Bought a new camera today

tomthetreeman

tomthetreeman

Participating member
Location
Rhode Island
Sony a390 DSLR, came with the standard 18-55mm zoom lens, also included a 55-200mm zoom lens, paid just under $550.

I have been working on upgrading my website lately, and realized that just about all of my pictures from my old digital camera suck. I look at all of the opportunities I have had to get great images, documenting the things I've done, and I have what amounts to a pile of gray poop.

Wondering if there are any photographers or camera junkies out there that can help me make this transition to a 'real' camera. Thanks!

-Tom
 
Been a camera junkie for a long time, but I'm not really a tech geek about it.
You probably got a really good camera. They all seem good these days.
A word of caution. I think I wrecked my first DSLR (Canon 40D g-dd--m, not cheap either) by changing the lenses too frequently in the field. Spend money on the lens that most makes sense for the type of shots you want to make most of the time, and don't take it off unless you are inside. This lens may very well be the one sold with the camera.
I now have a Canon 50D because its a very robust camera and somewhat weather resistant. It woud make a good anchor its so heavy though.
Digital point and shoots are so good these days that the reason for getting a DSLR is to get a greater degree of lens choice or when you are being finicky about depths of field and stuff like that.
I keep my original point and shoot Nikon Coolpix 5400 with me most of the time for opportunity shots. No lens changing and its always handy.
The best images happen for me when I see the thing I want to capture and happen to have a camera handy with the right lens on it. Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity. So don't rule out a good quality point-and-shoot to keep handy.
 
No fooling, the DSLR manual for dummies is a great reference. I have taken several photography classes and have been into photography for eight years now and it has been the best reference I've used to date.
 
Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.

Dan, I'll have plenty of shots soon! Hopefully the website will be looking super slick by January/February!

-Tom
 
It sounds like you may have already been reading your users manual, but if you havent I suggest reading it from cover to cover. That is the best way to learn how to use all of the functions of your camera.
 
Cloudy/overcast days make for the best images. Bright sun is very contrasty, your highlights will be blown out or your shadows will be pure black. When it's over cast you have the best chance of capturing all the details in the image.

I just looked over a review of your camera here:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1006/10060901sonya390a290.asp

Pretty nice!
My advise is to shoot lots of pictures, explore all the features of the camera, learn to shoot in MANUAL mode and record the images in RAW format.

I look forward to seeing the some pics from it.
 
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