Got a Photography Question?

[ProjektDaze]

Post it here and I'm sure some of the Pro's won't mind helping out. (I looked around and didn't see a thread dedicated to this. I think it'd be easier to gather all the questions here instead of a new thread to search for)

I'll start.

Two questions:
1. Is it better to shoot in RAW format or JPG Format? What's the difference?
2. What exactly is HDR shooting? Is it just timed exposure shots?

[Stephen]

RAW x 100000000000000


Think of it as a "digital negative" As opposed to editing a developed picture


HDR = High dynamic range = cliche and lame

But its the same shot with multiple exposures.

Its not really a bad idea, its just the execution often sucks

[akufc]

1.) I'm no expert, but from my reading RAW is the best to shoot in because it's like a digital negative. JPG loses it's quality each time you save it. As for what's best to shoot in, it depends what you're shooting sometimes. The thing about RAW is your shot bursts are lower compared to JPG and the size, I've read people who shoot events sometimes shoot in JPG because they can take more photos faster i.e weddings, dinner parties.

I personally have always shot in raw, I think my D90's 8 shot burst in RAW is plenty enough for "random" type photos of moments.

2.) HDR is High Dynamic Range, there should be a bracket feature on your camera. It basically takes 3 shots to then merg in PS. Of course you can do your own exposing which I've done a few times. The point of the HDR from what I've read and done myself is to expose for every light range in the scene you are shooting. It creates some cool effects some people take it to the extreme and others do it for a more natural shot. Here is two of mine that I did.

4 shot HDR exposed the road, sky, moutains, trees
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1182/1456248362_b504f5c745_o.jpg

3 shot built in bracket with 3stop between each shot from the D70
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/1111346945_a810ce6a3a_o.jpg

2 shots, grass and sky
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/767485174_0d0f70421b_o.jpg

[phish sticks]

+1 on shooting RAW. Almost shoot exclusively in RAW now, it gives you so many options to play around with once it on the computer.

And WOW those ^^^ are examples of HDR done right, all too often you see shit like this:

http://www.digitalcameratracker.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/hdr-truck.jpg

[ProjektDaze]

Not too sure I get HDR yet. Maybe it's because I've never played with HDR that I don't see the bracket on my camera. So its basically 3 exposures merged into one? oO

Just interested in it because of shots like these

http://www.tokyoluv.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Snow-Over-Tokyo-02.jpg
http://www.tokyoluv.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC_0043.jpg

[RedE46Bimmer]

yea it's 3 shots(or more or less) at different exposure levels mergeed into one. I used a free trial of photomatix and played around with it for a while. You can look up tutorials on YouTube, that's how I learned enough to fool around with it a little, but my free trial expired :(

[akufc]

Think of HDR as a way to capture a surreal type scene, the best example is sunsets. When you set your camera up and take a single shot of a sunset you either get a great shot of the sky and your foreground is all black or you get your foreground and the sky is overexposed.

HDR mindset would be you take a photo of the sky and the foreground to keep it simple. The 3 shots is get highlights, midtones and shadows and you use something like photomatrix or PS to make the HDR.

Another concept applied to automotive would be something like the famed Sean K. If you read his blog he builds shots alot in the HDR type of concept. Exposing for different aspects in the scene and merges them all together in PS, perfect example the Skyline he shot for a mag and how he faked a rig shot. HDR concept with a twist.

http://seanklingelhoefer.blogspot.com/

[dinanm3atl]

HDR is used when a single exposure cannot properly expose a shot. So you will have dark shadows. Or blown out highlights. So you take multiple exposures and you expose for the sky. Expose for the shadows. Expose for the foreground etc

Combine and you have your HDR. IMO good HDR doesn't jump out and say "This is an HDR".

[Kielan]

How do you remove reflections in PS?

[tivs31]

it's almost impossible to remove reflections in photoshop...

It'd take alot of spot leveling and clone stamping, and that almost never looks good.

