What is the best SLR Digital Camera for Travel Photos?
Nov 3rd, 2007, 01:56 AM
#81
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I agree with Andrew and GSteed. Its not the camera that make the photo good, it's the person behind the lens.
I know people wih better cameras than mine and can't take a decent shot to save thier lives. When I ask them why they spent all that money, usually the reply is "Because the salseman said it was the best one on the market"
Tom
I know people wih better cameras than mine and can't take a decent shot to save thier lives. When I ask them why they spent all that money, usually the reply is "Because the salseman said it was the best one on the market"
Tom
Nov 3rd, 2007, 02:13 AM
#82
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I wouldn't hurt taking a class specific to your camera. I use a Hasselblad and a Contax. I was a loyal Cannon user. I know how to take decent photos, I just can't use my D80 like I could my old Canon AE1. I bought a book in addition to the users manual. Before each trip I practice a new feature.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 02:39 AM
#83
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I know I mentioned them earlier, and I really don't have stock or a brother-in-law in the company, 
but betterphoto.com has online courses to learn specific camera models too. Nikon also often has flash tutorials on their website... they did for my D70 when it came out and then again for the D200. Not sure what they have on the D80.
Agree that photographer matters more than gear. But, same photog, better gear... doesn't hurt.
but betterphoto.com has online courses to learn specific camera models too. Nikon also often has flash tutorials on their website... they did for my D70 when it came out and then again for the D200. Not sure what they have on the D80.Agree that photographer matters more than gear. But, same photog, better gear... doesn't hurt.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 09:52 AM
#84
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It's not clear what palmettoprincess really needs to learn. Does she know about all the basics of photography - exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO), focal length, depth of field, etc? If not, then she needs a class that teaches those things FIRST, then the operation of the camera.
If she knows them pretty well already, then she needs to read the manual of the D80, and/or attend a Nikon- or D80-specific class.
If she knows them pretty well already, then she needs to read the manual of the D80, and/or attend a Nikon- or D80-specific class.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 12:19 PM
#86
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Once you learn what an aperture is and means in photography, it's pretty easy to figure out how to control it by browsing through your camera's user's guide. But if you don't really know what an aperture is or why you could care about it, taking a class on how to set it is pretty useless.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 12:29 PM
#87
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I too am an amateur photographer, who loved her Nikkormat and Nikon 6006, but got tired of lugging all that weight around. Now looking for a good compact SLR...I think, cause I still secretly lust after a Nikon with all the bells, whistles and lenses...
BTW, took the Nikon School of Photography and really learned a lot!
BTW, took the Nikon School of Photography and really learned a lot!
Nov 3rd, 2007, 03:20 PM
#88
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I agree about learning the camera and learning about photography.
Many people I know who have said "I want to get a dSLR because my pictures aren't that great" really don't need or have a real use for a dSLR. They are just simply repeating what they are told by advertisements and salesmen.
What they really need is to learn how their camera works (half clicking the shutter to focus is the number one thing people don't know that will improve their photos tenfold).
My first suggestion is to read your existing camera's manual and practice with it - don't wait until your once in a lifetime trip to Venice to learn how to take a sunset shot over water, it's only going to disappoint you.
The next suggestion is to learn how to do some basic post processing. Even though a P&S may not have manual settings, etc., you can compensate for some of that by post processing. The majority of dSLR users post process also - that's part of why their photos look good.
The next thing to do is learn basic photography techniques:
rule of thirds - don't put the main subject in the center of the image, but it on the third
get close, then get even closer - you don't need to get a full frame of nothing around the subject. You don't even have to get the entire subject in the photo.
go down low or get up high - change your angle of view, get on eye level with the subject (if a baby, get down on the floor with the baby rather than pointing the camera down at the baby), stand on a ladder and shoot down at a group of people instead of a straight ahead shot.
Read articles, message boards, books, etc. As you read something, practice doing it with your camera.
When you're not traveling, focus your practice on one subject matter at a time. In the beginning, you will be thrilled when you get one decent shot, after a while, you will have a fair amount of decent and one or two really good shots, more practice and you'll have more really good shots and some "wow" shots.
Many people I know who have said "I want to get a dSLR because my pictures aren't that great" really don't need or have a real use for a dSLR. They are just simply repeating what they are told by advertisements and salesmen.
What they really need is to learn how their camera works (half clicking the shutter to focus is the number one thing people don't know that will improve their photos tenfold).
My first suggestion is to read your existing camera's manual and practice with it - don't wait until your once in a lifetime trip to Venice to learn how to take a sunset shot over water, it's only going to disappoint you.
The next suggestion is to learn how to do some basic post processing. Even though a P&S may not have manual settings, etc., you can compensate for some of that by post processing. The majority of dSLR users post process also - that's part of why their photos look good.
The next thing to do is learn basic photography techniques:
rule of thirds - don't put the main subject in the center of the image, but it on the third
get close, then get even closer - you don't need to get a full frame of nothing around the subject. You don't even have to get the entire subject in the photo.
go down low or get up high - change your angle of view, get on eye level with the subject (if a baby, get down on the floor with the baby rather than pointing the camera down at the baby), stand on a ladder and shoot down at a group of people instead of a straight ahead shot.
Read articles, message boards, books, etc. As you read something, practice doing it with your camera.
When you're not traveling, focus your practice on one subject matter at a time. In the beginning, you will be thrilled when you get one decent shot, after a while, you will have a fair amount of decent and one or two really good shots, more practice and you'll have more really good shots and some "wow" shots.
Nov 27th, 2007, 07:44 AM
#89
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Whew - I forgot about this post and came back only to find tons and tons of good advice. Thanks!!
Well as it turns out, my husband won't let me take a good camera to our trip to Costa Rica because he feels it won't be safe and considering we will be in rainforests - any expensive camera can get ruined with the moisture. Plus with all the adventureous activities like canopy tours, it would be tough to carry with us.
So as soon as we get back - I will begin my serious camera shopping. Thank you again for all the responses...its provided a lot of valuable info and experiences!
Well as it turns out, my husband won't let me take a good camera to our trip to Costa Rica because he feels it won't be safe and considering we will be in rainforests - any expensive camera can get ruined with the moisture. Plus with all the adventureous activities like canopy tours, it would be tough to carry with us.
So as soon as we get back - I will begin my serious camera shopping. Thank you again for all the responses...its provided a lot of valuable info and experiences!
