The Start of a DSLR Adventure
In 2000, I bought my first digital camera. It was a D-Link DSC-350 that could
take real "jerky" videos. It was less than $60 total (including shipping). Those
early digital pictures were the key to creating my first (and only) Website in
2002.... www.kwicklabs.com . The focus was all about the training, hunting
and testing of my Labrador retrievers. It wasn't long after starting the Website
when the upgrade was a $190 Fujifilm digital. Those pictures were of a much
better quality.
A few years ago, another upgrade did a great job as long as the photo editing
programs "spit out" a few keepers. The Olympus Camedia C-5500 has been fun
to work with. However, this year I began to feel that some of the really important,
spontaneous shots needed "more punch". The quality of my wide angle shots
left a lot to be desired, and I was tiring of splicing three photos together in the
Paint program to get a panoramic view.
The Last Straw (Link) Olympus C-5500
The pre-SLR days are over. After months of "looking and sifting" through all the
photography forums on The Refuge, Avery, fredmiranda.com and the Canon
Digital Photography Net, I finally reached a decision about initial gear choices.
These "picks" were determined by the type of photography (mostly crop), initial
cost and availability. The budget was a limiting factor. Truthfully, "budget" is
spelled.....W....I....F....E.
First, I bought a NEW Rebel XTi body for $455 shipped. The second purchase
was a NEW Canon EF 28-135 IS USM for $315 shipped. A beneficial aspect of
the timing was this lens is a relatively inexpensive kit lens being "skimmed" off
new 40D camera deals. Added to the body and lens combo were a lens pouch,
LowePro EX160 camera bag, second Canon battery, 72mm Hoya UV filter and
two 2-GB SanDisk EXtreme III CompactFlash cards.
Apparently, the best time to buy is when the market goes through a transition
and the principle of "keeping up with the Jones's" is a non-issue.
After a few months of "experimenting", I should have a "good handle" of what's
next. My guess is......go wider, faster & closer........Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens?
total cost (all NEW - shipping and taxes) = $984 (really, really good prices!)
Purchases - XTi (Elan Remford) & lens (BBrat) on P.O.T.N., Adorama & Best Buy
Photo Galleries & Special Pages (pre-DSLR)
The Lesson (Link) Olympus C-5500
Ribbons - Taffey, Daisy, Kooly (Link) Olympus C-5500
Alter Ego (Link) Olympus C-5500, FugiFinePix, D-Link
Water Training Areas (Link) Olympus C-5500, FugiFinePix, D-Link
Horicon Marsh (Link) Olympus C-5500
Bluebill Boat Blind (Link) Olympus C-5500
Gunny - Growth Progress (Link) Olympus C-5500
Daisy's Goose Daze (Link) Olympus C-5500
Kentucky Seminar - Puppies (Link) Olympus C-5500
First Photos (not dogs) Jan 25, 2008
It was night time. The living room only had two 60 watt light bulbs ( very low light). The
flash was reflecting off three oil paintings. I needed to study the manual a bit more.
The next day, diffused light from the windows was much better. I went with "no flash".
The first is a very old oil painting my daughter did over 25 years ago. The canvass is
stretched over wood slats which are not exactly square. It hangs high on a pink wall
and remains my favorite work of art. The colors in all the photos are an exact match
(with a little tweaking).
From what I've read.......shoot, evaluate and adjust is the best approach. Learn by doing.
These are my first efforts at DSLR photography. This is fun!
If you recognize the "lady" in the frame, it dates you.
