Ordered New Camera - Thoughts/Comments?

[FortTom]

I wanted a camera that was just a little more feature filled than a phone. An entry level camera that can be up and running quickly in auto mode, as I read and learn more about photography. I chose a Canon M50 with a 15mm - 45mm lens, which I got for $509, shipped.

I mostly wanted a camera for action shots, such as big game fishing, all types of auto and motorcycle racing and things like that. I really needed to be able to add a polarized lens for fishing on choppy water, to kill the glare a bit. The camera also features 4K video, but I doubt that will be a feature that I'd use much, if at all.

I read a lot, before making a choice, and the M50 seems to be just right, for me, a person who has only a basic understanding of photography , if that, but according to reviews, it can be pressed into action in an emergency by an advanced/pro photographer and give "decent" results.

Anyone have any thoughts about the M50, they'd like to share? Remember, I'm pretty much a flat out newb.;)

FT[:D]

[voodoo_man]

From what I can see the m50 is decent for an entry level camera. I'd focus on composition and light placement

[UWone77]

From what I can see the m50 is decent for an entry level camera. I'd focus on composition and light placement

This.

You can really get some great pictures with an iPhone 10 or any of the new Samsungs. I've been using my phone more than breaking out the camera.

If you're doing more specialized stuff like the racing photos you mention, probably want to upgrade your lens for your purposes.

[alamo5000]

I am with the others. Concentrate on learning techniques.

[FortTom]

This.

You can really get some great pictures with an iPhone 10 or any of the new Samsungs. I've been using my phone more than breaking out the camera.

If you're doing more specialized stuff like the racing photos you mention, probably want to upgrade your lens for your purposes.

I've used my Galaxy 9 for fishing, and without a polarizing filter, it's pretty useless, with the glare on the water. Got some really shitty pictures of some true trophy fish. Another reason I went with the M50, so I can use different lenses for different purposes without the "crazy" expense of lenses for "pro" quality work, or the steep learning curve.

Thanks for all of your inputs.

FT[:D]

Caveat. All of my "Trophy" fish are catch and release. Most, you can't even pull in the boat, which makes removing hooks from sharks and other mean ones can get nerve wracking, a bit, so I have to photograph the fish at the surface, next to the boat, and glare just kills the photo's.

[alamo5000]

All of my "Trophy" fish are catch and release. Most, you can't even pull in the boat, which makes removing hooks from sharks and other mean ones can get nerve wracking, a bit, so I have to photograph the fish at the surface, next to the boat, and glare just kills the photo's.

Sounds to me like a good flash of some variety might be in order. About how far away and how big are said fish?

[FortTom]

They can be 20 feet away, or unless they bite the leader, we pull them right up to the boat to release them. Size varies, I've caught saw fish that were 12 feet, sharks around 10 feet or so, give or take a foot or two, or Goliath Groupers that go about 6 feet, but their sheer girth can put them in the 400lb size, more often than not, 200lbs. Looking for Bull Sharks this year. Size for them are all over the place. Tarpon, about 5 feet or so.

Thanks,

FT[:D]

[FortTom]

From what I can see the m50 is decent for an entry level camera. I'd focus on composition and light placement
Thanks, I bought a book that a friend, who's an advanced photographer, recommended for a beginner. I'll read up on those two areas.

FT

[voodoo_man]

Thanks, I bought a book that a friend, who's an advanced photographer, recommended for a beginner. I'll read up on those two areas.

FT

Excellent. Guided education is very important, I wouldn't recommend the way I (and others) did it just by trial and error.

[FortTom]

Excellent. Guided education is very important, I wouldn't recommend the way I (and others) did it just by trial and error.

My plan is to read the camera manual, and read the book(s) I bought and shoot pictures while the material is fresh on my mind. Until I get proficient in one area, and move to another topic, I can always put it back in auto mode, and shoot pics for fun, until I'm ready to start manually change/adjust settings. That's the plan, anyway.

