Canon Xsi--Got it!

[Sepiana]

Hi everyone,

Can this rookie here join the Canon Xsi club? I'm now a proud and very happy owner of an Xsi (Thanks, Santa Claus). I can't wait to begin playing around with it. Bewarned, though -- don't expect fantastic images coming your way soon; a camera is only as good as the person behind it. As part of the transaction I get to attend a 2-hr class on the basics of this camera; I'm also ordering a dvd Charles (Inspeqtor) recommended. Can anyone recommend a book I could use?

Thanks in advance! Any suggestions to help my learning curve are welcome and deeply appreciated.

[JulieM]

Congratulations on your new camera! I bet you find it isn't as difficult to make the transition from your XT to the XSi as you might think. The fundamentals are the same, after all.

But, I think a great way to immerse yourself would be to join the 365 Photos in 2009 challenge... ;)

[billz]

Sepiana -

Contratulations!! I agree with Julie .. you'll find yourself taking wonderful photos in no time. I'm happy for you. Remember ... this week's theme is 'buttons'. :D

Bill

[Chesney]

congrats on your XSI, Sepiana - I know you will love it! I was really nervous about using mine, but once I got the hang of it I will never go back to a point and shoot. A book that really helped me learn the camera is:
Canon EOS XSI/450D Digital Field Guide by Charlotte K Lowrie. I got it for $20 from Border's (look for coupons).
HAVE FUN!!

[CalamityJanet]

Yay!!! You're gonna love it!

[Sepiana]

Thanks multiplied by 4.

Julie - I've given some thought to joining the 365 Photos in 2009, but I don't think my skills are up to that. As a photographer, I'm not in that league.

Bill - Good idea for the PT challenge.

Tammy - I'll be at Borders the moment the doors open.

Janet - Oh, I'm in love already.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

You will love this camera, and the 3" LCD screen! Just yesterday I went to Border's to look for a book on the XSi, and I found Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D by Christopher Grey. I think this is going to be a good book along with the DVD I recommended to you. I am sure the book Tammy also recommended will also be a good one to use.
One of the reasons I chose the book I purchased was I noticed near the back of the book it was also talking about the 580 EX II on the XSi, which I am hoping to get sometime next year. This book also had pictures of many different menu screens which I thought would be good.

[JulieM]

Julie - I've given some thought to joining the 365 Photos in 2009, but I don't think my skills are up to that. As a photographer, I'm not in that league.

Challenging ourselves to improve our skills is exactly what the challenge is about! :) I bought my first dSLR in May 2007 and it wasn't until I took up the 366 in 2008 Challenge that I felt I was really making strides with it. I hope you'll consider it some more because I know we would all enjoy having you along for the ride and that you'd be a great asset to the group.

(btw....I tried to send this message privately but you have the PM option turned off)

[lisabee]

Sepiana,

I'm going to echo Julie's words, that joining the challenge is the perfect way to get lots of practice AND shoot lots of subjects that you might not normally shoot.

And of course you are more than up to it :).

Enjoy your early xmas gift :)

Lisa

[winclk]

come on and join in the 365 photo challege, that way i won't be the only beginner.

i just got the nikon d80, so i am just learning also. this is also my first time blogging.

[Sepiana]

Julie, Lisa, Robin -- thanks so much for all your support and encouragement! I'll look into that challenge thread again. But, to be honest, all that talk about blogging, watermark, etc. is going over my head.

Charles - thanks! I'm going to Borders later on today and I'll look for that book. As you can see, the Brazilian charm worked.:D Santa Claus, a.k.a. my DH, came through as he had promised.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

I actually found 3 books at Border's on the XSi. You will need to look them over and decide which one is best for you. Maybe you will find more than 3 if you are lucky! (or unlucky ;))
Perhaps the book Tammy mentioned you will like better. One of the 3 books I looked at as I was scanning thru the pages I noticed had very few if any photos of the different screen menus. I did not buy that one for that reason.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

PS... I am glad your charm worked ;)

[ljameso1]

Sepiana, Are there any photo clubs in your area? They are a great place to improve your skills on the capture end.

[Sepiana]

Sepiana, Are there any photo clubs in your area? They are a great place to improve your skills on the capture end.

Linda, that's a great idea! I don't really know; but I'll check around. Thanks a lot for the suggestion! That never occurred to me.