I have just recently gained some interest in photgraphy and looking through this forum has really inspired me to learn the ropes of the art. I just bought a Sony DSLR-A100. I really don't know much about digital SLR's, but all the reviews I read about this camera were great. Does anyone use this camera?

Anywho, thanks for the inspiration!!

 

how much did you pay. Sony makes good stuff, but i havent heard a whole lot about their DSLR's. If they are as good as their camcorders and such, good work. otherwise i think most here have Canon & Nikon cameras. Now go take some shots lets see what you got!

 

I got started with a Prosumer semi-DSLR (technically they're not SLR's unless you can change the lens out) Sony too. I still have my DSC-F717 and won't get rid of it. It is a great place to start. I don't know the model you have, but I assume it has aperture and shutter priority modes. Play with those first, then start messing with it in manual mode. Don't run around in Auto mode unless you really need to capture the moment, but you won't learn anything in Auto.

There are going to be a million other features to learn on that camera, so try to keep it simple at first.

 

Thanks guys. I bought this on ebay as a package. I paid $739 and it comes with the following:

1 Sony 18-70mm 3.5-5.6 Lens
1 Pro Wide Angle Lens
1 UV Filters
1 Lens Cap Holder
1 1GB Compact Flash Memory
1 External USB Card Reader
1 Hard Carrying Case
1 Deluxe Soft Carrying Case
1 Camera/Video Mini Tripod
1 Deluxe Video & Photo Tripod
1 3 Pc. Lens Cleaning Kit

Sounded like a good deal to me....

 

I would agree with you, I have been taking more and more pictures and taking some of the advice on this board to enhance my pictures. I know it is rare and random when I take a real good shot but that is improving more and more as I learn my camera. You should considder entering the photp contests.

 

Grats on the new camera! You did get a good price, indeed. The camera with just the lens is usually around $715 or so.

The really cool thing about the Sony Alpha is the built-in CCD IS. Some say it's not as good as lens IS, but I wouldn't mind having an all-the-time IS, especially since I don't own any IS lenses.

As Poindexter said, start with aperture and shutter priority shooting. You'll learn a lot from doing that, then you can move on to manual mode.

Let's see some shots!

 

I have just entered the realm of photography so pardon my ignorance, but what is CCD IS?

I will definitely be entering the contests, but the camera is still in the mail. Just have to sit and wait.

 

CCD: Charge-coupled device (basically, the electronic "film" in a digital camera)
IS: Image Stabilization.

When you take a photo with a longer shutter speed - which could be for numerous reasons, but most likely because you're in a dark area - the shutter stays open longer to allow more light to enter the camera. The problem with longer shutter speeds is that even the slightest movement (from your hand moving, or even your breathing, for example) will cause the image to be blurry.

Image Stabilization is a method executed in several ways to try to avoid a blurry image from camera shake. In the case of your Sony Alpha camera, it has CCD IS which means the CCD sensor actually somehow shifts a little bit as the camera moves trying to keep it stable.

When you take your camera out, look for a switch labeled "Super steady shot". I believe that's what Sony calls it. While it doesn't work miracles, it can certainly help!

If you'd like more info, this page from the DPreview review of the camera can show some results: Linky