Does the Canon EOS 50D camera have F-stop controls?

Yes, you have the option of controlling the F-stop manually with this camera. Though some other settings may also be linked (ie ISO, Shutter Speed), so changing one may change the other.

You can do any of the typical options. Full Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Full manual.

Bill has the correct answer

Bill did a good job by listing the four typical options most people think about; Full Auto Mode, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Full Manual.

There is another extremely helpful but often overlooked Mode on the Dial which is A-DEP. It is often ignored because it takes a little more work on the part of the camera user. A-DEP is useful because it takes the guesswork out of choosing an Aperture that will have the items you want in focus to actually be in focus. With this mode you focus on the closest subject you want to be in focus, take a shot, focus on the farthest away item you want in focus, take a second shot, then frame the picture as you want it and click for the actual picture.

It's not as hard or as slow as it sounds at first, but really works and eliminates looking up distances on charts. Talk about precise Aperture control without needing to be an expert!

Happy shooting,
George

George, great job talking about the A-DEP, I really hadn't paid much attention to that but you are right that is pretty useful if you don't understand aperatures, you also have the CA option which has sliders to set the background blurry or in focus and stuff like that, Another option I doubt I will ever use but could be helpful for beginners, especially since it shows you want it picked so it can be a good learning tool. I recently got my 50D and I think it is a fantastic camera. You really have the control to do whatever you want, within the budget you have for lenses and lighting of course. :)

I am a wanna be photographer and have taken thousands of photos of my family. (over 40K) In this economy I have lost my job and would like to see if I could learn to take semi-professional photos at special events. I know almost nothing except that I need a GOOD camera at a very reasonable price... I see in the current issue of Consumer Reports that they have listed the Cannon EOS-400 Digital at $1100 as their CR Best Buy, and going online this evening I planned to buy one - BUT saw your comments about the EOS 50D ... I guess I am thinking that the camera is 90% of taking a good photo... Is the auto focus on this camera good enough to take wedding pictures too - if I have NO idea how to manually manipulate a camera... Is their a better camera for a novice who can't afford to upgrade anytime soon, so I need to get the best deal for the best camera the first time.. Any thoughts? Thanks

Marie,

Although this is my first digital SLR camera I have had a film SLR for a while. I think the EOS 400 would probably be a great camera and if you buy a cheaper body then you can spend more money on getting a good lens which is really where you should spend most of your money. Also I would say that 90% or more of taking a good photo is the photographer not the equipment. I have some fantastic shots I took with a Nikon coolpix point and shoot. Good equipment can make it easier to get the great shots but it is the photographers vision and skill that gets good photos.

If you are just getting started you may want to look at a Digital Rebel either the 10MP or 12MP models, I hear those are really good cameras and they are reasonably priced. By getting something like a Rebel you might have enough money to get another lens which will help you get better shots, and remember lens you buy for the Digital Rebel can be used on the more expensive bodies so you could always upgrade the body later and use the lenses you purchased on the new body. And by the way on the Rebel you have all the manual settings as well as the "no think" modes so it is a great camera to learn with.

If you are serious about wanting to learn photography you will want to learn how to set the controls manually so that you understand the impact of apertures, shutter speeds, etc... I recommend the book "Exposure" which you can get at Amazon.

Anyway hope that helps a little bit.

Bill,

Thanks for your comments. I actually went out last night and bought the Nikon D300 and an 18-200 Nikon lens. I had planned to buy the Cannon until the salesman went through all the features with me. It is all really confusing, but I am determined to figure it out. I bought from Ritz and will get 12 free lessons with the purchase, so hopefully once I have done that I will be a little more informed as to what comes next.

Again, thanks for answering my question. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Marie

Marie,

Nikon makes a great camera as well and you can't really go wrong with Nikon or Canon. I am sure you will be happy with your purchase. My film camera was a Nikon FA and I loved it but I felt that with the lenses I wanted I would end up saving in the long run with Canon but really Nikon makes fantastic equipment and you will probably love your new purchase. Hopefully the free lessons will be a great start for you!

