Got my first DSLR

[E46LC]

Well after many months of reading, reviewing and asking people (especially Dogged and Bailly) I finally bought a Canon 40D.

I was in the Detroit last week and Best Buy had the body with the 28-135mm for $1500US, the body alone is $1300 here in Canada so I couldn't pass on the good deal.

Here’s the list of equipment that I have so far:

Canon 40D body
Canon 28-135mm IS lens
Monfrotto 190X tripod (with horizontal post)
Monfrotto 390RC2 head
Canon carrying bag (I think the same kind George has)
Scandisk CFIII 2.0GB card

I will get a UV filter in the next few weeks, and mite get a wider lens later on this year. The 28 is too narrow to shoot buildings.

The camera was way too complicated for my level of expertise, or lack thereof; it took me better part of 30 mins to figure out how to take my first picture!! (too many buttons and features)

I've been using it almost everyday for about 6 days now and I am ALLOT more confident with it. The Live View feature is amazing, you can digitally zoom 5x or 10x for manual focusing. The LCD monitor is a good size (3.0") and the brightest that I've seen on a camera.

The EOS utility that comes with the camera is a really neat software. In Live View mode, you can adjust many of the settings (shutter speed, ISO setting, F stops) from the computer. If the lens is in AF mode, then you can focus your shooting via the PC software, ohh and you can also digitally zoom from the PC for more accurate focus!! Its really neat if you're using it remotely, ie if you mount the camera on a telescope outside and controlling it from inside your house.

I am pushing my self to shoot with the Creative Modes as much as possible so I learn how shutter speed, F stops, and ISO really effect the final results. I've used the Portrait mode a few times and the colour of the faces came out really bad, they had a copper tone to them.

I've tried shooting the GM headquarters building in Detroit, but couldn't fit a good composition with my lens, I guess I need a wider lens. I wish I had a wider lens with me, I recon the night shots would of been really nice!!

I would like to thank Dogged and Bailly, as they had a major role in my decision and hope this camera lasts a long time, if not then I will be asking you 2 for a refund!! ......................just kidding

If you guys have any tips for learning composition or practice/training methods please feel free to chime in.

K here are some pics:

[blkyukon]

Congrats on the camera! The 40D has some great feature. But you're making me jealous...I have to wait until November to upgrade to the D300


If you are looking for a wide angle lens...I'd highly recommend Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. It's one of the best wide angle lens around.

Here is a shot with a 30D and the 10-22mm




Have Fun!

[E46LC]

Originally Posted by blkyukon

Congrats on the camera! The 40D has some great feature. But you're making me jealous...I have to wait until November to upgrade to the D300


If you are looking for a wide angle lens...I'd highly recommend Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. It's one of the best wide angle lens around.

Here is a shot with a 30D and the 10-22mm

Nice shot!! I will put that lens on my list for future purchase.

So you going to a Nikon eh? What do you currently have?

When I first started researching for a dSLR, I thought Nikon would be the way togo, I have (and love) an S10 P&S, my sister has the S9 and both do their job well.

The only experience I had with Canon products in the past was inkjet printers, and I HATED them, they're material quality sucked, they didn't last more then 18 months, and didn't compare to HP printers. So with that in mined I was VERY VERY skeptical about getting a Canon camera, but people love them and most pros shot with them so they must be good.

I am a "brand loyal" type a guy and would of waited for the Nikon D300 but its a little to pricey for me. Let us know how it compares to your current camera.

[blkyukon]

Originally Posted by E46LC

Nice shot!! I will put that lens on my list for future purchase.

Thanks, credit goes to my Brother-in-law though...It is a great lens, one of his favorites.

So you going to a Nikon eh? What do you currently have?

Yeah, I was looking at changing over to the 40D, but it would cost more then the price difference between the 40D and D300 to replace the lenses I have.

I've been using a D70 for the last 3 years...great camera, but time to upgrade.

The only experience I had with Canon products in the past was inkjet printers, and I HATED them, they're material quality sucked, they didn't last more then 18 months, and didn't compare to HP printers. So with that in mined I was VERY VERY skeptical about getting a Canon camera, but people love them and most pros shot with them so they must be good.

Don't worry about that Canon makes great DSLRs

I am a "brand loyal" type a guy and would of waited for the Nikon D300 but its a little to pricey for me. Let us know how it compares to your current camera.

Oh, I will, I can't wait. I was so close to dropping the bomb and getting a D200 a couple of weeks ago before the release of the D300, but couldn't find one...I think I'll be happy I couldn't get one.

[Bailly Photography]

Congrats on the Camera! I cant wait for my 40D to come in... Im sure you will love it. Is it just me or is your Set button upside down?

Oh and as far as your refund goes.... If you are disappointed I will gladly take the camera off your hands!

[E46LC]

Originally Posted by Bailly Photography

Is it just me or is your Set button upside down?

hahaha, I actually noticed that too from the photo above, the Set button spins with the dial actually!!

[Holden_Caulfield04]

Canon make some of the best cameras in the world. I wouldn't use any other brand. Excellent choice E46LC.

Good choice of car, too

[E46LC]

Originally Posted by Holden_Caulfield04

Canon make some of the best cameras in the world. I wouldn't use any other brand. Excellent choice E46LC.

Originally Posted by Holden_Caulfield04

Good choice of car, too

Thanks man!! I KNOW the camera will outlast my freaking car, dam thing needs more TLC then a newborn. One day control bushings are gone, a month later its the exhaust cam sensor, then seat occupancy sensor, followed buy tie rods, then oil pressure level sensor….list goes on

I wish Toyota and BMW co-developed their vehicles together; this world would be soo much more enjoyable for us car enthusiasts!!

On that note I CANT wait for a E60 Diesel test drive, rumor has it they'll be available in NA mid next year!!

[Dogged]

E46LC, congratulations on the new camera. I know you will love it. I am jealous. I am still using the 20D. People are already reporting that the 40D is a big upgrade for fast and accurate auto focus, and that the Al Servo mode tracks moving objects (like birds and race cars) much better than the 20D and 30D. The 40D reportedly even has a live histogram if you use custom setting C.Fn IV-7 = 1.

The specs on the D300 look really awesome. Nikon's recent surge creates an exciting competitive environment that is good for all of us.

+1 on the 10-22mm if you want a wide angle lens, which is great for landscapes and buildings. For your very next purchase, consider an external flash.

My current interest in photography is photographing birds. I bought Art Morris' Art of Bird Photography, and have read most of it. I also bought Art of Bird Photography II (900 pages), which I am just starting. For photographing birds, I splurged on the Canon 500mm f/4.0, Wimberley WH-200, and Gitzo GT3540XLS. The big birds migrate to NM in the mid-November, and stay until mid-February. I can hardly wait.

blkyukon, your photos are amazing. You are very talented.

Bob

[Holden_Caulfield04]

Originally Posted by E46LC

Thanks man!! I KNOW the camera will outlast my freaking car, dam thing needs more TLC then a newborn. One day control bushings are gone, a month later its the exhaust cam sensor, then seat occupancy sensor, followed buy tie rods, then oil pressure level sensor….list goes on

BMW's are designed perfectly for the car enthusiast. Every single thing that can go wrong on our cars, can be fixed by ourselves. I've not yet had any need to take it in for service. I change the oil, change out the bulbs when they go out, install the Halos, and just about everything else.

I just need two things though: Bentley manual and OBDII Reader. I get by using E46fanatics diy's and borrowing friend's readers.

[Bailly Photography]

I just realized that the set button rotates the same way on my 30D, go figure.