with my canon I also had a telephoto lens.
Generally Nikon and Canon lenses won’t interchange between the two brands, therefore when I sold my Canon I sold it as a whole package selling the kit lens that came with it as well as the telephoto lens that I had acquired for it. When we switched to the Nikon we saved our money and bought a 50-200mm 1:4-5.6G telephoto lens.
Since the purchase of the first Nikon, we’ve saved up our money for a second Nikon, the hubby and I don’t share so well; so I would say that we are a Nikon family. So let’s ask the ever controversial question (kind of like saying Ford vs Chevy or PC vs Mac… LOL), Do you like Nikon or Canon or something else better?
Nikon all the way! I had a D60 and just upgraded to a D5100!
I'd have to get a job and pay off some bills first. But I would probably go Cannon. 🙂
I'm a canon fan myself, but am not swearing off nikon- I wanted so badly to invest my time into becoming a professional photographer- and then kids happened, husband decided to get his masters and my dream sortof hit the back burner- and now I'm so lazy that my poor rebel xt doesn't see the light of day- only my iphone captures my daily life these days! Newest follower! 🙂
I adore my point and shoot Lumix never go anywhere without it , still trying to learn the Rebel, I like it , it is just big and ,well did I mention I love my Lumix?
The hubby gave me his older but fancy Cannon camera, but I have NO clue how to use it…I don't even know if it's a dslr. I'm very excited about it, but scared to try it!