New DSLR owner looking for advice ...

[BallsCasten]

Hi guys, just purchased a Sony DSLR A-700 with a Sony 18-200 lens.
Any tips or books to read for a new guy?
I’ve always had an OK eye for pictures but never used anything any nicer than a point and click.

[cfell]

I suggest you practice before you take it on the bike... you might find the book is difficult to read at speed.

I have a Sony, just an older one... I try to "set" it for High Speed shooting, then move to another setting when off the bike....

Once you have some settings to try, load up with someone on the Pillion and have them "point-n-shoot" as you go on a ride. Now, adjust the camera until you are 'close' to having it set like you will use it.

Now, try riding and shooting.... check results..

[kdog]

Congrats on the new DSLR. You will love it as it opens all sorts of new photographic possibilities.

Really, the most important thing to know is the relationship between aperture (F-stop), shutter speed, and ISO. They are the cornerstones of photography, even in the digital world. I would advise you to learn them thoroughly so that they are second nature to you. Today's DSLRs have an incredible set of features than can take many months or even years to fully learn and take advantage of. However, all those features are all really just ways to manipulate those three basic concepts. Fortunately, they're actually quite simple.

Here's a link to a site that's got some a very good and easy to understand guide to understand the concepts. http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/
Read these four sections. They're really quite short, but get right to the important points.

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/exposureinro.php
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/stops.php
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/shutterandaperture.php
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/filmspeed.php

Feel free to ask questions or to discuss what you've learned, and I'm sure others will benefit from the conversation as well.

-joel

[Randy]

I can only add that the suggestions Joel gave are the best. Understanding the effect ISO setting has on noise, the effect aperture has on depth of field and the effect shutter speed has on the ability to freeze action or create the feeling of motion are the best things you can get a handle on. Learning how to properly balance those three settings will allow you to be much more creative.

[BallsCasten]

Thx guys, I’ll look into the links.

I played down at the Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs AAA baseball team) today. Again I have a 18/200 lens. But I'm happy .. happier with the color.

[DaveDragon]

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/exposureinro.php
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/stops.php
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/shutterandaperture.php
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/filmspeed.php
-joel

Joel, those are great pages, very clearly explained and demonstrated.

Thanks for posting them!

[andy]

There is just one thing I would like to add to the great advice Joel gave. AFTER you know what you want and how aperture, ISO, time and focal length can alter your pictures take a SERIOUS look at shooting in raw format. That way you can do SO much more with your pictures. Correcting the colors, cleaning up small mistakes in lighting, ...

When you shoot in JPEG your camera tries to "guess" the color temperature of the light. And while this is many a time a good approximation it is NEVER correct, and two pictures of the same scene will never look the same even if shot immediately after each other. Each will have slightly different colors. When you shoot raw and can correct the color temperature you can prevent that from happening, and you actually create real panorama shots without everybody immediately seeing where one pic ends and the other starts. But that is just one example)

[kdog]

Joel, those are great pages, very clearly explained and demonstrated.

Thanks for posting them!

Hey thanks, Dave. Yeah, the author did a really good job on that site. I think it's just a young guy. It's amazing how well he explains the basics so concisely.

Cheers,
-joel

[BobW]

One site I like for several reasons is www.dgrin.com (http://www.dgrin.com)

Lots of good info and fantastic photos posted.