[swtpea01]

Hey everyone, i was wondering which software you guys use for photo editing. Which one would you guys recommend?

[omegach]

personally i use mspaint.. i need to read some more tutorials though, i have yet to unlock its full potential

[erure]

I use adobe photoshop cs4... >_<

[swtpea01]

I use adobe photoshop cs4... >_<

i'm a total newbie, so i wonder if i'll be able to use CS4 to its fullest potential. hmm... so many things i need to learn. *sigh*

[Steffany.]

I've been wating to purchase a DSLR for the longest time and due to lack of money, i plan on buying a D40. I've seen alot of sales where it comes with the 55-200mm lense. Alot of my friends have been saying how I wont need it or use it much, but I dont know. Cause I see a bunch of reviews saying how the 55-200mm lense is a really good combination with the D40. So I wanted more opinions. =] What do you guys think???

I personally like the 55-200 only when I'm shooting outdoors; it's also a bit slow to focus but overall it's a good lens to have to carry with you.

[emma_fifth]

lol. i didn't realize i write Darkland for my location. thanks for pointing that out.
no, i don't use flash. it's too bright. but if i want to use flash, how can i make it less bright?
umm...just in case, i'm still a very very beginner to this DSLR stuffs and all.

[zgnoud]

Hey everyone, i was wondering which software you guys use for photo editing. Which one would you guys recommend?

I personallly using both Adobe's Lightroom and Photoshop. They more or less complement as oppose to replace each other. Lightroom is very good for organising photos and making quick+easy non destructive edits. Lightroom editing works in a macro way. With the exception of adjustment brushes, all edits in lightroom are applied to the entire picture, where in photoshop you are able edit the portion of the image you want (down to the exact pixel) using stuff like layers etc.

Honestly if photoshop is too intimidating for your photography day to day needs - and photography touchups is all you will be doing; I highly recommend lightroom (its much better for the photographer needs + much cheaper). Very good user interface and easy to pickup and play. If you cant afford photoshop, i recommend downloading a copy of GIMP (poor man's photoshop) which is free and has most of the important features found in photoshop. However like i said, lightroom and photoshop complement each other, and should not be seen as a replacement for each other.

lol. i didn't realize i write Darkland for my location. thanks for pointing that out.
no, i don't use flash. it's too bright. but if i want to use flash, how can i make it less bright?
umm...just in case, i'm still a very very beginner to this DSLR stuffs and all.

Emma theres a function called flash exposure compensation, check your manual... but yeah on the Nikon DSLR, theres this lighting bolt button - when you push it, it manually pops up the flash, if you hold the same button once the flash pop ups you can change the strength of the flash by holding the button while turning your dial wheel (either increase/decrease).

[Goombi]

Hey everyone, i was wondering which software you guys use for photo editing. Which one would you guys recommend?

I use Lightroom. Photoshop sometimes for more fine tuning.

[awdark]

lol. i didn't realize i write Darkland for my location. thanks for pointing that out.
no, i don't use flash. it's too bright. but if i want to use flash, how can i make it less bright?
umm...just in case, i'm still a very very beginner to this DSLR stuffs and all.

I fail at using flash so usually I avoid it completely. People with the fancy flash units often bounce the light off another surface such as the celing or a wall to make it look more natural. Some put on a diffuser in front of the flash there are actually pre-made things http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html but tbh I think rip off xD but I am cheap with camera stuff.

[abcdaisy]

What is the next good lenses after the kit lens
I want to purchase my next lenses pretty soon
but I'm not ready to go all out for it yet so if anyone
has any advice which lenses are just good for the going
outside sort of thing ... I have the kit lens but I want another
lens easy to undersatnd sort of lens to experiment with

THANKS BUNCH!

[erure]

What is the next good lenses after the kit lens
I want to purchase my next lenses pretty soon
but I'm not ready to go all out for it yet so if anyone
has any advice which lenses are just good for the going
outside sort of thing ... I have the kit lens but I want another
lens easy to undersatnd sort of lens to experiment with

THANKS BUNCH!

It depends on what you like to shoot but most people get the 50mm f/1.8 as their second lens.

[eeemily]

Heeey guys.
Is there something that I could put on my DSLR screen to prevent scratching?
It's already got a few tiny ones from general use but I don't want to risk getting any major ones.

Is there like .. a sticker/cover or something that would help like they do for iPhones/iTouches?

[emma_fifth]

^
there is a transparent sticker like the one you mentioned. i think you can buy it from any camera stores.

[[HyuNi]]

What is the next good lenses after the kit lens
I want to purchase my next lenses pretty soon
but I'm not ready to go all out for it yet so if anyone
has any advice which lenses are just good for the going
outside sort of thing ... I have the kit lens but I want another
lens easy to undersatnd sort of lens to experiment with

THANKS BUNCH!

