Today after work I attended a class our locale library had about using your camera. I learned so much. The guy that talked about it is a professional photographer. He took it up after he retired. He said in a couple yrs DSLR will not be as popular. What people are going for is what is called Mirrorless cameras. Lighter weight he said. He said the cost and granted it isn't cheap. But I am happy with mine. Most of us must like canon most of the ones there had that or a Nikon.
Pat
Member Name:
z3mom
Date/Time:
5/13/26 3:22 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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I've had a Nikon DSLR since 2013. It's as versatile as the old film SLRs. Changeable lenses but what's really great is the ability to change ISOs on the same memory card (no more special processing if you used a higher ISO). It's really good for low light shooting if you know how to use it in manual mode and set it on a tripod for a timed exposure.
I shot this in 2018 outside of Reykjavik, Iceland. ISO 1600, about 15 seconds exposure.
Member Name:
z3mom
Date/Time:
5/13/26 3:24 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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And yes, the trend is toward mirrorless and full frame cameras. Which may also mean a new set of lenses.
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/13/26 3:45 AM
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Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Bought a mirrorless camera a few years ago and love it. Wish I had gotten one for the Alaska trip. Have taken lots of photography courses over the years. My good friend is a wedding photographer. I even know how to develope film and would love an in home dark room. I only use canon and canon lenses. My DSLR is the canon EOS 80D. Took that and the canon 200-800mm hand held lens to Alaska and had a blast shooting and got so many awesome shots. My mirrorless is the Canon EOS R5 Mark II. I have been into photography big time since my teens. Hubbard glacier in Alaska from our balcony. Mary
Member Name:
MaryO1230
Date/Time:
5/13/26 4:58 AM
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Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Lovely pictures!
MaryO1230
Member Name:
z3mom
Date/Time:
5/13/26 5:01 AM
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Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Mary, I learned to develop film (B&W, color, and slides) back in college. Learned to print as well. I spent many nights in the college dark rooms! It’s a lot of fun but can be messy. You have to keep a lot of chemicals around.
Member Name:
Sherryc53
Date/Time:
5/13/26 6:19 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Started out with Canon and have only bought Canons. I used mine a lot, especially for Osmond trips.
Now, I tend to just use my phone or IPad for photos, it’s more convenient.
Member Name:
gabbycat
Date/Time:
5/13/26 2:12 PM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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One of my summer jobs as a teen was developing film and making slides for a microscopy lab. My pay was double minimum wage which was fantastic as a 16 year old.
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/13/26 4:52 PM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Emerald lake in British Columbia when we were on our Alaska trip. The black sand from Hawaii with the mirrorless. Mary
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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My dad put a darkroom in every house he lived in. It's easy to do.
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/13/26 5:07 PM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Was always my dream to go to B&H in NYC and buy something as I have ordered from them for years. Alas found out when we were there they are closed on Saturdays. It's so nice having a zoom with a grip. I got mine on sale some cheaper from B&H before the Alaska trip in 2019. Was another dream of mibe to.oen this lenses and late hubby said it for the trip. Mary
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Here's a photo you can't take with a point-and-shoot camera, or even many smartphones with Night exposure.
Milky Way over the Atacama desert, Chile, September 2024. ISO 1600, 30 seconds.
Member Name:
gabbycat
Date/Time:
5/13/26 5:35 PM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Tina ~ wonderful night sky/Milky Way pic!
Where is Rowland when you need him?
He has wonderful pictures of the night sky too.
Member Name:
EllieC
Date/Time:
5/13/26 11:51 PM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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All the photos here are fabulous. Thanks for taking the time to share them. Dh has a Nikon and a Canon DSLR but I don't know which is the older model camera. I was never able to remember any information about settings so using those cameras just wasn't for me. I envy those with the skill to use them and get these gorgeous photos.
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/14/26 0:31 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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That night shot is awesome. Mary
Member Name:
pattyb854
Date/Time:
5/14/26 2:29 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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I was telling the man yesterday at the class what happened to me when I took a night shot. A friend of ours was at this annual gathering of former co workers and who all have retired. Well 80 % of us, lol. Mark is a photographer who does weddings, senior pictures and etc. he also has a Band B , plus he set up Trail of Hope you can walk through and it is the tale Wizard of Oz . He also does Mural Paintings all over in his area he lives in. He told me the best way to take a night shot of the sky with the stars and etc. He set the camera upside doen on the ground, set the timer. The camera captured a falling star. Everyone said I should get it transfer to a canvas. But it is still on my sd cards.
This is with my Canon. Mirrorless, I have no intentions. The guy at the class said what the cost was years and ago and it is still real high. No way paying over a 1000 for a camera. Not in my budget.
