Recent content by paulhinch

50mm Prime - it's not very wide, so you'll struggle with things like buildings etc unless you can stand a long way back (zoom out by walking away, zoom in by walking towards). It's actually fun though to just take a single prime out and force yourself to think about what you're taking...

If you aren't looking at producing pro-quality shots, you don't really need an external flash. Obviously, if budget allows, a flash improves things although you do then open up a whole new world of learning. One option if you don't have the budget is something like this: -...

You could always look at a standalone back-up device... Amazon do them from about £60... Search for Photobank or Camera Buddy...(no idea how good any of those are but they're a bit more luggage friendly than a laptop).

Danny - with that gear, you'll be able to shoot something relatively decent (and moody) without a flash....unless the disco is really, really dark with people jumping around like complete loons. Whack the ISO up, stick it through Lightroom and it'll come out fine. Clearly, you'll not...

Chris. Probably the easiest thing to think, if you're a complete newbie, is that the cheaper, entry level cameras are almost always Crops (Canon are 1.6x, think Nikon are 1.6x or 1.5x). As you get to more expensive, more professional bodies, you start seeing full-frame cameras (I...

If I can get near to reputable** online prices then I'll shop locally. For example, if you're after a bag, there's a lot to be said for taking your gear in and asking to put it in the bag (this comes from a man who was stung with buying a Crumpler bag that was "just" too small for all the...

My advice would be to stretch the budget (even if it means waiting) and get a lens with Image Stabilisation (or whatever other manufacturers call it). The 55-250mm from Canon is IS and it's noticeable how much difference it makes when you turn it on at the long end of the zoom....

Marky - the flash thing is, in my view, the main failing of the auto mode. If you're out on a nice sunny day etc with good light, Auto will take great pictures. If you've not got those conditions (like you're indoor) then it'll resort to trying to create the light with the flash rather than...

All good advice so far... My personal approach was to buy a few magazines. The internet's great but there's something to be said for holding a magazine, looking at a great picture with all the info about shutter speed etc and getting advice on why it's good, bad etc......I picked loads up...

Do you need video? If you don't then you'll get far more for your budget looking at a 450D. That's still a belting little camera...it just doesn't do video. Don't get worried about the Megapixel difference between that and the 550D, it'll only make a massive difference if you're doing...

If you're wanting advice on which to buy, you've got a fair range to go at there (and a huge budget difference between a 450D and a 60D). Do you want video? Do you want a big, heavy camera or a small, light one? Do you want multiple lenses (could be worth getting a cheaper camera and more...