Some Q's re: lens and "industry folks"

[madameovary]

Hi everybody! I'm new to the site and am badly in need of some advice. Just to quickly describe my situation, I'm a graphic design student taking one semester of Photo I. We're learning the very fundamental basics right now of dark room/development work and simple shooting assignments starting with photograms and 2D texture. I have ZERO knowledge of photography and have been reading like mad to keep up. Aside from a quick 45 min. lecture defining the terms, my instructor isn't teaching us camera basics, ISO, f stops, aperture, etc., nor is he teaching us how and when to use them. I'm trying to read and learn about that myself so I can keep up with the shooting assignment but it's hard. I'm struggling because just reading the stuff, it's hard to apply the knowledge without someone to show me how it all comes together. If anyone has any recommendations to help me put this all together, I'd appreciate it. Youtube vids only help so much!

My two main Q's are this: I have my mother's old camera, a Canon EOS Elan 7 with a Sigma 28-105mm zoom lens. I don't know about lenses but my instructor says this zoom lens is crap and I should get a 1.4 50mm lens and that my photos will come out better and shooting will be easier. I have felt like I've struggled with the zoom lens. It's slow, dark when I look through it and it's hard to take macro shots with it (at least, with my limited knowledge). The 2 camera shops left in my area are charging $130+ for a lens like the one he suggested. Do I really need this lens for ONE semester of photography?? My texture assignment came out fine and we're already moving on to 3D, where we must show examples of raking, contour, edge and diffused light with great and shallow DOF.

Second: What is the deal with camera shops and photographers??? I know not everyone is like this but more often than not, folks in this industry have been really mean and snobby. I'm not one of those people who thinks they're a photog because I take cool pics with my smartphone and add filters via an app. And I don't latch on to photogs asking for a photo session or "hey hey hey show me how to..." But I do approach these folks being pleasant and hoping to learn something. Both shops here, I got glared at and ignored. I spent $400 at this shop because I needed this stuff for class and couldn't order online. But the folks in there made me feel like poop on their carpet What's up with that???

Anyway, sorry for the novel. Any help is appreciated!

 

[ratssass]

..in 3..2..1..

 

[wyogirl]

If your professor isn't teaching you about the exposure triangle then he shouldn't be teaching Photo 1.

As for the 50mm lens, yeah its a way better lens and will give you better shots IF you know how to properly expose an image (Exposure triangle: ISO/Aperture/Shutter Speed)
IF you aren't learning the basics of exposure then a better lens won't serve you. And if you never plan on picking up a camera after this class then its not really worth it anyway.

 

[madameovary]

Thank you for the honest (and non-sarcastic) response wyogirl. No, I'll likely never pick up another 35mm camera after this semester and I likely won't ever own an expensive DSLR either. Sure I like taking fun digital phone pics for my own amusement but thus far, my journey into print photography has been really confusing and humiliating.

And in response to ratssass, I'm sure that reply is in reference to my getting flamed on here for my comments. I'm just trying to learn and understand. I'm sorry if that's annoying or flame-worthy to some.

 

[lennon33x]

Thank you for the honest (and non-sarcastic) response wyogirl. No, I'll likely never pick up another 35mm camera after this semester and I likely won't ever own an expensive DSLR either. Sure I like taking fun digital phone pics for my own amusement but thus far, my journey into print photography has been really confusing and humiliating. And in response to ratssass, I'm sure that reply is in reference to my getting flamed on here for my comments. I'm just trying to learn and understand. I'm sorry if that's annoying or flame-worthy to some.

Consider a 50mm 1.8. It's significantly cheaper than the 1.4. I agree with wyogirl that your prof isn't up to par to teach you. Consider websites like www.keh.com where you can get good used gear for a good price.

 

[ratssass]

nooooo.........I do apologize!!I just expected some response from "the usual suspects".I agree with everything Wyogirl said.I'm not familiar with either your body or your lens,but i'm sure if you learn the exposure triangle,you'll find it's certainly sufficient.
I,too,would think a course called "Photo 1" would be introducing you to something as fundamental as the" Exposure Triangle".

 

[Derrel]

With 400 ISO film, the 28-105mm lens ought to be ENTIRELY adequate for a wide variety of shots. Seriously. Your instructor sounds like a first-rate tool.