Bill

To answer Marie Adams:

"I guess I am thinking that the camera is 90% of taking a good photo"
Yep... With the most recent digital SLR's combined outfitted with high quality lenses that statement is fair when it's in the hands of an average person. Gain some experience and learn how to use the various modes the camera has, learn about lighting (Important in weddings and portraits), then add your imagination for creative views and that number can swing all the way to 10% camera and 90% photographer. Spend some time looking at photos on fredmiranda.com and you will see what is possible.

"I need a GOOD camera at a very reasonable price"
That's either the 40D or XSi, both are good cameras and at good price points.

"Is the auto focus on this camera good enough to take wedding pictures"
Yes! Both the 40D and 50D have very good auto focus, I sense the 50D focus is just a little bit faster than the 40D. Although not as fast I believe the Rebel XSi will also work in weddings, but it's not good for tracking fast moving subjects (kids, sports, etc)

"for a novice who can't afford to upgrade anytime soon"
If you want a camera that you wont grow out of in the next year, the 50D has the best "upgrade fever prevention" you can get today.
With its 15 Megapixels you can crop and still have lots of detail, a real benefit for any professional work. But its not the "best deal" now since it just hit the streets a month ago. If you can afford it you wont be sorry. If money is real tight the 40D is probably too much also, in that case a Rebel XSi and a couple good lenses may be a better use of money now.

OOPS, I type this last night and clicked send this morning... I see you went with Nikon! The D300 costs even more but its a great camera also. The 18-200 zoom is a good all-around lens and one you will be glad to have, but bewasre wedding professionals consider it a travel lens. If you told the salesman you will be doing weddings I cant believe he told you buy that lens. When you get in dark churches you WILL need to use a flash, so get one of the best Nikon makes, either the SB-800 or the new top-dog SB-900. Many churches do not allow use of a flash, in that situation the more expensive f2.8 zooms work much better, and the even faster prime lenses work best. If you live near a camera store that rents lenses you should try the 17-55 f2.8 and/or 24-70 2.8. A lower cost option that takes fantastic quality photos is the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 the best price/performance ratio on a zoom lens.

Congratulations on getting a great camera, read the manual and practice doing what it says at the same time, quickest way to get familiar with your fantastic new tool/toy. Good luck!

I too just lost my full time job (great economy!) I'm a graphic designer for a magazine that just was cancelled and have been taking a lot of studio and location photography this past year with a Canon 40D. I have my cheat sheet of settings for particular shots and the confidence of knowing I can correct anything in PhotoShop (def want to get beyond that!). I want to concentrate more on freelance photography and was going to go with the 40D because I'm comfortable with it. Along with extra classes this spring and the professional portfolio I already have built up I'm afraid I may outgrow the 40D as I become more comfortable. I have an amazing art director that shows me which lenses I should bring for each project, but now that I'm almost done working with him...sigh....I need to have an arsenal of my own. Any suggestions on which camera and starting lenses I would need? I want to do mostly outdoor and studio portraits for now, along with a job I just scored for food photography. Yes, I know that is difficult, I'm always up for a challenge :)

I would love to hear some feedback from you more knowledgable photogs! Thanks much!!

Christy,

I believe that as you present your question to this forum, in a sense you are also answering yourself by the obvious fact that what you will need in this new stage you entering of your professional career is an upgrade on your present equipment. Having said that I believe that there are differing opinions as to whether the 50D is a really significant upgrade from the camera you already have. ( I have just recently bought a 50D for myself) But that I believe is a matter of opinion and self calibration of your results once you start practicing with your new equipment.
You should remember that whichever camera you decide upon buying will have its very own learning curve, even though almost all of the basics are much alike. Yet, in order to advance in technology, obvious features will be presented in different manners and even the protocols may change. So keep that in mind while you start working with your new equipment.
As far as cameras go nowadays, the two main players in popularity and quality in regards to best money to technical values obtained are Canon and Konica, and yet there are also in the market a few other brands that could fill your future necessities. Thus a lot of research should be done before taking that credit card or roll of bills come out of your purse.
As for lenses, obviously Canon and Konica have the largest rollout of lenses for any possible need, and there is also in the market the Sigma and Tamron lenses which are not bad. Thus if you need a new set of lenses in this new stage, obviously Canon or Konica should be the way to go in your particular case.

Best of luck!

Boris

Just be very honest with a bride and groom about your experience and skill level. I had a photographer who claimed to be a professional, but was clearly not. It caused us some heartache.