The thing to use to eliminate reflections is a circular polarizer on your lens when you take the picture. It can cut most reflections out really well. It's better to try to minimize the reflects in the shot setup rather than in post work

[Dane]

Combine and you have your HDR. IMO good HDR doesn't jump out and say "This is an HDR".

i agree completely. and it's usually when not EVERYTHING is exposed correctly. you still may have a really bright highlight, or dark shadow, but it looks far more realistic. i **** the glow of many HDR's. i'm guilty of doing it too in the past. :stickoutt

[dinanm3atl]

i agree completely. and it's usually when not EVERYTHING is exposed correctly. you still may have a really bright highlight, or dark shadow, but it looks far more realistic. i **** the glow of many HDR's. i'm guilty of doing it too in the past. :stickoutt

Agreed. You don't have to have every single part perfect. It could still be 'dark' or still be 'overexposed' in places. You just get an overall feel so you can see into the shadows but still see the details of the highlights.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3233515648_c57244660b_b.jpg

[Dane]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2174268296_312e30a6e4_b.jpg

[Kielan]

Now that is a damn good HDR. Definitely doesn't punch you in the mouth saying "look at me, look at me, I'm a HDR." Very well done.

[ProjektDaze]

I went to go shoot a few practice shots in RAW format but when I putthem on my computer they came out 160x120....why?

Figured it out, RAW+Basic is what I needed to be in.

[ProjektDaze]

GIMP fails for HDR.

[akufc]

What are you using to import your photos off your camera? RAW is just a file type, it shouldn't be changing your resolution.

[ProjektDaze]

What are you using to import your photos off your camera? RAW is just a file type, it shouldn't be changing your resolution.

Just a regular SD card. RAW only makes a 160x160 icon.

[akufc]

You need a RAW file reader, like Photoshop's built in manager or Adobe Lightroom. You can download Lightroom3 beta for free and use that, you need something to manage or import the RAW formatted pictures as they should be much larger then 160x160 pixels.

[tivs31]

What internal light metering do you guys use? Spot or full?

I'm curious because when in really bright light circumstances I typically get a really underexposed or overexposed shot, and I think I'm using the spot metering...

[87e30]

What internal light metering do you guys use? Spot or full?

I'm curious because when in really bright light circumstances I typically get a really underexposed or overexposed shot, and I think I'm using the spot metering...

Spot metering judges the light based upon your focal point.

If you're in a bright setting taking a picture of a black object with spot metering, the camera will expose for the black object (assuming it's in focus.) Therefore you will likely get a black object with the details (shadows) still visible but the rest of the background overexposed.

Where as you shoot the seen in matrix full metering you'll probably get a pretty well exposed background and a pretty dark subject that doesn't have all of the details in the shadows.

Essentially it's just choosing what to base the exposure on, I use matrix or spot depending on what I'm shooting. Or I use spot on one object, lock exposure and then reframe. Or I use manual.

[dinanm3atl]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2174268296_312e30a6e4_b.jpg

This guy does it up!

[vdubkid]

What do you guys do for rolling shots?

I tried a few for the first time today, and they all came out like ass. We kept the speed around 20 mph, and had the shutter set to 1/20th. It was probably the road, but everything is blurry and the there isn't any real motion blur in the wheels or background.

Idk maybe it could just be that I can't ever manage to get things in focus, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/genesi508/IMG_4171.jpg

[akufc]

1/20th in a moving object is a tough speed to pull off without blurring out the car. If you take it up to 1/30 and jack the speed up when doing the rolling shot you can get some good results as well. The below are 1/30 with us going about 55-60.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3569751824_beb5f0f346.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3568938489_b069db62e6.jpg

[Travis]

What do you guys do for rolling shots?

I tried a few for the first time today, and they all came out like ass. We kept the speed around 20 mph, and had the shutter set to 1/20th. It was probably the road, but everything is blurry and the there isn't any real motion blur in the wheels or background.

Idk maybe it could just be that I can't ever manage to get things in focus, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/genesi508/IMG_4171.jpg

Its a common rule of thumb that anything lower than about 1/30 you will need a tripod, unless you have uber steady hands. But obviously you cant do that in a car so really the only thing to do is increase the shutter speed a little and speed up the car your taking rolling shots of.

I rarely do hdr but the clouds were lookin good yesterday so i gave it another try, i think it looks way better in black and white.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4407497075_4f48368858_b.jpg

[vdubkid]

1/20th in a moving object is a tough speed to pull off without blurring out the car. If you take it up to 1/30 and jack the speed up when doing the rolling shot you can get some good results as well. The below are 1/30 with us going about 55-60.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3569751824_beb5f0f346.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3568938489_b069db62e6.jpg

Its a common rule of thumb that anything lower than about 1/30 you will need a tripod, unless you have uber steady hands. But obviously you cant do that in a car so really the only thing to do is increase the shutter speed a little and speed up the car your taking rolling shots of.