 

[madameovary]

Thank you all for the replies thus far. I am glad the usual suspects haven't (yet) sniffed me out I decided not to get the lens. Would be unnecessary as others have said. My instructor doesn't approach the course material very well but I am determined to learn as best I can and do the best I can. I'll definitely be ordering supplies online from now on. I hate sounding so sensitive but the guys I've encountered at these shops and even other students and instructors have been pretty rude and dismissive. Good thing about photography is that if I decide to continue with it after this semester, I can continue learning on my own.

 

[lennon33x]

Thank you all for the replies thus far. I am glad the usual suspects haven't (yet) sniffed me out I decided not to get the lens. Would be unnecessary as others have said. My instructor doesn't approach the course material very well but I am determined to learn as best I can and do the best I can. I'll definitely be ordering supplies online from now on. I hate sounding so sensitive but the guys I've encountered at these shops and even other students and instructors have been pretty rude and dismissive. Good thing about photography is that if I decide to continue with it after this semester, I can continue learning on my own.

A LOT of people in the industry are douches. I personally hope you continue to pursue it...it's extremely rewarding. Just take a pillar of salt with everything everyone tells you, and what is "right." Some users on the forum are very helpful (i.e. Derrel, Big Mike, wyogirl, tirediron, Steve5D are a few that come to mind) and some aren't (and have demonstrated that they fall under the "douche" category and I will not name names). You'll quickly learn, but grow some thick skin quickly, as some people don't know how to properly communicate via text. Stick with, and you'll do fine.

 

[Designer]

Welcome! I love your screen name!

The instructor is narrow-minded. His OPINION of how photography should be done is simply that. Now if you had expressed a desire to produce a specific effect, and your lens is not capable of producing that particular effect, then his recommendation could be valid. But just to arbitrarily demand that his students obtain and use a particular lens is silly at best and overbearing in the end. If your grade in the course depends on your being able to demonstrate a shallow DOF, and your lens will not do that, then you'll have to settle for a lower grade. Maybe you can borrow one from a classmate.

As for photography snobs, yes, there are some, just as in nearly every walk of life, but you can learn to avoid or deal with them as they appear.

Good luck!

 

[The_Traveler]

there are lots of good discussions/tutorials online about the exposure triangle and the relation of DOF to f stop

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...299286-new-feature-photography-tutorials.html

and working cheap 50 mm used are available pretty much everywhere Canon 50 mm F 1 8 FD Lens | eBay

 

[weepete]

Welcome to the forum! I'd agree with the other guys. I don't see much point in spending a lot of cash on a lens for such a short time.

There are some things you can do, especially if your remit is broad and you can set up your photos. I'd have a look at depth of field tables or an online calculator, from there you can work out what your distance to subject is to demonstrate depth of field effectively at just about any apeture you wish. Shooting at a longer focal length can increase the background blur too slightly due to the magnification factor.

Taking macro shots can be challenging but you can use a torch to light your scene in order to get your framing and focus and turn it off to expose and take your photo if you are struggling with the amount of light in your viewfinder.

But if you'be any questions just ask, the folks on here are pretty good at giving helpful advice.

 

[lennon33x]

http://bit.ly/1oCpCPC

The 50mm is a great lens if you plan on sticking with it. It's cheap (especially used) and is ridiculously sharp for the price. Good lens to get shallow depth of field.

 

[Overread19 7]

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is an oft recommended book for helping learn exposure control. There are also a host of tutorials online and articles around as well as books that cover the subject. Digital or film photographer the core theories and concept remain pretty much the same so there's loads of self learning material out there.


Seem odd that your instructor won't go into basic exposure teaching for a course and yet still recommends a lens upgrade.


edit - when you say macro what kind of subjects are you thinking of taking photos of?

 

[vintagesnaps]

I'm beginning to wonder about some of these classes that people are taking... I've been a teacher, could help walk you thru using the camera (on manual settings anyway, your camera is pretty 'auto' for me!) if you come back on here. I've also done lumen prints (similar to photograms) if you have questions on that.

Is the course just on B&W film and darkroom work? just wondering why using the camera is being zipped thru so quick.

Anyway, the Elan isn't that old! LOL but common enough you could find a prime lens; I've bought a good bit from KEH, or try Adorama or B&H. They'll buy used too so you could sell the zoom, sell back what lens you buy, etc.

Sorry you aren't enjoying the class experience so far... You might want to look at Film Photography Project | An Internet Radio Show & On-Line Resource for Film Shooters Worldwide , they have a fairly active Flickr discussion group, short videos, etc., might be of some help.