I finally decided on a camera.

I got the Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10MP digital SLR. The camera kit came with an EF-S 18-55mm lens, and I also bought a Canon telephoto lens, EF 70-300mm with image stabilization.

I have a lot to learn about the techniques behind taking "real" pictures, but I spent a couple hours in my back yard today birdwatching and got a couple good ones. The differences between the pictures from this camera and my 4 year old Canon point-n-shoot digital are ridiculous.

I absolutely love it so far!

A few shots:

Wow those are nice pics Kit. And that 5th picture, that bird looks like he's ready to pounce.

Nice Kit! I'd love to get a new camera, a digital SLR. I love digital cameras but you can't vary a picture like you can with SLR. Right now though funds are not looking hot.. I have taken the most effd up pictures with my Nikon Cool Pix 5600, it has the worst shutter lag time EVER! And I can't believe how cheap the camera is now!

I was looking at the new Nikon D40X, what caught my eye was
I have to say standalone digitals have spoiled me regards to a flash. This camera needs a external flash, does yours have one built in?

My advice, which it looks like you may have started to mess around with... Get Low. Get High. Get in the trees, on a ladder, on the ground, lay on a table whatever.
Not sure what your shutter speed is like but Tripods are awesome. There is a new tripod called gorillapod that can wrap around things, like tree branches, dogs anything.

Most importantly. Have fun!

Oh I almost forgot. Varrying the appature will give you some awesome effects! Try that out on some scenery shots, especially BW.

Mine has a built in flash that is good enough for portrait-distance stuff, but I've got a bigger external flash on my birthday/x-mas list this year!

I don't yet have a tripod. I took these sitting on my deck I'm hoping the birds get used to me sitting out there so they won't be afraid of me. The finches weren't scared after a little bit, but as you can tell from that 5th picture, the grackles were not pleased with my presence!

I'll have to look into that gorilla pod or whatever you called it, Snuggs! And yes, I'm just learning about aperture and stuff. Lots of experimenting to come!

nice pics kit

Wow those are some great images! And aww cute birdies!!

-RMS Carpathia-

I have 4 feeders up in my back yard, and my back yard backs up to a giant bushy tree and some marsh grass and a pond, so I get some pretty interesting birds. There's a new kind of bird just about every week (I just put the feeders up about a month ago).

Yesterday, I saw the mourning doves eating the nyger thistle seed. I thought the finches were supposed to eat that, but instead they eat the black oil sunflower seed, which is what I had originally bought for the red winged black birds, but they are eating the nut and berry blend seed!

So apparently my birds don't know what they're supposed to eat, but as long as they're hanging around and eating, I'm a happy camper

nice!