First DSLR

[Dan Cook]

After putting this decision off for a few months, today I've purchased a Canon Rebel XT with lens kit.

I've heard things about the lens kit like it's a bad lens but it's all I could afford at the moment. I'm currently testing it out now and reading the manual but I've noticed that on auto, my pictures are coming out dark as if the flash isn't there. Using a regular P&S camera I don't have this problem.

Maybe it's because of the lens or this is common with dSLRs but if anyone has any advice on how to make the most out of the Rebel I'd appreciate it.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

After putting this decision off for a few months, today I've purchased a Canon Rebel XT with lens kit.

I've heard things about the lens kit like it's a bad lens but it's all I could afford at the moment. I'm currently testing it out now and reading the manual but I've noticed that on auto, my pictures are coming out dark as if the flash isn't there. Using a regular P&S camera I don't have this problem.

Maybe it's because of the lens or this is common with dSLRs but if anyone has any advice on how to make the most out of the Rebel I'd appreciate it.

Don't use auto or the "sports/landscape/etc" settings.

I can count on one hand the time I've used a flash on my last two rebels, but I'm odd. I hate flashes so I just ISO up if it's needed. It's not the lens making it dark. Is it just dark on the lcd? How far away is your subject you are using a flash on?

 

[Dan Cook]

I'm just taking random shots in my room of random objects, so not very far.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I know you can adjust the flash settings, but I would think the default settings would work better than that. Did you try to brighten the lcd or look at them on a pc? But I guess you probably did other shots during the day and saw them fine?

 

[Cstok]

I have that camera and I like it a lot. There is a setting where you can kick up the brightness / power of the flash, and I think it requires one of the non auto settings.

 

[Dan Cook]

yeah I found that in the menu settings.

 

[Dan Cook]

I know you can adjust the flash settings, but I would think the default settings would work better than that. Did you try to brighten the lcd or look at them on a pc? But I guess you probably did other shots during the day and saw them fine?

It's dark on the LCD but looks a bit better on a computer. Didn't do day shots yet as I just got it 2 hours ago.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-histograms.shtml

If you don't understand the histogram I'd learn.....and use it over what the brightness/exposure looks like on the LCD. If you hit play to view an image and then click on info, you'll see it pop up. Images don't like to be brightened up later in PS, they'll be noisier than if you'd shot them right(even using a low ISO).

About that kit lens. Mine sucked, but mine was also the earlier version, a completely different lens....at least I'm pretty sure. I've heard better things about the newer kit lens they send out with those. Hank Baker just said on highinstability last week the rebel kit was a good lens. So maybe they've got something much better than the old version now.

Not sure what you know or don't, and what you are looking to hear, but a DSLR is a DSLR, essentially. There's only going to be a very few things you can do to get the images right. I made this page on basic stuff a while back: http://www.extremeinstability.com/misc07-1-26.htm Just not a whole lot to the workings of a camera. It's best to save yourself some "trouble" and do away with all the auto and "various landscape/sports/etc" settings, and just learn the basics that get you where you need to be.

 

[Jason Boggs]

After putting this decision off for a few months, today I've purchased a Canon Rebel XT with lens kit.

Congrats on the new camera Dan!! I just bough my first DSLR (Rebel 400/D) back a few months ago and I love it. Take lots of pictures and get us some good weather photos this year. Again congrats!!

 

[Jeremy Ludin]

Just a quick note on the kit lens.

It's not as bad as everyone says it is, really. It doesn't hold a candle to the 17-40L, but for the price it really isn't that bad of a lens. It tends to produce softer images, but to get you started I think it should be a nice fit. When I'm doing some experiments (like time lapse sequences) I slap that lens on since I'm still leary on using the 17-40 too often. Anyway, don't rush into buying a new lens right off the bat. Use the kit lens for a while until you get the hang of it.

 

[Cris Schroeder]

I've had a Rebel XTi for about 5 months now, and noticed a similar problem when I first started using it. Images were much darker than those from my PowerShot A40, both on the LCD and on the PC. It didn't happen on every image but was worst when taking normal snapshots without a flash.

I solved the "problem" by changing metering modes. The XTi has three metering modes...partial, evaluative, and center-weighted average (you can ignore the rest of this if the XT is different). Since the metering is used to set exposure for an 18% gray value, the metering area can make a huge difference, especially if there is something brightly lit within the scene.

I don't remember if you can change the metering mode when using the auto settings, but I recommend shooting in aperature-priority mode (Av). It won't slow you down, and it gives you control of all the menu options. Just spin the scroll wheel to change aperature. I believe I switched to evaluative metering to solve the underexposure issue. That would be the one that looks like "[o]". I'll check when I get home this evening, and edit the post if I've misled you. Either way, find a scene that is coming out dark, and take a couple of shots using the different metering modes. You may be surprised at the results.

I went through this process a week or two ago with the intention of posting the results on my webpage. I'll provide a link once I finish.

Good luck!

 

[Darren Addy]

I've had a Rebel XTi for about 5 months now, and noticed a similar problem when I first started using it. Images were much darker than those from my PowerShot A40, both on the LCD and on the PC. It didn't happen on every image but was worst when taking normal snapshots without a flash.

I solved the "problem" by changing metering modes. The XTi has three metering modes...partial, evaluative, and center-weighted average (you can ignore the rest of this if the XT is different). Since the metering is used to set exposure for an 18% gray value, the metering area can make a huge difference, especially if there is something brightly lit within the scene.

I don't remember if you can change the metering mode when using the auto settings, but I recommend shooting in aperature-priority mode (Av). It won't slow you down, and it gives you control of all the menu options. Just spin the scroll wheel to change aperature. I believe I switched to evaluative metering to solve the underexposure issue. That would be the one that looks like "[o]". I'll check when I get home this evening, and edit the post if I've misled you. Either way, find a scene that is coming out dark, and take a couple of shots using the different metering modes. You may be surprised at the results.

I went through this process a week or two ago with the intention of posting the results on my webpage. I'll provide a link once I finish.

Good luck!

Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner!

 

[Dan Cook]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll check out mike's link and fiddle around some more with it.

 

[Tom Mitchell]

Congrats Dan, welcome to the Dslr club.

I don't know how much camera experience you have, but if you are new at all of it, I highly reccomend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding...1089509?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178285005&sr=8-1

Sorry if you're an old pro, but this book got me started. For $15 there isn't a better investment for a beginner in the slr world.

Mike's link to Luminous Landscape will provide you with hours of great, free lessons. Ditto his advice for the "auto" modes. Ignore them, take control of the camera and your life will never be the same again. I am only half kidding there BTW.

My advice, put the camera on Av, and go from there.

Advice number 2, start thinking about Photoshop. Until you actually take the photoshop plunge, download Picasa. It is a great free image organizer and edits pictures pretty nifty as well.

The kit lens is a great starter lens. Most people's 2nd lens is the 50mm f1.8. It is only $70 or so, and will give you experience with nice wide f stops.

But really, if you are a true beginner, go for the Peterson book. I don't know if you are married or not, but when you are done with that book, give it to your significant other, and she too will understand and appreciate why you "need" the $1200 24mm lens, when there is a 24mm lens for $300.

Have fun with it!

BTW-Jeremy, why are you leery about using the 17-40 too often?

 

[Dan Cook]

Been tinkering around and did some night shooting:

Now to find out what Apature is best.