Just bought a Rebel T2i (550D)...about lens...

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EMI F

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I recently bought the canon rebel t2i and Im a little confused on how to use it and if the lens makes a differense (18-55mm)the one it came with...I'm new at this I love taking pictures and I've red the Manuel and gone on YouTube but I'm still not finding out what certin things are for...sorry if I'm a little confusing...could use all the help I can get thanks.... love taking pictures of babies.... nature....people....building just about everything....And which lens would be good to use.....???
 
You have to learn to walk before you try running. Your kit lens will be fine to start with as you can learn a lot of shooting styles with it. Go through the manual, bit by bit, while you have the camera sat with you and practice with it as you go. Until you really feel the need to expand, depending on what style really takes your fancy, your kit should do you fine.
The 550D was my first dslr and I'm back using it again, after selling my 7D and 5D2 to finance a new 5D3, and it's taking a bit of getting used to again, but it really is a great little camera and you'll love it when you get to know it.
 
Do you have a local camera club? Lots of club members will be happy to talk you through it.
 
People I know that have cameras are not really willing to help they have just said youtube it :/ thank you though this was good help
 
A book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson can be a great help in understanding how it all fits together for the basics.
 
EMI F said:
I recently bought the canon rebel t2i and Im a little confused on how to use it and if the lens makes a differense (18-55mm)the one it came with...I'm new at this I love taking pictures and I've red the Manuel and gone on YouTube but I'm still not finding out what certin things are for..QUOTE]

Hi

Can you expand on this point - what are you not sure about ?

If you have read the manual and are still struggling, then you can get a more in depth book on the 550D, which explains more things in depth.

If you are unsure what settings etc to use, when taking a shot, start off using the basic programs and let the camera decide the initial settings (the basic functions are on the dial for different situations - sport, landscape etc), this is as is said by nature, a basic function, but will allow you to take shots and begin to learn about what shutter speed and appature the camera decided on for that shot.

When you gain some confidence, then start to use Tv or A mode (advance functions on the dial) - you can then choose what shutter or appature to use and the camera will decide the other factor (ie appature if you choose the shuuter speed in Tv). You can then experiment with faster or slower shutter speeds or smaller or larger appature settings to see the difference these makeand which you prefer for the shot your taking...

With regards to lenses, if you have the Canon 18-55IS kit lens, it is a good lens and will do you well as you begin your learning process, the Canon 55-250IS is a great lens to match your 18-55 and will give you the extra flexibility of reach.

Hope this is of some help...
Click to expand...
 
EMI F said:
People I know that have cameras are not really willing to help they have just said youtube it
Click to expand...

Well, ask any questions you want on here and there will be someone who can offer help / advice.
 
Honestly, when I bought my camera a couple of years ago, the first thing I learned is that lenses are very expensive, more than the body in many cases. therefore, to justify a better glass and spend your hard earned money is to be sure absolutely sure what you are doing. However, to be all rounded I would get the 55-250 as well for now.

I think and each individual is different;

1. learn about photography and all the elements that are involved in forming an exposure and make sure you really understand them.
2. you have a cracking camera, so you need to learn it and if the manual is not enough get a book dedicated to your camera. There are many online tutorials that explain every menu option. You tube can help as well, just search for depth of field, aperture etc.. and it will give you ideas.
3. go out and practice as much as you can. To be honest, I work 12 hours and had no time to go out and learn.So I learned at home, do experiments with lights (WB), aperture, shutter, depth of field. I learned all these using my kids, toys etc...
4. When you have gained confidence in talking about them without referring to manuals and you find out that the kit lens is not good enough any more then it is time to think about spending money on lenses. I am a bit slow and took me a good year to learn ;-)
5. practice practice practice ... ask question, Google , youtube and you will learn fast if you really like photography :-) let your passion drive you even when it seems boring sometimes and mundane but you need the skills to advance..

there are many more you will need to do and you will find them as you go forward and improve.
 
Thanks everyone everything has helped....what I'm not sure about Is when to change the settings and for what I'm just used to having one option.. on my old camera or iPhone :/ I just always use the basic setting I've played around with all of the settings but not sure when to use them :/ does that make sense..??
 
Look up information on the exposure triangle and start with the basics. That is Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

Learn what each of them does and how it affects your images, and the link between them. I would start off playing with either Tv (shutter priority) and Av (aperture priority) as you only have to worry about 1 at a time and the camera will handle the others.

Experiment with faster shutter speeds to freeze the action in your images and slower speeds to blur it. Wide apertures (lower f number) to blur the background in your photos (can be nice on portraits) and narrow apertures (higher f number) to have more in focus (better for multiple people or landscapes for example).

ISO adjusts how sensitive to light your camera sensor is, the higher the ISO the more sensitive. The higher the ISO the more noisy (lower image quality) your picture will be so generally it is best to use the lowest ISO you can.

These 3 settings in combination control how much light enters your camera and how sensitive your camera is to that light. It is a balancing act between exposing your image correctly and getting the creative effect you want in your image.

If you have any specific questions post them up :thumbs:
 
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Try putting the camera in AV mode on the dial and using different apertures on the 18-55mm. The camera will take care of the shutter speed for you in this mode. The smaller the number the more light you let into the camera, and you should get faster shutter speeds.

If you find you are not getting decent shots try turning the ISO to 200 or 400.

I would stick to one mode for a while until you understand how the changes you make affect your photos rather that trying to learn everything all at once.
 
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