Ahh thanks guys, I was thinking that more speed and a faster shutter would help a lot. I'll try again tomorrow.

[Pswirley]

Travis C. lives on Beacon Hill.


I used to golf there.

[B Rod]

So, how does one merge pictures in PS? I'm still a noob when it comes to all of this. I feel like there are half the features on my camera I haven't even explored yet.

[NikonJonWtf]

Raw ftw
hdr ftw

;)

[Doctor]

I shoot raw for Static Photoshoots, portrait, landscape etc, but when im at the track, or shooting a motorsport event jpeg all the way. Its a never ending argument at the moment, and until the day comes where you can look at a printed image and tell what it started life as, RAW or Jpeg, it will never be resolved ;)

And HDR.... an overused technique that is used a lot by people who dont understand proper exposure and cant use HDR properly anyway.

Thats my opinon... Dont like it... Too bad ;) :D

[HarryCWB]

I shoot raw for Static Photoshoots, portrait, landscape etc, but when im at the track, or shooting a motorsport event jpeg all the way. Its a never ending argument at the moment, and until the day comes where you can look at a printed image and tell what it started life as, RAW or Jpeg, it will never be resolved ;)

And HDR.... an overused technique that is used a lot by people who dont understand proper exposure and cant use HDR properly anyway.

Thats my opinon... Dont like it... Too bad ;) :D

Completely agreed.

RAW Files are really nice for composed shots, as it gives you a lot more of freedom to postprocess.
And HDR was well defined by the other users, although I admire a well composed shot.

[iBoost]

There really is no debate because every photographer knows RAW is better. Is it convinienet to everyone? That's a different story.

I've always been a RAW shooter and only because I truly value my work and I take my time to process my images I will never shoot jpg. However, I know alot of commercial pro photographers who don't shoot RAW because 1) having to process all the images is very time consuming. 2) Since RAW files carry so much more information the file sizes are huge compared to jpg and storing 500,000 images in RAW format require much more storage space.

Another thing is that some inexperienced photographers want to treat RAW files like jpg, jpg images come out from the camera pretty much set and go and there really isn't much of adjustments to make. RAW images are exactly that RAW and you must acquire a skill that is only learned through practicing to develop these images properly. Once you learn to do this your never going to look back to jpg images because you will value RAW files and the convinience they play in adjusting white balance, color saturations, etc. even after they've been shot or something you may have overlooked while shooting.

[BYZA213]

right . few questions

when you shoot raw .. you get a raw converter and then open i PS then resize?

whats the best way to go about this as i havea old PS with cannot open raw files?

and can someone explain to me HDR on a nikon d80

soory my Noobness

[iBoost]

right . few questions

when you shoot raw .. you get a raw converter and then open i PS then resize?

whats the best way to go about this as i havea old PS with cannot open raw files?

and can someone explain to me HDR on a nikon d80

soory my Noobness

You may need to update your Photoshop, sometimes all you need is the RAW update. HDR is the same on any camera, any model, you need to understand what HDR is and how it works before you can attempt it. If you know how it works and what your truly doing to get "HDR", you will know how to pretty much get it running on any camera. Here's a brief: using a tripod you take 3 (some people take more) pictures at different exposures. You take an overexposed, a properly exposed, and an underexposed. Next, your going to need the right software to merge these files together and have it blend all exposure levels into one. Normally, I also take this "HDR" back into photoshop using a series of tools (etc.. burn) I add my finishing touches to the image. I haven't done HDR in some time now, but it's very nice if done correctly.

[BYZA213]

yea my PS is oldscholl i downlaoded it limewire a while back lol

yea can you explain different exposures?

i think the images look great

also resizing raw images first then editing whats the best way to go about this

i think i need to start with a PS update might have to go out and invest in a newish one

[iBoost]

yea can you explain different exposures?

Man, you have to learn to walk before you can run. Grab a book or go on youtube and there plenty of stuff to teach you some basic photography. You need to learn alot more than this (ISO, shutter speed, aperture, metering, etc...)

When people refer to overexposed or underexposed they refer to the little lines you see when you look through the camera, this regulates how the image will finalize at the settings your using, when facing the subject.