Thanks,

FT[:D]

[FortTom]

This.

You can really get some great pictures with an iPhone 10 or any of the new Samsungs. I've been using my phone more than breaking out the camera.

If you're doing more specialized stuff like the racing photos you mention, probably want to upgrade your lens for your purposes.

What lens would you recommend?

Thanks,

FT[:D]

[Joelski]

Master the one that comes stock, or else you'll divide your learning, become overwhelmed and bring everything to a grinding halt. Ask me how I know.

[FortTom]

Master the one that comes stock, or else you'll divide your learning, become overwhelmed and bring everything to a grinding halt. Ask me how I know.

I guess that makes sense.

Thx,

FT[:D]

[UWone77]

Master the one that comes stock, or else you'll divide your learning, become overwhelmed and bring everything to a grinding halt. Ask me how I know.

Only if the stock one fits your needs.

No reason to learn on a crappy 18-55 $50 lens if that's not what you plan to use 99% of the time.

[FortTom]

Only if the stock one fits your needs.

No reason to learn on a crappy 18-55 $50 lens if that's not what you plan to use 99% of the time.

Actually, the lens is a 18-45 and retail of $199, with a street price of $149. Given that, I know that is still a "cheap" lens. But it'll do while I learn at least the basics, at least I think it will.

I can upgrade later. For a second lens I was going to get a zoom for sports/action and all around zoom. Two options are a 18-150 w/stabilizers, and a 55-200. Together, both should cover all of my needs, until I get through a basic working knowledge of composing, lighting, etc. Right now, my ass is on fire to learn how to use it at a reasonable skill level so I don't get another crappy bunch of photos on my fishing trip to the FL Keys this year.

Of those two lenses would you (or anyone else who happens on here) suggest?

Lastly, I could get an adapter to mount all modern Canon lenses that lets you use all of the features, auto, settings, autofocus etc..etc. That's an option too. But for now, as a newb, I don't want to get too deep into expensive gear. You might remember when I bought my ex-girlfriend a bunch of expensive lenses and a more upscale camera, and when I showed her the door, I sold the gear, primarily because I knew there would be a huge learning curve and I sure as hell wasn't going to give it back to her.[:D]

Sorry to bug you all so much, but I need just a little "jump start" to stay on the right and sane track.

FT[:D]

[alamo5000]

Only if the stock one fits your needs.

No reason to learn on a crappy 18-55 $50 lens if that's not what you plan to use 99% of the time.

I am with UW here for sure. Learn the quirks of whatever lens you plan to use. If you don't know what you plan to use, go out and try to wear the shutter out of your camera. Take it on walks or whatever you do so that you can get used to it. It won't do any good being a 'shelf camera'.

Even if you are not taking pictures of game fish or other stuff, just the sheer amount of 'quality practice' you put in will reveal itself later on when it matters.

I don't know about other people but I think just going and getting some shots and putting the ones you like best up here and let us give you feedback will help with that initial learning curve.

Me personally I don't focus on going 100 mph and taking 500 photos in one walk. I go for quality over quantity most of the time (at least when I am not being put up to taking pictures for the family reunion or something). Taking a dozen or two thoughtful shots is better than 200 just point it and click shots.

[FortTom]

I am with UW here for sure. Learn the quirks of whatever lens you plan to use. If you don't know what you plan to use, go out and try to wear the shutter out of your camera. Take it on walks or whatever you do so that you can get used to it. It won't do any good being a 'shelf camera'.

Even if you are not taking pictures of game fish or other stuff, just the sheer amount of 'quality practice' you put in will reveal itself later on when it matters.

I don't know about other people but I think just going and getting some shots and putting the ones you like best up here and let us give you feedback will help with that initial learning curve.

Me personally I don't focus on going 100 mph and taking 500 photos in one walk. I go for quality over quantity most of the time (at least when I am not being put up to taking pictures for the family reunion or something). Taking a dozen or two thoughtful shots is better than 200 just point it and click shots.

