Buying a rather cheap SLR.

[Digital Matt]

It's $73.95 at keh.com with 12.95 ground shpping (if you don't care about getting it super quick, you can save a few bucks.

[Ads]

[Weaving Wax]

It's $73.95 at keh.com with 12.95 ground shpping (if you don't care about getting it super quick, you can save a few bucks.

Oh, ok...Yeah, I couldn't find it on Keh.com..

I went ahead and bought the lens on Ebay.. What about film? What should I get?

[xfloggingkylex]

Yes, actually you can learn about focal lenghts with a 50mm lens. What did photographers do before zoom lenses? :p

If after using your 50mm lens for a few months you find that you want to include more of the scene in your frame, then you'll buy a wide angle lens. If you find that you are too far away from your subjects and want more magnification, then you'll buy a telephoto.

oh, I was refering to learning without purchasing a new lense, you really dont get sense of focal length. for example if all you have ever uses is a 50mm you wont have any idea what kind of angle of view a 300mm lense will have, or what a 12mm lense will produce image wise. But you are right, obviously people learned on primes before the invention of zooms

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

A 50mm lens is a great starter. You will get the best quality image for the price. If you want to zoom in then walk forwards . if you want to zoom out , then walk backwards.
Zooms are great. but expensive, you loose light and often quality. If you learn to use a standard (50mm in 35mm format , 80mm in Medium format , 150mm in large format). you will be able to handle anything.
Learn, enjoy and later when you can afford it , if you want to, expand.
and in the mean time ... show us some of your images when you get them...

[benhasajeep]

Oh, ok...Yeah, I couldn't find it on Keh.com..

I went ahead and bought the lens on Ebay.. What about film? What should I get?

Start with some inexpensive color print film. I can get standard processing and prints for $3 (24exp 4x6 prints) at BJ's wholesale club.

100 speed film would be for bright to semi bright outdoor pictures. 200 or 400 for cloudy day pictures, and 800 for night pictures (well lit indoor pictures without flash). You also may want to buy a new set of batteries for your camera. Be a shame to go out and have them die on you. Keep a spare set handy since the camera is new to you and you don't know how new they are.

Keep a small log with the pictures you take. Keep track of camera settings and frame number. And make your own indentification of the film roll. This will help you learn what settings does what.

And once you start getting a hang of the camera. Take it out of auto mode and try aperature, and shutter priority modes. Allows you some control but also the camera adjusts others settings for propper exposed pictures.

Congrats on the new camera.

[Weaving Wax]

Thanks! I got some Kodak 400 film in both color and B+W. I'll be sure to keep a log of everything I do. Thanks for everyones help! I got the lens in today. I'll be sure to post the pictures after I get them developed to see what changes should be made to help me improve!