Darker
http://z.about.com/d/photography/1/5/_/-/-/-/1-stop-underexposed-light-m.jpg

Good
http://z.about.com/d/photography/1/5/Y/-/-/-/proper-exposure-light-meter.jpg

Whiter
http://z.about.com/d/photography/1/5/Z/-/-/-/1-stop-overexposed-light-m.jpg

does that make any sense now?

also resizing raw images first then editing whats the best way to go about this

No, edit then resize accordingly.

[FreshLikeSushi]

or i just look down at my arm (sorry its backwards)

anyways
I use jpeg always
UNLESS i dont have 80% control over the situation. no need to shoot raw if you can get it right in the scene i have found.

[TW0R]

So, how does one merge pictures in PS? I'm still a noob when it comes to all of this. I feel like there are half the features on my camera I haven't even explored yet.

Using layer masks. For example if you take an exposure to expose a car, and then take another to expose the sky, you could blend them together by placing one over the other and adding a layer mask to the top one. You would then either use one of the 100000 selection methods or use a soft brush to blend the 2 exposures together. The best part about masks is that they are non-destructive!

[BYZA213]

i managed to figure out the multi exposures on my nikon its good fun

i need to invest in a good tripod though to take my shots a step up i think

i tried a rolling shots with the mrs yesterday shit none of them worked

what mode?

do i need a tripod?

[GrantZPhoto]

For rolling shots put the camera on shutter priority mode and match the shutter speed with the speed of the car.

[boligrafo123]

Why does the image quality go to crap whenever I resize an image in CS3?

Take my sig for example...

[Withers]

i managed to figure out the multi exposures on my nikon its good fun

i need to invest in a good tripod though to take my shots a step up i think

i tried a rolling shots with the mrs yesterday shit none of them worked

what mode?

do i need a tripod?

You really just need to sit down and go read some books. Start with your camera's manual and go from there. Until you understand the forces at work inside your camera and how they interact with each other there's really no point in trying to explain an advanced shooting technique like rolling shots.

A tripod is always a good investment.

[HarryCWB]

You really just need to sit down and go read some books. Start with your camera's manual and go from there. Until you understand the forces at work inside your camera and how they interact with each other there's really no point in trying to explain an advanced shooting technique like rolling shots.

A tripod is always a good investment.

Totally agreed. There are some good photography sites on the net, they have plenty content regarding the beggining technics.

What about rigs, guys? I'm planning on building myself a rig for my EOS Rebel XSi, as I can't find 'em anywhere. What should I need? Two suction cups, a pole, and two clamps? Is there any kind of specific hardware/measurements I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance :)

[Withers]

The Mother of all DIY Rig Threads (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=490505)

The one I had priced out came to about $250, it had 2 F1000 Avenger cups, a manifrotto magic arm, some clamps and a bunch of pipe.

[Minuki]

Hello, i read over the thread last night (and i'm about to again) and i'm very intrigued about shooting in RAW... would this be possible with a bridge camera?

Excuse my newbie-ness, i'm still learning :o

[Travis]

Here is my home made rig thread.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1348310

[HarryCWB]

Thanks for the responses so far, guys.
Gotta read these threads ASAP.

[CandlestickPark]

My DIY suction cup based rig:

http://www.stanceworks.com/canibeat/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_2954-copy.jpg

http://www.stanceworks.com/canibeat/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_2948-copy.jpg

Rig Shots:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4431313066_136db85eff_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/4028618860_5c5e4b37f9_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3609403063_c11e18597f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3983133382_56e9e46da8_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3983132778_51111bc534_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3850487803_c78051c061_o.jpg

[Withers]

The only difference between yours and the one I had priced out was that my pipe was cut in sections for transportability and a magic arm to help get more angles.

What kind of pipe is that? It must be pretty sturdy :)

[AMoRT]

how do you go about photoshopping the rig out of the picture? is it just a lot of clone-stamping?

[Kielan]

how do you go about photoshopping the rig out of the picture? is it just a lot of clone-stamping?
.

[mad325is]

What kind of pipe is that? It must be pretty sturdy :)

thats what im curious about...

[estwokayy..]

my fake hdr's.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3102172826_ea774cf01c_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/4091172519_53ecb1abab_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4091935032_d781197a85_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/4045780506_0a8be914da_o.jpg

[NikonJonWtf]

Don't fake hdr's :(

[Kielan]

Fake HDR's never really come out well... Much better off actually taking the 3 exposures.

