More Digital Photography Talk

[Peppergal]

Howdy, I have been gone a long time, and wasn't here that much before anyway.  Some of you may remember me from the FrontPage Webmaster site.  I have been working in real estate full time now for the past two years.  The only websites I work on anymore are my own and the one for my company.

My photography has been limited, recently, to strictly real estate sales stuff and some local "informational" shots.  I have been using a point & shoot Kodak v705 mostly, simply because it seems to be the ONLY compact and affordable digital camera that has an ultra wide angle lens.  It has a dual lens system, but the other lens is not very good - this camera really shines as a wide angle camera.  I believe the 35mm equivalent of the ultra wide setting is 22mm.

I've had two other great cameras, but stopped using them due to their lack of wide angle capability - Olympus Camedia series cameras.  One seems so freaking old now, as it uses a smart media card.  ha ha.  That one saw a LOT of use and I donated it to my son.  My daughter got my Camedia 770 because again, I was frustrated with the lack of wide angle capability - but to be honest, I've been wanting a DSLR for stinking EVER.

Yesterday I got one in the mail - a Canon Rebel Xs D1000.  I feel like I'm reliving my glory days with my old Rebel 35mm.  But boy howdy, is this camera intimidating!! I feel like a brand new amateur noob with this thing.

First place I came, naturally, was to Gail's site - and remembered the forum.  Hopefully I'll have time to spend playing shutterbug and stuff with ya'all!

[Mike54]

Hiya Peppergal, good to see you out and about again. Contrary to what it says off to the left (under my name) I suggest you go through the manual first thing. Sit down with the manual and the camera and do each setting at least once then play with your new toy and let us know how it's going. At first it seems intimidating but you should very quickly get used to the controls. Whatever you do don't get frustrated if everything doesn't come out perfect at first, there is a learning curve.

[Peppergal]

Thanks Mike!    I am reading the manual - thankfully some of it I already knew from my other Rebel (the "basic zones" with the Portrait mode, landscape, etc.)  But it has some really nice additional features that I can't wait to try out...it says the landscape mode gives more vivid blues and greens than basic mode...so I want to try it.  If the sky ever becomes blue and the grass ever becomes green.  Right now this is such a monochromatic cold world!  LOL