True, but I guess my point is that other considerations may include stuff like Live View, a larger LCD, faster FPS, ISO performance, ergonomics, etc.

My 30D is only 8.2 MP and the XTi is 10.1 MP. If MP was the only thing you were looking at, you'd assume the XTi the superior camera. The 40D is a 10.1 MP camera versus the XSi's 12 MPs. Again, the 40D is the superior camera with less MP.

A Rebel XT or XTi will probably be fine for you in the Canon realm. I don't know anything about Nikons, but I hear you can't really go wrong with the comparably priced models.

Vin, I was focusing on the green shoots that were peeking through the stamens. I was talking to a friend who mentioned to try focusing more on the white petal to draw more color from the stamens. I'm using a P & S camera (Canon S3 IS) and just started fooling around with different metering, but will give your advice a try, as I haven't done any manual focusing yet. Stilll getting my feet wet. Thanks for the advice.


- whodat

For macro photography, also consider minimum focusing distance. If you work in manual focus, it should be more apparent to you what distance that is. When you are in AF and are closer than minimum focusing distance the camera will have a tough time locking on anything. Though I just did a quick Google search and the S3 is apparently excellent with macro.

I'm a beginner as well and got the Nikon D40, its basically the entry level Nikon version but its been great for my introductory needs so far. I got a deal on amazon for the camera, standard 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm lens for about $650, not sure if something like that is around now though.

I've been following this thread for a while now, but I guess now that I have the SLR its finally time to post a few pics. I don't really know what I'm doing with portraits, but after playing around for a while and taking many shots, these are ones that I liked for one reason or another.

You're right about the S3 being really good in macro mode. I'm also using a Raynox DCR-250 lens so that may be the reason as well. Using the Raynox, I can zoom in really close. It focuses best at 117mm

This is really, really nice. I can't help but feel that it's a bit tilted though. An easy fix.

I like them both. Watch for blown highlights (in the first photo), but otherwise they are interesting portraits. Catch lights in the eyes would have been a nice bonus.

Here are some pics from my trip to thailand this past summer.

I was playing around with stitching together panorama pictures w/ photoshop, so some of these are quite large and I apologize to those of you without 30" screens.


Panthip IT Plaza (this entire mall is nothing but tech toys and software)


Skytrain in Siam Central Station


Shot at the main Wat, or temple, in Bangkok, named Wat Po


A woman selling fruit at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market


An old 'pump'


Puppy for sale at JJ market


Suspension bridge over River Chao Phraya, which separates Bangkok in two

Freakin, how did you resist not buying that puppy!

I got a new camera! It is a graduation present from my dad. Panasonic Lumix FZ18. Only had it for about a week but this is what I've gotten playing with it so far.

This first one I was just letting it do it's thing in mostly auto mode. After seeing what it chose to do I want to go back and take some more shots of this place but it was cold and wind was blowing at 30mph so it has to wait for another day. I really like how this one turned out though.



And now, the five year old in me cries out for AMINALS!

Euro and I went in search of fried dough and ducks. Alas, the fried dough truck was not there (although pretzel guy was) and the duck pond was all but dried up. I saw geese early on, though. They were a bit uncooperative, kept moving away, looking away from camera. But I liked the lighting and I think canadian geese are so pretty.



Many a squirrel ran around the park and I had gotten a few pics though none too satisfactory due to their sheer speed. But as we were walking around the edge of the duck pond we heard this weird clicking and look down to see a squirrel essentially, as Euro phrased it, "barking" at us. Clearly, it wanted it's picture taken. And sure enough, when I raised my camera to my eye he began to pose and held them perfectly before changing to a new pose. A delightful model. Here are two of my favorites.





Really looking forward to playing more and more with my new toy.

The puppies apparently have a very low life expectancy. Most of them have some pretty serious diseases. My friend who I was with said he bought one 10 years ago that didn't even make it two weeks.

Their time at JJ market (which is only open on weekends) is the cushy life though. They spent their whole time being groomed and playing with their friends (and posing for pictures). I'm hoping that on weekdays they get brought to other markets where they enjoy similar comforts, but it seems less likely. To bring them into the states apparently is a bit of a headache. Most street vendors won't have properly vaccinated them so they have to be quarantined in transit and once they get stateside until they are inspected and vaccinated.

There are literally dozens of booths selling puppies and kittens.

beautiful picture, but the green looks a little oversaturated. How did the HDR compare with the 0 picture from the series? I don't see much in the HDR that I would have expected to be under/overexposed (save a slight underexposure of the rocks on the left)

I'm a bit disappointed that no one has had any photos to share lately! I hope to be able to share a photo or two now that work isn't as crazy as it has been for the last month or so.

well... if you're going to beg.. here's 2 of my recents that actually turned out ok.

Can anyone recommend a good book or any web resources for photography noobs? I just bought my wife the new Canon Rebel xti. We are really digging the camera but neither of has the first clue on how to maximize the power of the camera. I'll post some pics my wife took today at the tulip festival here in Washington.

these are the resources i've used.. i'm a newbie also

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/032147404X

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MUP5SA

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470110074

also, sign up for flickr if you haven't already and join our 2+2 group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/twoplustwo/

[QUOTE=davebreal;3709693]these are the resources i've used.. i'm a newbie also

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/032147404X

Seconded. Great resource for newbies. My wife really liked the book. It even has some good info for the more experienced photographers.

I took some goofy flower pics in my yard while under the influence:







Not generally how I roll...

I really like all of them a lot. I also enjoy photography. This one just seemed to dark i realize thats part of the appeal but it just doesn't seem as cool as the rest. The woman running in the dunes is national geographic quality. I'd be siked if I had one picture that good under my belt my whole life. I am only 21 though so I got some time.

[IMG][/IMG]



Hand held macros

http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=treenj2.jpg][IMG]http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7888/treenj2.th.jpg

[IMG][URL=http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flowerpb6.jpg]