DSLR Tutorial Sites or Books

[goumet]

I got a Canon 1000D for Christmas , and have used it full auto from day 1.

Can anyone recommend any websites or books so I can learn to use it properly?

[michaelkenward]

Try Canon's own website. The one aimed at your camera.

I receive a steady stream of stuff about tutorials and the like.

Also sign up for their photo space, where you can share your photos.

And, of course, read the manual.

The best way to get to grips with these hairy beasts might be to sign up for a one-day course.

[goumet]

Sounds like an idea for a birthday present.

Thanks

[mac124]

Stick it on full manual or TV and experiment mate, get out there and get clicking.

Excellent starter DSLR, i had one too :D.

If you want some specific tips i sometimes frequent www.talkphotography.co.uk some people on there can be VERY helpful, a small minority seem to look down their noses at newbies and are quite unhelpful so don't take too much to heart if your pics get a few negative comments.

One thing i will say is don't use the auto focal point (little red dots in the view finder) pick one that suits what you are shooting, ie if the main focal point of what you are shooting is on the left, set the left most focal point to to be the one you want to focus on. One of the simplest bits of info i have been given but one of the best.

Oh and remember sunny 16 rule (if the sun is quite bright us F16 or higher).

And another thing set the preview to highlight over exposure be setting "highlight alert" to enabled (check the manual) this will automatically show you if any part of a picture is over exposed and you can alter the camera settings accordingly.

HTH :D.

[michaelkenward]

Sounds like an idea for a birthday present.

Thanks
On which, if you live somewhere near a specialist camera shop – probably not Jessops – see if they have any special events or workshops. For example, a rather good retailer in Burgess Hill puts on courses at "Only £119.99" a pop.

Be careful, though, get through the front door and you may end up walking out with a lighter wallet. They may not be quite the cheapest around, but their prices are very good, especially if you take in the web price list. And the advice they give is worth the extra cost of buying from them.

I suspect that similar dealers exist in other parts of the UK.

Finally, if you haven't done so already, sign up for the Canon UK You Connect Newsletter (http://www.canon.co.uk/youconnect_newsletter/). And browse through Canon Tutorials (http://www.canon.co.uk/youconnect_newsletter/tutorials/index.aspx).

[AmdOverclocker]

don't use fully manual(its too much yo start with), use the AV, Sv and Tv modes (aperture priority, sensitivity priority, and shutter priority) modes. if you are shooting a large area like a landscape, or a group of people, and you want everything to be in focus then use aperture priority and select F8 or higher, or if you just want a small area in focus select the lowest aperture possible.

REMEMBER:,

- the higher the "F" (aperture) the LESS light it lets in (but more is in focus and at F8~ish you get best detail)

- the LOWER the "f" (aperture) the MORE light the lens lets in, and you get a shallower depth of field ( so you can select a smaller point of focus) but you get less detail)

- The HIGHER the ISO (sensitivity) the more light your camera lets in, but you get more noise (annoying dots in your image) try to not go above 3200 ISO.

- The HIGHER the shutter speed (e.g, 1/2000 of a second is a fast shutter speed, 1/200'th is avg, and 1/10'th is low) the less light it lets in, but it freezes moving objects (e.g, if you were taking a picture of a fast moving car you would want 1/250'th (ish) or faster).

- The LOWER the shutter speed, the more light your camera lets in, but you get more image blur if hand held (e.g, if using a 18mm focal length, you should use a shutter of 1/18th or faster, this is a general rule of thumb, so whichever focal length you are using (the mm) you shouldn't go below that, so at 200mm you should use 1/200 or faster, unless you have a stabilized lens.

and thats basically all you need to know, quite simple really, no need to read book in my opinion, but they will help massively of course. also what lens are you using on the 1000D? a 18-55mm kit lens? i have a pentax K-x myself with a 18-55,, and 50-200mm lenses. good camera but the video isn't amazing like the 550d.

[Smifis]

Full manual is the hardcore way mr amdoverclocker. those are for the sissies.

The best way is to just experiment and dont point it at the sun.

[goumet]

You all lost me at the first sentence - I think I need a course.

[AmdOverclocker]

Full manual is the hardcore way mr amdoverclocker. those are for the sissies.

The best way is to just experiment and dont point it at the sun.


yes i use full manual but he was "lost" on the first sentence so i don't think he's quite ready to skip everything and go to full manual is he?