zoom reality question...I need a little help.

Runsalone · Feb 2, 2011

Hi everyone, just signed up here. Ive been trying to learn about photography on my own now for a couple of weeks and I think Im getting some of the basic concepts down. Im gearing up to purchess my first DSLR (pretty sure its gonna be a D3100) and I have a question, albeit probably a dumb one...about how the lens zoom will relate to the other cameras I own.

Im not even totally sure how to ask this so bear with me. The D3100 comes with that 18-55 lens and I am wondering if at 18mm it will take roughly the same size picture, as my Little L18 P&S does zoomed in all the way. (I hope that even makes sense)...

That seems like it would be hard to fit across the room size scenes in. Does it relate to the camera in a way I dont understand or will I be looking at the full zoom of my Backpacking coolpix when its all the way zoomed out.

Im sorry guys I realize thats probably a retarded question but Im trying to decide If I should just purchess the D3100 as it comes or get the body with a different lens or what.

I couldnt be any newer at this stuff so be kind please lol!

Thanks for any help!

rdking647 · Feb 3, 2011

from what i can find the l18 has a zoom range (35mm equivalent) of a 35-105mm zoom
the d31000 is a DX sized DSLR. this means that to determine the 35mm equivalent zom you multiply the lens size my 1.5. so a 18-55 zoom is the equivalent of a 27-82 zoom.
so zoomed in all the way your old camera would "get closer"
if your concerned about getting the equivalent zoom,with out spending a lot of extra money you might consider getting the camera with both the 18-55 and a 55-200mm zoom. the 55-200 will only cost $175 or so and then you will have lenses that can go from wide angle to telephoto.

Runsalone · Feb 3, 2011

Thanks for the reply! Im working on understanding these things. I went to Best Buy today to hoist the d3100 and noticed that In aperture mode it goes all the way down to f22 or some such, but the lens itself (18-55vr) is only advertized as having 3.5 - 5.6. This was VERY confusing. Does the camera have more aperture capability than the lens so that it can utilize all types of lenses.

I can see me eventually getting a wide angle or bigger aperture for a prime maybe. I understand how to apply the function but I dont understand all the numbers and lingo yet LOL. SO much to learn!!!

PJL · Feb 3, 2011

Runsalone said:
Thanks for the reply! Im working on understanding these things. I went to Best Buy today to hoist the d3100 and noticed that In aperture mode it goes all the way down to f22 or some such, but the lens itself (18-55vr) is only advertized as having 3.5 - 5.6. This was VERY confusing. Does the camera have more aperture capability than the lens so that it can utilize all types of lenses.

I can see me eventually getting a wide angle or bigger aperture for a prime maybe. I understand how to apply the function but I dont understand all the numbers and lingo yet LOL. SO much to learn!!!

What the lens rating means is the widest possible aperture you can get; when it comes to aperture, the smaller the f-stop, the wider the opening. When it says 3.5-5.6, that means the maximum aperture varies depending on focal length, so at 18mm, you can get an aperture of f/3.5, whereas at 55mm, your widest maximum aperture is f/5.6. This is very common in zoom lenses where the lens physically telescopes in and out when you adjust the focal length. Most lenses are capable of f/22, which is a very, very small opening.

Runsalone · Feb 3, 2011

Man do I feel dumb now. Thanks for explaining that , it makes WAAAAAAYYYY more sense now! At least this stuff is interesting for me nowadays, I didnt have the patience for all the technical stuff juat a few years ago, now Im finding it fascinating for some weird reason. I always just pointed the camera and shot and walked on. I wonder how many decent photos couldve have been outstanding If I had just taken the time to learn a few things.

FranDaMan · Feb 3, 2011

Like I said on the other forum, pick up a book about photography and learn the basics about shutterspeed, apperture and ISO.

Runsalone · Feb 3, 2011

Im actually looking that up right now. Thanks FDM. Im also looking for photography forums to settle into thats why the duplicate posts.

Juice · Feb 3, 2011

I wish people wouldn't underestimate the power of Google. You don't need to buy any books or nonsense, just pick a topic and search it. When I wanted to learn what aperture was, I typed that in my handy search bar and boom, instant results!

There are plenty of dumbed down explanations for every aspect of photography, you just need to take the initiative in wanting to learn about it.

Runsalone · Feb 3, 2011

Juice said:
I wish people wouldn't underestimate the power of Google. You don't need to buy any books or nonsense, just pick a topic and search it. When I wanted to learn what aperture was, I typed that in my handy search bar and boom, instant results!

There are plenty of dumbed down explanations for every aspect of photography, you just need to take the initiative in wanting to learn about it.

Thats how I found this place...

Runsalone · Feb 4, 2011

Here is a link to some of the pics Ive taken over the years, some were accidental I confess. Most are from the L18, but some recent ones are from the sx130 which is really growing on me.

Only 2 are edited, Im sure they will be obvious. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=1712181443&aid=32739

PJL · Feb 4, 2011

Juice said:
I wish people wouldn't underestimate the power of Google. You don't need to buy any books or nonsense, just pick a topic and search it. When I wanted to learn what aperture was, I typed that in my handy search bar and boom, instant results!

There are plenty of dumbed down explanations for every aspect of photography, you just need to take the initiative in wanting to learn about it.

Things don't automatically click just because you've done research on them. I never really understood the difference between focal length and field of view (even though I've read about them) until I made an idiotic (because I was wrong) post on here and had it explained to me.

Juice · Feb 4, 2011

Everything that I have searched for I have found explained in pretty basic terms, you'd be hard pressed to not understand it. I don't know, maybe I'm just smarter than everyone else. :sexywink:

Runsalone · Feb 6, 2011

Here are a few images I took TRYING to use what Ive gathered thus far....

Hope its ok to post em here......

xjoewhitex · Feb 6, 2011

Runsalone said:
Juice said:

I wish people wouldn't underestimate the power of Google. You don't need to buy any books or nonsense, just pick a topic and search it. When I wanted to learn what aperture was, I typed that in my handy search bar and boom, instant results!

There are plenty of dumbed down explanations for every aspect of photography, you just need to take the initiative in wanting to learn about it.

Click to expand...

Thats how I found this place...

Thats how I find everything!

But well done on your photos you uploaded, I really like how the first one turned out. The last one on the other hand is a bit underexposed, id say it exposed on the bright sky instead of on the trees.

Runsalone · Feb 6, 2011

LOL thats what I was going for, I thought the contrast would make the sky really pop and make a dramatic line between air and groundedness. It was really nice yesterday, lots going on to try and shoot. Thank you for your kind words and the honest critique!

I really like that there are some places on the web to have some folks that know a thing or two (or thirty) look over your pictures, after all its all about perspective right? Id hate to look at a picture with just one! See now you got me looking at that pic and thinking critically, thats really cool.