[mojocoggo]

HDR, like many "techniques" (wacked out curve adjustments, PS lens flares (guilty as charged, btw), etc) is something people do and they think it looks good because it's so different from what came off the camera. You'll find that if you edit your photos, then come back to them in 24 hours and edit them again you'll be much more satisfied. Or, (and I do this sometimes) you can simply halve your adjustments so it still at least somewhat resembles the original image.

[Stephen]

You'll find that if you edit your photos, then come back to them in 24 hours and edit them again you'll be much more satisfied.

x10000 i started doing this when i was unsure about an edit

[FreshLikeSushi]

i fixed it completely
i dont edit

[Stephen]

cool

[Anonymoose]

Hey can you tell me if these pictures are any good, and what I could do to improve my shooting..they are unedited straight of a Canon SX100. I want to try some rolling shots etc and generally more cars. Sorry to whore pics but these are my best and am really interested in getting better

Thanks!

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/DSCF0262.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_1326.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_2578.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_1286.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_1029.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_1000.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_0999.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/DSCF0256.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/rumph2000/IMG_0619.jpg

[NikonJonWtf]

A couple of those look pretty decent.. watch your focus and angles though.
Some stuff is out of focus and the cars are weird angles.
Generally it looks like you have some good ideas. What camera are you using?

[Anonymoose]

Cheers man, I have a Canon SX100, nothing flash :( The one with the steeple in the background was intended to be focused on the wall close up, have another exactly the same but focused on the steeple. Will be working on my car shots, thanks for the tips

[AMoRT]

how do you go about photoshopping the rig out of the picture? is it just a lot of clone-stamping?

anyone?

[Travis]

anyone?

Its clone stamping, yes. Wait until cs5 comes out and it will be a whole lot easier than that too ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3914858132_291dbdfb78.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3913953505_26df5d63a1.jpg

[Withers]

Content aware fill FTMFW. For the longest time I thought it was an april fools joke

[TheNeek]

My Canon 350D keeps ERR 99. I've tried a bunch of the things from google. Anyone got any insight?

[Withers]

My Canon 350D keeps ERR 99. I've tried a bunch of the things from google. Anyone got any insight?

Send it in for repair. The ERR 99 code is the catch all for anything mechanically wrong with it. I had to send my 40D in for the same thing. FWIW, mine cost about $250 to repair :(

[Bimmerteck]

I've had dirty lens contacts cause err99 codes as well, also the internal battery going dead will cause it. Just a few simple things to check before sending it in.


Erik

[TheNeek]

Send it in for repair. The ERR 99 code is the catch all for anything mechanically wrong with it. I had to send my 40D in for the same thing. FWIW, mine cost about $250 to repair :(

250 towards a 7D sounds more like it.

I've had dirty lens contacts cause err99 codes as well, also the internal battery going dead will cause it. Just a few simple things to check before sending it in.


Erik

Thanks Erik. I tried the lens contacts. I'll try and swap out that internal battery.

[dubber]

Can we get a parts list?

[dubber]

Nevermind. Thanks for the how to on page 2!

[Kielan]

Is there any other way to remove an item (lamp pole, posts, etc), from a picture other than clone stamp because on a static shot its much easier to tell.

[StayNegative]

My method is typically clone stamp + patch tool to smooth it out. That can pretty much get rid of anything with enough time. Also I occasionally copy a similar area and paste it over what i'm trying to get rid of, then use the patch tool to smooth it out a bit.

[Withers]

I've had dirty lens contacts cause err99 codes as well, also the internal battery going dead will cause it. Just a few simple things to check before sending it in.


Erik

Whoops yep, he's correct. There's a few things to check before sending it in that it could be.

[Buratino]

Ok, I have a new question, how many megapixels are necessary for the kind of good quality shots that I see from the pro's on here?

And I've heard that the best beginner camera is a d70 or xsi, if i get one of those i would just have to worry about my skills and not the actual picture quality right?

Thanks

[Stephen]

Megapixels arent everything, especially these days. an 8mp DSLR will have a much better shot then a cheap 12mp P&S. Glass, sensor, processing, etc have just as much if not more of an effect on image.


