New to DSLR - where to start?

<p>We recently upgraded from a Canon Power Shot SD790 IS to the Rebel T1i 500D. The power sh ot takes decent pictures but the shutter speed is so slow I always ended up missing the shot and not to m ention you don't have a lot of options to choose from w/ settings. I am new to DSLR and want to learn more a bout how to adjust aperture settings (f-stop) to blur backgrounds, etc. I have the basic user functions down and know what all of the settings mean but not sure if i'm using them to their full potential.<br>

I've tried t o research as much as possible on web and the user manual that cam e with the camera is less than informative. I know the best way to learn is to practice but I can't figure out i f I'm even adjusting the aperture when I'm in Av mode.<br>

We have a couple of lenses (basic 18-55, EFS 55-250mm & ; 60mm macro)...not sure i f I should be using a specific lens to get the blurry background effect...<br>

Any suggestions on a good b ook to purchase or sites to visit that would not onl y give instructions on how to set the f-stop/iso function but also give photo examples of what settings to use to give the ideal result?<br>

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I know this camera can do a lot and I want to be able to use it to it's full potential.</p><div></div>

<p>Welcome to DSLR land!<br>

Check the excellent articles and tutorials on here under the Learning and Community tabs.<br>

To WAY oversimplify, I will toss out the following "overview" to put the basic controls of any camera in perspective.<br>

ISO = Film Speed = controls the amount of light available to the sensor - lower (200-400) is generally better (less "noise"), but 800-3200 may be needed for sports, indoor shooting. This is where the DSLRs shine compared to most point and shoots, ability to take quality shots at higher ISOs.<br>

Shutter Speed/Focusing modes - determines how long the shutter is open, usually want over 1/250th for sports action - so TV (time value) mode on a Canon - you choose SP, the camera chooses the aperture to give you a correct exposure.<br>

AV Mode - Aperture Priority - Think of this as more creative mode, you are controlling depth of field (how much of the photo is in focus), camera picks the Shutter Speed.<br>

When you hear discussions about "faster" lenses, ie 2.8 vs 5.6, a lens with a larger maximum aperture (smaller number) can be used in lower light situations (possibly along with higher ISO set)<br>

Those are the very basic basics, again do some reading and take lots of photos!<br>

So there are many "correct" combination of ISO+Aperture+Shutter Speed, its up to you to determine what your "focus" is for the types of pictures you are trying to create, and then utilize the right "set" of settings to help you attain that goal.<br>

Or leave it on GREEN or P and let the camera do all the work :) , but thats not why you are here.<br>

An excellent resource is a book by Scott Peterson, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290966968&sr=1-1">Understanding Exposure</a>, takes you through all the basics, its non camera specific, and has exercises so you can take practice shots and learn as you go.<br>

You can find it at your local bookstore or Amazon</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I think you can probably figure out how to get aperture and focal length to do what you want by reading articles online and experimenting. Wikipedia has decent articles on depth of field and other topics, and there are good tutorials on a variety of subjects here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm">http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm</a></p>

<p>Since you are using a digital camera, taking pictures is practically free (as opposed to the old days when you had to pay for film develping and printing, or set up your own darkroom), so you can take any subject, photograph it at several different apertures and focal lengths, and see how the resulting pictures differ.</p>

<p>Check out your public library. Some of the best photography books were written in the 1980's when SLR photography was at its peak. Look for John Hedgecoe or Petersen or "The Joy of Photography".</p>

<p>My favourite back then was Bryan Petersen's "Understanding Photography" and I see he has lots of new books out. Check the typical websites and your local book store.</p>

<p>To learn about exposure, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, lenses, multiexposure, and composition you don't necessarily need a book on digital photography.</p>

<p>Sorry, the author I refer to is Bryan Peterson.</p>

<p>I have a couple of Rebel cameras and I shoot most of my photos with T1i. (www.longlastingphotos.com)<br>

It is a great camera. However, you need to practice a lot and know it before you can easily take good great photos.<br>

About your lenses, I would suggest you get rid of the 18-55mm and get a EF 17-40mm if you use wide angle very often, or get a 28-135mm if you use mid range zoom the most. Of course, if money is not much an issue, a EF 24-70mm, F2.8 is a superb lens. <br>

The reason is Cannon squeeze 15 mega pixel on a small sensor. Unless you use very good quality lenses, the image quality can't be good. </p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>About your lenses, I would suggest you get rid of the 18-55mm</p>

</blockquote>

<p>If that's the 18-55 IS USM, isn't that supposed to be a pretty good lens? </p>

<p>Welcome, Cindi. Here are some things you can try to get that background blur with the equipment you have (and you do have equipment that will do it). Here's how you can do it with a portrait.</p>

<p>If you are in Av mode, then the adjustments that you make should be affecting the aperture (though the others will automatically adjust to correct the exposure). You will want a small number and that will equal a large aperture opening (if you've read up on this, then you know that already). What gets confusing sometimes is that the amount of blur you get is also affected by the focal length of your lens. Generally speaking, it is easier to get background blur with a longer lens. It is also easier to get it when your subject is relatively close to you and the background is relatively far away. When you combine these things, you'll get very nice background blur. Try this experiment and see what you think. Put your 60mm macro lens on your camera, set the aperture to 2.8 and go outside. Put your subject about ten feet in front of you (or closer if it's smaller) and make sure that the background is very distant. Take the picture and check it out. Be advised that when using a large aperture you have a very thin focus depth so if your subject is very deep you'll likely not get it all in focus. That looks like what happened in your sample image. If this is the case, then stop down (use a smaller aperture) to f/4 or f/5.6 until you can get all of your subject in focus.</p>

<p>You can do it with the 18-55 also, but it's a little more difficult because on the wide end the focal length is working against you and on the long end the maximum aperture is working against you. Starting with your 60mm macro will make it easier because it has a longer focal length and a larger maximum aperture (it is a faster lens).</p>

<p>Keep experimenting and you'll get the hang of it. By the way, that 60mm macro is a very nice lens for portraits so enjoy it!</p>

<p>Also wanted to add one more thing. If you're shooting macro, then the rules are tweaked a little bit. Because the subject is usually very close when shooting macro, background blur is much easier (assuming the background is not right behind the subject). But getting all the subject in focus is much harder because the focus depth is very shallow (sometimes paper thin). At some point, your subject will be close enough that you'll need to stop down to a very small aperture just to get it all in focus. Unless you're shooting in extremely bright light, this will probably mean a slow shutter speed and so a tripod will be required. </p>

<p ><a name="00XlQS"></a><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=5562983">Kayam Rajaram</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub2.gif" alt="" /><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Nov 28, 2010; 06:40 p.m.</p>

 

<blockquote>If that's the 18-55 IS USM, isn't that supposed to be a pretty good lens?</blockquote>

<p> Hi Kayam,<br>

Cindi states she has a "basic 18-55mm". I tested a couple of those. This lens is truely as many reviewer put it: it does what it is paid for. It costs a small fraction of an average Canon zoom lens, and it just does that much. In terms of image quality, this lens will not break you away from decent point and shoot cameras.<br>

I have not tested the 18-55mm USM, so I can't say much. From the price (also cheap) and some online reviews, it is not for serious photographers either. However, it also depends on the photographer's expectation. For sharing some photos on facebook, the 18-55mm basic can do a decent job.<br>

From my expereice, the T1i camera can only do a good job with a good lens and in the hands of a photographer who knows what he or she is doing.</p>

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