Does anyone one here know anything about DSLR cameras?

[snapthesnap]

Sorry for posting on this topic but hoping I can find someone who is knowledgable on the subject via AIBU traffic.

I've recently dug this up from our loft. Apparently it was left years and years ago at an event my DP organised when he lived abroad and despite extensive searches no one ever found the owner or came forward to claim it. DP has a super stressful busy job so it kind of got dumped in a box full of random event stuff and completely forgotten about, it's now resurfaced 9+ years and a country move later.

It's a Canon 1000D it was in a case with charger and has an EFS 18-55 lens which doesn't seem to work on AF only manual and inside the case there's also a large Sigma DG 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 lens which seems to be working fine albeit only if the subject is far away, it has a "normal" and a "macro" switch and a "AF" and "M" one too. I don't know what any of those spec means or if they're even relevant.

Now call me silly but I've always really wanted to take up photography as a hobby but either couldn't really afford a camera or had no time to pursue it and it's fallen onto the back burner along with other things in my life since becoming an adult and mum. Now that I've found this and DP is more than happy for me to have it I kind of feel like it's a bit of a sign and was wondering if I could maybe use it to learn the basics of photography.

I'm aware that this camera is probably rather old now and I'm not sure if it's any good, can someone with more knowledge on the subject shed some light on its spec and wether it would be OK to use as a starter camera for a newbie?
Or perhaps if it needs anything to bring it up to spec? Sorry if this isn't a thing but I'd love to give it a go if I can.

They were decent quality. Not sure about being brought up to spec, rather the lenses you need may be steered by what you want to photograph - portraits, landscapes, ?

Good luck.

If the battery works and you can put a chip in it for the photos then crack on - it was a very competent starter camera of its era and is perfectly fine for starting to learn photography (10mb sensor is fine)

the 70-300 is an okay amateur lens, it only works on far away subjects because it is a telephoto lens with a long focal lens - so basically designed for things a long way away and it won't focus closely! (use it e.g. for animals at the zoo) - the macro switch brings the focusing closer, but not really much use on this type of camera, the AF means that a camera can drive the focusing / the M means you focus on the lens. The 18-55 - not sure why it won't work on AF - should do - but 18mm is wide angle and 55 is about normal,

biggest issue is likely to be battery life, but you should still be able to get batteries on ebay / Amazon - so crank it up and get photographing!

Af is autofocus and m is manual focusing.
I'd take some photos (using auto focus to start) and see what you think. I don't know the model you have but if you Search YouTube for videos on exposure triangle or beginner photography.
Your camera will have different operation modes (possibly on a dial with APMS - Aperture, program,manual and shutter speed) I'd start with learning what each of those do.

The 18-55mm lens is probably a more usable lens to start off with if you are either happy to manual focus (check if your camera has a setting called focus peaking - makes manual focus easy) or there may be a setting in the camera that needs changing for the auto focus to work. Can you set the camera to factory settings to see if this allows the af to work on the lens?

Perfect starter DSLR - you can learn about shutter speeds, apertures, depth of field etc on these. You can buy a replacement kit lens (like the 18-55 it would have come with) cheaply to replace the one with the dead autofocus.

Ooh these replies are getting me a bit excited!

I've small DCs so would love to take some pictures of them be it for our wall or for DGPs. Also definitely would be looking to maybe have a dabble at some landscape / nature photography as we live semi-rural with some lovely spots locally.

The 18-55mm lens AF just doesn't seem to work at all, when I switch it the camera display still shows "M" so I'm assuming something isn't right there? I can potentially buy a new lens or two to start.

Can I ask - the camera has a fairly large display but I can't use it to take pictures, it's just displaying settings, I have to look through the viewer to be able to see what I'm photographing is that how they work?
Also the flash keeps popping up all the time even when I don't want to use it or when it's fairly light when it's in auto mode is that normal?

You should be able to see the image on the screen - that is called live view -
th.canon/en/support/8200228500

Flash popping up - yes normal in auto mode.

Wow thanks @DynamoKev ! I just did it

Still can't believe I've found this, and with a lower pro case and everything! I know someone probably wouldn't even go out to buy this model anymore but to me it all feels quite professional
It all seems in really good condition, and I just got the AF to work even though it was not functional about 20 mins ago when I tried it.

There's no covers for the lenses though, I'm guessing that's something I should try and get?

Would anyone be kind enough to recommend best ways for a newbie like me to learn and places to get information from?

Good luck with what may be an interesting interest. I cannot offer any advice though as I still use film because I love my camera.

this thread makes me happy, enjoy your new hobby!

Ooooh how exciting! You can buy lens caps cheaply on Amazon. Do the lenses have filters? If not you may want to get some, cheaper to replace than the whole lens!

And perhaps a book?

www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16&crid=1QWE7BEXX63NM&sprefix=Canon+1000d+book%2Caps%2C156&k=canon+1000d+book&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I have a couple of Canons. If you go to the Canon website you should be able to download the user guide for your model.
Have fun!

I can REALLY recommend a free course called 'A Year with my Camera'

ayearwithmycamera.com/

It is superb - and even though I knew a fair bit it taught me stuff from the first lesson. The support you get from the FB pages and emails is great.

We have a local camera club and there's a bloke who offers free training as well.

Thank you everyone! I have ordered the canon 1000D book for dummies

Apologies for the old carpet but have just found these in a little side pocket. From what I gather these are filters? Are they useful?

They look like filters. They go on the end of the lens.

If you can do a beginners photography course. I recently got back into it after a break and did a photography course a couple of years ago as a refresher. I used a london based school called Photoion, which I found really useful to give me a bit of confidence with what I'm doing. I've just had an email from them saying they are running zoom courses at the moment, so I guess you don't need to be local at the moment.

I tend to keep a UV or other clear filter on common use lenses all the time. Protects the front end. I don't use them on all lenses though

Nice camera really, it's capable, it's very low spec by today's standards but I use a DSLR that's a couple of years older than that and still takes amazing pics.

The 18-55 - not sure why it won't work on AF - should do

It may be from a 35mm camera. I'm using my 18-55 from my previous 35mm camera on my digital camera, it is an EF fitting lens the same as the digital ones, but the AF only works on the film camera and not the digital camera.

And I've just read that you've got the AF to work, so ignore my post!
Have fun!

I'm a total camera geek ... all Canon .. I have 4 ... Sounds to me like you have yourself a perfect starter set up. Charge up the battery and get going. Just shoot some pictures and see how it goes. Do you have a laptop or similar? Thats the best place to download them to save.

There are loads of beginner courses and videos on line, You Tube etc. Enjoy your new hobby.

Oh you lucky thing!! This is a good site for free articles and tutorials:

digital-photography-school.com/

Can I make an extra suggestion to help prevent it getting lost again?
Take a photo of all your relevant contact details at the start of each sd card that you put in. Also,some cameras have a minute amount of memory on them so that would be even more permanent.

Good luck with the photography, it's a great interest to have. Don't be afraid of trial,error and instinct - they all have a part to play.

Good luck with the camera OP! I recommend online training courses from Creative Live - loads of courses designed and delivered by working professional photographers. There’s a couple of good ones on family photography and fundamentals of photography. They offer deals and sales a lot so hold out for a reduced price if you really fancy one, Black Friday is especially good.