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Getting into Photography

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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
Hey guys I'd like to start getting into photography, mostly for skiing and sports, but would also like an all around camera/lens that could be used for everything. I was considering just getting a GoPro HD hero2 but its mostly for videos. From stickied thread:
1. budget=500-1000
2. I own a regular digital camera, but its nothing special. Some type of canon. But I can take good pictures and took media arts one year in school
3. I have a tripod (small one) and a Canon digital camera... can get the model name if needed
4. shooting skiing, some videos, sports, and scenery shots
5. I will be doing almost all of the shooting, but might give my brother the occasional shot to take of me or some other friends.
6. Tripod of follow cams. but also something to hold onto and shoot if on vacation/ for fun
7. I have a Macbook Pro and an iMac desktop with all the latest software. No photoshop though
8. Not to familiar with editing. I've used photoshop at school and edited with iMovie but nothing really extreme.

Please recommend all the gear I will need to get a solid start up. Just let me know if there's anything else that I didn't mention. Thanks guys
Feb 28 2012 1:39AM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
Im not doing any of this to look cool, thats why I'm asking you guys. I don't know a whole lot about cameras and gear, so I'm just doing lots of research and asking you guys as to what I should get.
Feb 29 2012 8:36PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
^that being said, would the tamron be enough to shoot in different light conditions and up close?
Feb 29 2012 8:39PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
yeah the tamron is f2.8 which is a pretty wide aperture. the lower the number, the more light it will let in. thats why the 50mm 1.8 is very good at shooting in low light situations, because it takes in much more light. the kit lens is only 3.5 when you are shooting at a focal length of 18 and changes to 5.6 as you zoom to the 55mm mark. the tamron is the same aperture on the lens for all focal lengths. now you can always change the f stop in the camera too from 2.8 being the lowest to something like f22 where there is very little light passing through to the sensor. thats why the tamron would be a good versatile lens to start with because its pretty good low light and from what ive seen and heard, pretty decent sharpness.

and for up close stuff, idk how close you want to get but that just depends on the closest focus distance from the lens specs, not so much the focal lengths on the lens itself.
Feb 29 2012 8:51PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
okay I understand why to not get the shitty lens in that kit, but why not the canon 50mm f1.8 instead of the tamron? does the canon one not zoom? sorry if I sound like an idiot but im sort of a noob when it comes to lens' and shit haha
Feb 29 2012 9:07PM
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BryantPhoto
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 891
The canon is fixed, therefore it doesn't zoom. The benefits of getting the canon on top would be sharper images, and greater use in low-light. I'd recommend buying one lens and then see where you wished you were lacking, then buy a lens that would fit those needs. It's better to not have a lens, than to have an expensive lens that gets used twice a year.
Feb 29 2012 9:29PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
ahhh I see now. so final question I guess is, should I get:
t2i body and tamron 17-50 lens (with or without VC?)
OR
t2i that comes with that 18-55 in the kit and the canon 50mm f/1.8
Feb 29 2012 9:34PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
If you don't understand the difference between the aperture ratings and how the 50 is different, you should not be spending the money on this camera right now. Learn more about how the camera works by reading about it before you make a decision.
Feb 29 2012 9:35PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
I know about aperature ratings, just wasn't 100% sure that the canon 50 was a fixed zoom lens
Feb 29 2012 9:36PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
it doesn't really make sense to buy overlapping focal lengths for about 99.9% of the time. when you use the tamron or even kit lens.. you have the option of zooming from a wider angle, 17mm to a more narrow angle of 50mm. if you get the canon 50mm lens, thats the only length and field of view you will get. these are called "primes" because there is only 1 fixed length. so like what was said above, but the body, the tamron and use the shit out of your camera and learn it inside and out, looking up articles online, taking lots of pictures, seeing how all of the different variables work together. this is the "learning curve" that most refer to when someone switches to a dlsr. its not like a point and shoot where you turn it on and its good to go.

