So a few weeks ago I walked around town with my brothers nikon d200, took a few pictures and kind of liked it. Since I liked it so much and I'm planning a trip to Italy within the next week I decided to buy a camera. Decided on the Canon 40d with a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6, it was the Costco online kit. I wanted to get some feedback on the pictures I have taken thus far and maybe some tips that could help me take some better pictures in Italy. Also on Costco.com they don't mention the lens is the Image Stability version, does canon make a 28-135mm without IS? Here are the pics.

I think you have some good stuff goin on here. I really like the skateboard photo. I am not the pro you are looking for to give pointers, so I will leave it at that. Good job and Have fun in Italy

tommy

Well I think we're going to see some wonderful photographs from you and your new camera. The "eye" being the far more important piece of equipment than the camera, it sure appears you're well equipped. Share more as you can.

Seems like you've purchased a good kit there. I personally use the Canon 5D (before that was the 20D) and I'm a huge advocate of Canon cameras (I am in no way affiliated with Canon and my opinions are mine alone).

Second and more importantly, you've got a good eye. Several good photos up there and most are processed well.

Best wishes to you on your trip to Europe. I can't wait to see some from your trip.

As far as the 28-135 is concerned, I don't think they make a non-IS version. Is there a reason you don't want the IS? You can turn it off if you don't want it activated.

Best,
Matthew

thanks for the comments so far.

beauport, about that "eye" not sure if i have it, i just know what i like so when i see it i snap a picture. thanks.

mathewm, no, i want the IS, i was worried i was getting a lens without it. it seems that costco didnt include all the details about the lens that is in the kit. "most are processed well" which ones need some work? any hits? i was just messing around with them in photoshop for a bit. thanks.

I wish first pictures looked like that. Come to think of it, I wish all of my pictures looked like that.

Don't worry just keep having fun and shooting it when you see it you're doing great

Very nice, but how close are you and your brother? The Canon is a great set up and i am sure you will be happy with it but if you were close to and around your brother alot I would have thought it to be better to get a Nikon from a cost perspective. You can share lenses, flashes ect. Just a thought

90 5.0 yeah, i thought about that though i dont think he is planning to keep his camera. pretty sure hes looking to sell it. i also have a few friends with canon bodies and L glass lenses, planning to borrow some of them ^^,

also, are there any good guides where i can read about aperture settings and shutter speeds? I know what they do though to get the right exposure I always seem to take 3-5 pictures for each shot, just a bunch of trial and error. Id like to have a better idea of how fast i should have my shutter and how open/close the aperture should be.

called costco, 40d should be here thursday!!! ^^,

Nice pictures, you definitely have your own style.

k427 wrote:
90 5.0 yeah, i thought about that though i dont think he is planning to keep his camera. pretty sure hes looking to sell it. i also have a few friends with canon bodies and L glass lenses, planning to borrow some of them ^^,

also, are there any good guides where i can read about aperture settings and shutter speeds? I know what they do though to get the right exposure I always seem to take 3-5 pictures for each shot, just a bunch of trial and error. Id like to have a better idea of how fast i should have my shutter and how open/close the aperture should be.

called costco, 40d should be here thursday!!! ^^,

As another relative newbie to SLR photography, I have this book

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Photography-Seventh-Michael-Langford/dp/0240515927

It is getting on a bit now, but I have found it useful and concise

Nice photos btw

thanks gowhow, ill look into getting that book.

and thanks for all the comments everyone, leaving monday! im so excited.

you are really good, but why not taking a wider angle to Italy ? Europe is tight, I made the mistake of taking 28-105 mm lens to Europe and I missed a lot a wider angle. At 28 mm, buildings, museums, and churches didn't fit in my composition.

This time I'm traveling with 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS, and 15 mm Fisheye.

jlandaue: i dont really have the money to spend on a second lens, also not sure if photography will stick as a hobby of mine. i get bored easily... ;o

The book EXPOSURE by Peterson should help you.

K427... you are such a liar! These are not your first shots! These are fantastic for first shots, I wish my first shots looked like this. How much experience do you have in photoshop though, it looks like you've edited them quite a bit.

Good eye, good composition, good color...

You definitely have a good eye for composition. Methinks these aren't your "first" photos, or you have some other art background.

The colors look a little flat. Maybe that's what you're going for in post-processing. It works for some shots, but in others (the wide shot of the Del and the last flower), it looks like a faded post-card or polaroid.

Enjoy the new camera, I'm thinking of getting a 40D when rebates hit in Ocotober. And, enjoy that trip to Italy. *jealous*.

You have some good stuff going on here. If you'd like C&C you would do better to number your photos when posting so many. Both of the flower shots seemed a bit over exposed, nothing is in focus in the shot with the woman leaning over the glass rail. I really like the 1st 4 shots.

great pictures, like the long beach picture, greate pictures!!!

p.s
i wanna go Italy, too!!! (enjoy~)