topic Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/ in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

williamchaudary — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 06:49:03 GMT

I'm a (very) amateur photographer who has been doing photography for a year now with my DJI Mavic Pro. For aerial shots, it's great, but I've been wanting something for ground level that isn't my cell phone. Two friends who do a lot of photography strongly recommended the Canon Rebel t6 since it's on sale and I have zero camera experience.

The camera will arrive in a few days but in the meanwhile I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Who do you trust for comments, reviews, information, etc. What should I learn first? I feel really overwhelmed but excited as well. Thanks!

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Tronhard — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 19:03:47 GMT

Hi WIlliam

Welcome to the forum.

Not knowing how much you DO know about photography I will assume pretty much zilch... If you have access through your local library to the website lynda.com (if its in the catalogue it's free access), or just visit it directly - (30 days free), you can get access to a huge number of videos on the basics of photography.

Basically you need two types of skill:

1. TECHNICAL - that means understanding the Holy Trinity of imagery: shutter speed, aperture and ISO - what the characteristics of each are, how they interact and how they impact on your images. Once you get those under your belt you can use any camera.

Also you need to read your camera's manual - you need to become competent in using the controls, and preferably finding them without having to look. That may take a while and some of it will depend on your homework on theory.

Start with learning to hold a camera properly: left hand under the lens and cradling the body from beneath in heel of your hand, right had lightly working the controls, and eye to the viewfinder rather than the LCD at the back. That way you have 3 points of contact with the camera which is a much more stable platform than holding it up like a cell phone.

2. ARTISTIC - we're talking composition here. Any decent book or video on photography basics will give you the basics of good still image composition. One way is to look at how artists paint great pictures, but frankly getting a decent book on photography for Christmas would be a good start.

I would also suggest looking at your local photographic clubs or societies. You can learn a lot from experienced members who will usually be happy to help you out.

That should get you started.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

ebiggs1 — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 15:29:52 GMT

"What should I learn first?"

What should you learn first, learn how to read the manual. Most folks that get a new camera don't even know there is a manual. Don't be that person.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

axepilot — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 22:12:20 GMT

I'm an old head 35 mm SLR shooter, but not a pro. I got the Rebel T6 as a Christmas present and I couldn't be happier. I'm approaching this camera like an old school 35 mm.

Shots are free, so I intend to do a lot of experimenting.

This camera will do LOTS of things. I dove into the manual, and I'll be going back to it for some time.

READ THE MANUAL - it lays out everything the camera will do. The more you know about what your camera will do, the better your shots.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

John_ — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 22:12:23 GMT

Hi William your not alone! I just got a new T6i after being a point and shoot owner for many, many years. First things I noticed was all the buttons on the camera! I bought a book on the T6 too just to see things explained a little differently than the manual. You will get, and I will get good advice here from the members on specific questions as well as general inquiries. But just like most things, it's going to take practice and patience.and time. Make the manual your best friend!

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

ebiggs1 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 15:47:49 GMT

"Shots are free, so I intend to do a lot of experimenting."

I love this! Second on the list of things to do is a post editor. A must not an option if you want the best the T6 can deliver.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

amfoto1 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 17:58:16 GMT

Since you are very new to DSLR photography, I'd recommend you buy Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Photography".... read it, study it, learn it. Last time I looked on Amazon it only cost about $18 and may be the best money you ever spend on your photography.

There are also "guide books" specific to the T6 available, which sort of expand upon what you'll find in the user manual. One of those might be helpful, too. Over the years, I've bought guides by David Busch, Doug Klostermann, David Taylor and Charlotte Lowrie.... all good. There are probably others by authors I don't know, so check the buyer feedback.

The Canon manuals are fine (and free). But any printed one that's included with the camera is probably heavily abridged.... more of a "starter" manual. Be sure to check online and download the more complete PDF version from the Canon website. (For example, the printed manuals that came with my 7D Mark IIs is aroudn 150 pages... But online the PDF manual is over 500 and there's a separate 50 page manual for just the autofocus system!)

