which version

[JadePriest]

Hello I am new to the photography world and was wondering which Adobe software should I start with. I just am looking for software that will help me touch up my pictures and later on get into some fun and interesting options.

[HKYStormFront]

elements is pretty good for beginners but CS3 is where it's at

[shorey]

I was reading about the Elements and this seemed pretty good what should i expect o pay for it as it seemed to vary quite a lot, also how much is the cs3 version and why is it so much better?

I am also new to DSLR having just had a EOS 1000d brought for me for christmas

[taustin]

I was reading about the Elements and this seemed pretty good what should i expect o pay for it as it seemed to vary quite a lot, also how much is the cs3 version and why is it so much better?

Amazon is a good place for price comparison. If you hunt long enough, you'll find it cheaper, but you will have to hunt.

Elements 7 retails for $80, and there's usually a rebate of some sort. (Premier Elements has some video editing stuff, and costs about $120.)

CS 4 retails for $575.

For photo editing, especially for the amateur, Elements has probably 90% or more of what CS has, and the differences are mostly stuff you and I will never use.

I am also new to DSLR having just had a EOS 1000d brought for me for christmas

Have fun.

[oshkywoshky]

paint.net is free
You can try it out before buying anything.

[shorey]

thanks for comments ended up buying Elements on impulse!!

Next question!!(dont you hate us noobs!)

I want to get a 200mm lense but dont really know what I am looking for yet would it have to be a Cannon or are they interchangeable and if so which ones are generic? I know they range from £250 upwards for a cannon but have seen cheaper on ebay anyone got any usefull advice?

Thanks

[taustin]

There are a number of companies that make lenses that will work. The better known ones are Tamron and Sigma, but there are others, too. I have a Tamron telephoto zoom that works just fine. They will generally say they work on an XTi (which is the same mount as the XT, and I believe the same as the newer XSi). The actual designation you want to look for is the Canon EF or EF-S mount (the -S is image stabilized, IIRC).

However. Generally speaking, Canon uses good quality glass. Which is to say, the actual lenses are better than cheaper brands. My Tamron lens is OK, but my Canon zoom is a lot better. In addition, pay attention to whether or not the lens you're looking at is an image stabilized lens, and whether or not you need image stabilization. If generally you shoot outdoors, in good light, or with a tripod, you probably don't need an IS lens. However, if you shoot indoors, or in low light, hand held, it can save your ass. The most noticable effect of IS is to let you shoot at slower shutter speeds, and this can make a major difference. When I was in high school, on the yearbook staff, and at the top of my form, I could manage a 1/30th second shutter speed hand held. Now, in my 40s, and shooting only occasionally, I'm happy if I can manage 1/60th. However, with my XTi, in a convention hall with crappy light with no flash, I got a shot for Marina Sirtis at 1/15th of a second, hand held, that was so sharp and clear, it looked like it was shot in a studio. The after market companies (most of them, anyway) make IS lenses, but the cheapie lenses you see generally are not, where the expensive Canon lenses you see usually are. The other major consideration is the speed of the lens - the maximum f/stop it can manage. This can also really, really save your ass in low light. Again, the expensive Canon lenses you often see are usually significantly better on this point, but again, Canon makes cheaper (and lower quality) lenses, and the aftermarket companies make better and more expensive lenses.

So, in the end, you get what you pay for with lenses. Don't just compare focal lengths and assume that's the only difference. Do you need IS? Do you need a fast lens (with a low f/stop)? Figure out what you need, then make sure you're comparing lenses with the same features. You'll find that the aftermarket lenses usually are a little cheaper, but for the same features, not by a lot. And it's harder to tell the quality of the glass on aftermarket lenses (where Canon is pretty consistenly very good), unless you have a local shop you can try them out at.

[JT]

As taustin said, other makes of lenses usually aren't the same quality as Canon lenses. This is not always the case, as my Tamron 28-75mm lens has been wonderful. It would be a good idea to look up reviews for a lens before buying.
One of the less expensive Canon lens you may want to look at is the 55-250mm image stabilized.

The actual designation you want to look for is the Canon EF or EF-S mount (the -S is image stabilized, IIRC).

To clarify, the EF mount will work on both film and digital EOS cameras. The EF-S mount is designed to only work on digital EOS cameras, as it has been built specifically for the 1.6x sensor size. EF-S lenses however will not work on full-frame DSLR's such as the 5D. EF-S is not necessarily image stabilized.

[shorey]

Thanks guys for your comprehensive answers!!

I will pop over to my local shop and have a word with them. I like the IS feature as im a clumsy bugger so that gets rid of my inability to stand still! as for the f-stop element i assume faster is better but what defines fast?

sorry for the bone ass questions but after spending alot of money I really want to get into this but get good results too.

Thanks again!!

[JT]

Thanks guys for your comprehensive answers!!

I will pop over to my local shop and have a word with them. I like the IS feature as im a clumsy bugger so that gets rid of my inability to stand still! as for the f-stop element i assume faster is better but what defines fast?

sorry for the bone ass questions but after spending alot of money I really want to get into this but get good results too.

Thanks again!!

A fast f-stop refers to the maximum aperture, faster means a lower number (such as f/2.8 ) for a wider aperture. This enables you to let in more light, allowing a faster shutter speed to be used.

[shorey]

Thanks again,

Have seen this on ebay for $210 inc delivery all brand new!

What you guys think? its both lenses for the price


Sigma 28-70mm & 70-300mm AF Lens Set For Canon EOS / EF

Doesnt look like it has an IS but for £150 for 2 lenses seems a good comprimise.

Heres the link.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-28-70mm-70-300mm-AF-Lens-Set-For-Canon-EOS-EF_W0QQitemZ360123555304QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item360123555304&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A2|240%3A1308#ebayphotohosting


What do u guys think? is it worth it?