Got some DSLR questions.

[s0urce]

I know we've got some Digital SLR camera pros on here so I've got a few questions. I just picked up a Canon Rebel XTi 10.1mp which came with the 18-55mm lense (which i hear is junk).

Anyways, I'm new to SLR's and I'm definitely an amateur by all means. If I want to start taking better photos, which route should I go with lenses for the camera? Also, I've got a great Olympus 35mm Camera with some really expensive lenses. Is there a chance these lenses would also fit the Canon? Is there any brand cross compatibility here? Also, do 35mm Camera lenses differ from a DSLR camera lenses physically?

Thanks!

[coupeowner]

The Olympus lenses can't be used on the Canon. For the most part, as long as they are canon-mount autofocus lenses, 35mm lenses are cross-compatible w/ the DSLR's. There are exeptions (many older sigma's).

As a 1st lens, the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a must have. It's only about $70-80 online and should be in every canon bag (that or the $300 50mm 1.4 lens). It is more "bang for the buck" than any other lens you could buy. At an effective size if 80mm on your 1.6 crop body, it makes for an excellent portraiture lens, and is quick enough for a lot of low-light situations.

My biggest recommendation is to read the manual all the way through, take a bunch of shots, then read the manual again. Keep your kit lens and use it 'till you feel like you need something better. I wouldn't worry about your lenses at this point. Any lens on your XT body is going to blow away any point-and-shoot camera. As your skills increase your need for pricey glass will also increase, but until you know what you are into shooting, don't worry about it and learn as much as you can. Also, use the AV, TV and manual settings as much as you can.

[devonjordan]

I had the same issue last year, got a sony A-100 and immediately wanted a new lense. It took me 6 months of shooting to finally figure out what I really wanted in a lense. Finally got a macro and loved it!

My suggestion is like the above, start shooting.

[speedhop]

coupeowner hit the nail n the head.

I also recently purchased the xti as my first dslr...good choice.

First off, you have to understand what you lean towards in shooting. I personally shoot more nature and landscapes, so I purchased a wide angle rather than a telephoto as my first lens. As you gradually grow as a photographer you can start adding to your lens collection, with the idea of acquiring a full range of lenses.

Secondly, buy a photo book. Any of them will do...enhance your knowledge as you gain more. Ansel Adams says something like, "it's not the lens you choose but the subject and manner in which you shoot it." Tacky quotes 101 :P

Take a shit ton of shots and post em up!

[Spiff325iS]

M-mode ftw.

[Coco Savage]

so what do people think of the nikon d40?

[speedhop]

Some people like nikon, others like canon. It's an ergonomics thing...when you're buying entry level dslr's, it really doesn't matter...they both suit the same purpose.

Short Answer: Great camera...go buy it and learn on it :P

[sumyungguy]

The Olympus lenses can't be used on the Canon. For the most part, as long as they are canon-mount autofocus lenses, 35mm lenses are cross-compatible w/ the DSLR's. There are exeptions (many older sigma's).

As a 1st lens, the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a must have. It's only about $70-80 online and should be in every canon bag (that or the $300 50mm 1.4 lens). It is more "bang for the buck" than any other lens you could buy. At an effective size if 80mm on your 1.6 crop body, it makes for an excellent portraiture lens, and is quick enough for a lot of low-light situations.

My biggest recommendation is to read the manual all the way through, take a bunch of shots, then read the manual again. Keep your kit lens and use it 'till you feel like you need something better. I wouldn't worry about your lenses at this point. Any lens on your XT body is going to blow away any point-and-shoot camera. As your skills increase your need for pricey glass will also increase, but until you know what you are into shooting, don't worry about it and learn as much as you can. Also, use the AV, TV and manual settings as much as you can.

Wow, best response to a question like this Ive ever seen..

Since coupeowner pretty much covered it here are some tips:
-To me, most important.. Get a decent flash, used 580ex/430ex or a Vivitar 285HV (workhorse for under $100). Go through strobist.com. Its amazing what "light" can do for your images.
-Get a decent tripod, dont spend a lot of $.
-When you have enough light or a tripod, shoot that kit lens at f/8.0, from what I hear thats its "sweet spot".
-Check out photography-on-the.net, canon forum.

[LovableSheep]

Actually, just FYI, there is a way to mount Olympus OM lenses (I’m guessing expensive 35mm Olympus lenses refer to OM ones) on Canon EOS cameras.

Various sellers on Ebay sell mount adaptor rings that allow one to mount Olympus OM, Nikon F, Contax/Yashica, Leica R, Pentax K, and M42 Screwmount lenses on an EOS camera.

Unfortunately, you loose auto stop-down and auto focus (the auto focus isn’t such a big deal, but manually stopping down is a pain in the ass, at least for me)

There’s a growing population of Canon EOS users who experiment with mounting these alternative lenses on their cameras for various reasons, but usually it’s either because they are cheap and want to use older, inexpensive lenses on their cameras; they have a lot of old lenses for another system laying around; or they are super anal about image quality and have found some amazing, rare, expensive lens that they are using because they think Canon lenses suck.

There’s an “Alternative Gear and Lenses” forum on FredMiranda.com where people discuss using alternative lenses on digital cameras, which is a good resource for such discussion.





If you’re just starting off, however, listen to what these other people have said and don’t worry about all the lens-adapting crap. Get out there and shoot with what you’ve got and get familiar with it first, then you can start trying other things.

But just so you know, the Olympus lenses are worth something and there’s some people who actually are in to putting them on their Canons and raving about them, so don’t give them away or sell them for really cheap or anything.

[s0urce]

Wow, thank you all for the wealth of information. My camera is in route and arrives tomorrow. I can't wait to start shootin! I hear the camera comes with a hefty manual and a DVD as well. I should be busy with what I have for quite some time. Anyone have any good recommendations for good photography books?