The T6 has a lot of automation to help new shooters. One mode for still photography that I'd call your attention to is "CA" or "creative auto".... This is sort of a "learning" mode, which provides wizard-style assistance on the camera's rear LCD monitor to help you get familiar how things work.

The camera will come with Canon software to work with your images on your computer (either on a disk or as a download). That can be fine. However, a lot of people opt to get a more full featured, all in one program like Adobe Elements 2019 (which is also loaded with support for new users). It's on sale for $70 right now.... but if you also want to work with video, the $150 bundle with both Elements and Premier is probably a better deal.

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2) some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & ZENFOLIO

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Waddizzle — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 18:37:49 GMT

I no longer recommend Photoshop Elements. Ever since the 2018 version, you can no longer perform lens correction. It has been crippled. Use the Canon free software.

Adobe Premiere is for video.

Learn how to set the camera to save files in RAW format. The CR2 files are like digital negatives. The JPG files are like instant prints from a Polaroid.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

ebiggs1 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 19:15:32 GMT

"... Adobe Elements 2019 (which is also loaded with support for new users). It's on sale for $70 right now.... "

This is a good deal for a program that is almost Photoshop. It will do everything the amateur or even advanced person wants. A steal at $70 bucks.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Waddizzle — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 17:39:16 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... Adobe Elements 2019 (which is also loaded with support for new users). It's on sale for $70 right now.... "

This is a good deal for a program that is almost Photoshop. It will do everything the amateur or even advanced person wants. A steal at $70 bucks.

This is what the version of ACR that now comes with PSE looks like now. Like I said, it has been crippled. You cannot perform lens correction with PSE. People are better off using DPP, and freeware like GIMP or PaintDotNet.

Adobe really wants you to enroll in a subscription. They now offer at least two packages aimed at photographers. If you want PSE with lens correction, then subscribe to Lightroom CC. Lightroom CC is not a full blown version. If you want full blown Lightroom, then you need Lightroom Classic CC, which costs twice as much.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

amfoto1 — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 19:32:23 GMT

In order to do many of the things you can do in Elements 2019, you will need BOTH Lightroom AND Photoshop.

For example, Elements has an image organizer, sort of a "lite" version of Lightroom. Photoshop has "Bridge", but it's not as good an organizer.

And Elements can work in layers and masks, like Photoshop can... but Lightroom can't. The clone tool is much better in Photoshop and Elements, too.

Elements also has built in support for new users. You can choose between highlyu guided "Beginner" mode, or more advanced and less guided "Intermediate" or "Expert". Neither Lightroom nor Photoshop have this sort of support. Photoshop, in particular, has a much steeper learning curve (plan to buy books and take classes, to learn to use it well).

In other words.... Elements it more of a single program to handle most of your image processing needs as easily as possible. It has a few drawbacks, but most are minor and aren't a concern for the majority of users. Lightroom and Photoshop, on the other hand, are designed to complement each other. Some people get by using just one or the other (though if you buy into the "CC" or "creative cloud" subscription, you're paying for both). People who only shoot small number of images and/or have some other means of organizing and archiving their images might only work with Photoshop. Others who only lightly correct their images... such as for online display only... might only work with Lightroom. But most need both (though they may not realize it).

Like Wadizzle, rather than "rent" the current Photoshop/Lightroom CC (now only offered by subscription: $120 a year) I work with older, perpetually licensed versions: Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 6.14. These are no longer being updated and so cannot work with some of the newer cameras, but are fine for my purposes. I don't currently use Elements, but might install it on a laptop I sometimes use on location (right now I've only got Lightroom installed on it).

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2) some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & ZENFOLIO

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Waddizzle — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 20:06:39 GMT

@amfoto1 wrote:

I don't currently use Elements, but might install it on a laptop I sometimes use on location (right now I've only got Lightroom installed on it).

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2) some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & ZENFOLIO

“It’’s a TRAP!”