And, lets be honest, most pics posted here are maybe 1000px by 800px ish, which doesnt require a ton of resolution

[Withers]

Yeah don't worry about megapixels as much. If you're looking at DSLRs, you can't go wrong. The quality of photos that any of them produce will be more than sufficient for pictures up to desktop background size.

[Buratino]

Ok, thanks for the answers guys!

[Buratino]

Another question, and yes I do know about google and use it, but I would like answers from people that are more trustworthy. I looked at different lens options and how they affect a photo, there's this one website I looked at that shows this: http://www.ackadia.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=397
My question is; what would be the BEST lens to cover a big range of subjects, from macro to landscape?

[chino]

Another question, and yes I do know about google and use it, but I would like answers from people that are more trustworthy. I looked at different lens options and how they affect a photo, there's this one website I looked at that shows this: http://www.ackadia.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=397
My question is; what would be the BEST lens to cover a big range of subjects, from macro to landscape?

what camera do you have? landscape = wide angle, and macro = zoom..

[Buratino]

what camera do you have? landscape = wide angle, and macro = zoom..

well, i'm going through with buying a Canon EOS Rebel Xs, that comes in a kit with 18-55mm lens. so, what am i going to be able to do with this lens? sorry for the newbness.

[Withers]

The kit lens is a good starting lens, but you'll find that it doesn't have enough reach for wildlife/macro or be quite wide enough for automotive/landscape. It's a good lens to get to know the camera with though, and it'll work fairly well for automotive photography.

[Buratino]

I see, that's kinda got me bummed, but I'll try and make the best of it. Thank you for the info, it's been truly helpful.

[Kielan]

Thoughts on getting a T2i or a 50D? I really won't use the video feature on the T2i, and I know the differences in FPS will cause debate. But what I am concerned with is the over all quality not the FPS or AutoFocus, I know the differences in that area. Does any one have both or used both that can provide input on this?

[Withers]

I see, that's kinda got me bummed, but I'll try and make the best of it. Thank you for the info, it's been truly helpful.

There's nothing to be bummed about, the kit lens only costs about $100 new, so the vast majority of the money you spend on the kit is on the body anyway. I know a lot of people who shoot with the kit lens and have great luck with it.

[chino]

Ok, I have a new question, how many megapixels are necessary for the kind of good quality shots that I see from the pro's on here?

And I've heard that the best beginner camera is a d70 or xsi, if i get one of those i would just have to worry about my skills and not the actual picture quality right?

Thanks

mega pixels dont matter.. hell the ladies at the olan mills use a 5mp olympus to do their portraits. i say get something above 8mp.. what matters the most is the glass you use

[Buratino]

VicSkimmr-There's nothing to be bummed about, the kit lens only costs about $100 new, so the vast majority of the money you spend on the kit is on the body anyway. I know a lot of people who shoot with the kit lens and have great luck with it.

chino-mega pixels dont matter.. hell the ladies at the olan mills use a 5mp olympus to do their portraits. i say get something above 8mp.. what matters the most is the glass you use

Awesome, thanks! That makes me feel much better about the whole deal. Now I can't wait to get my hands on it to try it out. Thanks!

[evilchargerfan]

about to buy a dslr! super excited. how do you pros feel about nikon vs canon?

(my apologies if this has been covered already)

[NYNCTC]

simplest thing is to go to a camera store and hold them both, play with them and see which one you like more. i have canon, but have been using canon for a long time and felt more confortable. also, my good friend has canon and a slew of L lenses so i wanted to borrow haha.

[Withers]

I'm far from a pro, but I can confidently tell you that it doesn't make a damn bit of difference which brand you choose. Both have a great selection of lenses and bodies.

If you choose Nikon I would try to find a body that has the auto-focus motor inside it, otherwise you'll be limited as to which lenses you can buy and still use auto focus.

[evilchargerfan]

IF ... i go nikon ... ive narrowed it down to d3000 and d5000 (prob d3000, save a few $ and be a cheap ass)

have u guys heard any good/bad things about these?

[Kielan]

Anyone have any suggestions for some cheap speedlights and wireless triggers?

[FreshLikeSushi]

vivitar and cybersyncs

[Kielan]

Thoughts on used Vivitars?

[Kielan]

So I was going to get two Vivitar DF283's but after doing some research, doesn't look like I will be taking that road. Anyone have any suggestions for some speedlights in a similar price range?