basically my advice...get the tamron non vc, you won't need it, a decent memory card, and the t2i body. then when you start using it a lot, you will know what you want for your style of shooting of then you can upgrade piece by piece after that
Feb 29 2012 9:42PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
Thanks! thats exactly what I was planning on doing, I just wanna get a solid foundation so I can really get used to my camera and learn lots about it. I'm just getting a $20 16gb san disk memory card... +k to you and everyone else
Feb 29 2012 9:46PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
that is a good plan
Feb 29 2012 9:59PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
forgot to add, how will the tamron 17-50 2.8 do with video?
Feb 29 2012 10:18PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
and should I get a tripod
Feb 29 2012 10:54PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,325
it will do fine for video as well. you pretty much need a tripod for video.
Feb 29 2012 11:04PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
shit... any suggestions on a cheap, good quality one?
Feb 29 2012 11:10PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,325
cheap and good quality never comes hand in hand with photography. look into a manfrotto 128 or 701 head on 190 legs. libec makes some good beginner tripods too apparently
Feb 29 2012 11:21PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
(lower end?) canon DSLRs don't have a dedicated Av wheel. also the 5d feels uncomfy in my hand, comfort is very important.

my advice. don't spend a ton on a body right away. whatever you get will be able to teach you more than just the basics. correct exposure doesn't take long to learn and from there it is all about lighting, composition, and post processing which depend on creativity/experience, not tech specs.

if you go for canon here's a sample lens list (bought in this order)
kit lens - crappy but avoids you having to spend 500+ dollars on the most boring (imo) length range like a 17-40
50mm f/1.8 -amazing (150 new). it has taught me more about photography than anything else
100mm f/2.8 macro - (350-400 used) havent tried
70-200mm- (600+? used) must have for portraits and sports.





Feb 29 2012 11:47PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
haha i was wondering how long it would take for someone to say that
Mar 1 2012 12:23AM
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freestyle180
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
1.I guess you never used a 17-40 to say that
2. Getting a 100 2.8 mm before a 70-200???
3. 70-200 for portrait on a t2i? it gives 112-320 which is not a really nice range for portaits IMO

not sure about this list.. However like everybody said, get a normal lense like the Tamron and play as much as you can with your camera.

For the tripod, make sure to get a good one right away. This is the kind of things you'll keep for a while and you don't want to be spending money 2-3 x to get a better one.

Mar 1 2012 12:39AM
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freestyle180
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/738066-REG/Benro_A0691TB00_A_0691_Travel_Angel_Alum.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/748116-REG/Manfrotto_MK294A3_A0RC2_294_Aluminum_3_Section_Tripod.html
Mar 1 2012 12:49AM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
ya probably gunna go with a manfrotto. If I do get the 294 Aluminum 3 section one, should I get the 3-way head or QR ballhead?
Mar 1 2012 2:14AM
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freestyle180
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
1. i'd go for the benro since it is 2 lbs lighter... that may sound weird but you'll find that is a huge advantage when you'll have to carry a larger amount of stock in your backpack. i got a carbon velbon few years ago and still love it because of its lightweight.

2. get a 3 way. it will be way more practical for video use since the ball head is more for stills.
Mar 1 2012 9:16AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
well unless you want to do very little video. cuz i think you said 85% photo 15% video or somethin like that? but if you had a nice fluid head, your videos would be much much much nicer than on a ball head.
Mar 1 2012 3:20PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
is 3way head still good for photos?
Mar 1 2012 3:25PM
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freestyle180
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
yes !
Mar 1 2012 4:16PM
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Conskier2003
Posts: 91 - Karma: 278
I run a website that will really help anyone interested in learning to shoot skiing, here is a section on skiing photography specifically:
Mar 1 2012 5:55PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
what about editing programs? Im thinking photoshop lightroom 3... but do I really need to get final cut for videos too? cause thats like another $300. I think I'm just going to stick with iMovie haha
Mar 1 2012 6:27PM
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lukewalnuts
Posts: 2730 - Karma: 152
torrent whatever you want...
Mar 1 2012 6:44PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
valid points, but the list has some assumptions built into it. also, you're right I've never used the 17-40

After 50mm it's likely he'll be wanting to try a longer lens and everyone loves macro, hence 100mm. I'll revise it to include the 17-40 or the 70-200 as the last purchase. I think if you're going to get the 70-200, you need IS, which is twice the price of a 100mm. bold assumptions maybe?




Mar 1 2012 8:48PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
What I'm ordering:
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Lens
Tiffen 67mm UV Protector Filter
San Disk 16gb SDHC Memory Card Ultra Class 6
Manfrotto 294 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod w/3-way head
Assorted Lowerpro Camera bags/cases
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3
Mar 1 2012 9:13PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
bold assumptions indeed. i think the 100mm macro is cool, but really not practical as a 2nd lens, and if you don't have the money, you don't need is. it's a fantastic lens even without it.
Mar 1 2012 9:19PM
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