100% beginner!

[mermaidear]

I just joined, and I was kinda scared to find that I barely understood half of the BEGINNERS' thread topics. I'd probably get it if I knew all the crazy camera lingo, but I don't. I only just found out what DSLR is, but I don't know why it's the preferred type of camera.

Is anyone willing to explain, like...everything to me? I mean, just basics and stuff I need to know. I fancied myself a big shot photographer because my friends fawned over my cute little flower macro shots, but all I really do is point and shoot with a little imagination and sometimes it comes out pretty.

Anyway I'm definitely considoring photography more professionally because I know I could do so much more with a better camera. So I'm trying to camera shop, and if anyone has suggestions for someone of my 'level' and in the somewhat flexible budget of $425, I would be superduper grateful!

 

[photogincollege]

Well the reason dslr is the preferred camera is you can change lenses, which allows you to change hwat you use for each situation, and also because of the rather large sensor, which allows for less noise at high iso's. With 425 Id reccommend looking for a used d50 or d70s or d40, or the canon xti, xt and such. Go to the store and play with the canons and nikon d40 (if they have it) to see what you like

 

[mermaidear]

I've been looking at Canon rebel XT and I like it alot. Just not sure if it's for me.
But if I got a DSLR, would I have to buy like 10 lenses that are only for one setting each? That seems expensive. Don't they come with like nighttime, closeup, or landscape settings automatically?

 

[reg]

I don't have ten lenses.
I have different focal lengths for different situations. 4 lenses if you must know, and 2 of them cost me $40 each.

 

[mermaidear]

And how many focal lengths would you suggest I buy?

 

[photogincollege]

Not really, they have lenses that are good for all three but they tend to be expensive, ie 17-55 2.8 at around 1000 dollars. The best thing would probably be to get the kit lens, and the 50mm 1.8. the 50mm is abotu 100 bucks, and the kit you can get with the camera. You can use the 50 for low light situations, and the kit for the rest.

 

[reg]

And how many focal lengths would you suggest I buy?

As many as you need depending on what you take photos of.

 

[mermaidear]

So if I wanted to buy the camera in, say, a couple of months, would I be able to take okay pictures while I'm saving for the lense kit? Or is it mandatory?

 

[reg]

Well you need at least one lens to take any photos.

 

[mermaidear]

This might sound stupid...
Doesn't the camera come with a lense? Atleast a generic one?

 

[reg]

if you buy a camera "kit" that comes with one, yes.

if not, no.

 

[mermaidear]

http://www.fotoconnection.com/p11462-canon-eos-350d-digital-rebel-xt-dslr-camera-body-silver.html

That one comes with a lens, right?

 

[reg]

no, and that site's a scam.

 

[tirediron]

This might sound stupid...
Doesn't the camera come with a lense? Atleast a generic one?

No, doesn't sound stupid, and the answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no. Most all of the entry-level consumer DSLRs, Canon Reble series, Nikon 40, 50, 60, etc, can be bought as a kit which includes a basic lens. These aren't great pieces of glass, but they will definitely get you started. They're also genterally a good deal, as the cost of the body and lens combined is generally less than if purchased separately.

What sort(s) of photography do you think you might be interested in?

 

[mermaidear]

Woah, really? Do you have any site suggestions? Amazon seems to be mostly used and it's hard to filter through all the junk...