I've barely taken a photograph in my life. A couple of thousand on a camera phone, but I'm sure that doesn't count as 'real' photography experience.

However, in a few weeks I'm going on a road trip / hiking thing in America, and I'd like to use it as an opportunity to learn proper photography. From online reviews and pbase, I've narrowed my choice down to a Canon 30D or (less affordably) 40D. Lens I'm not yet certain about, but it'll be something mid-range. Ideally I'd like a zoom and a wide angle, but we're talking deepest, darkest overdraft country.

What do you reckon the chances are that (if going ahead with this) I'll be able to learn enough about photography in a couple of weeks before I go and a couple of weeks there to take some nice, or at least passable shots to bring home?

Either one of those cameras, or pretty much any dSLR really, when used in fully auto mode will get you passable pictures of most things you point it at. And for those situations where it maybe won't do a good enough job, like harsh backlight, you'll need to learn how and why to use exposure compensation - it'll be in the little manual that comes with the camera.

Other than that it's a matter of playing and looking at the results - maybe comparing your results with others - why do some pics look better than others. Post a few and let people on here look - they'll soon give you loads of advice - maybe even useful advice!!! There are also a number of threads on here that will explain various aspects of photography - what different lenses do here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=324468), a general learning and training thread here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=294035).

And as for your chances of success - depends how keen you are and how much time and effort you can put into it. If you're keen you can expect to improve steadily.

I'm sure you will get on well with either of those cameras just put it on auto mode to start with and take lots of pics and read the links Impinabox posted you will soon pick it up,top tip from me is actualy look at how you frame your shot on the camera screen you can't go far wrong.I think you will be blown away when you see your results on your pc,enjoy your trip.

New ones always better, I think..

40D is a fab thing - maybe if you ask Kerso (email address on this page (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FLASH-CAMERA)) he can get you a good deal on it and the lenses you want and you may find it much more affordable than you first thought :P

Using a camera phone is definitely good experience for photography and interacting with people and your surroundings :)

Personally I would suggest go for the 30D but the savings against a 40D are not as great as you may think.

Put as much as you can into a lens.

Plus you will need at lease one pare battery and plenty of CF cards.

Yeah, budget isn't too big to be honest. I'm leaning more towards a second hand 30d. The main thing that draws me to the 40d is the nice big LCD screen, but it's not really worth another £200 to me.

I'll see if I can pick one up on ebay. Cheers for the link, I'll have a look at that when I get to looking for a lens(es)!

Hmm, just found out I'd get £140 cashback on a new 40d and 17-85mm lens, so it's back on the menu...

Wow, clicked 'buy it now'. Canon 40D with 17-85 mm lens. I am poor but excited!

Need a case now... hmm

I have a crumpler PrettyBoy somewhere I don't use...

Wow, clicked 'buy it now'. Canon 40D with 17-85 mm lens. I am poor but excited!

Need a case now... hmm


I have a brand new case for a D-SLR, it's not a huge one that holds everything, just more or less the camera (nice and light for if you don't need to take everything with you).

It's a Lowepro one, I clicked "buy" twice and they were going to charge me for sending it back, I only want what I paid for it (actually, just checked it, paid more than this - especially with delevery from market place seller - so just want what it says on the description) £15, if that's any use to you?

Link to camera case on Amazon. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004TX6Z)

And to answer your original question, I bought a Canon D400, as an novice - and although I don't feel that I've committed as much time to it as some might, I'm finding it difficult to use it in anything other than manual mode, and think I need a little course. But, again, I think someone that's more committed than me might pick it up in no time!

Ah, damnit. I was hasty and bought one! A crumpler prettyboy, actually...

I can vouch for the 40d as it is a wonderful camera - only think is that it's pretty big. I wouldn't like to think I was hiking with it and a 17-85 IS lens, again a real beast :)

If you're new to photography I'd suggest you start with a second hand 400d or 350d (money doesn't seem to be a problem), you'll get the same quality picture especially if you're shooting on one of the picture modes.

With reference to the 17-85 IS lens I think it's over rated (mainly by Canon :) ). It's very big, the need for IS is dubious and the quality isn't 'great' and it's expensive campared to some other 3rd party lenses.

I wish I'd gone for the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro which is less money, half the weight, faster and it includes a lens hood :). I'm not bitter about my IS purchase - honest :)

Ah well, I've bought it now!

There was £40 cashback on the 17-85 lens, which does make a difference... picked up the body and lens for a total £550 after cashback. It has better reviews than the 18-55 kit lens, and buying a kit worked out much cheaper.

I will probably want more lenses (a 10-20 especially) when a: I can consistently point the thing in the right direction and b: I'm less poor than now :)

I went in to a shop and tried the 450d alongside the 40d actually, which was what swayed me. My hands are quite big and I just couldn't get a decent hold onto the 450d, felt like I was going to drop / crush it...

As for the weight problem, I'll let you know in a few weeks after a 12-14 hour hike up a 10,000 foot mountain.