Brand new to Photography with equipment Q's

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

A couple of months ago, I decided that the outdoors are absolutely amazing where I live and I would like to photograph. Well, I spent these months looking around at equipment trying to learn as much as I can and to decide on what type of camera I would like to start with. Luckily, I have a prof. who is also a professional photographer. I ran some ideas buy him and he pointed me towards a photography class that I can take. I get home and look up the class and go to sign up, until I realize the class requires a SLR camera. I don't sign up for the class because I knew I didn't want to spend that kind of money on a camera that I couldn't use properly until next semester. To my suprise, I show up to class the next day to have my prof. hand me a camera bag with a Canon EOS 620 and a 630 body with a 75-300mm lens. He told me that he had had these for several years and he thought I could make better use of them now. Now to my question. Where could I find some good information about these cameras? I know there not new, or even digital, but will I still be able to learn from these? Sorry for the long 1st post, but I am a little excited about this whole deal. Thanks in advance for the advice.

Big Mike · Dec 3, 2007

Welcome to the forum.

Those are certainly some good (old) cameras. I started with an EOS 650...which is slightly older than those ones.

You can certainly learn about photography with either one of them.

The good news is that they are Canon EOS, and still compatible with all of Canon's current EOS gear.

If anything, I would suggest that you look into picking up a 50mm F1.8 lens...because having only a 75-300mm lens might be a bit limiting.

You can learn a bit about these cameras HERE

JIP · Dec 3, 2007

You could try this http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Eos-Hov...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196718503&sr=1-1

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

thanks for such quick responses. I'll get to reading. What do people think of these cameras now days? Is film photography still popular? I'm guessing the lens that was mentioned above is still made new? I saw a post somewhere on here about where to buy a camera, would that be a good place to look?

Sideburns · Dec 3, 2007

film photography has just recently (from what I can see) taken a slight climb in interest. Everyone got tired of ****ty digital pics...(cause they couldn't use a digital, and film is easier).

But seriously, you got lucky my friend. You can learn every single thing about photography you'd need to just by using a film body...
The only thing you'll have to learn about is white balance...but then again...you kind of control that on a camera using correction filters...so you won't have that much to learn.

Wish my profs gave me photography equipment lol. My photography teacher has old canon systems he doesn't even use anymore...he's also got an old pentax system...he shoots Nikon now religiously....wish I could convince him to gimme his stuff...lol

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

He completely caught me off guard? I am definately lucky indeed. I definately feel over my head though. The first thing I need to do is find a battery charger! I am hoping Wal-Mart carries one and if not the local Ritz camera store.

Big Mike · Dec 3, 2007

A battery charger? What type of batteries do those cameras use? I would think it would be a CR2 or something like that.

I'm not sure I've seen chargers for them (or even rechargeables in that size/type).

You can, however, buy alkaline or lithium batteries in those sizes.

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

the manual says I need a six-volt lithium battery pack 2CR5.

Big Mike · Dec 3, 2007

the manual says I need a six-volt lithium battery pack 2CR5.

That sounds right. You should be able to find that at Wal-mart or if not, a camera shop should have it.

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

ok, cool. I also have the orignal manuals that came with the camera and it seems that the part II of the manual has a good bit of information to get me started. Any advice on what type of film to use?

Big Mike · Dec 3, 2007

I would suggest that you just start with regular 'color print' film...what ever you find at the store...Kodak Gold etc.

There are different types and brands of film, and you can get into that more, once you start to get an understanding of photography.

Maybe find out what the instructor of the photo class recommends. They might want you to use black & white film...or maybe slide film.

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

ok, again thanks plenty for the help. I am hoping to snap my first couple tomorrow if the weather is still reasonable.

RyanLilly · Dec 3, 2007

The great thing about those cameras is that any lens you buy including the $70 50mm 1.8(click on the B&H link on the top of this page) Will work on any Canon Digital SLR when/if you decide to move to digital in the future.

JIP · Dec 3, 2007

One good way to test a new/used camera is to run roll of slide film through it. With slide film there is no color/density correction in the lab so you get to see exactly what the camera shot so you can see the accuracy of he meter.

jshelto3 · Dec 3, 2007

I definately can see why I need to look into a smaller lens. I could not be able to make a shot work inside my apartment. I tell ya though, the more I play with it the more excited I get. I can't wait to pick up a battery and some film tomorrow.