I hate you photo geeks - ignorance is bliss
Discussion
Long story short. Old friend comes to stay who is a proper photo geek and does weddings as a hobby - normally he is an IT PM but loves photography. I ask him to bring his camera to get some pics of my son as we don't really have any nice ones.
Up until then I was happy with my 200 quid compact point and click - until I saw what a 7 grand body and single lens can do; even just letting the camera do all the clever stuff. It was a Canon body (no idea what model) and a white lens about a foot long; white is good apparently. I comment that it looks silly as the body and lens colours don't match. His response =
Now my compact pics look flat and dull, but still I wasn't going to spend 7k on a fecking camera and lens.
THEN he mentioned that most modern DSLRs will get you pretty close for a fraction of the price. So settling on a nice 500D I've just ordered a 7D with lens kit due to a stupid attack of upgrade-itus and the stupid online reviews that say that if you're going to buy the 500D, then it's worth spending the extra few quid on a 550D and so on. So 400 quid has turned into 1300 quid - good job the business is paying and I have a mate who can show me what all the buttons do.
That's it though right? I don't need another expensive hobby.
Up until then I was happy with my 200 quid compact point and click - until I saw what a 7 grand body and single lens can do; even just letting the camera do all the clever stuff. It was a Canon body (no idea what model) and a white lens about a foot long; white is good apparently. I comment that it looks silly as the body and lens colours don't match. His response =
Now my compact pics look flat and dull, but still I wasn't going to spend 7k on a fecking camera and lens.
THEN he mentioned that most modern DSLRs will get you pretty close for a fraction of the price. So settling on a nice 500D I've just ordered a 7D with lens kit due to a stupid attack of upgrade-itus and the stupid online reviews that say that if you're going to buy the 500D, then it's worth spending the extra few quid on a 550D and so on. So 400 quid has turned into 1300 quid - good job the business is paying and I have a mate who can show me what all the buttons do.
That's it though right? I don't need another expensive hobby.
rhinochopig said:
la la la la la - not listening.
Joking apart is there any need for filters and stuff these days of PS etc.?
If there is, what do people recommend as a minimum for general numpty beginner photography?
I'd try to get some Grad ND's if you are thinking of doing landscapes. Nothing can recover a blown out sky :-)Joking apart is there any need for filters and stuff these days of PS etc.?
If there is, what do people recommend as a minimum for general numpty beginner photography?
rhinochopig said:
I did also order a T-shirt that says 'all the gear no idea' too 
Thanks for the tip on the filters Lloyd - any particular brand or are they all much of a muchness?
In order, Cokin, then Hitech, then Lee (being the best). Depending on what lenses you're using you could go for P series which are 85mm, or Lee / Cokin Z Pro size which is 100mm. I personally would go for the 100s then you don't need to upgrade if you go wide angle, or full frame, in the future.Thanks for the tip on the filters Lloyd - any particular brand or are they all much of a muchness?
markmullen said:
In order, Cokin, then Hitech, then Lee (being the best). Depending on what lenses you're using you could go for P series which are 85mm, or Lee / Cokin Z Pro size which is 100mm. I personally would go for the 100s then you don't need to upgrade if you go wide angle, or full frame, in the future.
Thanks Mark.
craikeybaby said:
TBH I wouldn't bother with filters until you have worked out what you are going to be photographing. For cars and landscapes filters (Circular Polariser & ND Grads) are useful, for taking pictures of your kids they are less useful, but you may find a flash gun a better bet.
I have a flash somewhere from my old film camera; must dig it out. Pics will be landscapes - I live in Joe Cornish country so it's hard not to really - and of family. I also want to use it for some film making having seen what these HD SLR can turn out.rhinochopig said:
I have a flash somewhere from my old film camera; must dig it out. Pics will be landscapes - I live in Joe Cornish country so it's hard not to really - and of family. I also want to use it for some film making having seen what these HD SLR can turn out.
Check the trigger voltage of your old flash is safe for your new body, some older ones can fry the flash circuitry with a high voltage.If you're around North Yorkshire have a pop into the Joe Cornish gallery in Northallerton, it will give you some inspiration, also he has an exhibition running at the art gallery in Scarborough with Kane Cunningham, a local artist, well worth £2.
Finally there is a TalkPhotography meet next Sunday morning in Scarborough if you're not far away, http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...
markmullen said:
rhinochopig said:
I have a flash somewhere from my old film camera; must dig it out. Pics will be landscapes - I live in Joe Cornish country so it's hard not to really - and of family. I also want to use it for some film making having seen what these HD SLR can turn out.
Check the trigger voltage of your old flash is safe for your new body, some older ones can fry the flash circuitry with a high voltage.If you're around North Yorkshire have a pop into the Joe Cornish gallery in Northallerton, it will give you some inspiration, also he has an exhibition running at the art gallery in Scarborough with Kane Cunningham, a local artist, well worth £2.
Finally there is a TalkPhotography meet next Sunday morning in Scarborough if you're not far away, http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...
Helmsley so not far. I may attend if I'm free and I have my camera by then. I appreciate the heads up.
I try and stay out of the gallery TBH. I think we're the only members of our family who don't have one of his framed pictures - I can see how he affords his cameras.
He's nice bloke though, I've bumped into him once or twice as I walk my dogs around the same time he seems to favour for his photos. It's one of the reasons why I've finally taken the plunge, whilst out with the dogs first thing I keep seeing the most stunning misty vistas that are back lit by the most beautiful orange glow and my compact just doesn't capture the majesty of it. Helmsley is stunning on a winter morn as the mist just sits over it with just the castle, the church, and Duncombe house protruding.
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