Proper play with new camera!!

Originally Posted by Jimmy2Feet

Ah close but no cigar!!

that is what i was thinking, and i can always get another lens when i have the money in the future.

When it comes to it, another question if you don't mind.

I am currently just playing around, using different exposures, apertures, ISO etc, and having read a lot i am feeling quite confident around what it all means, and what to use/change, when. however i know that i a lot more to learn around this point along with everything else to do with photography.

So i was thinking that going on a workshop or something like that might be a good idea, a 2 day thing or something like that, to be able to have someone actually point me in the right direction etc to let my skills grow.

Do you have any experience with this? and any suggestion i.e. is it worth it!?

A good workshop with a good instructor is always a good thing, especially when you're starting out. Try and find something with good reviews, with people who know their stuff and how to teach, and it's going to be money well spent.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

Can't really beat that price, the only lens I can think of that comes close (in range, quality and price) is Nikon's own 70-300G f/4-5.6 (not the VR version), but that won't auto-focus on the D3100 / D5000. I bought one shortly after I got the D90, but the optical flaws were driving me nuts so I ended up getting the VR version... but then again I tend to use telephotos quite a bit, if it was just something I use once or twice a year it might have been different.

I found myself using the Tamron more than I expected, but not enough for me to justify £350+ on the Nikkor

Sigma seem to be offering a 70-300mm lens for £120 on Amazon - no idea of the quality or features but it's another budget option

cool pic wolfman

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

A good workshop with a good instructor is always a good thing, especially when you're starting out. Try and find something with good reviews, with people who know their stuff and how to teach, and it's going to be money well spent.

Ok, cool. I assumed that it should be worth it, but didn't want to go spending money on something that is not worth it.

Cheers again Filipe, I am starting to get the feeling that you are the orical of knowlage on anything to do with photography on the org!!

Originally Posted by Jimmy2Feet

Ok, cool. I assumed that it should be worth it, but didn't want to go spending money on something that is not worth it.

Cheers again Filipe, I am starting to get the feeling that you are the orical of knowlage on anything to do with photography on the org!!

Nah, I'm just someone who likes photography and geek stuff a bit too much for my own good. There are people around here who know a fair bit more than I do about it (and have been doing it for a lot longer!).

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by bluefishman

cool pic wolfman

Cheers dude - was the best of a bunch I took of the hawk hunting on Chapman's Peak Drive in SA

Has been cropped and lightly molested in photoshop...

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

Nah, I'm just someone who likes photography and geek stuff a bit too much for my own good. There are people around here who know a fair bit more than I do about it (and have been doing it for a lot longer!).

How long ago did you get your first "real camera" then? (I.e. SLR)

Originally Posted by Jimmy2Feet

How long ago did you get your first "real camera" then? (I.e. SLR)

3 years ago, with the D60. Before that I was using a now 7 year old Fuji S5500 bridge, but got tired of the limitations (quality and handling wise) and as soon as I got some spare cash, I went DSLR (and killed any idea I had of eventually saving some money in the future!).

Mate, for 3 years, you really have got a fantastic amount of know how, and the quality of the pics (that i have seen) are great. lets hope that i am able to replicate even half what you know. then there is half a chance that i may be able to bring my love for photography, and my business knowhow to gether and maybe.......just maybe make a little money from it too!!!

I will post those forst few pics that i have managed to get out and take around work commitments on here over the weekend to see what pointers people may be able to give me.