Thanks. That was sort of my plan. Read my book, go for a walk and try to apply what I've learned. See what happens and go from there. I was just mostly explaining that I don't want to invest a few G's on the "best" lenses, at this stage of the game. When I get to the point of being able to take it off of "auto" and apply, hopefully, the correct settings, and IF I become reasonably proficient, then I'd explore more "quality" options. I just received the camera this evening, so now I'm just trying to get through thru the manual for it.

FT
[:D]

[MoxyDave]

Taking a dozen or two thoughtful shots is better than 200 just point it and click shots.

That's good advice, but doesn't work for everybody. I take literally thousands of shots on a few days of vacation, for example. Especially when I get a new camera, it helps me really get to know the settings, and when I get home I can spend some time finding what I did right, what I did wrong, analyze my composition and subjects, basically just use these thousands of photos as research to get better. For me, this results in becoming less critical and getting better shots without thinking too hard about what I'm doing. It becomes instinctive. With so much available storage, IMHO there is really no reason to limit yourself. Take a zillion photos, find out what works for you and what you like. Try manual focus. Try adjusting exposure. Take 3 shots of the same scene with different settings. When you go look at them make a mental note of what worked and what you like.

I have a friend who does the same thing, but he looks at the photos immediately afterward on the camera and deletes them if he doesn't immediately like them. I think he calls it "Chimping" LOL. This results in far fewer photos to cull at the end of the day, but he gets poor battery life and spends time dicking with the camera every single time he uses it, which I think takes him out of the moment and hurts his attention.

Just a couple of different ideas ... good luck!

PS One more thing, I see way too may people taking photos of THINGS. We like things and as men we are drawn to them, but PEOPLE make far more interesting subjects. Think about the photos you actually keep over time; I would bet that most of them have PEOPLE in them, not just things. People make a story, they make the scene interesting and special. Don't be afraid to ask someone to take their photograph, you might be surprised how many folks are more than happy to oblige. You might even make a new friend, too [:)]

[alamo5000]

Yep. Different strokes for different folks.

I totally agree in a lot of ways MoxyDave.

I kind of developed my way based on my needs. I would go take 700 photos and all of them sucked. Not a single keeper.

I was past the familiarizing myself stage but not to the ok I'm doing better phase so in order to make that next step I needed to slow down and focus on quality over quantity.

If I'm able to do it I might take 10 or 20 pictures of one subject maybe with different settings or composure but for me now I'm still in the "pay attention to details" phase which probably isn't going away.

Basically when I slowed down my quality went up.

There are certain times when I will still just gun it but not when I'm trying to figure out how to do something special or new or whatever.

Like I said above, trying to wear out the shutter at first will be a crash course in itself of what you like and don't about a lot of stuff.

[FortTom]

Thanks to all for your help. Between operating manual, beginners photo books and all the advice, my head is spinning.[:D]

FT[:D]

Moxy Dave, can I take my first 1000 and upload them to you to cull/critique? Just kidding, of course.

[voodoo_man]

...don't listen to anyone about what your photography should be or look like. Do you own thing, figure out your own style.

When you hit a wall with hardware upgrade, not before. Let your skill set guide your hardware, not the other way around.

As I've stated, become intimately familiar with light and how to use it.

[FortTom]

...don't listen to anyone about what your photography should be or look like. Do you own thing, figure out your own style.

When you hit a wall with hardware upgrade, not before. Let your skill set guide your hardware, not the other way around.

As I've stated, become intimately familiar with light and how to use it.

One of the books I bought is Understanding Exposure. Just a skim, and there's a whole lot about light and lighting. I'll take your word for it, and study as much as time allows. Thanks.

FT[:D]

[MoxyDave]

Moxy Dave, can I take my first 1000 and upload them to you to cull/critique? Just kidding, of course.

Hah, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh let me get right on that [:)]