I do not recommend installing PSE if you already have a standalone license for LR. The installation will break ACR, and LR will no longer perform lens correction. Some menu selections will disappear, and others will become greed out.

If you want PSE, then do not install it on the same machine with a LR or ACR.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Tronhard — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 21:39:21 GMT

With all respect to everyone, I think we have strayed away from the original poster's inquiry and I am concerned that we are both confusing and overloading the poor fellow. He has just got a camera, and it seems a logical priority to me that before he does anything else he needs to get to know the camera's controls and learn about exposure and its application to aperture, shutter speed and ISO - using the camera's manual, other books and videos. Those are the BASICS of using a camera and he should start there - and there is plenty to work on at that point.

Applying the KISS philosophy, while I agree PP will be useful when he has gained some familiarity and skill with the image capture part, as a priority PP would not be high on my list at this stage in his learning path, and debating the details of what PP package is good value or not is confusing the issue for them AT THIS STAGE! It will certainly be relevent later.

I would suggest he works on his control of the camera and image capture, save his images as RAW and JPG and then he can go back to them when he has got some competence and can then focus on PP.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

ebiggs1 — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 21:59:05 GMT

"Photoshop has "Bridge", but it's not as good an organizer."

I am not a big user of Bridge because I have LR. However, I do use it. Bridge will everything that LR can do when it is coupled with PS. I don't see any limitations it has compared to LR.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

ebiggs1 — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 22:03:46 GMT

"I think we have strayed away from the original poster's inquiry ..."

On the contrary, my friend, a post editor is not an option it is mandatory. It falls directly in the query of, "... what do I need to know???/"

For the average beginning photographer learning a program like PSE is required if you expect the best from the new Rebel T6. Might as well start it from the get go.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Tronhard — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 23:34:59 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"I think we have strayed away from the original poster's inquiry ..."

On the contrary, my friend, a post editor is not an option it is mandatory. It falls directly in the query of, "... what do I need to know???/"

For the average beginning photographer learning a program like PSE is required if you expect the best from the new Rebel T6. Might as well start it from the get go.

Hmmm. I take your point, I KNOW what you're saying and I can see the argument, I just don't want to confuse and overload the poor chap with too many things all at once. Learning photography is like eating an elephant, best done in bites! I am not saying wait a l-o-n-g time, but maybe prioritize the camera side first for a while...

To ME, IMHO, he needs to get the camera side of things sorted first so he can produce a decent image, remembring that the software has controls that assume you know SOMETHING about photogrphy, and I get the impressions he is a serious newby..

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

ebiggs1 — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 15:14:13 GMT

"...he needs to get the camera side of things sorted first so he can produce a decent image,..."

Yes, I agree but how does he view the "decent image"? The two have to go hand in hand. Of course the OP isn't going to be the guru of PS at first either both have a starting point and a goal. I don't care which, DPP4, Gimp, PSE or PS, etc, he chooses but it needs to be a companion to the T6.

Re: New Canon Rebel t6... what do I need to know???/

Tronhard — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 16:57:51 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"...he needs to get the camera side of things sorted first so he can produce a decent image,..."

Yes, I agree but how does he view the "decent image"? The two have to go hand in hand. Of course the OP isn't going to be the guru of PS at first either both have a starting point and a goal. I don't care which, DPP4, Gimp, PSE or PS, etc, he chooses but it needs to be a companion to the T6.

Viewing of course is absolutely mandatory, but you don't need PS, LR, Gimp etc. which are photo editing programs to view an image. I use Windows and Mac I can use the built-in photo viewers of those OS to see every image I make if it is in JPG - and you will recall I suggested that the OP save in BOTH JPG (for viewing) and RAW (for if and when he is ready to edit).

This is rather akin to learning photography in the film days when you sent your images off to a processor and got back the negative and the print. The print will let you see how you formed the image, but the negative could be used later if you decides to learn PP. I would absolutely expect that if the OP is serious (and we don't really know his intent) he would move on to a PP, but he will do so having hopefully got a decent grounding in taking the image.