Acraftylady. I thought I read you buy all of your cameras and etc from Best Buy, I personally would not buy anything if the store is not close by.
Pat
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/14/26 2:43 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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If you are not into photography big time then no you wouldn't want a mirrorless one. It was worth the investment for me as I have been doing this since my teens and photography is my passion. Each has to spend on what hobby they enjoy and mine has always been photography. I grew up having a friend whose Mom was a photographer and had photos on hallmark cards and stuff back in the day. That is where I got my passion for it. She taught me a lot. We have a place here you can rent the darkroom to develope photos. Mary
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/14/26 2:54 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Pat I have bought a few lenses from best buy online and a few filters because I had best buy bucks but B&H has been my go to for years even before internet. Best buy doesnt really have certain lenses I am looking for. B&H online carries so much stuff. Once in a while I will go in to the city of Buffalo to Delaware camera but they don't have what they used too in store. The 200-800 I would have had to order so only trusted B&H for that. Got a nice deal on the lens and mirrorless from them. You can find great deals on used equipment if you have a camera club in your area. That is how I sold all my film equipment. Had a lot of expensive Minolta stuff people were after. Mary
Member Name:
pattyb854
Date/Time:
5/14/26 2:54 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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I love taking pictures . But doesn't matter on the cost what you spend. This guy is a professional photographer and he even said he would never spend that kind of money for one. He described whereabouts he lives and we used to live in that town for a few yrs , but never really called it home. That area is very expensive, so I know he must be really well off. So not the money issue , He said the cons about having a mirror one to a non-one. he said it is up to the ones that buys them . Peter showed us his telescope lenses he has for his canon. He told us the price he paid and he said unless you use them for what he does when he travels to lakes and rivers his favorite spots to take nature pics one really does not need them.
Member Name:
laurawa
Date/Time:
5/14/26 2:57 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Beautiful photos!
Laura
WA
Member Name:
z3mom
Date/Time:
5/14/26 3:15 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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The Milky Way photo was shot with a 24mm wide angle Tokina lens (cheaper than Nikon, still good quality). I love to chase the northern lights so a fast wide angle is necessary.
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/15/26 3:46 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Pat we have a huge camera club here and most do spend that much. Maybe not in your area but we have a lot of camera buffs like me in Buffalo that want high quality and be able to use manual controls. My photographer friend owns several high end canons for her business. Mary
Member Name:
pattyb854
Date/Time:
5/15/26 4:01 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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A craftylady. I do not know if there is a camera club. But I know of many that post pics they take with their camera on one of the Groups from my city. One took up photography when she retired. Her pics are located all over in different areas around here. She has won prizes and ribbons. Just a hobby she took up after retiring. This man that taught the class is in a nature club of photography. His website is so full of different shots he got. he does his own developing and has a dark room in his home. The lady I sat with , we both agree we love to take pics but Walgreens here we come to have them print off.
Pat
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/15/26 7:40 PM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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You should find out about any camera clubs in your area. I have learned so much from our group over the years. Ours is from beginner to pros so all our welcome. Mary
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Mary, I am not interested in it. I wanted to know how to use my camera better. I knew someone that joined a club in her town. She told us at work she quit going They wanted to start at 6 am and go to the afternoon every Sat. She said that would leave her 1 day off.The cost she had to pay. And the areas they wanted to meet was sometimes an hour away. On our cruises I take pics at sunrise and sunsets. when we are at sea
Pat
Member Name:
acraftylady
Date/Time:
5/16/26 0:04 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Oh never heard of a camera club starting a 6am. Ours meets twice a month and meeting goes from 6pm-7pm. We have outings sometimes too that someone arranges. Onwards time we went to bird kingdom in Canada to shoot. So lucky to learn from the pros over the years on using manual settings that have cameras like me so consider myself Lucky to have this group here. We have competitions then a big awards ceremony at the end. The youth center here is where I learned to developed film whrn I was like 12. Mary
Member Name:
pattyb854
Date/Time:
5/16/26 2:55 AM
Subject:
Re: what I learned today at a class for DSLR cameras
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Mary, not all clubs are run the same. This club met where rhey agreed to take pics at. It was old farmhouse where the silos are still standing. I told my friend / former co worker of where I grew up and the barn is gone but the silo still stood there. The head of the club got in touch with the owners and had permission to go on the property to take pics from all sides. But not to attempt to climb on the outside though. The afternoon ones could stay and learn more about the cameras they used. Not my idea of a fun time. I don't care I am not a pro. I just love taking pics.
Pat
Chonky Forest Kitty - Cross Stitch Pattern