Like erure said, it really depends on what you shoot and what your budget is.
But judging from how you asked your question, I would have to say that you should keep using your kit lens until you find specific reasons for upgrading or what your current lens is restricting you to do.
If you have a friend with the same brand, ask if you can borrow theirs for a week. I borrowed my friend's $1,200 lens to find out that it really wasnt for me. (Not yet at least)

Heeey guys.
Is there something that I could put on my DSLR screen to prevent scratching?
It's already got a few tiny ones from general use but I don't want to risk getting any major ones.

Is there like .. a sticker/cover or something that would help like they do for iPhones/iTouches?

whoa, really?
Those screen are made from scratch & scuff resistant plastic. I've only had my camera about 4 months, but I take it with my EVERYWHERE and gets use everyday and have yet to have a scratch.
Do you have a camera bag or do you stash it in a big purse or just carry it around?
IMO, getting even a cheap $20 camera bag is better than nothing. A DSLR is a significant investment and at least should be put in a proper camera bag.

--

erure, I'm really loving my prime lens! Now I truly understand why you like prime lenses so much~! I just got the Sigma 50 1.4 and it does AMAZING things. I just got it last week and for a couple days, I've been shooting wide open and the shallow DoF is ridiculous. I want to take a friend to the Botanical Gardens this weekend and have an impromtu photoshoot (not going to tell her, though) haha

[epark1281]

Heeey guys.
Is there something that I could put on my DSLR screen to prevent scratching?
It's already got a few tiny ones from general use but I don't want to risk getting any major ones.

Is there like .. a sticker/cover or something that would help like they do for iPhones/iTouches?

If you have a Nikon, they have platic covers (not stickers) that fit on your LCD. That's also to prevent the *cracking* of your LCD, should you fall victim to a random flying pebble.

[Honey_Babee]

Is Nikon d80 a good camera?? you can manual focus with this right??
i was looking at a posting, and the seller was selling the body and the following lens for $1090 CAD. is that a good price/ its 3 monthes old.
1.Nikkor Lens AF-S DX Zoom 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF ED，
2.Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6G，

[zgnoud]

Is Nikon d80 a good camera?? you can manual focus with this right??
i was looking at a posting, and the seller was selling the body and the following lens for $1090 CAD. is that a good price/ its 3 monthes old.
1.Nikkor Lens AF-S DX Zoom 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF ED，
2.Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6G，

The D80 is still an excellent camera, had one before i sold it for the d90. Great camera, supports alot of older lens (inbuilt motor compared to d40/60).
While it is a generation older (worse noise management), it still produces fantastic photos - In the end it comes down to the photographers skill and understanding of composition+lighting.

Question, is the 70-300mm lens VR? When using a focal length longer than 100, you will want VR - that is unless your planning to carry a tripod everywhere with it. The Nikkor 70-300mm VR is a pretty damn good consumer-mid range lens, that costs about 550 brand new... so yeah if it is the 70-300mm VR, its definitely a good deal, otherwise forget it (55-200mm VR is a great zoom lens too). The 18-70mm is pretty great too, i personally find it much better than the standard 18-55mm kit lens (sharpness+build quality).

[Rhiencie]

Hey DSLR experts,

I've been wanting to buy a Canon DSLR XSi for myself.
I've also been doing a lot of internet shopping to see where I can get the best deal.
I cam across Bestbuy, they have a sales offer of a bundled Canon Rebel XSi 12.2 MP with accessory kit and 8GB memory card for $814.97.
I'm thinking about getting this bundle; this offer ends this Saturday.

Would you please give me some advice?
Please share me your opinions about the camera itself as well, on how you like it.
I've asked the sales rep. at BestBuy about how offen this deal is offered.
He said that it's one of the best ones they've had so far. If it's true, I would like to purchase it.

Here's the link to BestBuy website: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...prd109400050012

Thanks all!

[[HyuNi]]

^
XSi with 18-55 IS from Amazon $699.99
Lowepro Rezo 180 $64.95
Sandisk 8GB SDHC Memory Card $19.95

Total comes out to be $784.89

The price at Best Buy is surprisingly reasonable. If you don't want to wait for shipping, it seems like a decent deal. Don't forget that you'll be paying $814.97 + TAX would could be a dealbreaker.

Another note, that Lowepro Camera bag doesn't seem too popular amongst camera owners (not many reviews on Amazon, although the 3 reviews are good). That means that it's either underrated or something just not appealing for people to buy it. Looking at the dimensions, I don't think I'd like it. It's neither compact nor big enough to hold my camera equipment (camera, 3 lenses, flash) If you don't think you'll like the camera bag, it might be cheaper for you to get it from amazon and choose a different bag. (I use the 5MDH crumpler bag as my compact, day trip bag)

btw, great choice on your first DSLR

[Honey_Babee]

The D80 is still an excellent camera, had one before i sold it for the d90. Great camera, supports alot of older lens (inbuilt motor compared to d40/60).
While it is a generation older (worse noise management), it still produces fantastic photos - In the end it comes down to the photographers skill and understanding of composition+lighting.

I dont know digital all that well, when you mean noise management, what do you mean exactly? do you mean, its not going to produce high resolution raw files for me to edit?