 BetterPhoto Member |
Basic Equipment for good DSLR snapshots I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XT. I have the kit lens and the "nifty fifty". I am looking to use my camera for the basic purpose to taking nice family pictures (I have a very active toddler). I am about to take one of the courses on this site to understand the basics of using my camera. I have scoured this forum for information but no one seems to be using their camera for my purpose. So here is what I am looking for: a good (not professional) all around lens that will cover my bases while taking pictures ranging from in the house to on vacation which includes some decent zooming ability. Then a decent flash that will be pretty automatic (user friendly for someone that doesn't have a ton of photography knowledge). I will basically be using these pictures to share with family and scrapbook. I got the DSLR for the fast shutter speed to keep up with my active toddler. I am sorry if I sound ignorant. Thanks,
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John P. Sandstedt |
You probably have all the equipment you need right now. You should be able to stop action [freeze a toddler] at 1/500th sec. If you use the built in flash, the emitted light will be "on" for about 1/50,000th sec and that will certainly stop action. Note that the on-board flash may not have the range you'd like. Your kit lens provides an effective focal length range of 28-80 mm. Depending on your needs and WANTS, this may be too little. If cash isn't a problem, go for the Tamron 18-250 mm zoom or the 18-300 mm which, I believe, has some kind of built-in image stabilization - approximately $500. If you must have an accessoriy flash, Canon makes three. I'd go for the middle priced 430-EX - approximately $300. You might start to think about a tripod but, remember, you'll probably never be able to use it while "tracking your toddler." Probably 90-95% on BP members shoot the kind of pictures you've described. Although some/many have sold one or more images, the majority are snapshooters, who've joined BP to learn to take better pictures to satisfy their personal needs,
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